"I got you where I want you."

—Blackest Day, Lana

Either she didn't sense it or it didn't affect her, because then she teased him. "Oh, don't look so upset, cousin."

He shot her a murderous look. But the woman grinned wider as though she was enjoying his reaction. She was freaking insane. Which now I was convinced that this was genetic thing. I got up to sitting position when Edward stepped away from me to face his cousin fully. "Don't tempt me to ban you from my house." He threatened, arms crossed over his chest.

"Oh, I'm wounded." She dramatically replied before turned to me. Those eyes lit up like Christmas tree. Her excitement scared me a little. Again, it kinda reminded me of Edward. The man was only going to do bad things when he was excited. "Well, hi. I think we've met before. What's your name again?" I hadn't said my name at that time, but I decided to play along. She was someone I didn't wanna mess with. This whole family was sickly crazy.

"It's Bella." I said. But that probably wasn't the case because then she gave me a naughty look.

"I'm surprised my ass cousin keeps you around." She smirked, clearly amused. Edward rolled his eyes. He was known to have zero patience.

"Straight to the point, Hails. Or I'll have my people drag you out of here."

She pouted.

"Fine. I want to tell you that Jamie hosts a party at three."

"I heard that." His eyebrow furrowed, indicating her to go on.

"He wants you to come." She added, shrugging nonchalantly. But Edward didn't buy it. He looked at her suspiciously instead. Of course, trust was a big issue in this dirty world, especially for someone like him. The man didn't miss anything. Even if it was just a slight strange tone.

"You're hiding something." It was a statement, not a question.

"I'm not." She replied quickly.

His expression morphed into a sly one the moment he seemed to understand something.

"Ah, what did you two bet this time?"

Hailey huffed in annoyance as she realized he could see right through her. Then decided there was no use hiding it from him because the man could read everyone's mind. "Fine. He bet diamond." She said, restless and eager. "You know it's my fucking weakness. How could I say no to that?"

"And if you lose?" he asked with such disinterest. As if this thing happened all the time.

"He'll get one of my Claude Monet's."

"Which one?"

"The Magpie."

He tsked, shaking his head in disappointment. "Such a waste. You made an abrupt decision, Hails. Don't you remember you waited three years to get that painting?"

"I don't fucking care, Edward. Not when the fucker offered me Argyle Pink Jubilee!"

"The fuck?" Edward's face was shocked as hell it was almost comical. But I didn't think it was appropriate to laugh when they two had serious conversation.

"I don't even know Jamie has it until now. Damn it, can you imagine that beautiful thing? The color is rare, for God's sake. I have to win this."

Edward was silent for a half minute, deep in thought.

"The bet... it's not about me coming to his party or not, right?" he concluded.

Hailey shook her head.

"Nah. It's about her." She gave a gesture toward me with his head. What? "I don't know what his intention is, but he wants her to come."

Another beat of silence followed. It was kinda surprising how the situation turned out. I just sat there awkwardly, waiting for them to say or do something. I would never understand these rich people's games. They wasted big money as though it had no value.

I glanced at Hailey. It was obvious that she craved for the diamond. She looked like she was dying to run to me and drag me by my hair while the other hand, Edward seemed irritated. He was thinking, guessing Jamie's motive in his head. Just like me.

The stillness went a bit too long. They waited for each other and I felt like myself prepared for something bad that would possibly come. Then, it snapped. Hailey made a move as Edward made a sign to the bodyguards standing by door that I just realized existed. Two suited men were on her sides instantly. And she was held back right before she reached me. Damn, this shit was scary.

"Edward." Her tone was venom. Eyes full of flames and hatred, knowing what he was about to do. "Don't fucking do this to me." She spat.

"He knows I will say no." He replied, grabbing my hand and half-dragging me upstairs.

She was totally furious. "Edward, I need the diamond!" she shouted. "Edward! Let go of me you stupid ass!"

We could still hear her furious yells even when we were back in his bedroom with door closed, screaming something about killing or mutilating him. Which he just laughed it off. Great, now I was trapped between their wars.

"Your family is sick." I couldn't help but saying it out loud.

"You don't even know the half of it." He winked, striding toward me casually. I knew what he was trying to do. And the clearer my mind was right now, the more I was alert. I admitted I regretted what had almost happened between us back then at the kitchen. It was a reckless act. This man was a freaking monster for fucks sake. I shouldn't have responded him. Damn it, what possessed me to do that?

"Betting is a usual thing in this family?" I asked, trying to divert his attention. But he was man on a mission. Those emeralds were staring at me intently. Dark of lust. So infectious I wanted kiss him again. He could always hypnotize me with that stare alone.

"Just the three of us. We are obsessed about it. We bet on almost everything." He replied. Smooth and deep. It sounded too seductive in my ears. It was amazing how he could make me forget about his evil behavior instantly.

"Oh." I lost my voice when he was right in front of me. His cold finger traced my neck, leaving goose bumps all over my skin.

I responded without thinking. Bringing my hand to his chest to feel his inks against my palms. It was a mistake yet a pleasure. I was hesitant yet so sure.

When he pulled me to him, I let him. I was aware I was playing with danger as our lips met halfway. The kiss was way more intense. Rough and vicious.

But not for long.

I made a sudden move as soon as he let his guard down. The knife that was hidden behind my back, beneath my shirt, the one I brought from the kitchen, was now against his neck. This was a smart yet stupid move. Well, it was better than nothing, right? I was so desperate to get away from this hellhole.

If he was surprised, he covered it well.

"Don't touch me." I hissed. But it didn't come out as strong as I wanted it to be.

"I already have." He smirked mockingly. My frustration was his amusement. I pressed the knife further to remind him who got the upper hand, but the man didn't seem worried at all. Let alone scared. "What will you do with the knife, bellissima? You don't even know how to hold it." He chuckled. I hated that he could bring me down that easily.

"I can kill you." I warned him, but the man looked at me funny.

"Isn't it too early to say that?" his grin was wicked as he grasped my wrist forcefully. I tried to fight him but he was definitely stronger. The sleek, sharp thing was now turned against my carotid instead of his. He wasn't hesitant as he pushed it deeper, making me lean away as far as I could and taking a step back involuntarily. But the knife followed. It was already too late when I realized he did this intentionally. The moment the back of my knees hit the side of the bed, I knew I was fucked up. Shit. No way to go. "Let me teach you how to use it, sweetheart, because I'm so good at it." He whispered darkly, pushing me down to the bed with the knife still against my neck.

I was so dumb thinking I would win. The man had scars to prove his experiences for God's sake. Hell, I was nothing compared to his enemies yet I had the nerve to give it a try. Yeah, when you were desperate, you became unrealistic.

"Or we can do something more fun." He said suggestively. Dark eyes were full of mischief. I gulped loudly. "C'mere, give me your lips."

Damn it.

He raised an eyebrow when I didn't do it immediately. And the cold blade on my neck was a reminder of what he was capable of.

I hated that I gave up and leaned in, brushing my lips against his slowly before he captured it into a sweet, deadly kiss. The desire in those emeralds was crystal clear, making me wonder if he could see it in mine too.

He drew the knife lower, shushing me when I protested. The tip of the blade teased my collarbone. And I held my breath as it went down to rip off the shirt I was wearing. The sound was maddening, but his eyes, his eyes were crazy. I was watching him taking my curve and exposed skin. His stare was fire. Lust, but something more. Then he ran the cold metal all over my body, leaving me shivered and aroused.

We locked eyes for a moment before he kissed me one more time. The knife was put away for good and I liked how his hands replaced it instead. He touched and touched and touched as if it was never enough. Hands on my waist, lips on my neck. Making me sigh at the contact.

"You're driving me crazy here, bellissima." He whispered hoarsely.

I wanted to object him. No, I'm not. You are.

He tugged my bra then buried his face between my breasts. Kissed and kissed and kissed before licking it, sucking it. I moaned and he smirked against my skin. His fingers went lower, grazing down my thigh and up to my pussy. He rubbed it slightly before sliding the panties down. "Let me have you." He almost begged, pecking my lips one, two, three times then looked at me in the eye. The man could be so persuasive, it was impossible to ignore him. "I'll make you feel so good, baby." He said, watching my reaction from time to time as he slipped one finger into my pussy. I whimpered in ecstasy. "So fucking wet." He hummed, sliding it in and out. On and on and on. Until I couldn't take it anymore. "Look at me." He demanded as I was about to reach my orgasm. I didn't. I couldn't. But he abruptly stopped so I did. He was watching me as I came and those eyes, those eyes would forever haunt me in my sleep.