Page 7 of The Darkest Prince

Alex’s curls hang over her shoulders and brush the tops of her breasts. She’s petite and looks like she hasn’t eaten a proper meal in years. But even with her lithe frame, she has decent size tits. Definitely more than a handful.

She’s wearing a red strapless dress that stops below her knees, paired with black Louboutin pumps accentuating her thin legs. I hadn’t paid much attention to the pictures of her, but Alex is a fucking knockout. Like a younger version of Kate Hudson.

Bash was drooling over the surveillance photos Luca showed him. So was Marcello. I didn’t think I could ever factor into this equation and dismissed her as an option.

Luca or Marcello has to marry her. It’s the only way to make the Salvatores more legitimate in the eyes of The Founders Society.

However, now that I know she could get me closer to Bash, I want her too. Maybe even more than he does. And why wouldn’t I? I would have to be blind not to see her beauty.

“Arlo,” Carl says to our father, who steps forward to greet his old friend with a firm handshake. “I’d like you to meet my grandchildren. Aiden and Alexandrea.”

“Welcome to Devil’s Creek,” Dad says with a forced smile.

Aiden tips his head at us, stuffing his hands into his pockets like he doesn’t know what to do with them. “Hey!”

He seems uncomfortable in a suit and tie. Carl dressed him up to look like he belongs in this world, born into wealth and privilege. But it’s so obvious he wasn’t.

“Hi,” Alex beams as she shakes our father’s hand, not knowing her mom killed his wife in a jealous rage. “I’m so excited to meet you. Your wife inspired so much of my work. I took up painting after my therapist introduced me to her art.”

Dad shakes her hand. “That’s so lovely to hear, Alexandrea. My Eva would have been thrilled to meet you… if she had lived,” he says with his dark eyes aimed at Carl.

Our dad will never forgive Carl for letting his daughter overstep her boundaries. He will never let him forget that his daughter killed his wife. Arlo Salvatore loves few things more than money, and Eva was one of them.

After she died, our home became a nightmare. The abuse started shortly after Eva’s funeral, and Luca took the brunt. He has the most scars but hasn’t bothered to hide them with tattoos as I did. Even Bash and Marcello covered some of theirs.

Most of my body is inked, leaving only the places you can see when I’m wearing a suit untouched. Our father didn’t care if we got ink as long as no one could see it. And over time, it became more about expressing my feelings than hiding the scars.

Aiden stands beside his grandfather, but Alex is braver and approaches us. “Hi.” She gives us an adorable smile that touches her pretty blue eyes. “I’m Alexandrea. But you guys can call me Alex. My grandfather says we’re in the same grade at school.”

“Not the same as me,” Marcello responds. “I’m two grades below my brothers.”

She nibbles on her lip, shifting her weight to the other foot. “Well, okay. Cool. I guess I’ll see you at school then.”

He nods, then extends his hand. “I’m Marcello.”

A smile tips up the corners of her lips, painted with red lipstick to match her dress. She’s so fucking pretty that it makes my chest hurt staring at her. And so innocent. I will enjoy breaking her in, showing her everything I like while Luca watches us.

“Nice to meet you, Marcello.” She shakes his hand and then glances at Luca, waiting for him to introduce himself. “And you must be Luca.” Her gaze shifts between them. “Has anyone ever told you that the two of you could be twins? You look so much alike.”

“No,” Luca snaps. “Can’t say they have.”

It’s obvious when you meet Luca and Marcello that they’re brothers. Their hatred for one another will make this an interesting competition. Luca is the oldest and should be entitled to marry Alex after college. But, Alex is getting a choice between us, the only kindness her grandfather is giving her.

She gives up trying to be nice to Luca and moves on to Bash. But, unlike Marcello, Bash won’t defy Luca’s orders and speak to her. Before we got into the shower, Luca said,If any of you dare talk to her, I’ll break your fingers and shove them down your throat so you can’t speak again.

I’m not afraid of Luca.

Neither is Bash or Marcello.

But Bash and I have learned it’s best to go with the flow in this house. Luca always gets his way, so there’s no point in rocking the boat unless necessary.

“Hi.” Alex smiles at Bash and gives him a tiny wave, the blush spreading across her cheeks. She steps closer, staring into his eyes. “You have really pretty eyes. They remind me of slate.”

Toying with the cuff bracelet on her wrist, she waits for a response. I can already tell she likes Bash. Or maybe she’s one of those people who become overly friendly when they’re nervous.

Bastian knows better than to respond. So he nods and turns his head away, looking bored by this meet and greet. But I know Bash well enough to see that it’s killing him not to talk to her.

“Okay,” Alex whispers, shaking her head. “What’s with all the mood swings?”

---