Vincent's POV
*****
"When did you walk in?" I asked, arching an eyebrow as I walked toward Alex. "Are you stalking me now? It's pretty early considering we—"
"I don't have the mental energy for your snarky jabs, Vincent." Alex groaned, waving dismissively at me before downing an entire glass of vodka in one gulp. "I didn't even notice your car when I got here. I guess I'm already losing it."
My brows furrowed as I glanced around the club. The Dragunovs might not own this establishment, but one of their own did.
And I wasn't willing to stick around and find out just how much control the patriarch had over Roman.
"I got here before you, but you seem way more wasted." I squinted, pulling a stool beside Alex and sitting.
My eyes scanned his arms, lingering on the stitches and bandages still clear on them. How he could waste away with alcohol with those injuries was beyond me.
He had his head lowered, twirling the glass cup on the counter. He seemed oddly gloomy.
I mean, I couldn't care less but I was too curious not to push his buttons now.
"Did someone upset you?" I muttered, leaning closer and keeping my voice levelled enough for only him to hear. "The amount of liquor I smell on you tells me you're trying to forget something. Or someone."
He finally raised his head, lazily dragging his eyes to me. He smirked lopsidedly, shaking his head.
"You want something to gloat about, pretty boy?" He drawled, placing his left hand on my lap out of nowhere.
I jerked, my heart rate spiking while I blinked at him with confusion.
What the heck was happening right now?
"So, turns out your thoughts on Mathias were true after all." Alex belched, his eyes getting watery. "Uhm... I caught him cheating on me. Not only that, but he was plotting with his lover on how to use me for my money so they can build their dream life together on Mars or something."
My shoulders relaxed as he finally withdrew his hand from my lap. He chuckled dryly, grabbing the empty glass before snapping his fingers at a female bartender.
"Another glass, please."
The lady gave him an awkward side eye but didn't let her judgment show more than that, grabbing the glass and pouring his drink for him.
"How many 'another glass' have you had before this?" I tilted my head, watching how he took steady breaths trying to compose himself, his eyes flicking around drowsily.
He cleared his throat, his eyes dimming as he stared at my face. "I don't know... Five? Seven maybe?"
Bloody hell...
I swerved my head to the female bartender and saw the way she looked between us, the look in her eyes basically telling me: "One more and he might pass out."
Bless her, I guess.
"Alright, buddy. Show's over." I got on my feet, the stool scraping the tiles as I did. I placed a hand on Alex's back, tapping him gently. "Time to go. We've already had enough PR scandals for one day."
'Jeez, I'd never want to get my heart broken if this is what it does to a person.' I thought to myself, although I knew the possibility of a heartbreak happening to me was... Non-existent?
Yes, I had a girlfriend... But she was mostly for convenience.
I've never really shown actual interest in a woman outside wanting to fuck. And even that was beginning to feel stale these days.
"But I don't want to go." Alex groaned, scratching his scalp and trying to shove my hand off his back. "Just leave me here, okay? It's not like you care."
My nostrils flared with frustration. I gave the bartender a smile, ignoring the fan girling smirk she had stretched on her lips.
"Trust me, Alexander. I'd want nothing more than to leave your ass here and go home to a long shower." I brought my lips close to his ear, whispering in a tone he could hear. "But we're co-stars. And right now I see you as a responsibility..."
I paused, my throat constricting when he brought his gaze to me. His eyes brightened, his breath stilling as he looked into my eyes.
The music playing around us seemed to die down and I felt this odd tingling under my skin. It was almost... Electric.
Was I high as well? I only had a few shots and I—
"With the way you're staring at me..." Alex's voice snapped me from my awkward trance, his arms suddenly wrapping around my neck.
I flinched, fighting the first instinct to punch him in the face as he smirked slyly. "Where was I? Oh, right. With the way you're staring at me, Vincent Moretti... Some might think you want to kiss me."
I was certain my face had never scrunched into such a deep frown so fast before.
"That does it." I swatted his arms off my neck, wrapping my right arm around his waist.
He gasped as I lifted him off the stool, carrying him over my shoulder. I gritted my teeth while trying to ignore the stares and murmurs from onlookers.
"I'm not getting paid enough for this," I muttered to myself, turning toward the exit.
As I walked, Alex chuckled like he was losing whatever shred of sanity he had left, tapping my back. "This is fun. But... But don't you think a princess carry would be more—"
"Shut up."
"Ooop. Okay, Daddy. No need to be so rough already."
I sighed heavily. "I wish I could record you right now..."
.
.
When we arrived in front of the hotel I'd booked for the night via my car, I knew it was going to be hectic getting this overgrown baby into the suite.
I'd have loved to crash at the family mansion... But father was in town and I doubted he'd be pleased with Hollywood's most famous twink sleeping under his roof.
After several minutes of wobbly walking and trying to get Alexander to stop whining about the most random shit, we finally got in front of the suite door.
I opened it with the card, trying to avoid looking at him as he breathed all over my face.
"Your face is so... Smooth." He remarked, rubbing it with his fingers. "Someone takes moisturising seriously. Rare for a straight man."
I grunted, pushing the door open before dragging him into the room. I closed the door behind us, using more effort to guide him to the king-sized bed.
"Jesus." He whimpered when I dropped him on the bed, placing his hands on his head with sealed eyes. "Am... Am I dying?"
I scoffed, folding my arms in front of my chest. "You're drunk, moron. Not stoned. Get some sleep or I'll shove you in the bathtub."
His eyes opened, his lips curling into a slow smirk. "That... Sounds... Kinky."
Unbelievable.
I turned away from him, pulling my phone out of my pocket when I felt it vibrating.
It was Bianca.
"Are you trying to give me a heart attack?" She berated me before I could even speak. "You weren't picking up. Are you—"
"I'm out of the club and already spoke to the Dragunov messenger." I interrupted, walking toward the ceiling-high window that gave a beautiful view of the skyline shimmering like stars. "Turns out Victor's grandson is going rogue."
"Which one?"
"Roman."
"Ugh. That bastard?" Bianca sniggered lightly from the other end, her eye roll almost visible from all the way here. "Well, I'm glad you're alright, at least. You sure he didn't put a tail on you? Knowing how crazy he is, it's not unlikely."
I subconsciously glanced at Alex, my eyes narrowing when I saw him positioning himself properly on the bed before hugging one of the pillows.
It didn't take long for his eyes to flutter shut, sleep soon taking him until I could hear snoring.
"Hello?" Bianca's annoying voice brought me back to reality, making me realise I'd been staring for too long.
I shook my head, shrugging. "Yeah, yeah... What were we talking about?"
There was a short pause before she dragged her words. "You're distracted. Am I interrupting your alone time with bed warmer number eighty-two? Or was she eighty-five? Hard to keep track."
I smiled sarcastically. "Your humour never ceases to grate on my nerves, sister."
"Well, it's not my fault you're so easy to tease."
I rubbed the bridge of my nose. "I'm hanging up. Good night."
She sounded like she was about to say something but I hung up before she could, smiling to myself. I placed my hands in my pockets, walking toward the bed again.
I paused beside the lamp table, my eyes focusing on Alex's curled-up figure. He looked like he was shivering, his fingers gripping the sleeves of his shirt.
"Some things never change, eh?" I scoffed, grabbing the bed sheet.
I draped it over his body, covering him up.
Why did I do it? I have no fucking clue.
Sigh... I guess I'll have to use the other room.
.
.
The next morning, I didn't want to wake up, even with the morning birds already chirping outside the windows.
Sadly, my desire to sleep in was cut short abruptly by a horrified yell from Alex.
"Fuck me sideways!"
I jolted awake, sitting up before I leapt off the bed. When I got to his room, I stood at the entrance, watching him stare at his phone with horror.
Crap... That shouldn't be good.