By Virtue I Fall (Sins of the Fathers #3)(25)

I was glad I didn’t have to marry soon. I guess I had to thank Clifford for that. “I’m glad you aren’t married yet,” I told Luisa.

Luisa made a face and shrugged. “I wouldn’t mind getting married, but Mom is being super picky when it comes to possible husbands.”

No wonder considering her backstory with an abusive rapist of a first husband. I didn’t say it. Luisa never talked about her biological father.

“You’ll be married soon enough. And you could just pick a husband yourself. I doubt your mom would say no if you fell in love or in lust.”

Luisa flushed at the mentioning of lust. I laughed and nudged her. “You’re really going to be the blushing virgin in your wedding night. If I was gay, I’d marry you. You’re just the cutest.”

Luisa nudged me back, looking even more embarrassed. “Do you know anyone?”

I shook my head in response. I hardly knew anyone, but that wasn’t the worst thing. That way I could relax and not worry too much about every detail of tonight making the rounds in our circles and eventually finding its way to my parents. With Santino in my hands, my life had improved considerably. Even his increased grumpiness because of my little blackmailing scheme was worth it.

“Where’s Santino? Shouldn’t he be watching us?” Luisa asked worriedly as she looked around. Santino had agreed to watch us both tonight so we wouldn’t draw too much attention to us with a second bodyguard. It had only taken a little convincing on my part for Luisa’s mom to agree. Adults always thought I was the good girl so they gave me what I wanted, even the overprotective Bibiana.

I allowed my gaze to search the dance floor then drift to the bar on the patio. Most guests were outside, enjoying the warm summer night. I didn’t see Santino anywhere. Only Leonas and his two sidekicks were chatting to a couple of girls. Suspicion filled me. Luisa was right, Santino had agreed to watch. Though, I doubted anyone would attack a senator’s house to get to me. Where was he? Either he’d hidden away in the furthest corner for some peace and quiet, or… he wouldn’t dare… most of the guests were around my and Clifford’s age, only a few seemed to be a couple of years older. If Santino banged a girl around my age, I’d make his life hell.

Off limits, I reminded myself, but my heart ignored my brain.

I motioned at Leonas that I’d head to the toilet and he pointed at his watch, which made me roll my eyes. It meant he’d come looking for me if I wasn’t back in five minutes. Whenever he was in charge of my protection, he became this bossy, uber-protective-wise guy.

This was a party of spoiled rich kids who cried already when a piece of bubble gum got stuck under their boots. In our world, you asked your brother to hand you his knife so you could scratch it off and he’d still use the blade to stab someone afterward. I could deal with any boy who dared to approach me. I’d make them cry into their fancy-pansy white-wine-bowl in no time.

“I’ll go looking for Santino,” I told Luisa. “Do you want to come with me?”

Luisa immediately shook her head. “I’d rather not get involved in a fight.”

“Who says we’re going to fight?”

Luisa gave me a look that said really?

I grinned. “We’re an explosive combination.” Then I glanced around. “Maybe you can head over to Leonas? I’d feel better if I didn’t leave you alone here.”

Luisa laughed. “I’m shy and not as outgoing as you, but I’ll be fine, Anna.”

I didn’t move.

She sighed with a small smile. “All right. I’ll head over to your brother.”

“I’ll be quick.”

I wiggled my fingers at Leonas and motioned at Luisa then moved outside. Seeing how many people danced in the yard or in the pool, I doubted Clifford had invited only two hundred people. The place was swarming with guests. Mom would kill me if I invited that many people to a wild party. I glanced toward the pool house, which was bathed in darkness. Clifford was clever enough to keep the party out of his own walls. That was the perfect place for Santino to chill, or do other things…

I hurried toward the glass door. The shutters were all closed so I couldn’t look inside. I pushed the handle down and was surprised to find it open. Why hadn’t Clifford locked it?

Or had Santino picked the lock? I really wouldn’t put it past him. The moment I stepped inside, I heard giggling. The asshole.

Had he really picked a girl to bang? Next time he told me I was too young, I’d give him a piece of my mind. As if a few months made such a big difference!

Another giggle rang out. It sounded absolutely wrong. I couldn’t pinpoint why exactly.

I followed the noise toward a door behind which I suspected the bedroom. By now the noise had turned into muffled groans and gasps, intermingling with awed “oh gods”.

I pushed open the bedroom door, trying to be quiet.

The first thing I saw was Mrs. Clark’s awestruck face. Her eyes were closed, her lips parted and she was sweaty. Her breasts jiggled in front of her and the neckline of her dress shoved down so it wrapped around her ribs. Her red throng dangled around her ankle as she kneeled doggy style on Clifford’s bed, the skirt of her dress pushed up on her back so her ass was propped up in front of none other than Santino.

She made a face as if the holy ghost had descended on her and she chanted oh god oh god, as if she’d arise to the gates of heaven any moment. Either Clark Senior was the worst lay ever, or Santino had a magic dick. Santino was mostly dressed, but his shirt was untugged and his pants were open as he pistoned into Mrs. Clark with the determination of a brand-new jackhammer.