After I Fall (Immortal Billionaires #1) - Melissa Sercia Page 0,33

more than five minutes.”

Oh I definitely want her under me. “Don’t get your dick hard, Cassius. Maybe if you actually used it for fucking once in a while, you wouldn’t be so obsessed with my sex life.”

He pinched his brows together into a scowl. “Fuck you. You know I can’t.”

“You can’t, or you won’t? It’s been five years since she… Look, all I’m saying is that you should consider finding a new mate. It’s in your nature. If you wait too long, you are going to hurt someone or yourself.” Werewolves who were mated were less feral and more controlled. Cassius had been single for a long time and as collected as he seemed, he was a wild animal simmering, just waiting to lose his shit.

Cassius snickered. “Aw, Ozi, you worried about me?”

“Every fucking full moon I worry about you.”

The corner of his lips turned down. “I’m fine, Ozi. What you should worry about is Camille and keeping her away from Raven. If she detects even the slightest interest on your part, she’ll use her to torture you.”

The twinge in my gut told me he was right but compartmentalizing the two was no easy task. I wanted Raven in my bed. I also wanted her to remain unharmed. How was I supposed to reconcile both?

“Enough talk. I don’t need to be in a foul mood at my own party. Just forget about all that for tonight. Have a few drinks, mingle, and try to enjoy yourself for once. All work and no play makes for a very dull wolf.” I slipped out the door before he had a chance to continue wallowing.

The Dolce Sale staff was bustling about but I had yet to lay eyes on Raven. I scanned the rooms as I made my way through the house. I figured she’d be in the kitchen but when I approached the door, I knew she clearly was not. Judging by the conversation two of the girls were having about Raven, she was nowhere near the kitchen. I lingered in the doorway to eavesdrop.

“What’s up with country girl? She’s so weird,” one of the girls said.

“Right? She obviously knows food and wine but she’s so socially awkward. Have you seen her at a table? She looks like a robot who can’t process human emotion.” The other girl giggled.

“Yeah until she waited on Ozi. Did you see how flustered she got? I thought the poor girl was going to drop the wine in his lap.”

“Poor country girl.”

They both laughed.

These fucking idiots. I charged in. “Am I paying you two to gossip?”

They stared at me dumbfounded, their cheeks reddening.

“Well? Do you think you’re better than her? Do you think your clothes and your connections make you better than her? Please enlighten me.” I was fuming.

The taller blond girl, Tori, stammered first, “Um, we’re sorry Mr. Fabiano. We didn’t mean to—”

“Let me make myself clear. If I catch you two talking shit about Raven again, I will fire both of you and make sure neither of you work in any decent restaurant ever again. And stop calling her country girl. It’s condescending and frankly shows your ignorance. And ladies, ignorance is not attractive.” I wanted to slice open their necks and drain them dry. I wanted to see them whimper and plead for their lives while their blood pooled onto my Italian tiled floor.

Tori looked down as she shoved her hands into her apron pockets. “Of course. I am so sorry. It will never happen again.”

I didn’t even realize I was clenching my fists until the other girl’s gaze landed on them. “Good. Now get back to work.”

I stormed out, leaving the two girls standing in my kitchen in a state of shock. I was furious. The thought of anyone harming Raven made me want to break a window. Unfortunately, I may have just made things worse for her.

This house was like a maze. Why did one man need so many rooms? Enzo tasked me with fetching more wine from the cellar but his directions were less than helpful. Go down the stairs he’d said. Only problem was there were three different staircases. I assumed they all led to the same place but who knew how many rooms would be down there. If it were anything like the main level, it would be another sprawl of endless doors and corridors.

The stairs were steep and the lighting was muted. Great. I wouldn’t put it past me to trip and fall. I ran my hand along