Page 42 of Wicked Games of Desire

I don’t fall asleep in his arms because he’s told me to. I do it because I’m utterly shattered, and because part of me hopes that deep down somewhere he’s not the ruthless asshole his father is, and there might be some small part of him that actually cares about me. Tonight, I can’t believe it, but the slightest sliver inside of me still holds hope.

Chapter 24

When I wake up,I’m alone. Alessandro’s dark sheets are tangled up on his side, so I know I didn’t just dream of him coming into my room and bringing me back here. Stretching, I feel how tired my body really is. My muscles are stiff from all the tension last night and a sleepless night seeing ghosts and monsters, ones that are factual and all form a part of my current real-life nightmare. I find Alessandro’s shirt on the end of the bed from last night and slip it on over my lacy underwear. I can’t locate last night’s dress, so I’ll have to wear this until I find the rest of my belongings.

The place is eerily quiet when I go in search of coffee. I can only hope the boys are in the gym or working in the den so I can have some time to myself this morning to get my head screwed on properly. To my luck the kitchen is empty, and I make a coffee and take it out to the patio into the sun. This is fast becoming my favorite place in the house. I close my eyes and let the summer sunshine warm my skin, bringing me back to life.

I have a new plan and more questions for Marco, but since Enzo kept us apart for the rest of the night, I didn’t get them answered at the party. I wonder which of the boys I can convince to let me see him again. I wouldn’t have said this a week ago, but I think Maddox is the most likely to help me. He let me walk in on that conversation last night. He wanted me to know Marco was alive, even when the other two were happy to keep me in the dark, that much was obvious. I guess he will be my first target.

“She’s out here,” I hear Ricky call from the bi-fold doors that stretch out to this outdoor space. I recoil, knowing I’m going to have to deal with them already. I barely took a sip from my mug, and now I have to see them without being caffeinated.

Ricky comes right over to the lounger I’m sitting on and plonks himself down beside me. I scan his shirtless torso, trying to look bored. But holy hell, the man’s ripped. And that V muscle thing that leads down to his... Well shit, now I’m looking at his package. This is not part of the plan, Harley. Get your shit together.

I flick my eyes back up to his, and he smirks knowingly. “How’d you sleep, baby doll?” His eyes linger on my bare legs, his smile lighting up his face, happier than anyone should be at this hour of the morning.

Why is he in such a good mood? Especially when the last thing I said to him was fuck off. But I guess he is always pretty chirpy. I wonder how that’s possible, now I know what he does for a living. Although they didn’t clarify it completely, I have a rough idea of what they meant. Whatever Enzo wants them to.

“How do you think I slept?” I mutter, taking another big sip of coffee, praying to the coffee gods to give me some strength to deal with this shit today.

Alessandro and Maddox arrive at the door together, looking more flustered, and I don’t think it’s from their time working out, eventhough they’re also without their shirts and in sweatpants. “Did you boys lose something?” I laugh bitterly. Like I could escape this place. But the look of fear in their eyes tells me that’s exactly what they thought happened. I wasn’t in Alessandro’s bed where he left me sleeping, so I must have escaped.

I consume the last of the coffee and hand it off to Ricky, as if he were my personal assistant, before rolling onto my front so I can block them and their bullshit out. “Unless one of you plans on taking me to my brother, I have nothing to say to you.”

Alessandro moves, his enormous frame blocking my sunshine. “What the fuck do you think you’re doing?” he growls.

I pop open one eye and squint at him. “Aren’t I supposed to be getting used to a life of being your pampered little doll? Thought I better get a start on the tan. After all, keeping my mouth shut and looking pretty is all I’m good for, right?” I relax my head back down, making myself comfortable.

“I’m going to make us some breakfast,” Maddox grumbles from the doorway, and I get the impression he doesn’t want to hang around for this fight. Smart man.

“What are you wearing, baby doll?” Ricky’s voice has a seductive undertone. I can practically read that man’s mind and all the dirty things he’s imagining right now. Oh, if only it were that simple, Ricky, we could really have some fun together. Shame you work for the asshole standing over me.

“Your boss’s shirt from last night, isn’t it obvious?” I mutter, not bothering to lift my head. I can feel the glower on Alessandro’s face as he stares me down, I don’t need to see it as well.

“Why?” Laughter escapes from him.

“You dickheads took all my stuff. What else was I supposed to wear? I can take it off and lie here in my underwear if you want?” I roll over and collect the bottom of the shirt ready to pull it over my head.

But Alessandro’s hand comes to my wrist, pulling me up to sitting and stopping me from taking it off. “We didn’t take your stuff, just simply moved it into my room. You’re about to be my wife, after all.”

My heart goes nuts in my chest at the possessive way he’s looking down at me. He’s fucking pissed, but so am I, and what am I supposed to say to that? Oh, thank you, Alessandro, for moving me into your room so you can control me there as well. Not a fucking chance in hell. I know he did it because of what his papa said last night about getting me under control. And again, he’s just proven to me he is one of daddy’s yes men.

“Rick, give us a minute,” he snaps at his brother.

Ricky’s eyes run over me, a cheeky smile coming over his pretty face as he ogles my ass. “Seems like it was about to get interesting,” he complains, but he complies with the request and stands up, making his way inside to join Maddox.

I stare up at Alessandro, his fingers digging into the soft flesh of my wrists. “You have them all trained so well, don’t you, boss?” I tut, making sure he can hear my disappointment.

“They do what I say because they know it’s for the greater good of us all. I would do anything to protect my brothers, Marco included, and they me. You could learn a thing or two from having a little discipline.”

I roll my eyes, not wanting to hear this shit again. They might all have each other’s backs, but they chose this life. I didn’t. Glaring back at him, I’m ready to say as much. “I don’t need discipline. I need some respect and the truth, but you assholes have done nothing but keep shit from me and treat me like a caged animal since I got here.”

He drops my arm and takes a step back from me, running his fingers through his dark hair causing it to curl at the ends. He’s quite a sight this morning, his bare chest still all sweaty from working out glistening in the sunlight. I have to stop myself from drooling and remember how much I hate him. Because fuck, my lady parts have other ideas.

“I’m sorry, princess.” The words slip from his lips like he didn’t even have control over them. I doubt this man ever apologizes to anyone.

Goosebumps scatter up my neck. His apology ignites a storm of anger within me. One I’ve been holding on to since last night, but this shit just pushed me over the edge. I get to my feet abruptly. “You’re sorry? You really expect me to believe that when you’re the one who’s been lying through your teeth since I got here.”

“I haven’t lied to you,” he quietly cuts, but there is a guilty expression on his handsome face that shows he understands hiding information from me is just as bad.

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