Cruel Summer: A College Bully Romance (Verona Academy Book 1) Read online

  Copyright © 2019 by Melinda Terranova

  All rights reserved.

  Cover Designer: Rebecca Garcia @ Dark Wish Designs

  Formatter: Rebecca Garcia @ Dark Wish Designs

  No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system without the written permission of the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review. This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, brands, media, and incidents are either the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of various products referenced in this work of fiction, which have been used without permission. The publication/use of these trademarks is not authorized, associated with, or sponsored by the trademark owners. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

  An emotional rollercoaster of attraction & destruction.

  Truths will be shattered. Hearts will be broken.

  The more vicious he is, the more I crave him.

  Enzo is brutal, cruel and sexy as sin.

  Son of the Mafia Boss. Ruler of Verona Academy.

  He and his two cousins, Dante and Luca, are adamant to make my freshman year a delicious living hell.

  I’m determined to get under Enzo’s skin and make him reveal his deepest, darkest secrets.

  What I didn’t plan on was walking into the crossfire of two warring families.

  Will I get burned in the ring of fire or will my obsession become my nightmare?

  Vicious Enzo Pre- order http://mybook.to/ViciousEnzo

  Chapter One

  Summer

  I stare, bewildered, at the building in front of me and clutch my pillow in my sweaty hands. The anxiety in the pit of my stomach ready to rear its ugly head. You’ve got this, I tell myself over and over again. Why did I manage to secure a place at a college so far from home? So far from my family and friends and the little town I have known my entire eighteen years of life. Verona Academy, with its impressive stone façade and oversized fountains, reminds me of a little slice of Italy here in the heart of Providence. Verona is known as the elite of the elite, the hardest college to get into, unless you have a trust fund the net worth of a small country. It is also known for its Mafia affiliations, but no one ever speaks of this out loud.

  “Are you ready, honey?” My mom picks up the bag at my feet and drapes it over her shoulder.

  I plaster a fake smile on my face and nod in response. Scared that if I speak, I may burst into tears. I follow my mom up the wide steps into the building like a little kid on her first day of grade one. If I can’t even find my dorm room by myself, how the hell am I going to find all my classes?

  We are stopped by one of the hall advisors for this building. “Hi, welcome to the best college in Providence. I’m Chelsea, which floor are you on?” The overly cheery sophomore greets us.

  “Floor four,” I tell her. She starts giving directions as she hands me a brown paper bag full of goodies to help me settle in to college life. Like a bag of crap is going to help.

  “Thank you, have a lovely day.” My mom smiles at the preppy brunette before she heads further into the building towards the lifts.

  The halls are packed full of freshman and their parents, all carrying their belongings in suitcases and boxes. One idiot tears through the front doors and screams past us, nearly knocking me over, with another idiot hot on his heels.

  “Great,” I sigh.

  “Don’t be like that, Summer. Living in dorms is a rite of passage and will build character.” Mom grins at me.

  “Whatever you say.” I roll my eyes.

  The lift pings open, a flood of people spill out and as hard as I try to get out of their way, there is nowhere to move. A tall, dark haired guy glares at me as he steps out of the lift, and I suddenly understand the saying ‘if looks could kill.’ His thick hair perfectly frames his harsh face and his olive toned skin glows under the artificial light. His piercing dark eyes bore into mine, brutal and intimidating. The black t-shirt he’s wearing clings to his muscles. My eyes trail up his delectable torso, refocusing on his face and I stand, immobile, drinking in his masculinity.

  “Fucking freshman,” he growls as he steps around me and strides off towards the entrance, leaving a heady scent of cologne in his wake.

  I watch his tall, muscular figure walk through the crowds in the hall, every single person moves out of the way for his royal asshole to get past.

  I raise my eyebrows at my mom. “This year is going to be fun.” I give her a thumbs up.

  “Come on, let’s find your room and meet your dorm mate.”

  We pack into the elevator like sardines and I worry the whole way to my floor that it will stop working from the excessive weight. My dorm room is at the far end of the hall, away from the common room and elevator and I couldn’t be happier. I grab the key from my pocket and just as I’m about to unlock the door, it opens.

  “Hi, you must be Summer.” A beautiful girl with raven black hair down to her waist greets me. Her olive complexion looks as though she spent the summer sailing the Greek Islands.

  We are polar opposites, with my shoulder length blonde hair and blue eyes.

  “Hi, yep I’m Summer.” I wave awkwardly at her.

  “I’m Amber, here let me get that box from you.” She reaches around me to help my mom through the door.

  Our dorm room is much larger than I thought. There’s two king singles at either end of the room, sitting on a type of platform with drawers underneath. A desk and a set of drawers sit at the foot of the beds and a tall cube divider is placed between the beds, to give some privacy. We also have an armchair each and a walk-through wardrobe that leads to the bathroom to share.

  “Not what you though it would be like either?” Amber grins.

  “Nope. I also thought it would be a lot dirtier too,” I laugh.

  “I had my uncle come paint and carpet it before we moved in,” she confesses.

  “Oh wow. I think I love you,” I giggle and place my pillow on my bed.

  “You’re welcome.” She winks. “So, do you have much more to bring up? I can come help if you like?”

  I like this girl. “That would be great. I still have another two boxes and a suitcase.”

  The halls are still crowded with freshman and their parents, the chaos continues out to where the cars are parked. I glance around at the other students, trying not to concentrate on my mom leaving so soon.

  “You got everything, Sum?” Mom asks.

  “I hope so.”

  “I’m only a phone call away. If you need anything, I’ll have to drop it off on the weekend as your dad is busy with work.” Mom holds out her arms to me.

  I give her a tight squeeze before stepping out of her arms. “Drive safe.”

  “Will do. I love you.”

  “Love you, mom.” I swallow the lump in my throat as I watch her car take off.

  “Okay, let’s get these upstairs.” Amber lifts the boxes, barely able to see over the top of them.

  “You don’t have to carry those. Here, take the suitcase.”

  “All good. I got it. We just need to hurry.” She blows out a breath sarcastically.

  Once back in our room, I set about putting my clothes in my drawers and my toiletries in our bathroom. I find out we have one of the few rooms in this building with our own bathroom. Most of the other students use the communal showers. I make my bed with my new sheets and l
ay down for a rest. The exhaustion after the three hour drive to get here has set in and I could fall asleep within minutes, only someone has decided to turn up their music so the walls vibrate.

  “I got coffee,” Amber announces as she makes her way through the door.

  “Thank you so much, I’m so tired.” I sit up and grab the take away cup from her.

  “Well you better get un-tired, we have a party to go to tonight.”

  “Tonight?”

  “Yes, and don’t even think about saying no.” Amber curls herself up on the armchair next to my bed.

  “I’ve got nothing to wear,” I whine.

  “Borrow something of mine. What’s mine is yours.” Amber salutes with her coffee.

  “What’s mine is yours.” I grin and hold up my coffee. My mind is taken off my family and back home as Amber and I chat the afternoon away whilst listening to music blaring from another dorm room.

  “Where’s the party? Do we need to book a cab?” I ask as I curl my hair in the bathroom.

  “It’s at one of the frat houses down the road. We can walk from here, I think?”

  “Great, a frat house,” I mumble.

  “What did you say? I couldn’t hear you,” Amber calls out.

  “Never mind.” I stare at myself in the mirror and wonder if going to a party is such a good idea. I barely went to parties back home, I mostly hung out with my close group of friends and my ex-boyfriend at the local skate park and diner. My mind wanders to my ex, Ryan, and how he broke my heart only a week ago, just before leaving for Verona.

  “What are you wearing?” Amber appears behind me interrupting my thoughts.

  “I have no clue?”

  “Let me pick something for you.” Amber twirls on the spot before I can even answer and disappears back into our room.

  I apply my make-up, adding extra emphasis to my eyes and dust on some bronzer so I don’t look like a pasty ghost standing next to tanned Amber. I walk out of the bathroom to see Amber dressed in a tight black dress that barely covers her curvy ass.

  “Just try it on before you say anything,” Amber orders when she notices the look on my face.

  “Yes boss.” I nod and pick up the clothes and head back into the bathroom. Amber has given me a dark grey waist high mini skirt and a black sleeveless high neck top that sits just above the top of the skirt, so I have about an inch of skin showing. I’m not comfortable in clothes this small. I much rather my skinny jeans and a top, but who am I to argue?

  Amber wolf whistles at me as I emerge from the bathroom.

  “It’s a little short don’t you think?” I pull at the hemline of the skirt.

  “What size feet do you have?” Amber ignores me and starts digging in one of her unpacked boxes.

  “Eight.” I sit on the edge of my bed, the skirt not giving much room to move.

  “Perfect, put these on.” She chucks me a pair of long boots.

  “I’m not wearing these.” I scrunch my face up.

  “Yes you are. Put them on before you make up your mind.”

  “Do I have a choice?”

  “Nope.” Amber looks at me all sweet and innocent.

  I struggle putting the over the knee boots on without flashing my underwear. I stand up and they are comfortable enough.

  “See, not much skin showing now is there?”

  “Are you sure I look ok? I mean, is the party this dressy?”

  “Who cares. We will look hot.” Amber puts on her sky high stilettos and checks herself in the mirror one last time. “Let’s go before you change your mind.” She hands me my bag and grabs my hand before pulling me out the door.

  The cool of the night air has a bite to it and makes me shiver. We don’t spot many other students wandering the streets, but as we approach the fraternity house, I can see why. I think half the college is at this party, there are people dancing and drinking on the front lawn and porch. I watch as a car load of guys hoon past and throw waterbombs at anyone they can manage to hit. I internally groan and wish I had stayed in my room.

  “Stop dawdling.” Amber pulls me after her as she makes her way up the stairs.

  “Names?” The guy at the front door asks us, his shoulders take up nearly the whole door frame. His face serious, like his life depends on only allowing invited guests in.

  I hadn’t realized the party was invite only and a small part of me does a little dance of glee, maybe we can turn around and go back to our dorm.

  Fat chance.

  “Really?” Amber puts a hand on her hip, clearly annoyed.

  “What’s the problem here?” A tall, tattooed guy sidles up beside the doorman. His dark eyes land on me first, recognition evident in his inky irises. I shrink under his menacing gaze, my pulse kicking up a notch. He nods to let Amber through and when I try to follow, his tanned arm juts out to stop me.

  I look up at him in embarrassment and take a retreating step backwards.

  “Not so fast, blondie,” he snarls. “What’s the secret password?” He glares at me, like I’ve killed his childhood cat.

  “I don’t know?” I shrug, I avert my eyes to Amber, pleading with her for help.

  “She’s with me.” Amber pushes at his arm, unable to move it.

  He smirks at her, obviously loving this situation. Tormenting a new college student. Very mature.

  “I don’t care who she’s with, she needs to learn the rules.” His eyes turn icy as they take me in.

  I swallow the embarrassment and hope it doesn’t show on my face.

  “So, are you prepared to learn the Verona rules?” His head cocks to the side.

  I blink up at him, unsure why he is being such a dick.

  “Only rule is, do as you are told and you may live to tell the tale?” An evil smirk dances on his smug, but gorgeous face. “Password?” His eyes narrow.

  I shrug in response, aware of the line forming behind me.

  “Do you really want to enter, blondie?” He leans towards me. “Payment for entry is a blowjob. Right here, right now.” He starts to unbutton his jeans.

  My eyes dart to his hands as he unzips his pants, the embarrassment and anxiety evident on my face.

  “What the fuck! I’ll tell uncle Vito, you asshole.” Amber pushes at his back, making him bump into me, his hand in his boxers gripping his dick.

  He chuckles darkly, his eyes never leaving mine. “You will pay, eventually.” He stands to the side to allow me to enter. I hear a few wolf whistles and cheering as I follow Amber into the party.

  The house is packed and the music is loud. Too loud. We make our way through the makeshift dancefloor, which I presume is their lounge area when there’s no party happening. The stench of beer wafts up my nose and I am hoping I don’t have to wash the smell out of my hair when we get home. We approach the kitchen and find an unoccupied bar table and stools.

  “Sit here and I’ll get us some drinks.” Amber points to a stool and sets her bag on the table.

  I watch her meander through the crowd and disappear. I want to disappear into the background, hoping no one from out the front earlier recognizes me in here. I feel my phone vibrate through my bag and I take it out to look at the screen. Ryan’s name flashes at me. Why would he be calling me after not speaking to me for over a week? I ignore his call, the heartache he caused me slowly creeping back. I can’t be dealing with him right now.

  I watch as Amber re-emerges from the kitchen, holding two plastic cups in her hands. “Shirley temples baby,” she sings.

  I look around in horror, hoping no one heard her.

  “Relax. There’s alcohol in them, it’s the drink of the night. A welcome to college life to all the freshman drink,” she laughs.

  “Oh,” is all I manage to say. My phone lights up again and I sigh in defeat when I see Ryan’s name flash at me. The hold he still has over me is pathetic.

  “Who’s that calling you?” Amber asks.

  “My ex.” I raise my eyebrows.

  “Don’t you dare a
nswer it.” She snatches my phone form me before I can stop her.

  “I wasn’t planning on it. He’s an a grade jerk.”

  “That’s my girl.”

  I stare at the Shirley temple in front of me and wonder what it tastes like. I’m interrupted from my daydreaming by a male voice.

  “Hello ladies,” a cute guy with dark hair greets us.

  “Hi,” Amber responds.

  “Hi.” I nod.

  “I’m Stephan and this is Jake.” He gestures towards his equally cute friend.

  “I’m Amber and this is Summer.”

  “Do you mind if we join you?” Stephan asks.

  “Take a seat gentleman.” Amber pulls the stool closer to her and I can’t help but giggle.

  Jake sits next to me and rolls his eyes as he laughs. “Having a good night?”

  “We just got here, but I guess it’s okay?” I shrug. My phone sits in front of Amber and it lights up, no doubt Ryan calling again. I quickly grab the phone. “I’ll be back in a minute.”

  I make my way through the kitchen and onto the back patio to find some privacy. I press the dial button on Ryan’s number and take in a staggering breath, readying myself for the call I have been waiting for, but never really wanted to make.

  “Hey Sum,” Ryan answers on the first ring.

  “Why are you calling me?” I snap.

  “Are you at a party?” His tone changes.

  “What’s it to you?”

  “You never used to like parties.” He reminds me.

  “That’s because you never liked me going to them.” I grit my teeth.

  “Why are you being like this?”

  “What do you want Ryan?” I sigh.

  “Can’t friends call each other up and chat?”

  “Not when you broke my fucking heart, you asshole,” I shout into the phone before hanging up, gaining surprised looks from the people around me. My anger is at bursting point and I feel like I need to punch something to release it. I turn on my heels and storm back towards the kitchen door, not looking where I am going, I manage to come face to chest with some guy.

  “Always in the fucking way aren’t you, freshman.” I hear the icy tone of a voice I vaguely remember. Who am I kidding? I know exactly who that voice belongs to. My eyes scan the broad chest in front of me and I internally cringe when my gaze locks with those molten dark eyes again. Dark eyes already shining with arrogant amusement.