All The Pretty Little Lies (Second Sons Duet #1)

3. Vesper

VESPER

As our chauffeured car glides along the same route as yesterday, I can't help but notice the new addition to my hand: a sparkling ring with a vibrant red diamond at its center. The rock is massive, and the band is encrusted with dozens of smaller diamonds, creating a blinding effect in the sunlight. My mother, who prides herself on her knowledge of designer items, estimates its value in the millions. A shocking amount to sit upon my finger.

“Looks like someone is overcompensating,” Luca mutters under his breath.

“More like trying to buy my affection or pliability.”

“I’m surprised it didn’t come with its own armed guard.” Luca barely glances up from his phone. Since our talk last night, he seems more preoccupied than usual.

“It did.”

Luca’s gaze snaps up from his phone.

“Dmitri’s father assigned Oscar and Zaire Petrov to my security detail. Oscar was there on behalf of the Petrov family to accept the marriage contract.”

“Why didn’t you mention that last night?”

I shift to stare out the window, trying to let the rolling hills of central Massachusetts cull the storm inside of me. Our school, Saint Jude Academy, lingers in the distance. It’s ironic, really, that our school is named after the Patron Saint of Lost Causes, considering within its walls are the heirs and descendants of some of the world's most dangerous people. The children of killers, thieves, and mercenaries. The fledglings of the underbelly of society. Saint Jude’s teaches men how to serve their respective families and the women how to be picture perfect wives and mothers.

“I asked you a question, Ves. Why did you leave that part out of our conversation last night?”

“It slipped my mind,” I offer.

“Slipped your mind?” Luca retorts. He shifts in his seat to see if the driver is listening to us before lowering his voice. “I’m trying to get you out of this, Ves. Our guards are one thing. But Oscar and Zaire are a complication we don’t fucking need.” He throws his back against the leather seat of the limo hard enough that I hear the leather creak under his weight.

“I’m sorry,” I mutter.

Our driver comes to a stop outside the entrance of the school and exits the car to open our doors.

“We’ll talk about this later,” Luca warns me before exiting his open door. He disappears around the car, and up the steps before the driver opens my door. I offer a polite thank you as I step out.

As soon as I step out of the car, Bianca comes running towards me, her long, black hair bouncing with each step. Her eyes narrow as they land on the ring, glinting on my finger.

"I knew it! Father wouldn’t say a word about why Uncle Antonio came to see him last night, but I had a feeling. Who is it? Do we know him? Is he handsome?" Bianca's words spill out in a rush, her envy thinly veiling her curiosity. “How much money does he have?”

“It’s Dmitri Petrov.”

Bianca’s eyes grow wide. “You don’t mean the Dmitri Petrov, who may or may not have offed his Irish mob girlfriend, right? Son and heir of the largest mafia family in the Western hemisphere? That Dmitri Petrov?”

“The one and only,” I shrug.

"Well, well, well," she says, a mischievous grin spreading across her face. "Looks like things just got a whole lot more interesting around here.”

I shoot her a warning look. "Bianca, please. This isn't some scandalous gossip for you to spread around the school."

Her grin widens. "Oh, Ves, you know me better than that. I'm not going to spill your secrets. But this? This changes everything. Besides, the Petrovs marrying into the Rossi family is front page news. It won’t take long for every mafia family on the planet to hear about the two largest families merging together in unholy matrimony."

I sigh, knowing she's right. Being engaged to Dmitri Petrov would undoubtedly change everything, not just for me but for everyone connected to us. More power only brings more problems.

“I mean, is Dmitri an ideal husband? No, but think of the power you’ll wield, Ves. You’ll be the most powerful woman in both families. And as the only other unmarried Rossi princess, it means my own prospects just got better.”

I laugh at her suggestion. The only power I will have is broodmare, producing Rossi-Petrov heirs until my uterus dries up.

Bianca chatters on about our wedding, sharing with me how she envisions her wedding, including a Petrov groom of her own. Only instead of Dmitri, her eyes are set on Oscar or his twin brother, Zaire.

As we make our way into the school, the whispers begin. Students turn to stare, their eyes lingering on the ring on my finger before darting away when they realize I've caught them looking. I can practically hear the rumors starting to swirl around us like a gathering storm. I can feel the weight of all the eyes on me. The whispers and sidelong glances confirm what I already knew - news of my engagement to Dmitri Petrov has spread like wildfire. Students and staff alike watch me with a mix of curiosity and wariness as if they expect me to suddenly sprout horns and a forked tail.

It's a stark reminder of the burden I now carry - the legacy of the Rossi family, intertwined with the formidable Petrovs, has become my future. And with it comes a whole new set of rules, alliances, and dangers.

Luca catches up to me as Bianca drifts off towards her own group of friends, his expression troubled. "We need to figure out how to manage Oscar and Zaire," he says.

“Did I hear my name?” a low, familiar voice rumbles from behind us. I turn, only to find Oscar’s looming presence. He wearing our school uniform, though it’s clear his has been tailored to fit him well.

Luca tenses beside me, his jaw clenched as he glares up at Oscar. He puts himself between us, but I take a step forward, meeting Oscar's gaze with a determined stare of my own.

"What do you want, Oscar?" Luca asks.

Oscar smirks, still eyeing Luca, the corners of his lips curling up in a way that sets me on edge. “My business isn’t with you, Luca. I’m here for your sister.”

Luca's protective instinct flares up, his body tensing even more as he steps closer to me. "My sister doesn't need anything from you," he retorts, his voice low and dangerous. “She’s not Petrov property for seven more days.”

“Six by my count.” Oscar's smirk only widens at Luca's reaction. "Relax, Rossi. I'm not here to cause trouble," he says, his tone mocking. "I just need a word with the future Mrs. Petrov."

I shoot Luca a quick glance, silently urging him to let me manage this. "What could you possibly want to talk to me about?" I ask, trying to feign confidence.

Oscar takes a step closer, his towering frame casting a shadow over me. "Just a little chat between future family members," he says smoothly, but there's an underlying edge to his words that sets off warning bells in my mind.

Without giving me a chance to respond, Zaire materializes beside Oscar, his face betraying no emotion. "Let's not create a commotion in the sacred halls of Saint Jude Academy," he murmurs, his voice as smooth and silky like the finest fabric. His piercing gaze briefly grazes over Luca and I, before settling on Oscar.

It's almost startling to realize just how alike the two brothers are in appearance - both tall and well-built, with sharp jawlines and piercing eyes. The only contrast is Zaire's heavily tattooed arms and his sleek, dark hair that falls just above his pierced ears.

Zaire's presence adds a layer of tension to the already charged atmosphere. He exudes a quiet confidence that draws attention, much like his brother Oscar, but there's a subtle difference in the way he carries himself - a sense of control that hints at the hidden depths beneath the surface.

Luca narrows his eyes at the Petrov brothers, his stance protective and wary. "Whatever you have to say to her, you can say in front of me," he demands, his voice sharp with suspicion.

Oscar's smirk falters for a split second before he regains his composure. "No need to get your briefs in a twist," he replies casually, tension lacing his tone.

Zaire speaks up, his voice smooth as silk but holding a steely edge. "We merely wanted to offer our congratulations on your engagement," he says, his eyes never leaving mine. “And formally introduce ourselves to our future cousin in law, considering she will be seeing a lot more of us until the wedding.”

"Thank you," I say, keeping my tone polite but guarded. “It’s kind of you to offer your congratulations.”

Oscar’s smile widens at my response, seemingly pleased with himself. “It’s the least we could do for the family,” he says, his words laced with an unspoken threat.

Zaire steps forward, reaching out to take my hand in a gesture that appears almost friendly. “We look forward to getting to know you better,” he says smoothly, his touch cool and firm. “After all, family is everything.”

I force a smile; their presence feels suffocating. “Of course,” I reply, trying to maintain an air of composure. I can sense Luca bristling beside me, his protective instincts on high alert. But I place a hand on his arm, silently signaling for him to remain calm. The last thing we need is to create a scene in the middle of the school hallway. "We appreciate the gesture," I say diplomatically, trying to navigate the delicate dance of interactions with the Petrov brothers. "I'm sure there will be plenty of opportunities for us to get to know each other better in the future."

Zaire nods once, his expression inscrutable. "Indeed," he replies simply before turning to walk away, Oscar falling into step beside him.

As they disappear into the throng of students, I let out a slow breath I didn’t realize I was holding. Luca turns to me, his eyes filled with concern. "Are you alright?" he asks quietly.

I offer him a small smile, though it doesn’t quite reach my eyes. "I will be," I say, though uncertainty gnaws at my insides.

Luca wraps an arm around my shoulders, guiding me towards our homeroom period. The only class we have together since he’s a year younger than me. After first period, I’ll be on my own until the end of the day. "We'll figure this out, Ves," he says softly, his voice a comforting presence amidst the chaos that threatens to engulf us. "We always do."

I lean into his side, drawing strength from his unwavering support. Despite the challenges that lay ahead, I know that as long as Luca is by my side, we can face whatever obstacles come our way, but with less than a week of freedom left, a reprieve seems impossible.

As we step into the classroom, the chatter of students fades into background noise. I take a seat, and the lesson begins almost immediately, but my thoughts drift back to Oscar hiding in our garden last night. The teacher's voice becomes a distant echo as my mind replays the image of Oscar's intense gaze in the moonlight.

His gaze had been unnerving, and I couldn't shake the feeling of being under scrutiny. It was as if he was trying to unravel the layers, I kept hidden, to uncover secrets I hadn't even whispered to the wind. But deep down, I know that the encounter with the Petrov brothers is just the beginning. Their sudden interest in our lives, in my life, raises questions that demand answers. And I can't shake off the feeling that there are dark secrets lurking beneath their polished exteriors.

The bell rings, signaling the end of the lesson, and I gather my things preparing to head to our next class. Once outside, I find Luca waiting for me in the hallway. But before we can move, my phone vibrates in my pocket. I retrieve it, only to find a text from an unknown number.

Soon you’ll be mine, Printsessa.

My heart skips a beat as I read the ominous message, the words sending a chill down my spine.

"Ves, what is it?" Luca's voice breaks through my racing thoughts, his eyes searching mine for answers.

I quickly show him the text, watching as his expression darkens in response. “Dmitri.”