2| Speak Of The Devil

♱Recommended song: Karma by Summer Walker♱

"You just got lucky," I said, reluctantly sitting in the helicopter flying over the familiar city.

Vincent only laughed, irritating me further in the process, "It's okay to admit that you lost," he said, and I practically felt my face burn with annoyance.

I don't lose.

"Again you got lucky," I bit out, crossing my arms over my chest as I turned to face the glass door completely.

I swear if three more men didn't join in then I would've won, which is exactly why he got lucky.

"You act like where we're going is the absolute worst place on earth," Vincent joked, clearly still amused over this entire situation.

Technically, the Saint's quarters are far from terrible.

It's actually a highly maintained area that spans numerous blocks of New Orleans. There are clubs, restaurants, schools, grocery stores—you name something and it's there.

It's also the Saint's territory, meaning any other rival mafia is forbidden to step foot on their ground without facing consequences.

I shrugged, "There are better places to be—like fucking Milan for example," I bit out, clearly still pissed off over the fact that he just up and moved me.

Honestly, I've stayed at the Saint's primary estate where only the top members stayed—leaving the others to stay at the houses planted on the streets of the outlined territory—the primary estate's architecture unsurprisingly beats Milan's without even a glance.

And while it's all much nicer and significantly more protected where I'm going, I knew I wouldn't have my own freedom, and that only lit a defying fire within me.

It felt like I was being forced back into my own life—even if my family wasn't head of the mafia, they still were second in command, which meant they had to be just as protective over me and Vincent. 

The moment I turned eighteen, I was granted freedom—so long as I did check in's and visited back for holidays and annual training.

I had openly agreed to forfeit my ties to the mafia, leaving me on the outside of the dangerous bubble where I belonged.

Then again, it's not like I was ever that involved from the start—the most I did was training.

It was whenever I turned eighteen that I could choose to be involved, and even though I chose not to be, I still got to attend certain events with the Saints along with some holiday dinners.

I let out a dramatic sigh as we approached the familiar helipad extended off of the large estate.

Vincent shook his head with a smile, "You're being so fucking dramatic," he said, allowing a laugh to leave his lips.

I gave him a narrowed look, "I'm dramatic until I suffocate you in your sleep," I said as the helicopter began descending.

Vincent gave me a sarcastic smile, "Aw, love you too Lundy," he said, nudging me playfully, which only earned an eye roll from me.

I seriously can't wait to get out of this helicopter and far away from him.

"I hope both sides of your pillow are warm tonight," I said to Vincent, climbing out of the helicopter behind two of the men.

Vincent scoffed dramatically, "What an evil thing to wish on someone," he said as he stepped out behind me.

I was about to counter back with something else but quickly paused when the men around us suddenly tensed up into a guarded stance, signaling only one thing.

Or should I say one person?

I turned around, letting my eyes fall on the familiar woman—she was dressed in a cream button-up with khaki pants and thick-soled leather brown combat boots, somehow still towering over me without even wearing heels.

"Noa boa," I greeted with a sarcastic excitement laced in my tone.

The woman narrowed her eyes brown eyes, "We've been over this nickname numerous times," she said as she stopped in front of us, locking her hands behind her back.

I smiled, eager to finally transfer all this annoyance to someone else, "Oh, but you love it," I said, forcing my tone to remain sweet.

"I hate it," she said, remaining completely expressionless.

I'd have to say Noa and I get along...

Terribly.

I mean don't get me wrong, it's so fucking fun to annoy her, but otherwise, her presence is a total contrast to mine.

I think it's mostly due to the fact that we both have to get our way.

And when we're going against one another, there's no way that it's remotely possible for us to both win.

I sarcastically frowned, "Aw cheer up—your favorite person just arrived," I said, smirking as I motioned to myself.

Noa rolled her eyes, "I don't have a favorite person," she retorted, diverting her attention to Vincent, "Trust that if it wasn't for your brother, you wouldn't be here," she said.

I gave Vincent a narrowed look, "So you're telling me I could've stayed in Milan?"

Vincent gave Noa a look of disapproval, "Clearly not, it was unsafe," he said, shaking his head at the repetitive topic.

If I'm annoyed then he has to be too.

It's only fair.

"As I said, you wouldn't be here if it wasn't for him—and you're clearly here, which means you couldn't have stayed in Milan," Noa carefully explained, dragging out her words as if I was a four-year-old. "Let's start using our brains, yeah?" she said sarcastically.

I tilted my head, "Our?" I asked innocently, even if the remark was completely sarcastic. "I wasn't under the impression that you had a brain," I said, easily making Noa's face harden.

Vincent suddenly clasped his hands together, "Okay! We should probably get you settled in your room," he said, sensing an argument about to spark between Noa and me. 

I smiled brightly, "That's a great idea," I said, walking past Noa. "Catch you later Noa boa," I called out, purposefully using the hated nickname.

"Lunden," Noa called out, her tone completely clipped and holding a warning, but I only ignored her as I walked toward the shiny elevator.

Soon, I was in the familiar room that I normally stayed in whenever I visited.

There were already clothes, toiletries, and other belongings that were deemed as mine filling up the large room, which was convenient for whenever I randomly stayed here.

Vincent had mentioned they were all going to one of the clubs in the quarter, which meant I was going to find a way to go too.

No way in hell will I be locked up in this estate for an undisclosed amount of time.

I rummaged through the closet of last season's clothing, concluding that I needed to replace my closet with a new line of clothing.

I sighed, "This will do," I said as I carefully eyed the black lacy corset dress.

You can never go wrong with a black dress, and on top of that, a corset.

Within an hour, my dark hair was flowing down my back perfectly and I had finished putting on a light amount of makeup. The black corset dress managed to cling to my curves while also boosting my cleavage.

I shamelessly hoped to have a hookup tonight, especially with the familiar unsatisfied pit burning my stomach from the inside out.

I desperately needed a release.

I rubbed my glossy lips together as I slid on the black heels and smoothed down my dress.

Upon grabbing my phone from the charger, and exiting my room, I headed down the tall crown-molded halls of the estate toward the main entrance.

If they were going to any club it would be Lucky 7.

I smiled to myself, I couldn't wait to see the look on Vincent's face when I showed up there.

"Lundy?"

Almost immediately, I stopped in my tracks, allowing my eyes to dart over toward my older brother who was dressed in his usual black button-down and matching slacks.

Well, speak of the devil.

"Vince!" I said, forcing a sarcastic cheery tone.

My brother narrowed his eyes, "You aren't going," he declared, already sensing why I was dressed up in the first place. 

I only smirked, "Oh, but on the contrary—I am," I said, knowing I was not going to back down from this. When Vincent remained silent with a serious expression, I said, "Come on, you know I'm not staying here so why waste your time?"

He and I both knew I was going one way or another, and I don't really have time to deal with his older brother antics.

Eventually, Vincent sighed, and I knew almost immediately he was going to give in, "Fine, but only because we're in our own territory," he said, walking over to me.

I smiled brightly, "Have I told you that you're the best brother ever?" I asked, looping my arm with his.

"No, but you did mention suffocating me in my sleep," Vincent retorted.