Page 120 of Alexei (Belles & Mobsters 4)

“I’ll stay,” I said with determination, my eyes locked on the man I’d fallen in love with. Broken eyes flickered with something raw that sent a shudder through me.

I knew he didn’t do kissing, or touching. Maybe not even love. But maybe slowly we could work on it. Together. I refused to believe Ivan extinguished it all in him.

“Rora, I don’t-” Byron tried to change my mind, but my decision was made.

“I said I’m staying,” I cut him off.

Alexei was my other half, and if he’d take me, I’d stand by him for the rest of my life. I didn’t care about what the world nor my brothers thought of him. As long as he was mine and I was his.

My brothers knew there wouldn’t be any changing my mind. I chose Alexei. I should have chosen him in Russia. Or when his brother came to my apartment. It would seem I owed Sasha an apology.

“You’re not good enough for her,” Royce and Winston spat out.

“I know.” Alexei’s voice was low. Emotionless. Resigned.

I loved my brothers, but I knew they wouldn’t understand this love I had for Alexei. They’d called it Stockholm Syndrome. All I knew was that last two months were torture without him.

Yes, he hurt me by omitting the truth and shutting me out. Though after hearing the story from Cassio King, I came to terms with my love for him.

I forgave him for keeping me in the dark because he went back to save my brother. First chance he had, he went back to save him and helped him heal. He didn’t forget him and leave him to rot. And for that I loved him even more. Alexei was a victim of circumstance, just as Kingston was.

“What’s going on here?” My father’s voice came behind me, the hint of anger underneath his cold, snobby politeness. “Mrs. Kennedy tells me you have a boyfriend, Aurora. A brute.”

His eyes traveled over the Nikolaev family, his eyebrows furrowing. I wondered if he evaluated them for potential campaign donations. But then his eyes landed on Alexei and the undignified scoff passed his greedy mouth. “Don’t tell me it’s this gang member.”

My spine straightened and anger coiled in the pit of my stomach.

“Mrs. Kennedy really ought to mind her own business,” I spat out. A man walked by with a woman on his arm and my father instantly went into senator mode.

“Ahhh, you’re Byron’s friend,” Father beamed, ignoring the Nikolaev family and me. He extended his hand and the man glanced at it, his eyebrow cocked. He paused just long enough to make my father squirm and my lips curved into a smile. I had no idea who he was, but I liked him already.

“Kristoff, Gemma. This is my father,” Byron chimed in.

Kristoff Baldwin finally accepted Father’s handshake. “Senator Ashford,” he greeted him coolly.

My eyes locked on Kristoff’s face. His eyes were an odd mixture of greenish-blue. Wrong shade. Too dark. Too stormy. Face too clean. Our eyes met, neither one of us speaking a word. He was older than Alexei. Hot. Clean cut. Strong, alpha billionaire screamed from every look he gave. Before Alexei, Kristoff Baldwin would have been exactly my type.

Except now, Alexei was my only type.

“Ah, Kristoff and Gemma. This is my little sister.” Byron took my hand and squeezed it gently. “Aurora, this is a good friend. Kristoff Baldwin and his other half.”

My eyes traveled to his date. She was pretty. Dark hair, dark eyes. Petite. With a soft smile. I liked her too. And if Kristoff’s fleeting glance to his date was anything to go by, he was infatuated with her.

Absentmindedly, I nodded and my eyes fleeted to Alexei just in time as his glass landed with a thud, the little bar shaking with the force of it. He turned around and left without another word. Without a glance my way. And ripping my heart out of my chest, leaving me without it.

“I cannot thank you enough for your campaign contribution.” Senator Ashford was in full politician mode, but I ignored it all. It was just noise to me. “We’re so glad to have you here with us. My daughter wants-”

I tuned him out, my eyes glued on the door that Alexei disappeared through.

“Right darling?” Royce's shoulder bumped into me, and when I glared at him, he gave me a pointed look, then looked at Father.

“Huh?” I muttered, still distracted.

“You’ll sit with Mr. Baldwin, and his lovely companion will sit with me. I want-”

“Excuse me,” I interrupted my father. He was nuts if he thought I’d stay another minute. My eyes darted back to the door. Did he leave? His brother and Isabella were still here. I glanced at the two, then back to the door. Yes, he left. “I just remembered I have somewhere to be,” I muttered.

I scurried away, leaving Vasili and Isabella behind along with my brothers, father, and Kristoff Baldwin. I waved through the crowd of men in suits and women in elaborate gowns, past the guards at the entrance of the ballroom.

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