CHAPTER 9

Belladonna

      “So what are you going to do about her?” I asked Julian before taking a bite of my salmon. The two of us were having lunch discussing the passing of this semester’s pledge class when he broached the subject of Evelyn. More specifically, Matt telling him that she was scheming.

      “I really don’t know what to do,” he answered as he rubbed his right hand over his face. “First and foremost she’s threatening my relationship with Advani and my every instinct is telling me to eliminate her from the situation all together, but then there’s a part of me that will always have a soft spot for her. She willingly shared her life with me Bella. Her blood flows through my veins. She has been my donor for more than a decade now and that means something.”

      “Do you want to know what I think?” I asked him as I took a sip of my white wine.

      “Please.”

      “Leave her be,” I offered easily.

      “What?” he asked shocked.

      I could understand his surprise. I mean I was the “cold-hearted” twin…at least that’s what people thought. Truth be told, when the right buttons were pushed Julian was far more dangerous than I could ever be and right about now Advani was that button. Normally I was all for getting rid of the object (or person) causing a problem and keeping things moving. Unfortunately for Julian this wasn’t one of those instances.

      Evelyn and I were quite familiar with one another and she knew that if she physically threatened someone I considered family, I wouldn’t think twice before killing her and anyone else I thought would avenge her. She wasn’t foolish enough to get on my bad side, nor was she stupid enough to go against the royal family by physically harming Advani who (at this moment) was not strong enough to defend herself. No, what Evelyn had in mind was a psychological fight and I knew she would pick at Advani’s insecurities, but this was something Advani had to deal with on her own.

      Julian was the guy everyone in our social circle wanted, vampiric and human alike. Evelyn’s scheming was the least of her worries. There women who genuinely felt that they deserved Julian’s love and attention more than she did. The quicker Advani learned how to weed those women out and stand up for herself, the better she would be. I knew that she had a backbone under that passive aggressive shell of a woman she has become, but she could no longer be a wallflower. One day, maybe not a year from now or a year after that, she will help run a civilization with my brother as her consort. She will have to be outspoken and unwavering in her decisions and I don’t see why she couldn’t start with Evelyn.

      “Advani will have many things to worry about and women like Evelyn are just the tip of the iceberg. You can’t protect her forever Julian. You have to let her stand on her own two feet and handle her business.”

      “I can’t see any good coming out of letting Advani and Evelyn cross paths knowing what Evelyn is up to,” he disagreed.

      “You’ll do what you will, but that’s my suggestion.” With that I let the subject drop.  

Nicole

      I danced around the party along with the women from my line and my big sisters reveling in the fact that I was now a Doll. It had been hard work, especially since Eva took great pride in riding us. We all knew she was still salty that Julian had chosen Advani over her and her aversion to Advani, and in effect the rest of us on the line, only grew after she saw the rock Julian had placed on Advani’s finger. 

      Evelyn, and a few other jealous sisters in charge of the hazing, had taken great pride in fucking with Advani. Well as much as they had dared. After the invitations were given in the middle of the semester, the initial group of 50 or so women who had received their invitations had been cut down significantly. It had taken almost a month for Belladonna and her advisory board to make the final line of seventeen women, but once they did hell week started and it really was hell.

      We were forced to wake up at four in the morning and cook breakfast for both the Dolls and our brother fraternity every morning. We were forced to clean the sorority house and were not to have any outside contact with any friends or boyfriends until after hell week. During the house meetings we were to sit around each other and share our secrets, which they reasoned would help us bond, but it really was meant to gather ammunition during the week of torture. Evelyn had grown furious throughout the week when she couldn’t dig up any information on Advani. There just wasn’t any skeletons in Advani’s closet and in the end, Advani had been dubbed ‘Pledge Nun’. The running joke was that she might as well have been catholic since she would drink none at the parties, do none, smoke none, or take none.

      “Damn Nick,” a smooth voice called out as a hand reached out and gripped my waist. It took everything in me not to grab that hand and pull the body to the nearest room and ravish him.

      Matthieu looked so amazingly fuckable in his navy blue suit. The two organizations always had a joint formal to officially acknowledge the pledges that had made it through hell week and passed over. Out of the 17 women on my line, only 8 of us had actually passed over and I believe only 10 of the 15 guys passed over. Not everyone could take the hazing and extreme pressure we were to endure throughout the week, but it was truly worth it in the end.

      “You like?” I questioned as I backed up and twirled in my slingbacks, showing off my figure in the form fitting metallic Herve Leger bandage dress.

      “I love,” he answered as he pulled me closer. My eyes closed on their own as his woodsy cologne went to my head and his arms embraced me.

Evelyn

      “I don’t know how long I’ll be in here, so stay out front,” I ordered the taxi driver.

      “The meter is going to be running,” he warned.

      “That’s not a problem,” I assured him as I stepped out of car my heels just missing a crack in the sidewalk.

      Cold wind slapped me and pulled my hair from my face as I walked inside of the Hilton Hotel. I stopped at the front desk and asked them which hall PDS had reserved and was directed towards the grand ballroom. I shrugged off my coat presenting a form fitting sequined cocktail dress that gripped my curves as if the garment was sewed with my body in mind. The top hugged my chest supportively, went in at my small waist and flared out as it reached my shapely hips outlining my perfect classic coke bottle shape. When I walked through the door guys immediately took notice…every guy, but the one I wanted.

      Julian was focused solely on Advani and I took that time to size her up. It was a sea of gold, silver and the odd white or black dress so the fact that she was wearing gold from head to toe, with the exception of her jewelry, didn’t make her stand out like a sore thumb. Neither did the bright violet eyes she sported proudly. What set her aside was the fact that she’d decided on a pair of straight leg jacquard dress pants that made her legs look longer than they were and the gold silk blouse she’d worn had a draped neckline and matched her sandals perfectly. She laughed at something Julian said and placed her left hand on his chest as she stared into his eyes. I gripped my silver clutch tighter before relaxing my expression and making m way toward the couple.

Advani

      I was about to ask Julian if he was ready to leave when sparkles caught my attention and I turned around to see the last person I wanted to see. The smile fell from my face as the woman I knew to be Evelyn stopped in front of Julian and me. Instead of focusing her attention on Julian, she looked down at me and gave me what would have been a genuine smile if I didn’t catch the glint in her eyes.

      “Did you need something?” I asked.

      “I wanted to speak to you actually,” she answered and I felt Julian hold me tighter.

      I caressed his clutching hand to let him know that everything was fine. I nodded at Evelyn and followed her out of the ballroom and leaned back against the wall once the door was closed behind us.

      “I actually wanted to apologize,” she spoke surprising the hell out of me. “I came out here with every intention of trying to steal Julian from you. I’ve always had this thing for him and since we had more history together than you two have, I thought I’d give it my best try.”

      “And what changed your mind?” I asked, taking everything she said in with a grain of salt.

      “He looks happy with you,” she spoke as if that was the most obvious explanation. “Truce?”

      “There’s no need for a truce,” I told her. It wasn’t because I didn’t believe a word she said, but because I didn’t have any real issues with her. I may be insecure about a lot of things, who wasn’t insecure about something, but one thing I never doubted was Julian’s affection for me. She had never been a serious threat to our relationship. An annoyance? Yes, but nothing to truly worry over.

      “Well,” Evelyn started, obviously surprised at how easily the conversation had gone, “that’s all I came here for so…enjoy your evening.”

      “I most certainly will and you do the same,” I urged and watch her go before turning and heading back into the party.

Belladonna

      “I said no,” Advani spoke evenly as she buttoned her olive colored wool military jacket.

      “You and Julian, with the help of our mother, have decided on a spring wedding. You have less than six months to plan this thing and you haven’t even tried on any dresses yet. Time is running out Advani,” I warned. She cut me a side-eye as she stepped into a pair of dark green moccasin designed pumps. “What is really going on with you?”

      “I told you that I don’t have the time,” she answered.

      Did she honestly think I was going to accept that lame ass excused. “You have your last exam and it’s in a class you’ve aced all semester. You could skip the final all together and still get an A so don’t play me. Why are you so against dress shopping?

      She sighed before turning towards me and giving me the real reason behind her attitude. “You know, when I was little I always imagined what my wedding would be like. You know, whether I’d have some intricate dress like Princess Diana’s or something simple. I knew what color scheme I wanted and it was just going to be a dream. Over the years I’ve seen different things that have changed my vision, but one thing that remained constant was the fact that my mother would be there to help me choose my gown. I refuse to start searching for my dress without my mother. It was one thing when I thought she was gone, but she’s not and I can’t do that without her. I won’t so just drop it!” she snapped as she pulled the denim of her jeans out of the back of her left shoe.

      “Alright,” I agreed, raising my hand. “I’ll just cancel the appointment.”

      Canceling that appointment was the last thing I was going to do. It took a lot of maneuvering to get an appointment at such a short notice and I wasn’t about to break it. I’ll just have to work my magic and convince her. After all, I always get what I want.

Evelyn

      I glanced at my watch impatiently, vowing to give my lunch date another minute before leaving the restaurant all together. Luckily, my guest chose that moment to enter and I almost felt flattered as I watched as she made her way to my table. I’d taken great care in choosing an accomplice and out of all the human women who salivated over my prince, Eva Pascale was most vehement about her feelings towards both Julian and his chosen. I’d watched her and while she always made sure she was well put together, I could tell that she’d chosen her outfit with care and applied her make up with precision before leaving her home and meeting me here.

      “I’m glad you could make it,” I spoke easily before waving my hand at the chilled pitcher that was filled with mineral water.

      “Yes, so why have you invited me here. You’ve mentioned something about Julian.”

      “Yes, Julian,” I started before taking a sip from my glass. “Did you know that he and I grew up together? I’ve always held a special place in my heart for him. He was like the big brother I never had-“

      “Big brother?” Eva asked. I could hear the relief in her voice.

      “Yes, you see I have two older sisters and I had always wanted a brother. Our families were close and he fulfilled that role for me,” I spoke, lying through my teeth. “When I got the call that he had gotten engaged, I was happy for him and eager to meet his fiance, but that Advani girl just isn’t right for him at all.”

      “That’s what I have been saying all along,” Eva eagerly joined in.

      “Julian is being groomed to take over the family business and he needs a woman by his side that will be able to fit into that society. A woman that is ready and able to be with a man of his power and wealth. I can’t see her succeeding in that role,” I explained, which was the first honest thing out of my mouth.

      “I can definitely empathize with that,” Eva muttered as she waved off the waiter who’d approached our table and asked if we were ready to order. “But that doesn’t explain why I’m here.”

      “I invited you, because I could see you being able to be the woman he needs. He doesn’t see it, but I think it’s my sisterly duty to help him out. So what do you say?” I asked her.

      “He’s not going to leave her,” Eva argued, dodging the question.

      “Right now, he’s infatuated. She’s some new toy that is exclusively his right now. All we have to do is show him that she isn’t as innocent as she seems. All we have to do is break her. Once we break her, you’ll have the man. So are you in?”

      She looked out of the window for a minute, mulling over her options before turning her attention back to me. “I’ll do it.”

Eva

      “Thank you,” I spoke to the barista as I took a sip of my skinny caramel macchiato.

      It had been three hours since my lunch date with Evelyn and I couldn’t pull my mind off of our conversation. I was on a mission, and that was to get my man. I just had to figure out how to do it. Julian was in love and pussy whipped like a mother fucker so whatever I came up with had to be serious enough that he wouldn’t be willing to work it out. He-say/She-say wasn’t going to be enough to cause a riff in their relationship. I needed something solid. If only she wasn’t so fucking innocent.

      Just when I was about to admit defeat from a loss of ideas, I heard a familiar baritone ordering a tall espresso. I turned around and saw Owen Giles sitting at a table with some of his frat brothers. He and I used to mess with each other once upon a time when I was a freshmen and he a sophomore. We ended things a couple of months after we begun, but he had always had a soft spot for me. So much so that he practically hated the ground Julian walked on. If there was anyone I could count on to be an accomplice to my misdeeds, it was him.

      I stood from my seat, draping my trench coat over the back of the chair to claim my spot, and made my way towards him. Adrian caught sight of me first and elbowed Owen, nodding his head in my direction. Owen turned around in his seat and his light eyes caught my darker ones in an intense hold. He licked lips before offering me a smile that, once upon a time, would have had my knees buckling.

      “What’s up?” he asked once I stood across from him.

      “Can I talk to you in private?” I asked him.  

      He nodded, stood from his seat, and led me to an isolate corner in the cafe. I leaned in close to him and rest m right hand on his hard chest and began to work my magic. After fifteen minutes of flirtatious manipulation, I subtly reminded him of every instance Julian had one-upped him as well as the pain Julian had inflicted upon me. By the time I’d brought up the seduction of Advani, I had him thinking it was all his idea. Of course, I had to agree to go on a date with him to convince him that I was truly over Julian and all about him, but it was a small price to get what I wanted in the end.

Advani

      “Have fun and don’t do anything I wouldn’t do,” I called after Nicole and Matt.

      Nicole paused and turned around and jokingly replied, “Girl, please. That doesn’t leave me with much, now does it?”

      “Shut up!” I snapped playfully as I locked the door behind the paid and sat down on the couch, preparing to search the TV for something to watch.

      Just as I was getting into The Whole 9 Yards, someone began to knock on my door. I pressed pause and stood from the sofa and made my way to the door. I balanced myself on the tip of my toes and looked out of the peep-hole before opening the door.

      “Don’t you have something better to do than pester me?” I asked Belladonna sarcastically.

      “Whatever,” she retorted, “you know good and well I make your day.”

      “Sure, you do. Seriously though, what’s up?”

      “Come with me real quick,” she ordered, more so than asked.

      “You know you could add a please to that right?”

      “We don’t have that much time. Come on,” she urged as she made her way to the small hall closet and tossed a coat at me.

      “I’m coming, I’m coming,” I groaned as I turned off the television and grabbed my messenger bag and followed her out of the small apartment.

      The ride was done in a comfortable silence, with the soft sounds of R&B flowing from her speakers. It wasn’t until we entered Chelsea that I realized what our destination was.

      “Didn’t you hear a word I fucking said earlier?” I snapped.

      “Calm your ass down,” Bella ordered.

      “Fuck you!” I snapped, sick of her holier than thou attitude. The last time I checked she wasn’t my mother and she had no right forcing me to do something I didn’t want to do.

      She parked illegally in front of the bridal shop and turned her attention towards me. “Go inside and wait.”

      “No. Take me home.”

      “Don’t be so freaking difficult. We’re already here so just go inside and sign in,” she tried to convince me.

      Before I could let her know how much I didn’t give a damn that we were here and that I refused to step foot inside of the store, a knocking on my window grabbed my attention. I rolled my eyes at the amused expression on Bella’s face as I turned to see who was at the window. I just new it was an officer about to bitch about a ticket, but I got the shock of my life when I saw the person on the other side of the car door. It wasn’t an officer or an employee of Kleinfeld’s asking us to move, but my mother.

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