CHAPTER 26
C HAPTER 26
MADDOX
I drank another glass of whiskey, watching the whole scene unfold before my eyes.
I don’t even know how many glasses I’ve had. I just know it’s enough to keep me stuck here in this fucking bullshit of a celebration. I was hiding in the shadows, where I belonged. Watching everyone dance on the floor.
Fine.
Watching Angelo and Allyn dance on the floor, surrounded by a crowd, but somehow, my gaze was locked on them. S he had her arms wrapped around his neck, his hands sliding down her waist. They were talking, dancing, and laughing as if they were the perfect couple.
She was laughing.
She. Was. Fucking. Laughing.
Wearing the same dress, I fucked her in yesterday against that wall.
I’m still trying to understand why my body fills with this strange rage as I stare at them. Maybe it’s because she dares to play the role of the happy fiancée, not even a day after coming around my cock. It really isn’t that deep. At least, it shouldn’t be.
I don’t usually dwell on these thoughts when Angelo and I share a girl.
It’s not the first time. Not by a long shot.
But it’s the first time we’re sharing a girl he’s about to call his wife. And somehow, that makes everything more complicated.
Seeing her in his arms just doesn’t feel right, not after she was in mine hours ago. It’s not because she’s grown a place inside me. Feelings aren’t my strong suit—definitely not something I’m capable of.
I’m hollow as fuck.
But still, it’s like a punch in my stomach watching them dance happily right in front of me.
“At least pretend you’re having fun,” My father said as he joined me in the corner with his judgmental tone. “You look like you’re about to kill someone.”
Close enough, father. Close enough.
“I’m having fun, can’t you see?” I raised the glass, inhaling it in one breath, grabbing another from the passing waitress.
“Keep an eye on Allyn” his fake happy smile long gone. “We need her to be safe.”
“Can’t Angelo watch after his fiancée?” I rolled my eyes. “I want to enjoy my drink in peace.”
“Do as you’re told.” he commanded. “You’re still her bodyguard.”
“You should think about changing that,” I muttered. My eyes locked on the lovebirds again. “I have more important things to do than follow her spoiled ass around like a dog.”
“For now, this is your only job until I say otherwise. This is an order.”
I clenched my jaw, deciding that keeping my mouth shut was the more rational choice than smashing my father’s head into the ground.
“Your brother is getting married. I think it’s time for you to do the same.”
“No.” I cut him off immediately.
I’m not boyfriend material, let alone husband material. It never even crossed my mind to settle down with one woman. Not in this lifetime, anyway.
My job is to do my father’s dirty work. I kill people for revenge, for the thrill. That’s my fucking job, and I think that’s a good enough example of why I can’t do the married life. That shit’s not meant for someone like me.
“I’m serious, Maddox,” he continued, pushing past my limits. “I’ve spoken to several of the main families who would happily offer their daughter’s hand in marriage to you.”
My body snapped toward him in an instant. I’m much taller and stronger than he is. A little spark flickered in his eyes. The same spark I see in people just before I point my gun at them and end their lives.
“You’re forgetting something, father. I’m not Angelo. I won’t let you toy with lives for your own entertainment.”
I leaned in closer, just to savor the fear up close. I’m enjoying it.
“Don’t you dare mention that shit again.”
I pulled away and walked off before I cracked his skull open and made an ugly scene.
I pushed through the crowd, leaving the ballroom. If I don’t get my rage under control, I might turn this celebration into a bloodbath.
I stepped outside, breathing in deeply, trying to regain control. The guard took it as a sign to leave me alone.
After all this time, my father is still managing to push me to the edge. As if this whole night wasn’t mind fucking me up enough.
“Maddox? Is everything alright?”
I turned around, my eyes locking with Allyn, standing a few steps away. She had a worried expression, like she was trying to make me believe that she actually cared about me.
“I’m not in the mood for sweet conversations, Allyn.”
I pulled a cigarette from my pocket. I don’t usually smoke, only when necessary. And right now, it’s fucking urgent.
She stepped closer despite my warning.
“I just wanted to see if everything is fine. You left so fast.”
I chuckled.
“Are you keeping tabs on me, princess?”
She scoffed. “Don’t be a dick, Maddox. I just wanted to help.”
I took a drag from the cigarette, exhaling.
“Want to help, huh?”
I raised an eyebrow, amusement flickering in my eyes as I studied her. She nodded.
“You can only be helpful to me if you shut your mouth and undress, but you can’t do that now, can you?”
She gasped at my arrogant words.
“You’re such a dick.”
I nodded.
“That I am.” I took another drag. “Just go back inside to your fiancée, where you belong.”
I didn’t mean for my words to come out with such rage and hatred. It surprised both of us—as she stepped back.
“I don’t belong to him,” she said, offended.
“Sure you don’t, princess.” I laughed.
I don’t know if she’s trying to fool me or fool herself.
She crossed her arms in front of her chest, looking too fucking good in that dress.
“I’m not scared of you, Maddox.”
“You should be.”
“There’s so much more to you than your anger.”
“Are you a therapist now, as well?”
I was intentionally pushing her away. For her sake, for mine.
Because I couldn’t stand how much I wanted to reach out for her. I don’t even know why. I buried those desires, shaking my head.
“Go inside, Allyn.”
For a moment, we just stared at each other, our eyes doing the talking.
She was so close, yet so far.
She carried my brother’s touch on her— she belonged to him. And here I was, letting sick, filthy thoughts about her corrupt my mind.
As if she read my thoughts, she stepped closer, her hand resting on my chest as her lips met my cheek in an innocent— yet soul-burning kiss.
I froze in place. She did, too. That fucking innocent kiss hit me like a punch straight to my stomach.
She pulled back just enough to whisper her next words.
“If you ever want to talk, I’m here for you.”
Then, she walked away, leaving me even more of a mess as she headed back inside to her engagement party.
Back to reality—where she and I don’t mix.
We’re not even in the same space, and we never will be.
I spent a good hour outside alone— before deciding it was time to return.
Angelo was the first person I spotted, standing in the corner with a glass in hand. He looked close to wasted. I joined him without saying a word.
He sighed, his eyes fixed on the people dancing on the floor.
“I want this thing to fucking end already.”
I chuckled, my gaze following his to Allyn and Lydia dancing. Allyn was smiling, looking so effortlessly happy it was almost irritating.
She swayed to the music, rubbing against Lydia, drawing more than a few glances from the men in the ballroom. They all knew she was off-limits, but they still looked. Can’t blame them. I was staring, too.
Despite my hatred for her, Allyn Delgado is easily the most beautiful woman in the room. A woman who could catch anyone’s eye—not just because of her body, which was made for sin, with curves in all the right places, but also because her face was remarkable. So innocent and pure.
“Who caught your attention, brother?” Angelo laughed, trying to guess. “Who’s the lucky girl tonight?”
“That’s you, Angelo, not me,” I said, pursing my lips. “I’ve got better things to do than waste my time on a piece of pussy.”
He’s the man whore, not me. I fuck when I’m in the mood.
Right now? Definitely not.
He shook his head, resting it back against the wall with a tired expression. “I might be a dick, but I think I’ll keep my hands to myself tonight. I just got engaged.”
“How generous of you.” Let’s see how long that lasts.
He ran a hand through his hair.
“Everything is so fucking weird after Italy, man.’’ He sighed. ‘’The meeting, the pressure, and that kiss with Allyn there…”
I snapped my head toward him, his words sinking into my mind like a nasty taste that made my body tense up.
“You kissed her in Italy?”
He nodded.
“I was so fucking pissed after that meeting. I don’t even know what the fuck I was doing.”
The kiss they shared today was forced. It was their engagement party. Even though I didn’t want to see it and had to turn my head away to avoid it, it couldn’t be helped.
When you have to play a role in front of so many people, you do what you’ve got to do.
But the kiss they shared in Italy, behind closed doors?
That’s something completely different.
And that shit makes my blood boil with furious speed.
My gaze locked on Allyn, still dancing and laughing.
My anger grew with each passing second.
After she came back from Italy, she showed up at my office and let me fuck her mouth.
With the same mouth she’d kissed my fucking brother the day before.
Did she really thinks she can play this game with me?
Fine.
Let’s fucking play.