Page 39 of Promise Never

“Speak for yourself,” I grumble. “I can’t affordto make mistakes. I don’t have guards to watch my back.”

“You have me.”

There’s that stupid flutter in my stomach again.

My heart’s already sprinting from the workout, buthis presence is making things worse.

I’m only turning anxious under his intense staringand the way he’s taking in my sweaty appearance.

“This is a temporary situation,” I remind him andturn back to the punching bag, blowing a deep breath before I resume hittingit. “Soon, I’ll be back in my country. On my own.”

Alessandro steps behind the bag, holding it forme. “Was it always like that for you? You felt alone outside of your sister?”

That gives me a pause, and I drop my hands at mysides and swallow hard. “You don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“She was your security blanket,” he accuratelydiscerns. “You believe you failed her.”

I pivot from him and hang my head, looking at mypalms. After a moment, the words seep out naturally. “That night, I was lategetting home because my workaholic boss wanted help to finish something.” Islowly shake my head. “If I was at the apartment—”

“Luca would have killed you too,” Alessandro saysat my back, touching my shoulder. It soothes the ache in my heart somewhat.

Suppressing the emotions, I glance at his hand andthen at him. “What did I say about touching me?”

He smirks and sticks his hands in his pockets.“One minute, you’re friendly. Next thing, you’re pushing me away.”

I turn fully to face him. “From what I’ve heard,you’re the one pushing people away.”

He creases his brows.

“Sofia said you don’t spend time getting to knowwomen. You never get too close. Serious.”

Alessandro narrows his unraveling eyes to slits.“Why are you bringing that up? Are you bothered?”

I sputter a cynical snort. “Not in the least. I’mjust curious. It sounds like you’re afraid of commitment. Or perhaps it’s thewomen running away? Could it be thatyou…”I peer downbriefly, adding to my teasing, “You have a problem?”

He clicks his tongue. “I assure you, Tiana,there’s no problem with my cock.”

I wince at his crudity. “Geez.”

Alessandro inches closer, a playful expression onhis face. “Since that’s on your mind, would you like to find out?”

“Excuse me?” Ifoldmyarms and fight off the surge of desire. “I’m not interested in doing anythingwith you.” My voice glitches a tad. “You’re that monster’s brother.”

He cringes at the reminder and tightens his jaw.“What if I wasn’t? Would you consider it then?”

The hell. He must be messing with me. No way hemeans that. Yet, there’s a part of me igniting from the idea.

Maybe I would consider him, especially with thisneed toiling in my veins.

But the fact remains that he is aFattore, and we shouldn’t be entertaining anythingintimate.

I ignore the emotions, deciding to lie that hedoesn’t do it for me. But my voice seems stuck, refusing to come out.

An unsteady gasp breaks free as Alessandro movescloser.

“You’re breathing hard,” he says, and I fuckingshudder from his voice.

I shake it off. “I’m tired from working out. I’m—”

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