BOOK ONE ~6~

LONDON, ENGLAND: RENÉE’S POV

Jackie and I were in Esme’s room getting ready for my engagement dinner tonight. When the girls had finished dressing up, they helped me to choose the perfect outfit for tonight. It was a stunning dark red sleeveless gown. It was tight fitted dress with a thigh high side slit. The girls had styled my hair into a deep side part with Hollywood waves before the guys arrived.

“Hold up, where’s John?” Jackie asked, when she noticed it was just her twin and my bodyguard.

“He’s gone to purchase the perfect engagement ring.” My bodyguard choked out mockingly.

He had his lips set in a permanent scowl as an emotion I couldn’t decipher flickered in his eyes for a second. Jack seemed to understand his demeanour and simply patted his shoulder reassuringly before leaving with him.

“What’s his deal?” I whispered to the girls after the guys left to go check up on John.

“I think he has a thing for you, and is jealous that you’re getting married.” Esme replied with a smirk.

I scoffed glancing at Jackie for confirmation, and she also nodded with a smile. I laughed at the ridiculous idea, following them out of the room after successfully putting on a pair of killer stilettos.

When we run into the guys Jo was present in place of my bodyguard. He handed the ring to Jack who graciously slipped it on my finger. It had me wondering why the arsehole possessed the title Fiancé, he should be slipping this ring on my finger not my best friend. Maybe I could just marry Jack then Soledad could marry the arsehole.

When we finally made it to the second floor, my bodyguard was waiting by the stairs for me. I willingly linked my arm with his, ignoring the teasing looks from my gang.

My gang and I were seated in a huge dining-room with our parents, awaiting the arrival of Charlie and his entourage. It had been three hours now and they still hadn’t arrived. What was taking ‘em motherfuckers so long? Why would anyone want to be late to an engagement dinner? I mean it was a dinner, with food and everything. I was starving. I tapped my heel impatiently against the marble floors and sighed in frustration. I decided to tune in to my gang’s conversation to while away the time.

“It’s funny how Ren is taking this arranged marriage well.” John commented causing me to glance at him with a raised eyebrow.

I didn’t know what he was getting at, and I didn’t want to find out either. I ignored him as my stomach begun to grumble incessantly. I resumed tapping my heel impatiently. Why couldn’t we start eating without them?

“At least she gets to rule instead of Cal.” Jackie stated nonchalantly.

I quickly glanced at Calvin who was seated further away from the rest of us. Our eyes met for a brief moment. I almost felt guilty when I noticed, unfortunately, the emotions swirling in his eyes; sadness, guilt, anger, admiration and others I couldn’t decipher.

Poor guy. I loved him and all, but I wanted this too much to call off the marriage.

“I could almost imagine this mafia crumble under his leadership.” Esme added with a short laugh.

Oh, no.

Soon after, I heard the dragging of a chair against the marble floors. We all looked up to see Cal abruptly leave the dining-room. I instantly concluded that he was hurt. I mean, what would you do if your crush was saying such things about you? He had had a crush on Esme ever since he laid eyes on her.

My thoughts were interrupted by the arrival of a certain Spanish family. Well it was about time.