59. Alessia
CHAPTER FIFTY-NINE
ALESSIA
M y eyes force themselves open when I feel hands running over my body. Usually I’d freak out, usually I’d jump by this point. But I didn’t. I know the hands that are touching me. Whatever he’s rubbing over my body is cool and soothing, and my body craves it. I’m sore, but I don’t protest when he turns me over on my back.
“These need cleaning and cream,” he says, running a washcloth over my cuts. I lean up and watch him as he tends to me. I rake my eyes over his and he catches me. “I did mine already, let me take care of you. Ok?”
“Let me guess, aftercare is your thing?” I ask. The tip of his lip tilts up a fraction.
“It didn’t used to be. Guess it’s you.” He kisses my wounds before rubbing the cool cream over them. “Let those air out for a bit. Let’s feed you.”
I let out a yawn and he helps me out of bed. I head for the bathroom to brush my teeth and he wraps his arms around my waist.
“How are you?” I know he’s asking me about yesterday, about Javi. I told him I was tapped out and I was. I felt myself becoming overwhelmed with rage.
“I’m ok…with Christmas coming and classes starting in a couple of weeks, I want this over with as soon as possible.”
He kisses my shoulder and watches me in the mirror.
“I’ve been thinking, though, that I want him wondering when he’s next. And I want him to feel like he has to hide every second of his life,” I say before I shove the toothbrush in my mouth.
“You want to keep him alive…” he concludes. He waits for me to finish and I turn to him. I can feel his anger. He wants him dead and I do, too. But I’m no longer in a rush to do it.
“I want him dead, too…trust me. But I want him to watch us ruin everything he has that means something to him first. We took Javi and that’s a start. But I want him to feel how you felt, how my parents felt when I left all of you that day. His family is important to him, right?”
“Yes.”
“Then I want them dead first. Then I want him dead.” He sighs and rakes his hands through his hair before turning to me.
“Ok, but know, it’ll start a war. Most of the mafia is on our side, but some of them aren’t. We have to be prepared for anything. Miles’ family is a bit crazy; that’s why our parents’ befriended them.”
“Aren’t we just as a crazy?” I ask, smiling at him as we walk down the stairs.
“Indeed, we are.”
I stare at the picture of my father and me lighting up my phone. Astor and I have been Christmas shopping all day and we’re about to have dinner. This is the second time he’s called. Each time I’ve told myself I’d answer, but never do. I gather my strength and accept the call.
“Hello?” I answer.
“ Figlia .” His voice sounds different, he sounds… broken .
“Hi, Papa.”
He clears his throat and a few moments pass before he speaks.
“I’m sorry...That you found out the way you did. That I made him keep it from you. I just didn’t want to lose you again…I didn’t want him to lose you again.”
Tears well up in my eyes and Astor’s hand grips around my thighs. I quickly wipe my face and rest my hand over his before responding to my father.
“It’s ok, Papa. We’re ok. You don’t need to apologize.”
“Like hell he doesn’t,” Astor mumbles. I pinch his hand and he shrugs his shoulders.
“I know you’re getting revenge; I heard about Javi this morning. You can’t do it on your own, you have to let us help.”
“Papa…”
“Alessia, you are a mafia princess. I know you hated it for a long time, hated the endless training and security everywhere, but that means that you have people who will die for you. People that are paid to die for you. Utilize them. You can take out his entire family without moving a finger.”
“I know, Papa, and I will, but we’re laying low for a little. I want to enjoy Christmas. How about we talk about it later? We’re about to grab dinner.”
“Sure thing, princess. Love you.”
“Love you, Papa.” I hang up the phone and pull at my fingers. Astor grabs them and holds them still.
“Stop doing that, you’ll hurt yourself.”
“Can we still take a honeymoon?”
“We can,” he says, pulling up to the valet.
My eyes widen in surprise. “Really?”
“Yes, really.” He climbs out and rounds the car to help me out. I slide my hand into the cusp of his arm as he walks me into his father’s restaurant.
I look at him and he winks.
“When?”
“Whenever you want, wife.” I can’t help the shade my face changes to, because I’m always going to be affected by Astor calling me his fucking wife.
“Mr. Pavlov, your table is ready for you. Right this way.”
We’re led to a private table with an amazing view of New York. There’s champagne being chilled on the table and a bouquet of red roses on the table. Astor steps in front of me and grabs them, handing it to me.
“You got me roses?”
“I did…sit.” He pulls the chair out and I kiss his cheek before sitting.
The waiter pops open the bottle of champagne and pours Astor and I a glass.
“Thank you,” I say, taking it from him. He opens his mouth, but then looks at Astor and nods instead, before scurrying off in the opposite direction.
What’s his problem?
Then it clicks.
“Let me guess, you told the staff that they weren’t allowed to speak to me?”
“I did no such thing, malyshka .”
“Liar.”
“So, you and your father?”
“He apologized…I’m tired of being mad at everyone. He told me to use the family at my disposal.”
“He isn’t wrong.”
“I know, I will. But right now, Miles isn’t my focus,” I speak.
I lean in and he meets me, running his finger over my cheek.
“Yeah? Then what is?”
“My last semester of classes,” I tease before chuckling and sitting back into my chair.
“Funny. I’m glad you bought school up. No more dipping out on your fucking driver. I’m your driver from now on.”
“That’s insane, I have a car. And I carpool with the girls sometimes.”
“The days you don’t carpool, you’ll ride in with me. Not up for discussion.” I roll my eyes and he cocks his eyebrow up.
“This is stupid.” I shove a piece of bread in my mouth as he downs his glass of champagne.
“Ahh be nice, little devil. It’s for your safety.”
“Ahh be a good boy, Astor.” He shakes his head and smirks at me.
“Jesus Christ, woman.”