Page 17 of Dirty Heirs

“I’ll kill him,” Aiden hissed at his twin, shaking the spray paint can like a weapon. “You have to tell me this shit, Lexie.”

“It’s not a big deal, Aid.” She closed the distance between them, hands on her narrow hips. “I stood up to Luca. That’s all I can do.”

“But you let them touch you!” Aiden’s hands flew up in the air. “The Salvatore brothers don’t own you. You are not their fucking property.” He got in her face, his top lip quivering. “We’re all we have now. It’s just you and me.” He cupped the back of her head and kissed her forehead. “I can’t fucking lose you.”

I liked that he was intense and protective of his sister. He was a fighter like Marcello. Bad boys were my type and the complete opposite of me. I was sneaky and always had tricks, but I was more of a lover. I liked being worshiped and adored by everyone, like a modern-day Adonis. Luca called me the Golden Boy of Devil’s Creek because I could charm anyone.

“I’m sorry, Aid.” Alex stood on her tippy toes and hugged him. “I didn’t mean to upset you.”

Marcello cleared his throat, drawing their attention to us.

Aiden’s head snapped to him, then at me. He went after Marcello, dropping the spray paint on the ground, his mouth twisted in anger. “Get the fuck away from her!”

Marcello held up his hands as a peace offering. “Look, Aiden, I’m not like my brothers. I won’t hurt Alex. So back off and chill the fuck out.”

“Then what are you doing here?” Aiden’s eyebrows knitted in confusion. “Spying on us?”

Marcello shook his head. “I don’t like your attitude. And I don’t appreciate being accused of shit I haven’t done.”

Marcello looked like Luca’s younger twin, but that was where their similarities ended. They had nothing in common. Not unless you count their mutual interest in Alex. While Luca’s desire was based on anger and hatred, Marcello wanted to save her.

I couldn’t blame him.

Alex had the face of a movie star, with a heart-shaped face and pretty blue eyes that lit up whenever she smiled. She was skinny to the point she seemed sick. But the Salvatore brothers would fatten her up. The poor girl had been starved for years by her parents. Despite Luca and the other two being major dickheads, they would take care of her.

“You got Cello confused with the Big Swinging Dick Trio,” I told Aiden. “He doesn’t even like his brothers. They’ve never gotten along. So maybe pump the breaks on the crazy train, and let’s all find a way to get along.”

I was always the peacekeeper. That would be my role when I graduated and joined The Devil’s Knights. I could find the good in anyone. My unique talent allowed me to connect with others.

“Yeah, alright,” Aiden agreed, taking a few steps back and running his fingers through his curly, blond hair.

It was short now, but it would look like his twin’s if he let it grow. Alex’s blond locks were all over the place, giving her a wild and free look. Like her brother, she was hot and didn’t act like it. She could have ruled this school instead of hiding in dark corners.

I offered my hand to Aiden. “Are we good?”

His fingers slipped between mine, and I loved how his skin was rougher than mine. I wondered how his hands would feel on other parts of my body. I had played football since the pee wee league, and my hands were still soft. I was a little bit of a primadonna. Per my mother’s request, I moisturized. It made her happy, and it kept my skin glowing.

I am pretty.

So fucking what?

Aiden shook my hand. “Yeah, we’re good. As long as no one fucks with my sister.”

“I can’t control Luca and my brothers,” Marcello cut in, his gaze moving between the Wellington twins. “But whenever I’m around, you have my word. They won’t touch her.”

Alex strolled over to Marcello, smiling at him like a god. “Will you be there on Saturday?”

He considered her question for a moment and shrugged. “I don’t know.”

“Cello will be there.” I slapped my hand on his back. “He’s like Aquaman in the water.”

“We can’t go swimming,” she said. “It’s too cold outside.”

“No swimming,” I promised. “But there will be lots of drinking.”

“Okay.” She tucked her bottom lip into her mouth and glanced at Marcello’s biceps before her eyes landed on his face. “Will I see you on Saturday?”

He didn’t hesitate this time and said, “I’ll be there.”

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