Page 53 of Naughty Santa Daddy

Alessandra (Alex)

Watching Braxton leave isn’t easy, but as Papa reaches my side, I take a deep breath and gaze into his eyes. “I’m an eagle, Papá,” I tell him as he curls his uninjured arm around my shoulder, giving me a quick hug.

“Yes, my Alex, you definitely are,” he replies, kissing my temple.

I can sense the sorrow deep within as I look down at Dante. He lived in a den of vipers his entire life yet was loyal to me. Unlike Enzo, who was next to me as though he was going to be my right hand as I took over thefamiglia. Only,hewas the snake in disguise, and I lightly shudder as I think of all the times I shared confidences with him. He knew me best, and his betrayal cuts deep. Thankfully, Miller’s quick thinking means I won’t be dealing with him ever again.

Braxton will never betray you, my mind whispers.He’s had your back since that day of the shooting.

Smiling, I place my hand on my flat stomach, knowing that the baby who rests inside will have the best of both of our worlds. We won’t settle for anything less.

“Come, Alex, we need to leave,” Papa reminds me, bringing me back to the here and now.

“Papá,” I begin, staring at the destruction all around.

“We will get this sorted out. Right now, I know your mamá needs to put her eyes on you. Plus, I have to take care of this little thing.”

I snort at his description of the still-seeping wound in his shoulder. Leave it to him to try and break the unrelenting tension that thrums through me. I know there will be plenty of changes ahead with me taking over, but with Papá by my side, I have all the confidence in the world that I’ll be able to blend both parts of who I am now into an indomitable force.

“Then let’s not keep her waiting.”

I’m at peace once we’re home, aware that any dead bodies left behind at the docks that could be tied to us will forever disappear, thanks to my father’s deep connections. They, along with my firm, help my family maintain the public illusion that we’re on the right side of the law. Nothing can ever be proven, and without proof…well, let’s just say it makes us almost untouchable where the police are concerned. I will never see my uncle or my cousins ever again, and because of a selfish man’s choices, two women will be left husbandless. My aunty and Dante’s wife are widows, Dante’s baby left fatherless. Life is unfair, cruel at times, even. In the Mafia, sometimes you have no choice but to survive, even when it hurts inside to do so.

There will be a media scandal, as there always is whenever our name hits the news. I’m already working on a statement that I’ll present when the time is right; I’ve got to stay ahead of this because it’s no longer only me I’m thinking of. Our enemies, those who are left, that is, will know that we have an added layer of protection with Braxton’s club. There’s no way he or any of his brothers will allow a hair on my head to be harmed, let alone for someone to come after our child.

As I wait for Papá’s wound to be tended to by the doctor, who thankfully agreed to make a house call, I decide a shower is in order. I need to wash the filth of what I’ve learned today from my body, to purge any lasting blood splatter and evil from my flesh for good. Grabbing clean clothes, I make my way into the bathroom and turn on the water to hotter than Hades. Hot water isn’t good for the baby, but I don’t plan to be in the shower long enough to harm my little present still safely snuggled in my belly.

Stripping, I walk under the steaming spray and allow my emotions to release into the mist. As the stream pulses down my body, tears flow from my eyes as I bring Enzo’s betrayal to the forefront of my mind. All those hours we spent together, he wasbusy studying me, lulling me into a false sense of security. The betrayal cuts so deeply, it feels as if a piece of me has died. I’m sad, but I’m also angry. I know this permanent change will take time for me to move forward, but right now I’m not thinking of anything but the raging emotions burning inside me.

“Why, Enzo?! Why?!” I scream out. “You were going to be by my side anyhow!”

Fuck!My chest aches, but then sickness churns in my gut.

There’s a catch; he wanted me in a way thatisn’t naturaland one that I would’ve never thought of, to be honest. The fact that he acted like he did blows my mind. It’s as if I never really knew him at all.

My emotions fully break free as I sob hysterically while washing my body. By the time I’m done cleaning my hair and body, I have put myself back in check again. It’s time to go see Braxton; I know he’s the only person who will truly help heal my heart in all of this.

Goliath

When I arrive back at the clubhouse, I immediately head down to the room where we interrogate prisoners. Both Rabbit and Wash, who the guys must have caught trying to leave like the pussies they are, are trussed up like Thanksgiving turkeys. The irony isn’t lost on me since we’re right in the middle of the holiday trifecta. It only further pisses me off—the betrayal, knowing it’s fucking up Granny and my woman’s Christmas cheer. These fucks deserve the pain coming to them and so much more.

“We were waiting for you,” Miller says as I breach the doorway.

My mind is on one thing and one thing only: eradicate the threat to our club and my little elf.

Standing in front of the two men, I glare down at them both and ask, “Why? Why betray your brothers?”

“Money. It’s what makes the world go round,” Rabbit glibly retorts. “Why else?”

“I hope it was worth it,” I growl out. “Because today’s your last day of breathing, fuckers.”

By the time my brothers and I are done, there’s not a bone in either of their bodies that hasn’t been pulverized. The air reeks of copper from all the blood, as well as the unmistakable ammonia from the two assholes who pissed themselves multiple times before they drew their last breaths. They’ll disappear, and rather than feel any sense of guilt, I’ll sleep well, knowing my family and brothers are down one less threat.

As I quickly shower so I can get home to my sexy elf, I watch the blood go down the drain, confident that my brothers are taking care of the cleanup. “They went to hell screaming,” I mutter to myself in relief as arms wrap around my waist.

I knew she would come; call it a sixth sense where she’s concerned. Turning, I tug her naked, wet body into my arms and lean down, capturing her lips in mine. Once we’re both breathless, I pull back, uncaring that we both look like sodden rats and say, “It’s over. They’ll never bother anyone ever again.”

“Yes, it is. But you know there are others waiting in the wings,” she warns, her hands roaming my body.

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