Gods and Monsters (Mafia Romance)

E L E V E N

Alicia’s P.O.V.

I froze. 

Everyone around me was moving, dancing, the floor trembling from the vibrations of the loud music, Cheryl taking i********: stories. Yet, it felt like the whole world had gone in slow-motion and a buzzing was all I could hear, as butterflies filled my stomach.

Shit. 

I stared back at him, into his icy eyes. 

A shy smile crept on my face, but he shook his head in disapproval, before making his way towards me – I think.

I turned around, wanting to let Cheryl know what had just happened, when a guy, obviously more drunk than even me, stepped in between us, turned his back to Cheryl and started dancing with his hands on my hips.

I gave him a disgusted look, as I tried to pull away from him, something that the small space that I had in the crowded dance-floor, didn’t seem to allow to me. I saw Cheryl pulling his shirt, trying to get him out of the way, but not only did he not budge, he pulled me even closer. Cheryl tried to step in between him and I, yelling at him, and I kept trying to get out of his grip, but in vein. 

“For f**k’s sake, let her go and go get a black coffee or something, creep!” Cheryl tried to separate us again.

“There’s enough d**k for you too, don’t ruin it for your friend!” The guy laughed and pushed Cheryl away. She lost her balance and bumped on a girl that was dancing right behind her.

My eyes widened in shock that he had the nerve to lay a hand on her, and I raised mine to slap him, but he realized soon enough to grab my wrist and hold it tightly, glaring at me, then raising his own hand, about to slap me. Cheryl saw and started screaming, drawing the attention of some people around us, but the guy was probably too drunk to notice. I shut my eyes closed and moved my face as far away from him as I could, getting ready for the slap, but it never came. 

I felt the guy letting go of me – or more like being shoved away from me – and finally opened my eyes again. Cheryl was immediately by my side, hugging me and asking me if I was alright. People around us had stopped whatever they were doing and were now forming a circle around Cheryl and I and two guys, the drunk creep who had harassed me and the tall one, who held him by the collar, with his back on us.

I gasped in realization and pulled Cheryl even closer to me. “It’s Salvatore…” I said, loud enough only for her to hear. 

Her blue eyes widened, as she looked at me in shock and excitement, before she turned to look at them again. Seconds later, a huge guy made his way to Salvatore and the creep. Salvatore told him something and he nodded, then he grabbed the guy and shoved him away. 

My heart started bouncing when he finally turned around and looked at me. People around us went back to dancing or whatever they had been doing before and I could feel Cheryl looking in between him and I with a naughty grin.

“Are you alright?” He made a few more steps towards me, closing the distance between us and I felt like I was about to pass out.

Although, maybe alcohol was also to be blamed about that…

“Yes, thank you!” I smiled gratefully. 

Cheryl cleared her throat from next to me. 

I turned to her, then back to Salvatore. “Oh, uhm, this is my best friend, Cheryl. Cheryl, Salvatore. He drove me to your house last week…” I pretended that I hadn’t been rambling to her about him all week long.

Cheryl extended her hand and Salvatore shook it. “So you’re the guy who has my baby drooling… Not gonna lie, I can see the appeal.” She smiled, and I only wished for the ground to open in half and swallow me, right this second.

My cheeks flushed in embarrassment when Salvatore c****d an eyebrow, looking at me in amusement. 

“Uh, okay, excuse her, she’s a little drunk…” I smiled awkwardly grabbing a laughing Cheryl’s hand and pushing her away, murmuring “Go back to the others, I’ll kill you later.” in her ear. 

Cheryl gave me a kiss on the cheek, winked at me and then turned around and started walking back to our group. I watched her to make sure that she would make it to our table safe, and when she was back in Eric’s embrace, I turned back to Salvatore. Heat returned to my cheeks when I was standing right in front of him again, the same amused expression still on his handsome face.

I gave him an awkward smile. “Thanks… For, you know, the drunk guy…” 

He nodded in acknowledgement. “How come you’re here?” 

I looked around, we were still in the middle of the dance floor, everyone was dancing. I started moving my body too, because it felt weird standing still as a statue among dancing people.

“I love partying.” I stated, getting bolder with my dancing.

God bless alcohol!  

“This is a night club. You’re not supposed to be here if you’re under 18.” He raised an eyebrow.

“Oops, party cop…” I pouted, then giggled.

He laughed, shaking his head in disapproval. “How much did you drink?” 

I frowned. “Do I look drunk?” 

“How much?” He insisted. 

I shrugged. “Enough to dance on the dance-floor, but not enough to get on the bar. Yet…” I gave him a flirty smile.

“This would definitely be a spectacular sight, but unfortunately it’s not going to happen. Not until you’re 18 at least.” He said firmly but nonchalantly at the same time. 

“Challenge accepted.” I smiled widely.

“Alicia.” He was serious enough for me to know that he wasn’t playing, but still very calm.

I pouted again and got a little closer to him. “So does this mean that I have to be 18 for you do dance with me?” I bit my bottom lip, staring in his ice-blue eyes. 

He stared back at me, probably thinking of the right answer. “We can dance this once.” He said finally.

I grinned, taking his hand and placing it on my waist, still looking in his eyes. My dancing moves became even bolder, as I started moving my hips from side to side, lifting my hands to my hair, then up above my head, until I placed them on his chest and shoulders. 

“So I have you drooling?” Salvatore smirked, looking down to me.

God, Cheryl you’re a dead little b***h!

I felt my cheeks flushing, but again I smiled at him, biting my bottom lip.

There goes my lip-gloss… 

Oh s**t, I must have red on my teeth, goddamn it!

I turned around, moving my behind against his groin – well, actually right underneath his groin, thanks to our height difference, that was still very noticeable, even though I was wearing high-heels. I took his hand that was now resting on my waist and softly placed it on my lower abdomen, while turning my head to the side and glancing at him behind my shoulder. He gave me a strange look, but didn’t say anything. 

God, I’m underage, it’s never gonna happen…  

I almost winced at the thought, but another line popped in my head and I quickly patted my lips with the back of my palm, to remove the excess lip-gloss,  then brushed my teeth with my finger, in case my new plan worked.

I turned back to face him. “For you to kiss me?” I got even closer to him, if that was possible. 

He looked at me in confusion, but his eyes darkened for a second.

“Do I have to be 18?” I continued, gracefully placing my hands on his strong chest.

I was sure I saw lust in his eyes, but then he tried to put some space between us, saying “You’re drunk.” and looking at me firmly.

“Enough to do what I want to without holding back, but not enough not to know what I’m doing…” I tried to sound convincing. 

“And what do you want exactly?” His eyes moved to my lips, then back to my eyes. 

I gave him a small shrug. “That you do what you wanted to do last Saturday…” I bit my bottom lip again, looking in his eyes.

He moved his head a little closer to me, and I closed my eyes, thinking that he would finally do it. 

“Yes.” He murmured in my ear.

I opened my eyes and blinked, looking at him.

“You have to be 18.” He said. Assertively, with no hesitation. 

My heart sunk and tears started filling my eyes, blurring my vision. “But I’ll be in less than 5 months…” My voice trembled. “What’s the difference?” I felt a tear dropping from my eye. 

Most likely, also because of alcohol…

“Alicia-” His expression softened, looking at me.

“I won’t regret it in 5 months.” I gave it a last try, and put my hands back on his chest softly, but this time more hesitantly. He didn’t stop me.

“I’m legal already… You’re not gonna get in trouble.” I added.

He answered after a moment “You’re legal, but it’s not…" He paused "Morally right.” 

Thankfully he was still dancing with me however.  

“Why? I want this now that I’m drunk, and I’ll want it more when I sober up…” I tried again, my heart bouncing in excitement when I realized that maybe this was getting somewhere. Nervously, I took my bottom lip in between my teeth, looking in his eyes. “I want it now that I’m 17 and a half, and I’ll still want it when I turn 18… March is in five months.” 

He looked around for a second, then grabbed my hand. “Come with me.”

My heart bounced as I let him lead me out of the dance-floor, but I hesitated when I saw that we were walking towards an exit of the terrace. 

All guys so far wanted one thing from me. Some had tried to take it forcefully, a couple of others by guilt-tripping or trying to manipulate me. Deep down I just knew that Salvatore was not like any of them. He had showed to me more respect that all the guys I had ever known combined. Plus, he gave me butterflies…

Yet, I had learnt to be cautious, and even when I was very drunk, there were certain limits that I wouldn’t cross. Like leaving alone with a man, without anyone knowing. 

“Wait!” I pulled back. 

He stopped and furrowed his eyebrows in confusion. 

“I- I have to tell my friend that I’m leaving and where I’ll be… She’ll be worried sick if I just disappear without a word.” 

He nodded. “Do you want to text her or go there and tell her in person?” 

I thought about it. Cheryl wasn’t good with messages. She will think that I was kidnaped and go crazy, without even considering checking her messages. 

“I think I’ll go tell her in person, but I’ll be back in a moment.” I said. 

“Do you want me to come with you?” He asked and my heard bounced again with his consideration.

So far only Cheryl knew of him, and my attraction to men older than me in general. Amanda and Sabina knew about the later one as well and I would probably tell them about Salvatore at some point too, but it was too soon. And as for the guys… Eric wouldn’t judge me or tell anyone if I asked him not to, but Pablo? I didn’t trust him one bit. As for Liam, he just fingered me and it was known that he had a crush on me. I had no idea how he would react and I didn't want another rumor, one about me f*****g men twice my age being spread in my whole school. 

“No, it’s fine, it will only take a second.” I smiled brightly, as he nodded, then hurried back to our table. 

Amanda waved at me when she saw me, grinning, and I smiled back at her. She was dancing with Cheryl, whose back was on me, while Eric and Liam were standing next to each other, talking and sipping on their drinks. Sabina was still making out with Pablo. 

I slapped Cheryl’s ass, when I was right behind her, and she immediately turned back, ready for a fight, but grinned widely when she saw it was me. “And?” She asked with wide, excited eyes.

“Later. He’s waiting for me, and I’m fine don’t worry. I’ll be back.” I said in her ear, then louder for the rest of them to hear “I saw a friend of mine, and I’ll be with her group for a bit, but I’ll be back.” 

I turned to leave but Cheryl grabbed my arm. “Wait!”

“Cherry it’s fine! Don’t worry, okay? If he wanted to take advantage of me or worse, he’s had plenty of opportunities to do it already. Nothing’s gonna happen that I don’t want.” 

She watched me with worried eyes, before slowly taking her hand off mine. I smiled and gave her a kiss on the cheek, before starting to walk away. 

“Where are you going?” Sabina called, interrupting her make-out session. 

I rolled my eyes and shook my head, smiling."Your tongues are gone stick together..." I told her and Pablo, before turning to Amanda, who was was the one standing closer to me. “Explain!” I asked her, motioning towards Sabina and Pablo, and then I finally walked away. 

My lips turned into a grin, when I spotted Salvatore, waiting for me at the exact spot where I left him. Our eyes locked again, and he motioned for me to get closer, before someone bumped on me. 

“Where are you going?” Liam’s hands grabbed my upper arms, holding me in place. 

My heartbeat quickened in fear and surprise. He must have followed me from our table. 

“I told you.” I answered, trying to seem unaffected. 

“What friend? Can I come with you?” 

I stared. Is this actually happening? 

“Let got!” I motioned to his hands on mine. 

He looked at them and his grip lightened, but he didn’t take them off. 

“Can I come with you?” He insisted. I didn’t like the look on his face. I had known him for years and thought we were friends, but right now, I was f*****g scared of him. 

“I will be back soon.” I managed to let out.

“You don’t want me to come with you?” His eyes narrowed.

I swallowed hard and bit my bottom lip. Why is is so hard for guys to take no for an answer? “You don’t have to, that’s all.” 

“I want to.” 

Fuck! Just leave me alone!  

“Why do you wanna come with me?” 

He shrugged. “Cheryl told us what happened with that guy on the dance floor.” 

I froze. 

No, Cheryl wouldn’t tell them about him, behind my back!

“Maybe, you’re gonna need help again.” He added.

Realization settled on my face. He meant the drunk creep. I let out a breath I was holding. “It’s fine, my friends are over there.” I glanced towards a random high-table like ours, with people around our age. 

He looked at the direction, then grabbed my wrist and started walking there, dragging me with him. 

My eyes widened in shock and disbelief. 

What the f**k is his problem?

“Liam, stop, what the hell?” I pulled my hand off his with all my strength, but his grip only tightened. “You’re hurting me, stop it!” I shouted, as he turned to look at me.

“I f*****g saw you with that guy, Alicia! Are you seriously gonna go f**k him right now?” He yelled at me, pulling me even closer to him.

My eyes widened in shock again, and I tried to find Salvatore, but Liam was blocking my view behind him. 

“Let. Go.” I glared at him.

He didn’t.

“Ali, he’s gonna take advantage of you. You’re drunk. Remember how you threw yourself on me before? Some guys aren’t good.” 

I blinked.

Okay, this isn’t happening… I died and was transferred into a parallel universe, where guys are even worse.

I frowned, looking at him in disbelief. “You’re serious?” 

His grip on my hand tightened even more. “You’re naïve…” 

Anger rose in me, overshadowing my previous fear. “Let f*****g go of me, Liam, I’m f*****g serious! You’re the guy, who isn’t good, you took advantage of me! You’re the one who ra-” I stopped. I couldn’t even say it. “Let. Go.” I looked at him as serious as I could.

“I have no idea what you’re talking about.” He narrowed his eyes. “You’re drunk!” His grip on my wrist tightened even more.

I stared at him in shock and despair. 

He stared back at me. His eyes traveled from my eyes, to my lips, before they settled on my boobs, making me even more uncomfortable and scared. 

“You’re so f*****g hot…” He muttered, taking a step closer to me.

My heart sank in fear. “Liam, please…” I tried to reason with him, as I took a step back, an attempt to bring a small distance back to us.

“Is there a problem?” 

I let out a breath I hadn’t noticed I was holding, as my heart started beating again. 

Salvatore stood behind Liam, more than a head taller than him. Tall, dark, handsome… Butterflies returned to my stomach, as I looked at him. He saved me again. For the second time tonight and third in general. 

Liam turned to look at him, his grip on my wrist still tight. 

“Mind your business.” He told him dryly.

Salvatore didn’t take his eyes off me as he spoke, coldly but calmly. “Is there a problem, Alicia?”  

My name rolled smoothly off his tongue, as he emphasized on it. I kept staring at him for a moment, before Liam turned to look at me… warningly. 

“No…” I said softly, trying to pull my hand out of Liam’s grip again. He tightened his grip even more, making me gasp in pain. “Liam, let go of my hand!” I muttered. 

I felt Salvatore’s eyes on our hands and tried to pull mine out of Liam’s again. “Do your ears not work? She asked you to let go of her hand.” His tone was cold, serious, with a hint of threat in it, but he remained calm as f**k.

The butterflies in my stomach started dancing wilder than ever, as I pulled my hand again. “Liam, you’re hurting me…” I said softly.

Liam glared at me, then at Salvatore and finally, he slowly let go of my wrist. I quickly pulled my hand close to me, nursing it with the other one. 

This was definitely gonna leave a bruise…

Liam raised his hands in defense as he turned to Salvatore. “She said there’s not a problem. You can leave now!” 

Salvatore’s jaw tightened, but one side of his lips twisted upwards a little. “Alicia, come here!” 

The butterflies were getting wilder every second and my heart was bouncing so loud I could hear it in my ears. A shiver traveled down my spine and right through my core at his commanding tone.

I made a step towards him, obediently, but Liam, who was standing between us, lightly pushed me behind. I frowned and tried to take another step closer to them, but he pushed me back again, harder this time, making me stumble a few steps behind and bump on a random girl. 

I murmured an apology, and she smiled and helped steading me again, before she took off. 

Salvatore’s words covered my entire body in goosebumps. “Touch her again and you’ll have no choice but to be left-handed.” His tone was so calm, like he didn’t just threaten to chop someone’s hand off. “Come here, Alicia!” He didn’t take his eyes off Liam, even as he spoke to me, and his commanding and dangerously calm tone did something to my v****a.

Liam tensed visibly, but he didn’t back off. 

I took a few hesitant steps back towards them. This time, Liam only glared daggers at me as I walked past him, but didn’t try to stop me. When I was standing next to him, Salvatore softly pushed me behind him, as he said in the same calm tone “Let me have a word with your friend, Alicia.”   

I tensed. “What?” I breathed out, but they had already taken a couple of steps away from me. 

I tried to follow, but a guy stepped in front of me. He was tall, as tall as Salvatore, and fit, with brown eyes and hair and tanned skin. He wore a mischievous smirk, as he looked at me. 

I made a step to the right, and so did he, then to the left, but he stepped in front of me again. I frowned and narrowed my eyes at him. “Get out of my way!” 

The scene made his smirk widen into a grin. It must have been hilarious; he was more than a head taller than me and I was demanding that he get out of my way. “I could say the same.” 

In most cases, this would be the time that I start backing off, but for some reason, I didn’t really feel threatened by that guy. Maybe because of the amount of alcohol that I had consumed, which definitely lowered my defenses, or maybe because he hadn’t made a move to touch me, which was very unusual. Most guys felt entitled to put their hands on me and my will was irrelevant when it opposed to theirs. 

I narrowed my eyes at him again, and made another step to the side, but he mirrored my action and was once again standing right in front of me.

“Let me go!” I groaned in frustration, as I made another step, to the other side, quicker this time, but still didn’t manage to get past him.   

“I’m not holding you.” He said, that stupid grin still on his handsome face.

I was about to make a scene thanks to my nerves, with everything that had happened tonight, when he finally took a step to the side. 

Salvatore was coming my way, as Liam was heading back to the direction of our table. Despite what had happened, I breathed in relief that he was still in one piece. 

The guy in front of me exchanged a look with Salvatore, his smirk always on his face, before grinning at me and heading off. 

“What happened?” I asked Salvatore when he was next to me, peering up to him. 

“All good.” He smiled down at me. 

“Did you know that guy?” I asked again. 

He nodded. “Diego, he’s my cousin.” 

My brows raised in surprise. “You’re a handsome family!” 

He looked down at me in amusement. “Family?” 

I nodded. “Everyone I’ve met so far. Your brother, your cousin… You…” My cheeks heated in embarrassment.

If nothing happens between us tonight, I’m gonna hate my drunk self so much tomorrow, for sounding so desperate…

The side of his lips twisted in a smirk. “Who’s the most handsome one?” 

Oh god no… He was teasing me now.

I felt the blush on my cheeks double. “I think you know the answer…”

“No. Enlighten me.” He insisted. 

My doubled blush doubled once more. “You…” I blurted out. 

He smirked in satisfaction. Leaning down to me, he murmured in my ear “You’re almost as red as your dress.” 

The doubled blush of the doubled blush tripled. 

“And now you have the same color with it.” He was so enjoying this…  

“Uhh…” I let out an awkward laugh, as I ran a hand through my hair.

“Come on. Let’s get out of here.” His hand slid behind me, on the small of my back, but he looked at me, as if he was silently asking for permission, before he touched me. 

The butterflies continued their wild dance in my belly and I leaned closer to him, silently giving him my permission. 

His hand rested on my back, as he led me towards the terrace exit.