“I think she has a personal vendetta against me; the man I shot at thirteen was the man she was supposed to marry. It doesn’t matter that everyone was slaughtered anyway. She has her eye on you to serve up a specific cold message to me. That’s why they’ve been watching the club. You are number one of her top five. Send me a message and wound me the deepest. It’s why she hasn’t given up on you after a failed attempt. This is because of what I did.”
Alexi trails off with that serious tone and swirls his drink again. My insides all gripping together in a horrible heavy coldness as it sinks in and I literally swallow my saliva noisily as bile rises in my throat. Shuddering with the awful reality of this shitty insane world and the players who treat lives like disposable commodities.
“So, they will come again? Her men will keep coming after me until I’m dead?” It’s shrill, high pitched and drenched in fear as I shudder, voice breaking as it comes out of me and everything pales around me as my eyes blur at the bite of tears. Alexi puts his glass down and stalks towards me.
“You think I would let anyone touch you? That I won’t do everything in my power to keep you safe? I’m not my father. I don’t need to rally the families to fight back, we are already united, and I have way more reach than he ever did. I can end this with one death—hers. If that’s what it takes, then that’s what it takes.” He growls it, eyes on mine as he brushes back my hair and pulls me to him by my jawline with one gentle hand, bringing me to him so we stand facing each other closely.
“She dies and it stops?” I lock my gaze on him, needing his presence to stop myself panicking into hysteria. Reminding myself that he does and will always keep me safe. His dominance and aggression oozing as proof that he will do anything to protect me.
“She is the head of her family; without that, they will go running back to where they come from. She is the one with the balls and the vendetta. If she’s dead, I believe the rest will run back to Italy.” He traces my lips with his thumb and leans in to touch the tip of his nose against mine. Calming me with gentle caresses and just being my rock when I need him.
“So, what’s stopping you? Why hasn’t the order already been issued? The fact you’re sitting here mulling this over tells me something is in your way. I know you and you wouldn’t be sulking in the dark if the plan was in place.”
“My family won’t allow me to kill her for what has gone on so far. She’s a woman who was scorned by my blood and they don’t want to start what could be another war. They don’t want New York to experience that level of bloodshed again and don’t deem her misdemeanours as anything worthy of a hit.”
“You’re kidding me, right?” I blanch at him, eyes widening, and that pit of hot anger bubbles up again inside me warming my icy cold shivers away to nothing.
“They don’t agree that the rest of them will dissipate if she dies. They think revenge will come anyway and that the risk isn’t worth it over a couple of whores.”
“Bullshit! You know this world and you know these kinds of people. You cut the head off the snake and the body flails around like a useless limp dick until it eventually dies. That’s what will happen when you take away their boss lady and remind them of the Carrero power. Take her out, be done with it and forget them all over again. You know it’s the right decision, and I’m not just a fucking whore. I’m yours … I’m Alexi Carrero’s heart. That has to account for something.” I rage at him, fury on full show and blood levels soaring as my heart beats out like a war drum.
Alexi smiles at me unexpectedly, breaking my growl with that genuine flash of pearly whites and runs a thumb across my cheek gently before leaning in to peck me lightly on the lips and graze his nose against mine.
“I knew there was a queen dwelling inside of you.” Another proud smile, another touch of noses and he lets me go.
“I can’t go against the board. My hands are tied unless I can convince them that this is the way to nip it in the bud. Trust me, I’m working on it. Thinking out a plan.” He walks away from me, leaving me standing in the centre of the room and goes back to the booze cabinet.
“The board? Your musty old table of ageing Carrero men who previously ruled the roost? What do they know of modern times and how it works now? You are the one who has headed this family for a decade, almost. Things have changed, it’s not the same as when your father was standing here, and they should have a little fucking faith that you know what you’re doing by now.”
“You think I don’t know that, but I was raised by a code and respect for the men before me. If they say no, then I cannot proceed. My father isn’t objecting, but the rest are, and I can’t dishonour their wishes.”
I’m ranting and he’s calmly pouring another drink. He waves a glass my way and I shake my head, too churned up for more booze when my insides are bubbling away like a volcano about to erupt.
“Then they are idiots. Go get someone else to do it then … Santagato, one of the other family heads, and just act like it was nothing to do with you. Make it happen, Lexi, make the fucking bitch go away!” I squawk a little hysterically as the words tumble out and he pauses to look at me, bringing me down from the rafters with a frown.
“I can’t. I won’t. Asking a favour of that magnitude shows a weakness in my chain of command. I can’t have Santagato know my family isn’t united on something like this and give him an edge over me.” Alexi is deadly serious and that stubborn streak in him is showing through. I know the how of the inner workings, the twisted games and stupid signals always in play around these men. I sigh and resists the urge to ‘arghh’ at him.
help me. Sometimes I realise it’s a blessing to be alone and have no one to
hint of hurt and I know I just insulted him in some vague way. I guess he considers me his
meet her, sit down and see if there’s another way I can eradicate the issue. It’s not ideal but it will buy me time and maybe your safety if we can come to some sort
don’t even let him finish
worth to you?” The rage erupting in me is not really aimed at him because I know how rooted in tradition and rules his family are, and his hands are tied. I’m venting, upset, being unfair, but it’s frustrating as hell when he knows the way to fix
give two shits. She took on the role of family head, she lost her right to protection as a woman. If I do that, though, my head goes on the block, and you … Cam, my family would have no qualms about removing a girl they deem as
his words as I realise the magnitude of him disobeying the board. I rub my fingers through my scalp to try and release some of the pressure building inside me, scraping my brain back inside my skull to stop the onslaught of tears threatening to come tumbling out. They are not
I will do it my fucking self. I have drugged enough women over the years, used my wiles and cold-hearted abilities to fuck people up. I’ll do it. It’s not hard to overdose with something in her drink at a nail bar or a beauty salon. I have the balls to do it and the ability to pull it
voice breaks hoarse and raw as all my emotions bubble over, pacing
tell if he’s impressed or shocked. I know
where and when I can get to her. That bitch tried to kill me. I won’t live in fear with that scraggy cow walking my streets. If you do something, then your family take me God knows where and what? Kill me? Fuck no… you’re all insane, and I’m not
conscience, we both know you have never ended someone’s life.” Alexi’s temper bites and his tone sharpens to match mine. Anger high in the air but we’re not mad with each other. Just
out, referencing the times I have seen his cold and uncaring response to doing it. He doesn’t care so
because of what I have done for my family. I died a little with every one I took and lost the ability to value life anymore. It dehumanised me far worse than having my own problems did. I can kill without feeling Cam, but it doesn’t mean I never used to, or that I didn’t have any reaction, even in my fucked up way. I still have dreams and nightmares about the people I have tortured. I won’t let
isn’t, as nightmares and dreams signal guilt. Alexi maybe feels nothing for what he does at the time, but his dreams punish him instead. On some level, his subconscious knows what he does is very wrong. Another layer to my cold-hearted killer that no one would ever guess. Probably why he
around him too, right around his torso and squeeze him tight. Head whirring with the chaos of the problem in front of us and how stupid this is. He has the means, and the ability and
Fuckers.
head won’t relent though; brain whirring with solutions that bypass him
a smirk and a superior little look that says, “so there.” Injecting some humour into my tone but it’s only half a joke and my heart tells me Jackson would do it if I asked. They would punish him though so I would never
me. He knows this is getting nowhere and he doesn’t want to fight with me either. This matter is too big, and I don’t see a resolution tonight. He is too stubborn and so am I. We won’t find an answer while yelling at each other and I’m too tired to keep doing
fading out the fight and he reaches out to trail his hand across my chest delicately, igniting goosebumps and cooling the last ounces of my rage. His eyes following across the scraps of lace barely concealing my ample breasts, and he finally seems to notice I’m dressed in
poison you and then cut your manhood off to make you choke on it.” It’s only half in jest
through the port, so I don’t think anyone expects to see me dating anyone else. You are the only date from here on in, I swear. I’m still pissed about what you did at the club … don’t think I’ve forgotten that just because you landed yourself in hot water right after, but I get why.” He nudges me with
the club of all your little sluts. Hoe-Anne needed to go. You can’t be a reformed hussy if you keep your conquests in your bloody living room.” I lift my chin defiantly, not backing down on why I did it and a little smugger about it now I’m no longer terrified of the repercussions. It was the best thing I ever did, even if
silent moment and then sighs heavily, knowing he has no standing in this argument and should just give up while he can. I may have
thanks to your green-eyed flip out. You need to figure that out when we get back.” It’s a stern tone but the smug hint of a smile tells me he isn’t that bothered anymore. Maybe he was earlier, but he had enough violence and sex today to purge his system. Bruised knuckles lingering, probably from venting
you about, I have faith in her … Rebel, she’s on the staff and has potential.” I point out and get that little uncertain look he gave me when I mentioned her earlier. Not convinced that anyone called Rebel is hostess material. Alexi just
little control
you and sleep. We have a flight at 5 a.m. I’m tired, agitated and have a lot to do.” Commander and chief mode initiated, but it just flips my ‘hell no’ switch. I hate it when his bossy arse self comes out to
get a say in when and where. Maybe I’m tired too and don’t want you to fuck me.’ I cross my arms over my boobs haughtily, only
he
smile of his and I swear my heart stops for a moment. It’s that ‘I
speed. An air of urgency that sends shivers from my toes to my groin. I know what’s coming and despite my verbal objections, my body is already trying to pry my thighs open