Page 111 of Kissing the Villain

“Yes, we do. You know the rules, Luca.” My father’s gaze followed mine. “Carl’s vote with The Founders Society carries a lot of weight. We don’t have the same connections or status as the Wellingtons. But we have money and the Knights. If you stick to the plan, we will have everything we want. I have spent years working toward a future for my sons. Do not fuck this up.”

“I have the situation under control.”

“You said that the last time.” He snorted. “She almost killed you.”

“I didn’t expect my plan to backfire.”

“From now on, anticipate every scenario, because that girl is more unpredictable than your mother.”

My mom was like Alex, a creative genius who was a little off her rocker. The great Evangeline Franco had moments where she was a completely different person, like Alex. Her moods would shift for weeks or even months at a time. I knew when I pushed Alex over the edge that it would be a difficult task to revive her from the depths of her mind. But my plan had worked. I just had to push her harder until the rest of her memories returned. She needed to remember her role with The Devil’s Knights.

“I can handle her,” I assured my dad. “Alex knows she tried to kill me.”

“She must remember how close you had come with her and The Knights. Make her see the correct path to becoming queen.”

I stood there silently, watching Alex fawn over my brother. The same anger and rage I’d felt as a child toward him bubbled up, simmering right at the surface. Hands balled into fists at my sides, I gritted my teeth and pushed down my unwanted feelings. I could deal with hurtful emotions, but I could never process intimacy and love.

Alex often told me I needed to learn how to deal with my emotions, but it was easier to trap them inside a box and throw away the key. It was too painful to let people into my world. No matter how much I denied it, I felt physical pain when I saw Alex with Marcello. I’d felt it last year with The Knights as we drew closer toLegare.

“You have one job to do,” my father said harshly. “Do you understand me?”

Alex held my brother’s hand on her knee with a smile illuminating her face. He said something to her, and her laughter floated through the air. They had a natural ease in their interactions. Unlike Alex and me, they just clicked. She needed him in her life.

“I will fix this,” I promised. “Alex loves me. I know she does.”

He glanced at Alex, who ran her fingers down Marcello’s arm, telling him a story. “Carl is calling a meeting to discuss the future of The Devil’s Knights and the marriage to Alexandrea.”

“That’s good.”

Dad shook his head. “I doubt it’s good news for you. Carl isn’t your biggest fan. Learn to respect the Elders. We need their support.”

“Don’t worry, Father. I’ll be on my best behavior.”

44

ALEX

Luca carriedme in his arms, kicking open my bedroom door with his foot. Half asleep, I lay my head on his warm chest and curled against him. His delicious scent filled the air, and I drank him in as he bent over to lower me onto the mattress.

He sank to the bed beside me and brushed the curls off my forehead. Like hot pokers branding my skin, his fingers trailed down my cheek, leaving a brush of fire in their wake.

I fell asleep in Marcello’s hospital bed after he passed out from the pain meds. My grandfather had assured me Marcello’s vitals looked good and that he would likely recover fully. But I was too afraid to leave his side until Luca swaddled me like a baby and took me upstairs.

“Luca,” I whispered, laying my head on the pillows. “Will you stay with me?”

He brushed the hair off my forehead and sighed. Without a word, he moved to the other side of the bed. The mattress dipped from his weight as he stripped off his dress shoes and dropped them onto the floor with a thud. I turned to face him, and he shot up from the bed to strip off his pants.

Licking my lips, I watched my handsome Devil unzip his slacks and slide them down his toned thighs. “Mmm…”

“I thought you were tired,” he said with a mischievous look.

“I’m too tired for sex,” I confirmed. “But I can look, can’t I?”

He smirked as he unbuttoned his shirt and slid it over his shoulders, revealing his scarred, muscled stomach. “Go ahead.”

My skin tingled with desire, and with one sexy smirk, I was wide awake. Heat flooded between my thighs, my skin dotted with tiny bumps of arousal. But my body and mind were not in agreement because I needed sleep more than an orgasm.

After Luca organized his clothes at the edge of the bed, he climbed in beside me. I scooted across the silky sheets, and he hooked his strong arm around me. I reached up, traced my thumb along his jaw, and stopped at his lips.

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