Page 74 of The Deal

Chapter 25

Alexander

After we showered and ate, we ended up back in my bedroom. I realised something when I was away, and it’s that I don’t want to be without Chloe for that long again. I missed her more than I’m willing to admit. She’s quickly become my obsession … or maybe she was that from the very beginning.

My inbox is overflowing, and normally, I’d be itching to dive into it—especially with being four days behind—but, surprisingly, I’m perfectly content staying right here with her.

Work can wait.

She can’t.

We are naked again, and she’s lying on my chest while my fingertips draw small circles against her scalp. Watching her eat the ravioli andsugo di pomodoroshe helped Carmella make earlier, had my cock thickening with every mouthful that passed through those plump lips of hers. At one stage, I even became envious of the fork she was holding.

All I could think about was replacing that piece of cutlery with my dick, and when we got back up to our room,that’s exactly what I did. I ordered her to get on her knees as I reached for the button on my trousers, and she complied without hesitation, which pleased me to no end.

Is this what I have to look forward to from here on out? I’ve become hooked, and Chloe Carmichael is my drug.

As if she can read my mind, she draws me closer when her grip on my waist tightens, pressing a soft kiss against my skin. It makes that damn muscle in my chest tighten. I’ve fallen deep, and I’m not sure I could stop this, even if I tried.

No words pass between us, but the silence isn’t uncomfortable or awkward. We’re simply in a quiet, contented lull, wrapped up in our own little bubble.

Well, we were until my phone dings from somewhere on the floor. I push my head further into the pillow and groan. It’s like some kind of messed up déjà vu, and I can only pray it’s not the same bad news I received last time this happened.

Chloe pushes on my chest, easing herself into a sitting position so I can lean over the side of the bed and grab my phone, which is still in my pants pocket.

My stomach drops when I read the message.

Dante: Call me, ASAP!

My hand trembles ever so slightly as I pull up my brother’s number. I’m on the burner phone again, tucked away down the rear of my estate. His message can only mean one thing … trouble; it’s the depth of how bad that’s yet to be determined.

“Dante,” I say as soon as he answers. “What’s going on?”

“I’m just checking in to make sure you arrived home okay.”

“Yeah, I did. Has something happened since I left?”

“Rocco’s body was dropped at the front gates half an hour ago.”

“Who’s Rocco?”

“He’s one of our soldiers … he drove the getaway car.”

I’m presuming he means the car that was used for Vincent’s execution. “Do you think this is linked to the Mortellis?”

“One hundred percent.”

“It could be just a coincidence.”

“He had three bullets in his head,” he replies. “Sound familiar?”

“You know this is just the beginning, right? A foot soldier is no comparison to a mob boss.”

“Papa said the same thing. He thinks it was their way of sending us a message … letting us know they know we are responsible.”

“Fuck. Maybe it’s time to move to one of the safe houses.”

“Papa doesn’t want to … you know what he’s like.”

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