Page 44 of Mafie Trials

“So, she told you?” he asks, not an ounce of remorse in his tone. In fact, he sounds more pissed off than I am. But he sure as fuck has no right to feel that way.

“No, I’m just not an idiot. Did you really think this would work? Just never leave me alone again because you can’t trust me?”

He tilts his head in confusion as if I’m reading the whole scenario wrong.Apparently, I am.

“You think I don’t trust you?” he asks, moving toward me until my legs hit the foot of the bed. I nearly collapse with the weight of his stare, but I hold my ground. I’ve told him before I won’t bow to him, and sitting feels a little too much like I’m at his mercy.

“What am I supposed to think? You got me a babysitter because apparently I’m not trusted enough to be alone? That even in this huge ass house, this huge fucking property, I can’t just have some space to myself. Fuck, I’m not gonna run, but I sure as hell need to be able to breathe sometimes.”

“I don’t think you’re going to run,” he says as if I’m being an ignorant child. “I think someone is after you, and I’m trying to protect you and keep you safe. They are not only here for your protection, but also as a way to call for help should something happen. As much as I’d like to think this place is safe, I also don't trust anyone with you except for us andmaybeLaney.”

“I don’t need anyone to protect me, Alexi, I can do that myself!” I scream.

He grabs my wrist as I try to walk away and pulls me into his body.

“Oh yeah, how well did that work out last time?” He doesn’t let me answer before he’s powering through again. “I will not fail you again. I will not let someone else take what’s mine. I will not watch the only people I care about in this life crumble without you. Iwillkeep you safe!”

We glare at each other and I think of all the ways I could hurt him with my words. Except, I know this isn’t the way to get through to him, so I close my eyes, not out of submission, but to collect my thoughts.

“I will not be locked in a cage, Batman. So don’t make me choose between you and being free. Because you won’t like the choice I make.”

When I open my eyes, I wish I hadn’t. Because the hurt reflected back at me is enough to actually sting. But I meant every word, and I’m not backing down just because the truth hurts.

He takes a deep controlled breath, loosening his grip around my wrist. I can see the moment he starts to understand things from my perspective because his shoulders relax.

“Come with me?” he asks gently. I give into him and his pull as he guides me down the halls, winding through until we get to an elevator. Yes, a fucking elevator.

When the doors open, a garage comes into view with at least twenty shiny cars of all different makes and models before us, as well as a row of bikes. I recognize the black Ducati immediately and follow behind Alexi as he heads straight to it. It’s freezing outside, but I find myself nearly bouncing with joy when he pulls out black windbreakers, helmets, and gloves for the two of us.

“You’re taking me for a ride?” I ask, and he smirks at me.

“You wanted to learn, I’m gonna teach you. But first I want to take you to my favorite spot.”

I nod eagerly as I put everything on. Alexi checks over it all to make sure I’m secure. He taps a button on the side and I hear the pop of a speaker going live.

“Pick the music,” he says, handing me his phone.

I flip through some playlists before I click on the perfect song right as we’re about to get on, but he hits pause as he gets adjusted. When I move to get behind him, he wraps his hand around mine and pulls me to the front.

“Here,” he says. I carefully slide my leg around the front of the bike and settle my ass into his crotch. The heat of his front warms up my back. Goosebumps pebble on my flesh at just how intimate this all feels. Alexi wraps a hand around my middle and pulls me to him even tighter, leaving no question about how big his dick is, even in this cold as fuck weather.

“I’m gonna take it slow, then I’ll let you take the handles as we go. Sound like a plan, Princess?”

“Yes, Daddy,” I say, and he freezes behind me. A gloved hand wraps around my hip and squeezes.

“Don’t call me that,” he growls. The speaker in my ear has me confused if it’s a good or a bad growl. “Not unless you want everything that comes with it.” He grinds himself into my ass and I gasp, unable to hold back just how much of him I feel.

Before I can say anything, he flips on the music and revs the engine, speeding out of the garage toward the track. I have no idea what he meant by taking it slow because the wind whips around us with the force of a hurricane. All of a sudden, I’m lost in the feeling of flying.

Slayerby Bryce Savage comes over the speaker, and I lean into each rev of the engine as we turn so hard our knees nearly hit the pavement. I feel lost and found all at the same time. The air around me feels lighter than it ever has. For just a moment, I forget everything and just exist in the total bliss of this weightlessness. It’s freedom in the purest form. With my demon at my back, I feel like I could take on the world. Maybe even more so with him there.

“Feeling free yet, Princess?” Alexi asks over the song and I whoop in response, throwing my hands up in the air when we hit the straightaway.

I hear his deep chuckle in my ears and everything feels right. I feel whole and free and Alexi gave that to me. My heart squeezes for him. I might not have told him that I love him, and him locking me up in a cage isn’t okay, but I can see why he did it. In this moment, I do love him. I’m just not ready to tell him that.

He drives us around for a while before we make our way up through the woods to a small cabin that seems to be built into the side of a hill. The view of smoke curling up from a chimney greets us as we pull up to the front and Alexi cuts the gas.

“Where are we?” I ask as I take off my helmet. Alexi does the same.

---