18. Lexi
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
LEXI
Valentin’s hands press against my skin, and his lips touch mine, sending my senses into a whirlwind. The chill of his gold ring against my cheek hits me like a punch, awakening memories of Petrov that I can’t shake.
The mere thought of Petrov’s hands on me tightens my stomach in knots. I instinctively wrap my arms around myself as the icy air seeps into my bones.
My heart races with the unsettling truth that I’m drifting away from who I am, losing my focus, and shedding the fierce desire for vengeance that days ago was consuming me.
I’m falling for Valentin, the Brigadier. The ruthless, powerful, and deadly man who plans to kill me. The man who bears the same ring as the asshole who touched me.
Leaping out of bed, I move to glance out the bedroom window. The world outside is still and peaceful, but I can’t ignore the urgency coursing through me.
Elise is here, and I need to leave before she discovers I’ve been fucking the Coalition Brigadier.
I slip on my dress and step into the closet, my fingers glide over a row of black suits until they encounter the softness of a sweatshirt. I pull it over my dress and clutch my heels in my hand.
The bedroom door creaks open and I step quietly from the closet, bracing myself for the consequences of trying to sneak out without his consent. “Valentin,” I call softly.
“Alexis.”
The voice is one I haven’t heard for a long time, but it’s etched in my memory.
I halt in my steps and turn slowly to face her—Elise Savin, the notorious woman of organized crime, stands framing the doorway.
To me, she is more than just her reputation. She’s Elise Walsh, the girl I grew up with.
“I heard you were here,” she says, her voice trembling slightly in disbelief at the sight of me.
“It’s not what you think,” I respond quickly, a defensive edge creeping into my tone as if I’ve been caught in the act.
“So, you’re not sleeping with the Brigadier?” Her eyes narrow as she scrutinizes me, taking in my short pink dress and black heels.
It’s been three years since I last saw her—three years since she started declining my calls, leaving me all alone in this world.
“Last I checked, I don’t need your permission to sleep with a man,” I mutter quietly. “You’re not my mom.”
“Clearly, because if you had asked, I would have warned you to stay away from Valentin,” she says, her eyes fixing intently on the collar encircling my neck.
I tilt my head slightly. “Really? Aren’t you the one who slept with the enemy?” I point out that she was the highest-ranking woman in the cartel, who fell in love with a Bratva Brigadier, ultimately marrying him and becoming the mother of the future Brigadier.
“That’s the past.” Her eyes give me a silent warning, a scolding message that I’m out of line.
“Why is it okay for you? You get to do whatever you want, while I’m stuck following arbitrary rules you create?”
“Because I’m trying to protect you,” she snarls, her eyebrows furrowing as if I’m just another one of her subordinates.
“I don’t need your protection,” I snap, lunging forward, pinning her against the door frame with my hand around her throat.
See, Elise, I’m more like you than you think.
She eyes me a moment before dropping her shoulders and letting out a resigned sigh. “I wanted to check on you, that’s all.”
I roll my eyes. “I think you’re a few years too late,” I respond, forcing my voice to remain steady despite the nerves clawing at my throat.
“Maybe,” she whispers, her voice small and broken.
But then she stands straight, stepping closer, her eyes piercing into mine. “I need to know what Petrov did to you.”
I instinctively pull back, shielding my face with my hands to mask the fear I can’t bear to show. “What did Valentin tell you?”
“Nothing specific—just that he might have hurt you,” she responds, her tone filled with genuine concern.
“That’s none of your business,” I respond firmly, my jaw set tight as I let my clenched fist fall to my side.
“I can help you. Ivy is looking for him,” she insists. “I promise that if he hurt you, he’s dead.”
“I don’t need your fucking help,” I yell. “Stay the fuck away from me.”
I can handle this on my own. I don’t need her protection. I don’t need her to hunt down Petrov. This revenge belongs to me alone. For once, I can save myself.
“I’m a mom now, and I just thought …”
I offer a shitty smile. “You’re confusing me with someone who gives a shit.” My stomach drops as the words catch in my throat.
I turn away from her, standing at the edge of the bed, my hand around my throat, trying to steady myself. Tears well up in my eyes, but I blink them back.
I glance over my shoulder and notice she’s not backing down. She stands her ground, arms crossed and feet firmly planted.
It’s time to get the fuck out of here!
As I prepare to leave the room, I catch a glimpse of myself in the mirror, noticing the collar snug against my neck.
I walk to the nightstand, unfasten it, and place it there, both my hands trembling with reluctance.
Despite my desire to hold on to this beautiful piece of jewelry, it’s all too apparent that I must let it go and tear myself away from the man who gave it to me.
I walk past her, my shoulder brushing against hers, feeling the tension rise in my body. A mocking laugh escapes her lips as I quicken my pace, eager to leave her and this toxic conversation behind.
Down the hall, I glance back, and there’s Elise, still standing there, glaring at me. Her posture says it all.
Loser.
Unworthy of her love.
Inferior to her and Ivy.
And she might be right.
There was a time when I cared about what she thought of me. Was she proud of me? Have I done enough to earn her love?
But that was back when I was Alexis. That girl no longer exists.
I raise my head and turn away from her because, contrary to what she believes, I no longer need her.
I quietly descend the stairs, noticing the door where loud voices resonate from within. As I carefully navigate the creaky wooden floor, my body tenses, each muscle urging me to remain silent as I walk past Valentin’s office.
Finally, I reach the bottom of the stairs and stand before the vast expanse of the warehouse, eagerly looking for an exit door.
The sound of approaching boots hits my ears, and my eyes catch sight of a door. I attempt to open it, but it resists my efforts. With determination, I unlock it and push hard, finally bursting into the open air of the warehouse district.
The crisp morning air jolts my senses as I slip on my heels. I hasten my steps, eager to escape Valentin’s place quickly, determined to put distance between the Coalition and me.