Chapter 24
Alexei
She was an itch I couldn't seem the scratch. The more I took, the more I wanted. The way she arched her back against me, silently begging me for more. The way her lips parted slightly as she gasped and came undone against me.
So fucking beautiful. So fucking addictive. I wanted to devour her again and again, the taste of her sweet pussy making me greedy for more. She was a virgin, of that I was sure. Her tight pussy clenched around my fingers greedily and the thought of my dick inside her, nearly made me cum in my pants.
I was a greedy mother fucker and I wanted to take all of her till she had nothing left to give anyone else. And when I saw the way that Aaron idiot had looked at her just now, I wanted to gouge his eyes out of his skull so that he could never look at her like that again.
And anyone else who ever looked at her that way.
But then I wonder if her silence right now and the distracted look on her face means she's thinking about him. And I don't know why but the possibility of it fills me with so much rage, I want to pin her against the lift wall and fuck her till she forgets everyone and everything else.
"Are you thinking about him? The curly haired idiot?" I don't know why I ask. It's not like I want to know the answer. It doesn't make a difference, she's here with me.
She's mine.
"No," she answers, tone clipped. She's within arms reach and she smells so good, so sweet and subtle, invading my every sense. I instinctively grab hold of her and pull her against me.
I study her face, her flushed cheeks and her downcast eyes. Her eyes...I wanted to stare into them as I made her cum with my dick inside her over and over again. I touch her cheek, her soft skin filling me with calm—like nothing else mattered, not the trial, not my revenge, nothing.
I do a double take, releasing her momentarily. The silence in the lift is jarring, dragging me back to reality. I think about Daphne's role in my life and how temporary it is. My grip on her hair tightens suddenly, like my body is resisting the outcome.
"You know I'm not done with you, right?" I stroke her skin with my thumb, loving the way her cheeks colour at the insinuation.
She lifts her head up, her eyes meeting mine and something foreign twists my gut into knots. I almost frown, wondering why I feel this way but then she gives me a small smile, easing every knot of tension in my body.
The lift chime rings and the doors open into the foyer. Daphne walks ahead, slow and teasing, and the predatory hunger I felt previously returns. I contemplate pining her against the couch or taking her upstairs but the faint scent of cigar smoke stops me dead in my tracks.
My body goes rigid and I almost reach out for Daphne, the urge to pin her behind me grows as I take a step forward into the darkness. I don't bother reaching for my gun because I know that smell. I know the soft whiff of cologne and whom it belongs to.
"Nu vot, Aleksey. Nakonets-to doma." ("There you are, Alexei. Finally home.")
"Batya" (father). I incline my head in greeting, irritation prickling at my skin as he blows out a plume of smoke in the dark. It's clear some of my men still hold more loyalty to him. He wouldn't be here if that weren't the case.
"To what do I owe the honour?" I ask, feigning calm as Daphne glances back at me with worry.
I really need to look into the security of this place and do some spring cleaning with the current hotel staff, specifically the ones who allowed this to happen. No ones allowed up here, I thought I made that clear when I moved in all those years ago.
"Is that her?" he asks harshly, making no move to get up from his seat on the other side of the room.
I switch the lights on and they cast a soft yellow glow over his cross face. His eyes dart between us, and it feels like we're teenagers sneaking in and getting caught.
I frown, wondering how long he's been sitting here in the dark, waiting for me.
"Go to your room," I turn to Daphne and she looks at me blankly, her face contorted with confusion. "Now."
She winces slightly at my tone and I feel a flash of guilt when she scurries around the back to the guest room prepared for her. The door closes with a soft click and only then do I turn my attention back to Nikolai Romanov.
"Drink?" I ask, heading over to the bar to pour myself one. He doesn't reply but I pour him a glass of vodka anyway.
I push the glass doors open and he follows me outside to the rooftop balcony. The sky has darkened over the horizon and hues of pink and orange fade into the dull grey. We walk past the glistening pool and stop by a railing that overlooks parts of the city.
"You're making a mistake," he doesn't miss a beat before saying what he came to say.
I take a tentative sip of my drink. "You could have told me that over the phone."
"I'm here to take her to our holding cell."
At hearing this my body goes rigid, every muscle locking in like I'm ready for a fight. "She's not going anywhere."
I rarely ever argue with my father but this is one thing I'm not budging on. Daphne is not setting foot outside without my permission.
Not when there are men like Aaron hunting her down and softies like Yuri who can't be trusted.
"What's the big deal about her?" Nikolai throws his hands up in the air, scattering cigar debris all over the grass. "You're not acting like yourself, Alexei. The last thing I need is for my successor to mess everything up because of a girl."
He spits the last word out in disgust and I step forward. My father is a tall man, but years of solitude in his mansion has rounded his back, making him hunch over. He hasn't been running the show for years, and now he wants to throw his weight around?
I tower over him, not just in build and he knows it. He takes a relenting step back, eyeing me with caution.
"We've come so far, syn (son)." Suddenly his gaze softens and it's so rare to see him so vulnerable, it shocks me. "You're mother's death is on their hands. I thought you wanted to avenge her?"
The words are a blow by blow to the gut. It hardens everything inside of me, and I return his stare with a steely reserve. "Of course."
It is all I've ever wanted.
"Then what are you doing, playing with your food?" He points inside the penthouse, in the direction of the guest rooms.
I sigh out loud, wiping a hand over my face. "I can't let her out of my sight. She's too important."
"Yes, she is important." Finally, something we agree on.
"Ne volnuysya(don't worry). I know what I'm doing. And no, I'm not playing with my food if that's what you're worried about." My face scrunches up at his poor choice of words. Viktor has always been an arrogant elitist, but I don't remember father being one too.
"I've fixed the date for earlier. Now that you've flaunted her to the enemy, we need to speed up the date for her testimony."
The last thing I'm worried about is the Italians. They can't touch us here, not in our city.
"Great," I say nonchalantly. "The sooner, the better."
He stares into the penthouse pensively and shakes his head. "You're absolutely right. The sooner this is over the better. Son?" He looks at me questioningly and I nod.
"Yes?"
"Promise me you won't do anything stupid."
This time I turn to look at the penthouse as well, wondering what Daphne is doing in her room. Could she be asleep by now?
"Of course, batya (father). You know me."
Father pats me on the cheek affectionately, like he used to do when I was much younger. It was always a quick pat from him before he went on about his day. He was always so busy, every little speck of attention used to light up mine and Viktor's day.
Mum was always the one who would spent her days with us. I used to take it for granted, she was always there, always affectionate, always available. Until she wasn't.
I step away from dad, suddenly wanting to retreat, to be alone. I clear my throat, "I...have some work to do. But you're welcome to stay as long as you like."
Thankfully, he gets the hint.
"No, I'll leave you to it."
The two of us walk inside silently and I notice him staring in the direction of the guest rooms.
"What are we going to do about Viktor and all that money he owes the Greeks?" I ask and he frowns distractedly.
"I think you should marry Lorenzo's daughter, Alexei. It is a strong alliance and you don't have to like her. Once you are married, we'll infiltrate like we always do and.."
"Then we force them out," I say, finishing his sentence. It is a tempting idea but I doubt Lorenzo would be easy pickings. My stomach lurches at the thought of having to deal with his spoiled brat of a daughter on a daily basis. The idea alone is enough to give me a headache.
"No, thank you. I can't stand the girl."
"You don't have to stand her. This is purely business." Nikolai says flatly.
"That's not fair. You got to marry the love of your life." I smirk at him but he gives me a strange look, one that says I've hit a sour point and I'm not even sure why.
He leaves soon after and I immediately change the password to the door alarm. Father or not, I still need my privacy and he'll have to ask permission like everyone else.
I lean against the wall and stare at no where in particular. I should probably look at the books, considering we're in the middle of a merger, but I honestly feel like heading up to bed. It's funny how just moments ago I had entirely different plans for the evening.
I immediately think of Daphne and take a step forward towards her room. I suddenly stop in my tracks, remembering my conversation with my father and the hurt on Daphne's face when I dismissed her so suddenly the moment we came home.
I clutch the edge of the sofa, fingers digging into the soft material. Maybe this is for the best. It's easier if she hates me and I keep her at arms length.
And even though I repeat this in my head as I gulp down some water in the kitchen, somehow I find myself outside her room. I knock softly, wanting to check in on her.
This is fine. I'm just checking to see if she's alive and well. I scoff to myself and my father's paranoia. It's perfectly routine for me to do this.
When she doesn't answer, I feel a flicker of panic, wondering if she's not inside. I twist the doorknob and peer through the narrow gap. My chest deflates when I see her all huddled up on the bed, her dark hair splayed out over the pillow like spilled ink.
I grip the doorframe and stare at her for a long moment. My father is right. I've been acting unlike myself when it comes to Daphne.
I can't help but wonder.
Is she important to me because we need her or is she important to me....because I want her.