Heir’s Redemption

Chapter 3

The bleachers of the catholic football field, were filled to the brim. It was the homecoming game, so people were eager to be here and show off their school’s pride.

Vincenzo and Rámon were in the crowd— they were the only ones looking out of place with their full three piece suits and icy demeanor.

Girls of all ages blushed and giggled as they stole glances at them. They were the sexiest looking thing out of New York, why wouldn’t they stare?

The twins were also here, but only Gianni was enjoying the limelight. Tommásso couldn’t care less, considering he didn’t really like attention from overly eager girls.

That was one thing he learned about himself— he didn’t like girls at all.

Rowan was also here and sitting with the group of men. She was too engrossed with her sketch book to realize Gianni was staring at her and admiring how much she’s grown over the years.

As much as he didn’t want to admit it— he was attracted to her.

He loved the way her pale skin glistened in the artificial fluorescent light. As well as the way her dark freckles covered her rosy cheeks and doll-like nose. Her long red hair was fascinating to him, making him want to twirl some strands in his fingers, just to cop a feel of it.

He scolded himself, knowing he shouldn’t have been this smitten. He was a playboy and was never going to settle down.

Rowan wasn’t gonna be anything different.

“You’re not allowed to smoke here.” Vinny gently reprimanded Rámon who was puffing on a cigarette like his life depended on it.

Rámon’s knee bounced up and down as he inhaled his cigarette like the air he breathed. His eyes scanned the football field, looking for that one person who was always on his mind.

He wouldn’t outright tell anyone that he was anxious— his body language gave it away without any words.

Vinny noticed and couldn’t help but be amused.

He’s seen how cold and ruthless Rámon could be, considering how they torture people together— But here he was anxious over his baby sister flaunting herself in front of the whole school.

Who knew Rámon could be so insecure and jealous?

“f**k off.” Rámon muttered before going back to smoking his cigarette until it burned through the tip.

He through the burnt bud to the floor of the bleachers and reached for another one in his suit jacket pocket.

“Relax.” Vinny coaxed as he stole his pack of cigarettes and stuffed it into his own suit pocket, “There’s no reason for you to be so anxious.”

“I’m not anxious!” Rámon snapped, causing others from the crowd to look over at them.

Rámon sucked in a deep breath as he turned his attention back over to Vinny who found all of this amusing.

“I’m not anxious.” Rámon whispered back, trying to convince himself more than Vinny.

“Whatever you say big man.” Vinny patted his back before turning his attention over to the field.

The football teams were both practicing plays on both sides of the field. The game would be starting in the next couple of minutes, meaning the cheerleading team should be on the field already.

Vinny was patiently waiting until he got to see Sage, but even he knew his heart was impatient and couldn’t wait any longer.

When he was away from her, he missed her like crazy and always worried about her. Nobody could see the turmoil that was festering inside of him, considering he knew how not to show his emotions.

Níkolai taught him long ago to never show his emotions.

Maybe Rámon could have used a lesson in never showing his emotions. He seems to always give his mood away, no matter how ruthless and cunning he can be— but then again it was only Caterina who could expose that raw and emotional side of him.

“Is this how it feels to be in love?” Rámon asked absentmindedly as his eyes lingered on the field. “Is love supposed to make you feel like you’re going crazy?”

Vinny chuckled, not expecting him to be so vulnerable with him. “Love is a complex feeling. It can make you feel lots of things.”

“Why do you seem to be doing fine then?” Rámon grumbled, “How are you okay with your girl chatting it up with other men, when she belongs to you?”

Vinny sighed out, knowing Rámon was too possessive. “I love Sage, but she doesn’t belong to me. She’s still underage and I can’t make my move until she turns eighteen.”

“So you’re telling me you’re fine with her dating other men?”

“Of course not!” Vinny raised his voice unconsciously, feeling his heart hurt at the mere thought of Sage dating somebody else.

Rámon chuckled, knowing he wasn’t the only one going crazy from being in love, “I thought so.”

“Just because I don’t want her with anybody else, doesn’t mean I have the right to control her life. I have to respect her decisions and hope that she will wait for me until she comes of age.” Vinny explained, “Yes I love Sage, but I also don’t want to push her away and make her hate me before I can even show her how much I love her.”

“How come I feel like there was a jab in there directed towards me?” Rámon mocked, making Vinny chuckle.

“There was you fucker.”

“It’s not like I intentionally try and hurt Cat.” Rámon explained, “I have needs and I know she can’t fulfill them, so I just go elsewhere. You act like you don’t do the same.”

Vinny rolled his eyes, knowing Rámon was just making excuses. He always made excuses for himself.

“I don’t do the same.” Vinny retorted, “I haven’t been with any woman yet. I’ve been saving myself for Sage.”

Rámon widened his eyes in shock, not expecting his friend’s words.

“Seriously?!” Rámon whispered as he looked around, making sure nobody heard them. “You’re still a virgin?”

Vinny rolled his eyes, not paying him any mind.

“Yes Rámon.”

“Jesus, who would have knew the infamous Vincenzo Gambino was still a virgin?” Rámon teased. “I wonder what your admirers would think.”

Vinny rolled his eyes and ignored his attempt to get under his skin.

“Look, if you really loved my sister and wanted to keep your promise to her, you would’ve never slept with anybody.” Vinny scolded him, not pleasing his ego one bit. “Love may be complex, but the problems you’re having with my sister are your fault. She has every right to hate you and choose somebody else if she wanted.”

Rámon clicked his tongue in anger as he glared at Vinny. “She is mine! I am never giving her up!”

“Then do better!”

Vinny was the only one who gave the truth to him straight. He didn’t sugarcoat anything when it came to Rámon. He loved Rámon but he also loved his sister. She came first over him and he would always protect her, even if it was from Rámon.

Rámon huffed in annoyance before crossing his arms over his chest.

“I’m trying to do better, I don’t want to loose her.” Rámon said back softly, showing another part of his vulnerable side.

“As long as you do better, you won’t loose her.” Vinny reassured.

They shared a knowing look, dissolving all of the tension they both were just feeling.

Loud music filled the air around them before the cheerleaders ran out of the locker rooms. Vinny instantly spotted Sage who was leading the group on the field.

She was always in high spirits and had that million dollar smile on her face that he loved— but as his eyes moved down her body, he was more entranced by the second.

Her cheer uniform hugged every curve she had. Her thick and short legs were on display and made him feel a rush of desire through his body. His mouth instantly went dry and he tried to find the control that was so easily slipping away.

Next to him, Rámon was just as entranced by Caterina.

Unlike Sage, Caterina didn’t look one bit of happy. She slugged behind the group and walked with her arms crossed around her chest, hating every second of this.

Rámon totally bypassed her body-language and was more focused on the way she looked in front of all these horny teenage boys. The way her mini-skirt clung to her figure made Rámon feel things he’s never felt before.

Her crop top exposed her toned abdomen and showed the way her hips flared out from her waist. Her long and tan legs, glistened underneath the light, awakening his inner beast who longed to touch her and be intimate with her.

He’s never seen her with this much exposed skin and it did wonders for him.

He was finally able to realize that she wasn’t a little girl anymore. She’s grown into a beautiful woman who he wanted to be with for the rest of his life.

His feelings were becoming too real for him to ignore them anymore.

What the hell was he gonna do now?