Chapter 1 ~ Alexander #2
"And from the first moment, I saw her." He breathes out a slow breath and settles back in his big leather wingback chair.
"My whole body knew she was it. She was what I was looking for in this dark, fucked up world we live in.
Oh, it wasn't easy. It took my heart time to catch up with my body.
Like anyone would imagine, we faced some challenges.
She, however, provided the calm amidst my storms. She is still. "
He leans forward, hands on his desk, and chuckles a bit.
"Without her, I don't know how long I would have lasted out there.
I was brash and bull-headed and acted without thought.
She taught me patience, taught me that sometimes it's better to look before you leap.
All the things my father tried to tell me, but I was too bull-headed to listen.
All I'm asking is for you to try Alexander.
" His tone turns serious. "In our line of work, sometimes there are no choices, just decisions that will tip the balance.
" He leans back again in his chair and looks me in the eye.
"Either for the good or the bad. You understand me, son? "
I just stare at him and I can feel the sweat soaking into my shirt, most likely making a small water stain on the back of my suit jacket. Like, what the hell am I supposed to say?
Fuck you! I like my life. Screw the rules and walk out.
He's my father, but he would still put a bullet in my head if I disobeyed an order which is why he is still the head of the family organization. Rules are rules. Abide by them or ... this was daddy being nice.
Either marry her or... shit!
I settle back in my chair and straighten out my suit jacket mumbling, "Understood"
He nods at me. "Good, introductions are tonight.
Dinner is at seven sharp! The Gallos will be here.
The whole family. Your brothers will be in attendance as well.
I want things to go over without a hitch and with respect.
Try to at least say more than two words to the girl.
Now, get out," he waves his hand to the door, "I have a lunch date with your mother. "
As I stand up, I twist over and set my glass down on the little cherry table set between the chairs.
I turn back and look at my father as I button up my gray cashmere suit jacket.
I've been dismissed. Getting up, I walk towards the heavy double doors of my father's office leading out into the foyer.
My hand wraps around the cold brass knob.
I turn it enough to hear the click to freedom.
My father's deep voice echoes across the elaborately decorated office.
"Alexander. I expect you to treat her with some decorum and respect. If not for her, then for the Gallo family that will soon be joining ours. Robert can be a prick. I can't say I like the man."
The venom laced in my father's voice makes me pause. If he hates the bastard so much, why bind our family together? But then it's not my place to question his orders, just do them.
His tone softens a degree. "But as in all things, the family is first. Remember that in the future."
I don't turn to look at him; I just stand there holding my hand on the doorknob, staring ahead. My gut twists and I can feel the heat in my face as I try to contain the anger rising in my chest. I'll do my fucken duty. But I'll be doing it my way.
I don't turn from the door to look at him.
"Respect must be earned, father, which you wisely taught us.
I will uphold my end of the contract and I expect the same from her.
But once she becomes my wife, she's mine to deal with as I see fit.
My rules father, my way. I won't have her mommy and daddy running to me every time the little princess doesn't get her way.
I'm not a simple man, and I'm very short on patience.
You say she knows the rules? She will learn mine rather quickly. "
At that, I pull the heavy door open and head toward the front door.
I need a fucken drink and to be out of this house for a few hours before I meet my future wife tonight.
I want to use the few hours of freedom I have left to do what I want, with who I want, and right now it feels like I need to put my dick in a warm, willing mouth and a drink in my hand to relieve this tension.
I look across the foyer to the enormous set of double glass doors of the main entrance leading to my freedom. My shoes echo my hurried pace across the marble floor, not hiding my urgency to get out of this house.
"What the fuck is happening in this house?" When Christopher's tense voice reverberates off the walls behind me, I turn to look back at him and notice that he is doing this sort of fast-paced jog walk as if the devil is on his ass.
My brother and I are both 6'3" and have our father's tall, wide, and muscular build.
He takes after our mother, whereas I resemble my father with my black hair, dark olive skin, and grey eyes.
His one cheek has a dimple, and his sandy blond hair has a slight curl chick's dig.
His piercing blue eyes capture your attention when you gaze at him.
He grabs my arm and slightly turns me.
Christopher raises his arm and points behind him towards the long corridor that leads to the kitchen.
"Alex? What is going on? Mom is going nuts in the kitchen.
She obviously has a dinner planned for tonight, which is totally a given since we all got the ‘show up or die invitation', but this is a little over the top for her.
Maria is cleaning the house like she just got hired instead of being with us for years.
Sebastian is held up in his room and hasn't come out. What the hell, brother?"
As I turn to face him, he lowers his arm.
His expression is filled with worry, but I can't help but smile because he always takes himself so seriously.
He makes every effort to fix any problems that may arise with a plan, no matter how minor.
Christopher enjoys the military discipline in his life.
He always arrives on schedule, with everything in its proper place, all neat and tidy.
There is no disorder in his universe--the ideal young soldier.
"I'm getting married," I say. His eyes go round, his face pales a bit, and he steps back.
"Holy hell!" He breathes out.
Nothing more comes to me that I can add to this conversation. Really, what else is there to say? The axe will fall on all our heads sooner or later. Mine just happens to be sooner. So I turn around, open the front door, and saunter outside.
The late afternoon sun hits my face and I turn up to it, letting it heat my cheeks. Still standing in the lobby, Christopher is staring at me with his mouth gaping open like a fish. I chuckle as I take a big breath and begin to jog down the stairs toward my car.
Carlos steps up to the back door and opens it for me.
"Where to boss?" As I slide into the back seat, I don't look at him but bark out, "The club. I need a drink."
He nods his head slightly before shutting the door. He walks around the front of the vehicle and closes the driver-side door as I watch. Carlos is a massive bastard and is also loyal. I can't imagine having anybody else have my back beside my family.
I recline in my limo's plush seats and enjoy the view of my family's estate's expansive, spotless grounds. One day, this world will belong to me. Mine to dominate and control. And I will--in all the ways they imagine, plus more. I chuckle at the idea. Fucker's have no clue, but they will.
I take out my phone to check my messages as the limo begins to move, but I'm not paying attention. My future wife, Isabella, is still on my mind.
I will follow the order I was given. The only thing that makes this whole situation feel less like a death sentence is if she and I both have to obey in a manner.
It won't take her long to understand my rules.
She will either learn to swim or sink in my murky waters.
She will learn how to heel, just like a good pet, or otherwise, the only life raft she will receive from this situation is a bullet.