Chapter 7 ~ Alexander
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The anger rising in my chest climbs higher as I watch my baby brother lead Isabella away like I am some kind of monster that she needs rescuing from.
My fists are clenched in my pockets so tight that I can feel my nails digging into the skin almost to the point of drawing blood.
Isabella glances over her shoulder at me, with a look of terror written on her face. Why I care so much about what just took place I don't know, but no one walks away from me until I say, let alone with another man, even if it is my brother.
I can feel my eyes narrowing as I watch them out on the patio. Sebastian is leaning against the bannister, laughing, and Isabella paces back and forth, waving her hand in the air.
Then she bends over, grabbing her waist, putting that plump ass on display for the entire room to see. Anger rises and my palms get tighter. That my ass she’s showing off to the room.
A deep, low growl comes from my chest, and Mrs. Gallo immediately leaves my side, rushing over to my mother, grasping onto her forearms, practically crying. She is begging and apologizing profusely for her daughter's appalling behaviour.
I swing my gaze over to my father; Mr. Gallo is leading him by the shoulder closer to the fireplace, away from everyone. I can only imagine he is begging my father not to back out of the marriage contract.
I never planned to marry so soon, but after this little display of hers, I am going to enjoy teaching her who is in charge. I glare back over at Christopher, who has straightened up to his full height and immediately stops laughing, finally taking the situation seriously.
Rebekha, on the other hand, still has that arrogant smile on her face. Staring me in the eyes, a sultry smile crests her lips as she lifts her wine glass and takes a sip, her little pink tongue slowly licking the edge of the glass.
I've seen that facial expression far too often not to recognize what it signifies.
It's one that women always throw my way all the time.
The one they tell me without words that they can rock my world if I allow them.
An hour ago, I would have taken her to the bathroom down the hall and fucked her over the sink without a second thought.
Now I have a better toy to play with.
Looking past Rebekah to the patio, both Sebastian and Isabella have disappeared, and that pisses me off even more.
I check back over my shoulder at my mother.
Her face is crumpled in concern, steering Mrs. Gallo to the sofa to comfort her as she makes her take a seat.
God, you’d think the girl shot someone by the way they are acting.
I started to move toward the door. I'm sick and tired of the games, the drama, and mostly being the joke of the evening. This whole fucking dinner isn't going as planned. I square my shoulders and attempt to control my anger as I turn back to the patio entrance.
"Enough!" I bark. No one speaks, but there is an audible, sharp intake of air throughout the room. I am overstepping my father here but I’m about to lose my shit if her parents keep acting like children.
"Mother? Please direct everyone to the dining room while I go fetch my missing brother and fiancé. We will join you shortly." I almost make it to the open patio door when Christopher steps in front of me, putting his hand on my arm and stopping my advance.
"Brother? Keep a cool head. I don't think he meant any harm."
I look down at his hand and back up straight into his eyes. I’m not going to kick Sebastian’s ass, but I am beyond incensed.
"Christopher, remove your hand before I do it for you." My tone is excessively cold and controlled. "As for your brother? He will be in momentarily, so you might want to wait by the piano," I say, pointing.
Christopher's face goes pale; he steps back and moves to the side, making room for me to pass. I proceed to step over the doorway into the bright sun, narrowing my eyes. I undo my suit jacket as I look around, trying to catch sight of them.
There's no laughing, and no voices chatting. The sun is bright and the breeze is cool against my skin, but it still doesn't temper my anger any. Moving farther to the back part of the house, I see the two of them leaning against the wall staring out into the yard.
They make such a cute display, looking all sweet like a couple of teenagers sneaking off at a party.
Sebastian is standing next to Isabella, resting against the wall with his hands clasped behind his back. Her eyes are closed and her head is tilted back, exposing her throat. My palm itches to wrap around it and squeeze, feeling her pulse quicken in shock under it.
I'm guessing no one has ever touched her innocent flesh, let alone shown this little rabbit who's the boss.
But I will.
I head straight for them and stand in front of them both. Sebastian opens his eyes first and immediately stands up straighter, taking a step forward, putting half his body in front of Isabella as a shield. Aww... Little Brother believes he must protect her.
Isabella's eyes pop wide at his quick movement. A squeak escapes her as she jumps, taking in my expression as I move forward toward her.
Sebastian knows I'm pissed, and when I'm pissed I tend to lose my temper.
Putting his hand up to stop me from getting any closer, he says quietly.
"Alexander! Be angry with me if you're going to be angry at anyone. I'm the one who forced her to come with me. I merely wanted to help. I wanted to get her out of there since the situation was getting out of hand. Nobody else offered to assist her."
That just makes me more irate. Who the fuck is he to think he is going to be her knight in shining armour, and from me no less? I was decent to the girl? I even offered her a drink.
I lean in close to his face practically, nose to nose.
"She's not yours to be concerned about, brother! She will soon be my wife to worry about. Now leave! I'd like a word alone with my soon-to-be bride."
Taking my eyes off Sebastian, I look over his shoulder to stare into Isabella's wide green eyes.
I can see the fear increasing on her face, and for some reason, that satisfies me.
I want her to be afraid of me; I want her to know her place by my side, and in all things, I will not tolerate insubordination.
I look back into my brother's face, waiting for him to move out of my way. His eyebrows are pinched together, his expression mixed with concern. I can feel the anger radiating off of him, and he knows better than to try to take me on.
I'm second in command, plus I outweigh him by thirty pounds and three inches in height. I may be his older brother, but I am also his boss. I bring my vision back over his shoulder, pinning Isabella with my stare.
"Move Sebastian! Everyone is meeting in the dining room."
Reluctantly, he steps past me, giving Isabella one last glance over his shoulder as he does. He's got his hands clenched at his sides, and I'm sure he's thinking about taking me out if he thought he could get away with it.
"Leave!" I roar, making Isabella whimper, my full concentration focused on her now.
Pushing herself further back into the wall, her palms pressed flat against it and I can see where her fingertips are curled, trying to grip the stucco.
Sebastian has finally disappeared around the corner, it only takes me two steps toward her and I'm towering over her shaking form, my height and weight dominating her.
She is shaking like a leaf, and then she closes her eyes tightly, trying to block me out.
I lean down close so I'm at eye level with her.
"Open your eyes," I growl at her.
She shakes her head no, her hair getting caught like a spider web on the wall. This is the second time she has said "no" to me.
"Open your eyes!" I demand, getting closer to her with a snarl. She trembles, even more, feeling my breath hot across her lips.
She shakes her head, no, and still, she clenches her eyes even tighter. It only adds to my determination to make her obey. There is a slight undercurrent of lust in my blood at the thought of breaking this frightened little rabbit.
I raise one arm and place my hand right by her head so she can feel the heat by her neck, trapping her by her hair and pinning her to the wall.
I take a few minutes to just look at her.
She is pretty, with smooth skin; dark lashes fan across her cheeks.
The divot between her pert nose and upper lip is deep, causing her upper lip to be rather plump.
Her coal-black eyebrows arch over those jade-green eyes.
Pity, she won't open them for me to get a closer look.
I lean in close to her little nose, gently stroking one side with my own. I can feel her breath mixing with mine, creating a warmth between us.
With a low deep voice, I speak directly into her cheek just under her ear.
"Now, I'm not precisely sure what your game was this evening, Isabella.
I'm wondering if you intended to actually escape this marriage or if you're just inherently dim-witted.
And if you are trying to fuck my brother, you can get that thought out of your head right now.
The only man you will be fucking for the rest of your life is me. "
I move my face to her other side and pass the tip of my nose over her cheek.
Her breath tickles across my chin, and I can't recall the last time I was this close to a woman's lips. I reach up with my free hand and close it around her throat. I can’t stop the impulse to feel her heartbeat in my palm.
Her tears start to flow out of the corner of her eyes in earnest now, making little tracks down her supple cheeks.
Putting gentle pressure on her jugular with my thumb and forefinger, I push her against the wall harder.
She whimpers at the added pressure. I move my mouth closer to her ear.
Her scent assaults my nostrils with something fresh like lilies.
I angle my head slightly so I can whisper into the shell of her ear, "You will get your shit together, or I will get it together for you.
I didn't ask for this marriage, and I'm assuming by your behaviour this evening, neither did you.
But I can guarantee you, neither one of us is getting out of it. "
I run my nose along the inner shell of her ear, and she shivers. Out of fear or desire, I don't know and I don't care right now.
"So I recommend you go and clean yourself up, gather your dignity, and meet me outside the dining room door."
I gently add more pressure to her throat; I feel her swallowing repeatedly, her pulse beating rapidly under my fingertips.
I lean away slightly and look at her face as I growl, "Now? Be a good girl and do as you're told."
I pull back and take her in. Her eyes are still squeezed shut, and her face is white.
Tear stains trail down her cheeks, dripping off her chin onto her red dress.
She's scared and I like it. I release my hand from her throat and step back completely, turning to the side, palm facing up toward the sitting-room door.
She still hasn't opened her eyes, and she is too terrified to move.
I can tell by the way her fingers are still digging into the stucco wall.
"I will not repeat myself, Isabella. I said, move!"
She opens her red-rimmed eyes in response to my callous tone and starts to move sideways like a crab on the scorching sand. She moves about three feet away, giving her the illusion that it is safe for her to flee.
She is deluding herself into believing that she has escaped me as her midnight hair is flying behind her and her heels keep clicking across the concrete. I feel the fury subside and a smile break out across my face as I watch her round the corner, then disappear.
Run, little bunny. I like the chase.