Heir’s Redemption

Chapter 40

CATERINA’S POV

It’s been almost three months since I left home. I wish I could say that I was doing good, but I honestly can’t even tell my head from my own ass.

The pain is suffocating—oppressive even.

It’s like the pain sank deep into my veins, taking root and flourishing inside of me to make my life a living hell.

The only thing that helps is alcohol—it numbs the pain and makes me temporarily forget.

Even if it’s just for a couple of hours.

Every night, I seem to spend my time in the clubs of Italy. They’re so vibrant and full of good energy that distracts me for the time being—but once I go home, all the pain comes crashing back.

I’m staying in this huge castle alone—apart from the men Vinny sent to protect me.

My thoughts and dreams are always filled with Rámon—his complicated eyes, soft lips, large hands, and sexy body is all I can see when I close my eyes.

He plagues my very being and I can’t get him out of my system.

I don’t know what to do anymore.

I’m spiraling.

Since I left, I enrolled at an esteem university here in Italy—well I really had no other choice. My parents weren’t just gonna let me party for the whole couple of years I’m here trying to forget about Rámon.

I know I used going to college as an excuse to get away, but I was hoping to skip it altogether.

I hated school.

Just because I was smart, didn’t mean i wanted to waste my time being in class and listening to the teacher’s lecture me about stupid things that I will never use out in the real world.

Like now, I was skipping class and hiding out in the library. I had a book open in front of me but I’ve been staring at the same two pages for hours, waiting for school to be over.

I was ready to go home and drink before I went out and explored the city and drank some more.

My nights seemed to blur together.

I always ended up at some club in the city, drunk and belligerent, trying to forget about Rámon and the undying love I had for him—have for him, because I’m unfortunately still in love with that bastard.

Maybe that’s why I’m spiraling—because I can’t stop loving him.

A throat being cleared brung me back to reality. I raised my head and met the gaze of a man with the bluest eyes I have ever seen.

They were as blue as the ocean.

My eyes trailed over his face, noticing the rugged and sinfully handsome features of this stranger—he had a sharp jawline that was covered in short-dark stubble. He had dark hair that was slicked back perfectly—not a hair out of place. His brows were arched and sharp, with long dark lashes gracing his cheeks with every flutter.

Who was this man?

His thin lips curved into a smile before his white teeth peeked out behind them.

“Hello sweetheart.” His voice was deep and sexy, sending shivers down my spine, “I didn’t mean to disturb you, but I couldn’t just pass up an opportunity to speak to a beautiful girl like yourself.”

His voice was Russian, or maybe something else—Ukrainian, or polish even. It was more Americanized, but his accent sounded Slavic in nature.

I could only c**k my head to the side and stare at him, trying to read him.

He wore a black suit and black dress shirt underneath. His attire was polished and almost wealthy like. He carried himself with an air of poise, nothing lower than high-class.

His handkerchief was crisp and white with no wrinkles in sight. Almost like a neat freak if I was being honest.

His smile faltered slightly before he recovered and stuck his hand out, introducing himself.

“My name is Simon, it’s wonderful to make your acquaintance.”

I stared at his large hand and the pale flesh that covered his lanky bones. There were no tattoos in sight, but I’m sure he had some underneath his tailored suit.

I was too busy judging him to not notice the way he tensed up as he held his hand out for me to shake.

“Cat.” I muttered back before shaking his hand firmly. His skin was warm—more hot than usual, as if he had been warming his flesh by a fire.

His hesitant smile, brightened, before he nodded his head.

“It’s wonderful to meet you, Cat.” He winked, sending an unfamiliar shiver down my spine.

I couldn’t understand the feeling I had—weary, but also turned on by his sinfully handsome features.

My parents always said to be weary of strangers.

A stranger danger kind of thing.

“May I sit?” I watched his eyes drop to the chair across from my table as his hand gripped the back of it, waiting for my permission.

“Sure.” I nodded my head as I continued to scrutinize him.

He pulled the chair out and took a seat across from me. His tall frame was quite large in the chair, but not a beefy kind of large—he was just tall and lanky but had some muscle underneath his fitted suit.

I watched him turn around in his chair and nod towards a few men who wore all black suits at the entrance of the library.

Those three men left the library as soon as Simon nodded towards them.

That wasn’t weird at all.

“Did my parents send you?” I blurted out before I could think about what to say next.

This was all too familiar.

Those three men were dressed in designer black suits while they stood guard at the only entrance, as if they were protecting a specific target.

The only reason they left was because Simon gave them an order—a slight nod of his head and they went running.

Boss tendencies.

“Your parents?” He chuckled slightly, “I don’t understand.”

My jaw ticked as I watched this man across from me.

Something was up with this situation.

Something was up with him.

“Who are you?” I asked as I crossed my arms across my chest and glared at him.

“My name is Simon.” He explained, “I’ve seen you around school and I couldn’t pass up the oppurtunity to finally speak to you since you were alone.”

Before I could say anything, he cut me off.

“I think you’re beautiful and unique in every way possible.” He spoke out as his lips curved into a small smile, “I’d like to take you out on a date. Maybe a drive around the city. What do you say?”

I scoffed, finding his approach lame and certainly suspicious.

“No thanks, Simon.” I drawled out his name for extra emphasis.

He smirked, “Fiesty, I like it.”

I narrowed my eyes at him as he winked at me, enjoying every second of this.

“Look here Simon.” I stated firmly, “Get the f**k out of here while you still have a chance. Don’t make me show you the other side of me. She isn’t pretty.”

He laughed—a deep and gravely kind of laugh, making the hairs on the back of my neck stand up.

“You’re even better than I thought, bunny.”

I twisted my face in disgust at his pet name for me and his attempt to sound cute.

“How about you get the hell out of here before I shove my foot up your ass, bunny.”

He smirked as his eyes creased in amusement.

“How about you come to my club tonight.” He offered, “Let me show you a good time.”

I raised my brows in slight curiosity.

“You own a club?” I questioned, “How old are you even?”

By the looks of him, he was in his early twenties maybe—Vinny and Rámon’s age, if I was guessing.

“Not too old, bunny.”

I rolled my eyes, already annoyed with him and his slick mouth.

“Club Apollo.” He smiled before taking a black card out of his suit jacket and sliding it across the table. “Consider this your invitation.”

I frowned as I looked at the card sitting on the table in front of me. It was all black and had a picture of a skeleton skull in red with nothing else.

“Make sure you bring this with you tonight.” He informed as he eyes lingered on the card in front of me, before raising out of his seat.

He clipped his suit jacket and smoothed it down before turning his gaze back over to me. His blue eyes held amusement as his thin lips curved into a smug smirk.

“It was nice to meet you Cat.” His voice dropped lower, drawing out my name. “I hope to see you later tonight.”

Before I could say anything, he walked away. I watched him leave the library entirely before I picked up the card and examined it.

The card was entirely empty, besides the red skull on the front.

Weird.

Suspicious even.

But also very intriguing.

There was no telling what was waiting for me at “his” club, but I sure as hell was gonna find out. I was never one to run from a challenge and this was definitely a challenge to uncover.

I guess I was going to Club Apollo tonight.

…

“Why not just stay home tonight?” Edwin, one of Vinny’s men asked out as I threw on my leather jacket, getting ready to leave to go to Club Apollo.

“Not a chance.” I smirked, “I have a mystery I have to uncover.”

“A mystery?” He questioned back with furrowed brows.

I nodded my head as I lathered some clear lipgloss over my plump lips.

“Why not just go to bed and get an early start for school in the morning.” He argued instead.

“God Edwin! You sound like my father!” I complained, making the other men laugh around us.

“Leave her alone.” Luca demanded, “We were ordered to protect her, not dictate her decisions.”

I smiled, knowing I could always count on Luca.

He was younger than my father, but still older in age. He was the father of the group—authoritative and only spoke when necessary. The other men respected him and looked to him for guidance, considering they were all a lot younger than him.

I took one last look in the mirror.

I wore a pair of black leather pants, letting them cling to my figure and show off my curves and cute ass. I had a white crop top on and my favorite black leather jacket on over it, dressing for warmth.

“Thank you Luca! I can always count on you to remind these children of their places.” I praised as I took a lengthy shot of vodka before skipping my way towards the front door.

Luca smirked and shook his head in amusement before following behind me.

“Who you calling children, woman?” Edwin grumbled, making me laugh.

“Obviously you pretty boy.”

“You think I’m pretty?” He flirted back, making me roll my eyes.

“That’s not entirely a compliment, Edwin.”

The others laughed before following me outside and towards the SUV’s that were waiting for us.

“Let’s go boys.” I called out as I climbed into the back seat of one of the SUVs, “Let’s not waste anymore time.”

“I still think this is a terrible idea.” Edwin mumbled before climbing in next to me.

“Save your opinions for somebody who cares.” I argued back, making him glare at me.

I laughed before sitting back for the ride.

Tonight was gonna be fun.

I just knew it.