Chapter 16: Someone Didn't Check Their Disaster Forecast

Odessa's Pov

"Same way you were f-cking Sarah, huh?" The words come out sharp, a blade meant to cut.

"Baby." He reaches out to touch me and I step back so fast I nearly trip over my own feet. "I was just teasing you."

"Just go, Damien, before I call security." I point toward the door, my hand shaking slightly. "I don't know what you're planning with Pa Bern, but we're done. Through."

"I already said I'm sorry." He stands up from the desk, spreading his arms wide like he's offering himself to me. "Gosh, Odessa. It was a mistake. I should've never done that, never betrayed your trust or let what we had get sabotaged by moments of lust. I know better now and I will do better. For you." He takes a step closer. "I know that you've probably been hurt in the past and it's lacing up on you, but I can walk you through it. I promise. I won't abandon you anymore. I love you."

I slap him before he finishes.

The sound echoes through the room, sharp and satisfying. He hisses between his teeth, his hand flying to his cheek. His face is probably still hurting from that beating Hades and Nikolai gave him, and I don't care one bit.

"You don't love me." My voice is cold, steady. "You never have and you never will."

"You have no idea how attached I am to you." His eyes are wide, wet, pathetic. "I can't live without you, Odessa."

I scoff, glaring down at him from where he stands hunched and wounded. "I'm going to the bathroom now. And when I get back, I want you out of my dorm—"

A loud knock cuts me off.

Three sharp raps against the wood, insistent and impatient. I heave a breath, then tuck my hair aggressively behind my ears as I march to the door. Whoever it is, they have perfect timing.

I yank it open.

Nikolai De Luca stands in the doorway, one hand braced against the frame, those bright blue eyes flicking from my face to something behind me.

Great. Perfect timing.

"And you said it was nothing." Damien scoffs from behind me, his voice dripping with accusation like he's the one who's been wronged here.

"You're back with the wimp?" Nikolai asks in disbelief, his eyes darting between us, trying to piece together whatever story he's already decided is true.

Before I can respond, Damien walks to me and slides his arm around my waist, pulling me to himself with that familiar grip that used to make me feel safe. Now it just makes my skin crawl. I try not to vomit as his fingers dig into my side, holding me in place like a trophy he's showing off. Nikolai stares down at us from his 6'3 perspective, his face flushing red, the color creeping up his neck and spreading across his cheeks.

"That's not your business, De Luca."

I stomp on Damien's foot hard, putting all my weight into it, feeling the impact through my heel as he yelps and loosens his grip. I shove him aside, putting a full arm's length of distance between us. "He was just leaving." I point toward the door. "And you would too when you state your business."

"He's the only one leaving." Damien recovers his balance, wobbling slightly on his hurt foot. "This conversation isn't over."

"It will be once I take out the rest of your teeth." Nikolai's voice drops low, dangerous, his frown carving deep lines into his face. "Fuck out of here, Gracias, before I change my mind."

Damien watches me for a moment, his eyes scanning my face like he's looking for an opening, a crack in my resolve. He's contemplating both choices, I can see it in the way his jaw works back and forth.

"I'll be back." He straightens his shirt, trying to salvage some dignity. "The gala is tomorrow, Odessa. You don't have a choice." He says it like a warning, or maybe a promise, before heading toward the door.

Nikolai doesn't move. He stands there like a wall, staring dead at Damien like he was daring him to ask to be moved. Defeated, Damien sighs and ducks under the small space left by the side, squeezing past Nikolai's frame like a mouse fleeing a cat.

I watch him leave, making sure he actually goes this time, then click my tongue and turn back to Nikolai.

"So," I cross my arms over my chest, "what do you want?"

"It's 9am in the morning and we should be working on our thesis." He says it like I'm the one being unreasonable. "I don't know if you got the email, but I'm partnering with you. Or better still, you're partnering with me."

"Gosh, I forgot about that." The words come out before I can stop them, honest and frustrated.

"Way to go, granny." He smirks, leaning against the doorframe like he owns it.

"Well, sorry that getting an F is not part of my daily schedule."

"It already was when you hooked up with Damien." He chuckles like it's funny, like my near-death experience is some kind of punchline.

"We didn't 'hook up.'" I feel my temperature rising. "What's your deal anyway?"

"Nothing." He shrugs, then rolls his eyes as he drags the words out like he's talking to a child. "I only know how to be a jerk." He pushes off the doorframe and steps back into the hallway. "I'll be at the lobby. Be quick. I've got to get 'glamed up' for your grandfather's gala."

"Wait." I blink at him. "You're coming?"

He raises a brow, that insufferable expression that makes me want to throw something at his head. "My parents are shareholders and I am literally signed under your company. Of course I'd want to wear a suit and watch you declare you want to get married to, smarty pants."

"Just get out." I sigh, already tired of his madness, already exhausted by his presence. "Whatever."

"Whatever," he mimics, then turns and walks down the hallway with his hands in his pockets, whistling some tune I don't recognize.

I shut the door and lean my forehead against the wood, breathing in and out, in and out.

This is going to be a disaster.