Page 117 of Alexei (Belles & Mobsters 4)

Two months without her were hell. I couldn’t even fucking think about the rest of my life. The little girl from the zoo took a piece of my heart with her kindness. The woman in front of me claimed every ounce of it.

Each fucking breath. Each heartbeat. Every goddamn thought.

This had to be God’s form of punishment. Some sick karma. For all the death I caused and blood staining my hands. I was given a glimpse of what I could have had, and then it was snatched away from me.

But there was nobody else for me. Just this petite woman with the softest skin, the sassiest mouth and warmest smile. I hadn’t seen her in two months. Two fucking months. I kept away from all the gang and my brothers. I hadn’t gone to see Kingston either. Nor did I talk to him. I sent him some pathetic excuse. Though he let me get away with it.

I couldn’t see him yet. His eyes would remind me too much of his little sister. I’d have to get over that shit. I thought coming here would help me move on. Yeah, that was dumb. Now my fucking hands shook because I craved to touch her.

Men’s eyes followed her greedily, but she ignored them all. She stood with her brothers, champagne in one hand while they entertained her. The three brothers circled her like her protectors, scaring away any man who tried to get close to her.

Her smile though wasn’t quite as happy, her complexion slightly paler. And the idiotic bastard in me hoped it was for me.

Like I said, a moron.

I found comfort in the fact she didn’t spare a single glance to any other man. Her eyes were only on her brothers, her smiles only sincere with them, and I fought the urge to kill the bastards. It was impossible to squash the killer in me. It was who I was.

Eight weeks and three days since I'd last seen her. Tasted her. Fucked her. And it was the worst kind of withdrawal.

“Alexei, people are shitting their pants,” Vasili muttered under his breath. “Stop growling and unclench your fists. We are not here for a fight.”

Right! We were here because I wanted another glimpse of her. Senator Ashford invited Vasili, trying to secure the votes for New Orleans. Everyone knew Vasili ran Louisiana and whoever he backed, would get the majority vote in that state. Of course, Senator Ashford didn’t know what went down in Russia.

Bottom line, like a moron, I came along unable to resist the opportunity to see Aurora one more time. Of course, this wasn’t Vasili’s idea of moving on for me. Well, too fucking bad. If he would have refused, I’d have gone to Cassio for an invitation and then worked down the list. Fuck, I’d cash in on everyone’s debt until I ran out of options.

Another woman walked by, throwing us a glance that clearly said we didn’t belong. Fucking schmoozers and snobs.

“Alexei,” Vasili warned on a hiss.

I forced my palms open. As if that would make me less threatening. I was fully aware of glances thrown my way. My type wasn’t the kind that schmoozed in high society. I was the type to lurk in the shadows and scare these motherfuckers.

Senator Ashford joined Aurora and his sons. His hands wrapped around his daughter on one side and Byron on the other. As if in sync, every single sibling stiffened ever so slightly. The old man said something and wholeheartedly laughed, but his children didn’t join him.

Then he tugged on his daughter and unless she was ready to make a scene, she knew she had to go along with him. Though as she walked away from her brothers, she threw a pleading glance over her shoulder.

“Help me,” she mouthed to her brothers, then was forced to turn around.

The senator and she joined a group of men and then introductions started. It only took five minutes and Aurora excused herself, a forced smile on her lips.

“Alexei, are you okay?” My sister’s hand came to my arm, gently patting my hand. I didn’t like it. The only touch I could remotely bear was Aurora’s.

“Da.”

Isabella’s hand dropped to her side and Vasili swiftly took it into his. It was all kinds of fucked up, but I preferred not to be touched. And the only one I could even entertain touching me was the young woman that couldn’t stand me because I took away something she loved. I couldn’t blame her for hating me.

I watched as a man stopped Aurora as she headed back to her brothers. She tilted her head to the side, listening and smiling. My teeth ground, my blood on fire, and my breath stolen from my lungs.

She’s mine,I wanted to shout to the entire room and threaten the worst kind of torture to anyone that looked her way.

My fucking hands shook with the urge to go on a killing spree. But I knew it would push her even further away. And she was already so fucking far away. Maybe the two of us were like the sun and moon, always passing each other, but never actually meant to be together.

Now I sound like a goddamn pussy, I thought wryly. That was what love did to you. Who in their right mind needed this headache?

“Go talk to her,” Isabella whispered next to me. My sister didn’t know what happened. Only that the two of us eliminated the threat together. If she knew I cost Aurora her brother, put him through the hell that I experienced, and he’d probably be fucked up for the remainder of his life, she’d tell me I had no chance with the FBI agent.

“I’m getting a drink.” I strode away without another word. The tie around my neck was fucking choking me. The suit was too tight and too constricting. Vasili wore suits like a second skin. I wore weapons and a military wardrobe like it was part of me. Not this shit.

In ten large strides, I found myself by the bar.

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