Chapter 24 | Alexis #2
He shot me a droll look. “I figured you were going to say that, and you’re right, even though my brain is a muddled mess. Should we go downstairs?”
“We can talk here.”
His gaze lowered to my breasts, heating with desire as he shook his head. “Not if you don’t put on a shirt. I can’t concentrate with those things out in the open.”
“These?” I asked, cupping my breasts and lifting them as my voice turned sultry. “Do they distract you?”
“Alexis...” he warned.
“Oh, fine.” Rising, I strode to his dresser and began pilfering through. I found a large t-shirt and slipped it over my head. Returning to the bed, I grinned.
“Better?”
He squinted at the ceiling. “I don’t remember giving you permission to rifle though my drawers or wear my clothes...”
“Oh, shut up,” I said, playfully swatting his arm. “And you’re definitely remaining shirtless. That’s my requirement for this very serious conversation we’re about to have.”
He grabbed my hand, smacking a kiss on the back before plumping his pillow and settling beside me. “Okay, let’s talk. What do we tackle first?”
“Let’s take down your objections one by one,” I said, ticking one of my fingers. “First of all, the whole I’m too young for you thing is bogus, and we both know it. I think we should just throw that out completely.”
He took my hand and rubbed the back of it with his thumb as he contemplated.
“I don’t want to deny you anything. I’m worried you’re going to miss out on all the exploration and dumb decisions people make in their early twenties if I tie you to me.
” His eyes lifted to mine. “I don’t want you to look back and feel like you entered a serious relationship before you actually lived, Alexis. ”
“Well, I can make dumb decisions on my own, whether I’m with you or not. I actually do that all the time.” I flashed a cheeky grin. “And being with you makes me feel alive. So, you’re not denying me anything.”
Deep sentiment entered his gaze as he pressed another kiss to my hand. “Same.”
“Okay, good. One down, two to go.”
He breathed a laugh. “The next two are a bit tougher. I have a feeling things are going to get rocky as Michael solidifies his control now that he’s absorbed your father’s organization.
Oskar Poska and Marco Nunez are bad men with lots of informants who don’t like what Michael’s doing.
Since I’m Michael’s top capo, and the heir to his syndicate, anyone I care about is a target. ”
“Mom and I have always been targets,” I said, lifting a shoulder. “Now, we’ve just moved to a different family. Michael protects Mom, and I know you’ll protect me.”
“Of course, I will. But things happen that are out of my control, Alexis. You saw what happened with your mom’s car accident. She almost died and was badly hurt. If that happened to you...” He grew silent and his features contorted with pain. “I can’t even imagine it. I’d never forgive myself.”
“Hey,” I said, facing him and cupping his jaw. “You can’t control everything, Nick. Hell, you could sequester me in a padded room in an undisclosed location, and a good hacker who works for Oskar could find me.”
He squinted one eye. “Is a hidden padded room an option? I like that idea.”
I shot him an acerbic look. “I’m being serious.”
Chuckling, he brushed my hair from my temple.
“I know. You’re right that I can’t control everything, but I’m not sure being with me is worth you putting yourself in that type of danger.
I’m not a genius like you, sweetheart. I can’t promise you a life where we’re going to build some big tech company and change the world.
I’m a mafia soldier, and that’s not going to change. ”
“First of all, you’re smart as hell,” I said, slipping my hand over his thigh.
“We never would’ve survived that fucking blizzard without you.
Common sense and survival skills are just as important as the tech knowledge I have.
In fact, I’d argue that combining our knowledge would make us unstoppable. ”
“I love how smart you are,” he said, awe in his tone as he gazed at me. “I wish I understood half of what you say about hacking and AI and IT.”
“Well, if we decide to be together, I could teach you, if you want to learn. And if you don’t, all I ask is that you don’t hold me back.
The tech world is something I understand; it’s where I feel safe and comfortable.
I don’t have to work for Google or Meta to do something great.
I could start something myself maybe. I don’t know. I’m still deciding.”
His thumb caressed my cheek as he contemplated. “I’d support you in that. Whatever you want to do, princess. I’ll always support you.”
Grinning, I looked around the room. “By the way, how, exactly, do you get paid? Does Michael give you a W2 every year?”
Nick laughed. “I’m technically the co-owner of Sofia Parking Garages, LLC. That’s where my paycheck comes from.”
“Wait, you and Michael own Sofia parking?” I asked, my mouth falling open. “That’s the biggest corporate parking lot chain in Queens and Brooklyn.”
“Yep. Sofia was Michael’s grandmother’s name. His dad set it up decades ago to create another legitimate business to mingle with all the other...” he cleared his throat, “non-legitimate businesses.”
“Wow. So, you get a paycheck from Sofia Parking every two weeks?”
He nodded. “Like clockwork. Katia set it up when I joined the organization. She does Michael’s books at the clubs and his other businesses that actually require bookkeeping.”
“The workings of the mafia are fascinating.”
He scrunched his features. “If you say so.”
“Okay, so you’d support me with your legitimate income if I wanted to pursue something in tech,” I said.
“And as far as a relationship with you making me a target, I get that. But I’m always going to be Victor Rossi’s daughter, and that’s always been quite dangerous.
I’ve learned that I have to do my best to stay safe while trying to live a somewhat normal life. ”
Nick stared at my hand as he tenderly caressed it. I could see the wheels turning in his mind, and reminded myself to let him speak. It was important we both respected each other’s viewpoints if we were going to find a way to make this work.
“I can’t leave the mafia for you,” he finally said, regret in his voice.
“I’m not asking you to.”
“I know.” Lifting his gaze to mine, he squeezed my hand. “But I know you want out of this world, and I feel like an ass being the one who convinces you to stay.”
“You’re so far from an ass,” I said, grinning. “Even when you drive me nuts.”
His eyebrows lifted. “You mean when you drive me nuts?”
“Okay, we both know I’m the difficult one here. Just let me pretend for a minute.”
He huffed a laugh. “Okay.”
“Anywayyyyy,” I said, drawing out the word. “You’re not convincing me of anything. In case you’re not aware, I prefer to make decisions about my own life.”
“Oh, I’m aware.” He winked before his expression grew serious and he inhaled a deep breath.
“In those smutty romance shows you watch, the guy would leave the mafia for his woman, but that’s fiction and this is reality.
” His eyes darted between mine as he spoke.
“I made a pledge to Michael, and it’s one I take very seriously.
On the day I took that pledge, I sealed my fate.
Michael is my family, and there’s no turning back.
And I know that’s not the life you want, princess. ”
“It wasn’t, for a long time,” I said softly as I rested my head against the headboard.
“But things have changed recently, and I don’t know what the hell I want anymore.
” Sighing, I shook my head. “Everything has been so confusing since Dad died. He was a son of a bitch, but he wasn’t the worst father in the world.
He was terrible to Mom, but he kept me in a relatively safe and comfy little bubble.
Now, I’m out here on my own, just trying to figure it out, and it’s fucking exhausting.
I just want to watch gay hockey romance and eat pizza all day. Is that so hard?”
Nick’s deep chuckle surrounded me. “Sounds like a good life. And you’re not alone, Alexis. Regardless of what happens between us, I’m always here for you. I hope you know that.”
Tears stung my eyes as I turned toward him and palmed his cheek. “I know,” I whispered. “You saved my life multiple times. I think I owe you way more than you’re getting with this relationship. Maybe I’m not worth it.”
He placed his thumb over my lips. “Don’t ever say that again,” he murmured, fire in his tone. “You’re everything, Alexis. I’m honored to be with you. You’re the one who’d have to sacrifice your dreams to be with me. I don’t want you to give up your hopes and resent me one day.”
I nipped his thumb. “Not gonna happen. I kind of like you. A lot.”
“I like you too...when you’re not being difficult.”
Grabbing the pillow, I smacked him right in the face before continuing to pound him with it. He gripped his pillow and began to fight back. My shrieks and laughter echoed through the room as the pillow fight turned playful, and eventually, he ripped the pillow from my hand and tossed it aside.
He pinned me beneath him, lifting my arms and gripping my wrists together with one hand.
Plunging his other hand in my hair, he clutched the tresses and lifted my face to his.
His weight was heavy as he lay atop me, and I wrapped my legs around his waist, clinging to him as he surged his tongue inside my mouth.
Our lips pressed together, tugging and nibbling, as our tongues swirled over each other’s. Nick growled my name as his body grew tense, and I felt his erection press into my inner thigh.
“No more talking tonight,” I rasped, my body straining toward his. “Please, Nick...”
He broke the kiss, his breathing heavy as he gazed into my eyes. “We’re going to have to figure this out eventually.”
“Not tonight,” I whispered. “I’ve waited so long to feel something like this. Just let me have tonight.”
His dark eyes swam with emotion as he released my wrists. “Okay, baby...” Lifting my shirt, he bared my breasts and kissed a trail to one of my nipples. “Just for tonight...”
And then, my secret mafia lover proceeded to render me speechless as he kissed every inch of my body in the tranquil darkness.