Blue and red neon lights filled the casino. The noises from the slot machines, the repeated clicks of coins, and the booming music completed the scene. Callista Genovese navigated her way through bodies of people, betting on different table games.

She was about to step inside the poker area when someone seized her wrist. The yank caused Callista to knock against the sturdy body behind her. A mixture of smoke and mint hit her nostrils. She instantly knew who it was.

"Castor," she muttered against his neck. Her McQueen red heels made it possible to reach his ear. She whispered softly, tongue flicking out, articulating each word. "What a lovely surprise."

Castor grinned, slanting his head to murmur on her ear. "I'm glad to see you too, your majesty."

"What are you doing here?" she hissed, focusing on his face. Callista almost swore after taking in their closeness. She could see every twitch of his jaw and the sparkle from his hoop earring.

Castor slid his right hand on her hip, tugging her closer to his body. Caly gritted her teeth after feeling the warmth from his fingers. The red chiffon dress she wore wasn't enough barrier for Castor and his fondness for touching her. Caly gazed at him but he wasn't even looking at her. "Cas, I asked you a question."

"Yeah?" he muttered, emerald eyes engrossed in something behind her.

Callista hated to be ignored. She yanked at his white sleeve. "Cas!"

"I'm sorry." He finally looked at her. "And about your question, do you really think I'll let you enter this place alone?"

Her tongue darted out, wetting her red lips and Castor didn't miss that. He lifted his hand, rough fingers caressing her tender cheeks. "Stop being so damn seductive, Callista."

"What? I was just licking my lips. You're so—"

Castor's eyes turned murkier. He dropped his forehead to hers. "This is exactly why I can't trust you going here alone."

"I'm not alone. Vince is going to be with me," she answered.

"No," he snapped. "Vince can't stop all these fools from looking at you. These fuckers should know that you're only for—"

Somebody bumped into Castor, drowning his words, causing him to hit her much smaller form. Caly barely had time to put her hand for support with the sudden weight imposed on her. She cried out, elbows sliding on the floor.

Castor had braced one arm on the side of her head, terminating his fall. He huffed, wide-eyed as he took in Callista's form. His eyes sharpened. The green of his irises completely evaporated as he shot up straight.

"Who the fuck did that?" She heard him yell.

Callista sighed, shaking off the pain in her elbow and stood up. Castor was already fighting, throwing chairs at the culprit. He grabbed the guy's collar and landed a punch on his face. Blood spurted from the victim's nose, spraying his white shirt.

At that moment, the security guards came. But they halted after seeing the assailant who was none other than their boss.

Caly knew her best friend was on a rampage and there's no stopping him. So she opted to proceed on the poker tables, hoping to meet up with Delilah. She scoffed, "Stupid Castor."

✘✘

"You didn't wait for me."

Callista's stormy eyes remained on her cards. She fastened her teeth on her bottom lip, head tilting as she considered her next move. She set the cards face down, moving a stack of chips to the center. "Raise."

"Callista Ariella!"

The belligerent voice caught everyone's attention. It disrupted the game that several had let out frustrated sighs and soft sneers. No one was actually brave enough to confront Castor Luciano's attitude but they were certainly thinking profanities.

Vincent caught Callista's eyes, his mouth twitching. Caly tutted in response before facing Castor's enraged aura. She grabbed his large hand. "You're an idiot. Is fighting really the first thing in your mind when I was sprawled on the floor?"

"But..." he spluttered, eyes wide. Castor shut his mouth, his muscles uncoiling from the recent tension. His thumb rubbed circles on Caly's hand. "I knew you were okay."

Her eyebrow rose almost mechanically. "Is that so?"

"Want to introduce me?" Delilah leaned over making Callista flinch. She forgot about the girl and the reason they were in the casino in the first place.

Callista smiled, gesturing in her best friend's direction to her left. "Delilah, this is my best friend, Castor Luciano."

Delilah's upper lip tugged upwards. Her left hand rose, going over Caly's lap and towards Castor's seat. "It's nice to meet you."

Castor sneered, placing his head sideways on Callista's shoulder. His gleaming green eyes met Delilah's soft blues. "I heard you are Castellano's fianceé?"

Delilah bit her lip, hesitantly dropping her hand back to her exposed legs. She cleared her throat, waving away the flush of red on her neck and cheeks. "Yes, well."

Caly shot her best friend a warning glare. "Del, please excuse him. He doesn't have manners."

"Understatement," Vince inserted, taking the opportunity to lead the other players to a new table.

Caly nodded at Vince before she continued. "They were rivals in school."

"Oh?" The Gallo girl arched an eyebrow. Her purple lips twisted in an intriguing smirk. "You went to school together? That's surprising. But well, what do I know about Franco?"

Her despondent tone wasn't missed by Callista. The cogs in her mind rolled faster than she would've liked. She stomped down the miniscule guilt and proceeded to absorb the information.

Castor rolled his eyes, straightening in his seat as he became passionate in the topic. "He's a jealous shit who has a stick up his ass. You could have done better."

Delilah's chuckles permeated the room for a second. "Unfortunately, my father didn't give me much choice."

Callista eyed the girl, noticing the impetuous glint of malice under her long fake lashes. Delilah spoke again. "He should've chosen you instead."

The tiniest bit of remorse Caly had felt earlier disintegrated. She squeezed Castor's hand, knowing that his arduous complaints were coming. Callista nodded. "Of course." She leaned in closer to Del's decorated ears. "I haven't had the opportunity to tell you this before, but I know Franco well. Unlike Cas, we are amicable."

"Really?" Her eyes widened. Delilah was very good in projecting herself as a victim.

"I'll tell you everything he likes." Caly grinned and sweetened the pot some more. "You can also have dinner with me and Cas. I assure you, Franco will be jealous. Just like Castor, he blows up at everything related to the other family."

"You'll do that for me?" she asked. The wonder was rich in her voice.

Callista resisted the desire to smirk. "What are friends for?"

✘✘

"You said what?" Castor yelled when they reached the VIP room. The dark-haired man paced the floor, circling the billiard table, again and again.

"I just asked her to dinner," Callista shrugged in indifference.

"With Castellano!" He halted, hands encompassing the whole space. Castor's emerald eyes were blown wide. Callista almost forgot that her best friend's anger against Franco was gasoline waiting to be lit. "I doubt he'll agree to this!"

"I can convince him."

Shock flitted over Castor's handsome face before it twisted to one of anger. "What? Absolutely not!"

Caly crossed her long legs. She placed an arm on her thigh, putting her palm under her chin. She regarded the man with an amused look. "Do you doubt my powers of convincing? Besides, I do need to find out more about him. One that papers and background checks cannot give."

"Caly!" he protested. His face crumpled in dissatisfaction.

"Not once did I listen to you Castor so I won't start now. And I need you to do a different job for me." Callista sat upright, flicking her midnight hair over her shoulder. She ignored the shivers brought upon by the air-conditioner. "Tori already sent me a list of the Gallo's investors. Do you know what to do?"

Castor sat beside her. He rubbed his nape, dark hair falling on his forehead as it escaped its gelled style. "Am I allowed to do everything?"

"The main priority is for them to leave the Gallos. Threats are fine. They don't belong here anyway." Caly's head fell back on the red sofa. "It's better if you have leverage so I also asked Tori to dig deeper."

"I have my own sources, Callista." He grated out.

Caly glanced at him. She noticed his puckered eyebrows and the rigid set of his jaw. She sighed, moving closer to Castor's heat. The guy grunted in protest, remaining obstinate despite the girl's attempts to console him. Callista pressed her body to his. "Don't be mad," she whispered.

"You've seen me mad. This," he gestured to his face. "...is not mad."

"Fine. You're irritated." Callista reached up, stroking the underside of his jaw. He finally looked at her, green clashing with grey. "Don't be. This is just work as usual."

Castor grinned. He ran his fingers through her raven mane, massaging her scalp. He watched mesmerized as she leaned back to get more of his touch, her long, elegant neck sparkling under the light bulbs. "I see, you like this."

Caly flushed. She swallowed, hiding her face on his chest, sniffing the light odor of mint. "I do."

The man continued his ministrations on her hair, enjoying her shallow breaths. "If the Gallos had chosen me, I wonder what would happen."

She smirked against his shirt, climbing on his lap that made Castor's breath hitch. "This is child's play." Mirroring his actions, she played with short hairs on his nape. "If it was your wedding I'm sabotaging, well, that's what I consider hard work."

Cas chuckled softly. He licked his lips in apprehension. "I would have refused anyway. I believe marriage is not supposed to be political. It's love."

Shock crawled to her face. "You... believe in that?"

He curled a thick strand around his fingers, staring at it to avoid Callista's questioning eyes. "Of course."

Caly had a gleaming smile. She noticed Cas' was uncomfortable with the topic. But to her, it made him looked endearing. She pressed a kiss to his cheek. "You're adorable."

"Adorable?" Castor growled. His face turned murky as he pushed her down. She squealed in surprise, letting him settle between her legs. Cas held her wrists together, getting revenge by tickling her sides until they were laughing together.

Callista tried to fight him, wriggling under his large form despite the chuckles spilling freely from her plump lips. She wheezed, head falling at the couch. "Okay, okay. I give up."

"I'm not adorable, your majesty." He breathed out, his mouth blowing hot air to Caly's ear. Their bodies compressed together, every gap filled by each other's body. He kissed her neck, softly at first and then with more force. His teeth bit at her tender skin, sucking and licking at the spot until a mark was left.

Caly shuddered at the feeling of his searing lips. She scrunched her eyes close, collecting her dispersed concentration before it completely vanished from the licks that Castor was giving her. She yanked his hair, caging her palms on both sides of his cheeks. "Cas?"

The green of his irises was just a sliver now. Castor clenched his jaw, his fingers under her chin. "I love you."

What?

✘✘

Hello! Long time no update. But whoever is reading this, hope you like it!
Just like Franco, I also love Castor with Caly! I'm torn! 😅

Have a great day, you all!

✘✘
Lucci 👿