Page 33 of Twisted Games of Revenge

“Sloane, always a pleasure,” Alessandro greets her, pushing past her into my apartment with an air of smug confidence, his voice a low purr. Like he’s supposed to be here.

I can’t help but smirk at him as I shake my head. He worked it out, of course he did. “You were supposed to meet me downstairs. I don’t remember inviting you up,” I snip at him, taking the sheets off the counter and carrying them into my new bedroom, dumping them on my bed. I stretch out the fitted sheet, pulling it over one corner. When I turn back to face him, he’s right there.

Crowding me with his oversized body, his hands go into my hair as he pulls me toward him, kissing me. I wasn’t expecting it, but I can’t help the way my heart races with excitement, having his lips on me. And I have to wonder if his brother filled him in on what we did last night and now he thinks it’s his turn. He has another thing coming if that’s why he’s here.

“You did, and I decided I wanted to see your new place. Make sure it’s safe for you to live in.” He releases me, strutting around inspecting the place like he owns it. “I’ve decided it’s not. If some fucker would let me in without knowing who I was, then there is no way you’re safe here alone.”

I raise my chin, ready to have a go at him and tell him to fuck off, when I hear Sloane.

“Pfft.” She stands in the doorway to my bedroom, watching him. “She’s not alone. I’m right up the hall, and besides, everyfucker in this town knows who you are. You probably scared the shit out of him first.”

His attention flicks to her. “Stay out of this, Sloane, it doesn’t concern you.” A fresh wave of anger surges through him. “Or maybe it does.” His attention snaps back to her. “You have a lot to answer for, when it comes to keeping what’s mine from me.”

“You don’t own me,” I seethe through clenched teeth, all the mushy feelings I was having for him vanishing in an instant.

Sloane glances to me quickly, then folds her arms over her chest, her eyes narrowing in on him ready for a fight. “You might think this city is under the thumb of Alex Moretti, but I don’t answer to you. And it doesn’t look like Viv does either.”

“This how you want to play it? You’re prepared to make an enemy over your very new friend?”

I shove him hard in the chest, trying to bring his attention back to me, but he keeps staring her down. “Leave her out of it,” I snap, not wanting any trouble to come to my new friend because of me.

She comes around to face him, not scared in the slightest. “This is the man who’s supposed to love you.” She shakes her head at him in disappointment. I can see exactly what she is seeing, a controlling asshole. But she doesn’t know him like I do. This side of Alessandro is infuriating, but there is more to him. A softer side he has just for me that tells me he cares and all this macho shit is more for show than anything. On top of that is the fucking chemistry. Just being in the same room as him sets my soul on fire. But that doesn’t mean I’m willing to be told he owns me.

He takes a step toward her, and I feel his tense muscles under my grasp as I grab his arm. “No, Alessandro. Your fight is with me, not Sloane. Leave her alone.”

He lets out a low growl, unimpressed, but his attention is back on me, a threatening look in his dark eyes that tells me not topush him. But unfortunately for me, it’s my new favorite thing to do, and since he’s trying to be all controlling again, I might just try tip him over the edge today.

“When you want to hit the shops let me know, sis. There is too much overinflated ego in here for me.”

“Thank you.” I smirk at her as she wanders off, leaving us alone, and when I hear the click of the front door, I turn back to him, ready to have it out.

I shove him again, trying to get some space, and he captures my hands in his. “The least you could do is be nice to her. She’s the reason I’m still alive.”

“Have you thought to question why? Girls like Sloane Stryker don’t just take in stray puppies.”

“So now I’m a stray puppy? Nice.” I shake my head; he really knows how to dig a hole for himself quickly. I shove out of his grip and go about making the bed, stretching the corners over the mattress. “I know exactly why. We both have the same goal, and since you’re not taking care of our problem, we have teamed up to deal with him.” I lock eyes with him, my gaze unwavering as I wait for him to speak.

“Just because you can’t see what I’m doing doesn’t mean I’m not taking care of this situation. You’re putting yourself in harm’s way, when you could be safe with me, and I won’t let you continue.”

I fluff the top sheet over the bed and tuck it in all the way round. “Oh, really. Well, you have no choice.”

“Harley, please.” His voice softens, and I glance back at him, surprised. “I don’t want to fight you over this anymore. Enzo is dangerous, you have seen firsthand what he’s capable of, so why get involved in his business?”

My brow quirks up in question. “You seemed happy about me getting involved last night if I remember correctly.”

He closes the gap between us in a way that makes my heart race. “So I could get you back. You were supposed to leave the casino with us, and then everything could return to normal, not get your own apartment and go on living this fucking lie.”

“I happen to like this lie. I have made friends and am free to think for myself for the first time in my life. If you can’t understand that about me by now, you never will, and what we have will only ever be fake.”

He stares back at me, his eyes holding mine for what feels like an eternity. “Marco and I are working with a contact who might really be able to take him down. And if he can, it will bring down every other fucker who is involved in the fucked-up things he’s been doing for years.”

I take a step back from him, surprised. “You’re telling me the truth?” I know it because one of the last conversations I had with my brother was about his contact.

“I fucked up last time, Harley, and I need you to trust me. I want my fucking parents to pay for their crimes every bit as much as you do, but I have to play it cool, give this person the time they need to build their case without people on his payroll working it out.”

I blink back at him, trying to process what he’s telling me. I remember what Marco said about his contact, that he was an undercover cop, I’m sure of it. He and Alessandro working together on this makes a lot of sense. It explains why he couldn’t tell me anything. It’s all so sensitive, any slip-up and a good man dies just trying to do his job in a city full of shady cops and a messed-up underworld who control them.

“I thought if I could pretend to be one of those girls, I might be able to work out what exactly they are up to and do something about it. Too many innocent girls are going missing or turning up dead because of them. Girls just like my ma and Pia.” Our eyes lock as a tear slips down my cheek when I think about whatSloane just told me. “I won’t let him get away with this horror show anymore.”

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