Page 56 of Filthiest Of Them All

“What the hell's that supposed to mean?” he growls.

I shrug. “Every male is always getting in trouble over a female.”

“You’re a female,” he points out.

“Duh, but this war isn’t over me.”

“It’s still over a female,” he counters.

“She isn’t just some female he fucked, that girl was his everything,” I hiss with an edge to my tone.

“You didn’t even know her.”

“I don’t need to know her. I know him and that’s enough for me.”

“Your life is on the line because of him, his need for revenge for the death of his sister has put a target on your back, Tatum. My sister is a jealous bitch and won’t let you walk away with Alex. She may have wanted to use him so she could rule the family, but I think some sick twisted part of her really does love him.” My brows pinch as I mull over his words.

“She can come after me… she can do her worst and kill me, but she still won’t win him. Alex isn’t a prize, he isn’t a man who wants to be won or tamed. To love him is to love both sides of him.”

“How so?” he counters.

I shrug. “Alexander Denver is two people. One side of him is sweet and attentive, slightly overbearing and a possessive asshole… but the other side, that’s the side of him that the world gets to see. The Butcher. The monster he has lurking just beneath the surface. The one that thirsts for vengeance for the sister who was stolen from him. To truly control the beast he needs to be fed and it cuts me up inside to say this aloud, but the only way to truly satisfy that beast inside him is to… kill my brother. Only then will the demons of his past set him free.”

“I can’t say I have ever heard anyone refer to that dick as sweet before.” I shoot him a look.

“That’s just because you don’t know that side of him like I do.”

His eyes turn serious and I tense. “I don’t think anyonealivehas ever seen that side of him, Tatum.” His words hang heavy between us for a brief moment before he continues on. “He’s a good man, he’s one of the best I have ever known. I wasn’t jealous of Alex because he had my father’s attention.” His admission shocks me. “I was jealous because I envied him, I wanted to be just like him. Leading comes easy to him, he can garner the respect of every man within a few minutes. After my father was killed, all his men turned to Alex for guidance. If he took control, the men would have followed him without question. I’m torn much like you because I know my sister won’t survive The Butcher. Our men will never rise against their true don.”

“You mean Alex?” I whisper.

He nods. “He’s the one who should have led the family, it was always his destiny to be the head of the De Santis family.” I hear no bitterness or jealousy in his tone, just respect and understanding.

* * *

“You want me tobutcheryou? Is that it?” I scream as I hurl the fork in my hand at him. He ducks just in time and it sails over him. He stands to his full height and glares at me. I scowl right back because fuck this Aztec god looking motherfucker. I spy Pope, Halo, Vat, Omen and Carnage all peaking their heads around the corner to watch the show.

“What the fuck have I told you about throwing shit at me, Tatum?” Alex roars.

I snort and flip him off. “Suck a dick, asshole!” I scream as I reach for the cup, but before I throw it at his asshole-ish head, he rushes me and grips my wrist. He applies enough pressure to my joint, forcing me to drop it back to the counter. I try to shove him off but he’s too damn big. He grips my waist and lifts me, placing my ass on the edge of the counter. He forces his way between my legs. “I’ll bite your damn nose off if you try to kiss me,” I seethe, the bastard just smirks which fuels my anger more.

The cocky fuck wraps an arm around my waist and uses his other hand to cup my cheek. To anyone else this move would look loving but the firmness of his hold betrays him. “Throw something at me again and you won’t like the punishment,” he forces out.

“Tell me some mafia fuck wants you to marry their daughter again and I’ll burn your damn house down with you in it,” I clap back.

He rolls his eyes. “I already told you, I refused his offer!” he snaps. I shove against his chest, forcing him to drop his hold on my face but he doesn’t step back.

“I don’t care!” I cross my arms over my chest and can’t stop the pout from working its way to my face.

“How is it that you can piss me the hell off and instead of wanting to kill you, all I want to do is fuck you.” I tilt my head and bat my lashes.

“Probably because I’m not some mafia princess like you’re used to fucking?” My tone is thick with sarcasm. Alex groans and cranes his neck back to stare up at the ceiling. His hands cover the tops of my thighs. He leans forward until his forehead touches mine, I can see the anger slowly dissipating from his eyes but I can’t say the same for my own.

“I fuckedonemafia heiress?—”

“Only one?” I mock.

His grip on my thighs tighten until I wince, “I am not going to stand here and argue with you?—”

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