25. Alexander
Chapter 25
Alexander
A fter we showered and ate, we ended up back in my bedroom. I realised something when I was away, and it’s that I don’t want to be without Chloe for that long again. I missed her more than I’m willing to admit. She’s quickly become my obsession … or maybe she was that from the very beginning.
My inbox is overflowing, and normally, I’d be itching to dive into it—especially with being four days behind—but, surprisingly, I’m perfectly content staying right here with her.
Work can wait.
She can’t.
We are naked again, and she’s lying on my chest while my fingertips draw small circles against her scalp. Watching her eat the ravioli and sugo di pomodoro she helped Carmella make earlier, had my cock thickening with every mouthful that passed through those plump lips of hers. At one stage, I even became envious of the fork she was holding.
All I could think about was replacing that piece of cutlery with my dick, and when we got back up to our room, that’s exactly what I did. I ordered her to get on her knees as I reached for the button on my trousers, and she complied without hesitation, which pleased me to no end.
Is this what I have to look forward to from here on out? I’ve become hooked, and Chloe Carmichael is my drug.
As if she can read my mind, she draws me closer when her grip on my waist tightens, pressing a soft kiss against my skin. It makes that damn muscle in my chest tighten. I’ve fallen deep, and I’m not sure I could stop this, even if I tried.
No words pass between us, but the silence isn’t uncomfortable or awkward. We’re simply in a quiet, contented lull, wrapped up in our own little bubble.
Well, we were until my phone dings from somewhere on the floor. I push my head further into the pillow and groan. It’s like some kind of messed up déjà vu, and I can only pray it’s not the same bad news I received last time this happened.
Chloe pushes on my chest, easing herself into a sitting position so I can lean over the side of the bed and grab my phone, which is still in my pants pocket.
My stomach drops when I read the message.
Dante: Call me, ASAP!
My hand trembles ever so slightly as I pull up my brother’s number. I’m on the burner phone again, tucked away down the rear of my estate. His message can only mean one thing … trouble; it’s the depth of how bad that’s yet to be determined.
“Dante,” I say as soon as he answers. “What’s going on? ”
“I’m just checking in to make sure you arrived home okay.”
“Yeah, I did. Has something happened since I left?”
“Rocco’s body was dropped at the front gates half an hour ago.”
“Who’s Rocco?”
“He’s one of our soldiers … he drove the getaway car.”
I’m presuming he means the car that was used for Vincent’s execution. “Do you think this is linked to the Mortellis?”
“One hundred percent.”
“It could be just a coincidence.”
“He had three bullets in his head,” he replies. “Sound familiar?”
“You know this is just the beginning, right? A foot soldier is no comparison to a mob boss.”
“Papa said the same thing. He thinks it was their way of sending us a message … letting us know they know we are responsible.”
“Fuck. Maybe it’s time to move to one of the safe houses.”
“Papa doesn’t want to … you know what he’s like.”
“I do, stubborn as hell.”
“Right,” he replies with a chuckle.
“I’m concerned for your safety, little brother.”
“You know what they say … if you lie down with dogs, you’ll get fleas. I knew exactly what I was getting into when I decided to stay, Alex. I could’ve walked away when you gave me an out, but I chose this life. Live by the sword, die by the sword.”
“Stop talking like that.”
“I’m more concerned about you. You’re the Mancini heir; you’re probably at the top of their hit list. ”
“I know. I’ll tighten my security and lay low for a while.”
“You might want to take Giovanni with you.”
He’s right, but I don’t like my chances of getting Sophia to agree to that. I haven’t even asked her if he can spend the night yet.
“Be safe,” I tell him. “And don’t do anything reckless.”
“You too. And for what it’s worth, I’m sorry that you’ve been dragged into this mess. I know this isn’t the life you want.”
My skin prickles as I walk back up to the house. There’s a storm brewing, and who knows if any of us will make it out alive.
“What do you mean Giovanni’s life might be in danger?” Sophia screeches as I pace back and forth in her living room.
My family’s line of work was never a secret to her; after all, we were married for a brief time. At first, my father accepted her without hesitation, and Giovanni too, until the truth came to light.
I don’t trust this woman, so I’ll keep the details to a minimum. But if I have any chance of protecting my son, she’ll need to hear the cold, hard facts.
“A hit has been put out on my family.”
“Hmm,” she hums as a small smile plays on her lips. “I don’t see how this affects us. Technically, Giovanni is no longer part of your family; he’s not even your kid.”
After all this time, that knowledge still cuts me to the bone, but Sophia is a nasty, spiteful bitch, and uses every opportunity she can get to throw that back in my face.
I clear my throat and take a sharp breath through my nose, trying to remain calm. Losing my cool with her won’t get me anywhere. “He still bears my name; that’s enough to put his life in danger.”
“Well, hire some damn guards to watch the house.”
“That won’t be enough … that won’t stop them. We’ll need to go underground for a while. I’d like to take him to a safe house just until things calm down.”
“Do I get to come?”
“No!” I bark.
Being locked away with this woman for any length of time would be a fate worse than death. I think I’d rather take my chances with the Mortellis than face that.
“But I still bear your name,” she says, pouting.
“Which I’ve told you to change a million times.” Her eyes narrow as her hands move to her hips. “It’s a known fact that we are no longer married, so there are no bullseyes on your back.”
“Can you guarantee that?”
“No, but I’m happy to hire those guards you just asked for if it will help.”
“But you said?—”
“That there is no threat to you,” I snap, cutting her off.
“Is that puttana going with you?”
My lips thin. “I warned you about referring to her as that.”
“I heard Giovanni telling Mimi she went fishing with you both. I told you I didn’t want that woman around my child. She’s a bad influence.”
“And how did you come to that conclusion?”
“She’s shacking up with a man who isn’t her husband.”
I arch an eyebrow. “You were pregnant with an unknown man’s child when you trapped me into marrying you, so I hardly feel like you are in a position to judge anyone, Sophia. Chloe adores our son, and is a positive influence in his life.”
“Do you love her?”
Yes, I’m pretty sure I do.
“That’s none of your business.”
She rolls her eyes before pausing to tap the tip of her finger against her chin like she is mulling something over, but she’s just stalling to get under my skin.
“I guess I could take an extended trip to Italy if I wasn’t burdened down with a child. Maybe Paris … the options are endless.” The fact that she just referred to her son as a burden rattles me to the very core. This woman does not deserve that sweet boy. “It will be expensive though …”
“Name your price. There is nothing I wouldn’t pay to keep Giovanni safe.”
She gives me a smug grin, like she thinks she has me over a barrel, but she has no idea who she’s dealing with. I’ve got endless money at my disposal; if she asked for a million dollars or even two, I wouldn’t bat an eyelid.
“Hmm. First class flights, the best hotels money could by … some spending money.”
“Give me a figure, Sophia,” I growl.
“Two hundred and fifty grand should cover it.”
“Done. I’ll have the money deposited into your account first thing in the morning.”
She sits up straighter in her seat. “Seriously … you’re not even going to try to negotiate?”
“I was prepared to give you more, so no.”
Her eyes widen. “You were?”
“I told you to name your price.”
“Damn,” she mumbles under her breath as she rises from the sofa and straightens her dress—if you could call the tiny piece of fabric she’s wearing a dress .
“Go and pack him a suitcase. I’m taking him with me now.”
“Mimi,” she calls out. A few seconds later, Mimi appears at the top of the staircase. “Pack some clothes for Giovanni; he’s going to stay with his father for a while.”
“I can’t believe mummy is letting me stay the night,” Giovanni says as I help him step into his pyjama pants. His little hand is resting on my shoulder for balance as he slides each leg through the holes.
“She’s letting you stay for multiple nights. Tomorrow we are going to the cabin.”
“Is Chloe coming with us?”
“She is.”
He punches the air, making me chuckle. “Yes!”
I would never tell him what is really going on; he doesn’t need to know. His mother didn’t give him an explanation either. She just kissed him goodbye and told him to have fun.
Earlier today, I sent a few cars ahead of us, loaded with all the supplies we’ll need to last a month. I can always get more if necessary, but I doubt the Mortellis will take that long to make their move. They are an impulsive and reckless bunch, and given the circumstances, I can imagine their need for vengeance would be strong.
I’m confident we’ll be safe at the cabin; only a few of my men know of its existence. It’s not something I told my father or brother about either. It was never purchased to be used as a safe house; it was merely somewhere I could go to escape the rat race when needed.
We are completely isolated there, but if it ever comes to that, there are three escape routes: land, water, or air. As a precaution, the helicopter will stay on the property for the duration of our stay. I sincerely hope that nothing like that happens. I’d hate for Chloe and Giovanni to be put in that position.
Once Giovanni is dressed, I stand and pull back the covers on the bed. I never got the chance to make him his own room here—since Sophia never let him stay over—so he’ll be sleeping in Chloe’s old room, so he’s close by.
“Jump in,” I tell him.
“Am I sleeping in this room?”
“Yes.”
“Where is Chloe sleeping?”
“With me.”
“Ah, not fair. Can she sleep in here with me?”
“Nice try, buddy, but no.”
“Can I say good night to her?”
“Of course, I’ll send her in once I’ve tucked you in.”
He lies down, and I gently pull the covers up to his chin, leaning in to press a soft kiss to his forehead. It’s a simple, everyday gesture that most parents might take for granted, but after five years of waiting for this moment, it’s something I’ll never take lightly.
“I’ll be right next door if you need anything. Just call out,” I say, smoothing my hand over his hair.
“Okay, Daddy. Good night.”
“Night, Son.”
“Can you send Chloe in now?”
“Sure.” I chuckle to myself as I leave to go and get her. I think I have some competition on my hands. I pop my head around the corner of the doorway to my bedroom, where I find her sitting propped up against a pillow, waiting. “Giovanni wants to say good night to you.”
“He does?” she asks, smiling as she throws back the covers and shuffles to the side of the bed .
My eyes move down the length of her body, and I feel my cock begin to swell in my pants. She’s wearing a red satin nightie, the delicate lace edging only highlighting her spectacular rack. It has my mouth watering. I make a mental note to give my personal shopper a bonus this Christmas; she certainly knows how to pick out clothes that leave an impression.
“You might want to cover up,” I say as my eyes zero in on her tits.
She slips the matching satin robe over her shoulders and ties the belt tightly around her small waist.
I slap her arse as she passes before following her back to Giovanni’s room. I pause in the doorway, staying out of sight as I watch their interaction unfold.
“Your dad said you wanted to say good night.”
“Can you read me a story, Chlo? Mimi always reads to me before I go to sleep.”
She sits on the side of the mattress. “I don’t think there’s any children’s books in this house, but I can make up a story for you if you like. I’m not sure how good it will be, though.”
“I asked Mimi to pack one in my suitcase … it’s my favourite.”
“Okay.”
She crosses the room and takes it out of his bag. I didn’t bother unpacking his things since we were heading to the cabin first thing tomorrow morning.
She retakes her seat on the side of the bed and looks down at the cover of the book in her hand. “All the things we do,” she reads before turning to the first page.
My throat gets tighter the further she gets into the story. The plot begins with the little boy thinking of all the fun things he wants to do with his mum, from making art together, baking cookies, reading stories, and going on nature walks to imaginative play like pretending to be superheroes or astronauts. Each page showcases a different activity that brings them closer together, and I already know that this is not the kind of relationship Giovanni has with Sophia.
Is this why he tries to fit so much into the one day he has with me?
In the evenings, when I drop him off at his mother’s, I’m always drained, yet I never deny him a single request. He never asks for toys or treats; he always wants my time the most.
I feel like the shittiest father for not realising how much my little boy has been suffering.
When Chloe closes the book, she reaches out to stroke the side of his face. “Are these the kinds of things you do with your mum?” she asks.
I already know the answer to this, but I brace myself for his response anyway.
He shrugs. “She’s always too busy.”
“Naww, I’m sorry to hear that, little man,” Chloe says, pouting. “How about we make a list in the morning of all the fun things we can do while we are at the cabin, and we can mark them off one by one?”
When his face lights up, I have to turn away. My heart is heavy as I make my way back to the room and take a seat on the side of the bed, burying my head in my hands. That woman has a lot to answer for.
By the time Chloe returns to our room, her expression mirrors the sombre heaviness I feel inside. “Some people don’t deserve kids,” she says, taking a seat beside me.
I wholeheartedly agree.