Page 47 of Saint

"That sounds good."

Alfie disappeared into the kitchen, and I sank down onto the edge of the bed. I glanced around the room. Photos lined the walls, pictures of Alfie with Tommy and Connor, and a few with an older boy who looked a lot like Connor. That must have been Aiden before he died.

My heart twisted. I had been so focused on my own feelings, on my own drama, that I hadn't stopped to consider how Alfie might be feeling about tonight. He'd nearly lost his best friend, and he'd been betrayed by one of his own. The mattress dipped, and Alfie handed me a glass of whiskey. I took a sip, relishing the warmth as it slid down my throat. Alfie was sitting beside me, his eyes dark and serious.

"Alfie…" I hesitated, my throat constricting as I gathered the courage to speak. "There's something I need to tell you. About Lorenzo."

"Go on," he encouraged softly, his sea glass eyes searching mine with unwavering support.

Taking a deep breath, I began to unravel the dark secrets I'd uncovered about my past. "Lorenzo was involved in my parents' deaths," I confessed, my voice trembling with pain and anger. "He orchestrated the hit on my father, and my mother… she took her own life out of guilt."

"Jesus, Emilia," Alfie murmured, pulling me closer, as if trying to shield me from the painful memories. "I'm so sorry."

My tears flowed freely now, staining his chest as I sobbed into it. "I can't believe he's been lying to me for all these years, pretending to care about me when he only wanted to control me."

"Hey," Alfie said gently, tilting my chin up so our eyes met. "You're not alone in this, Emilia. I promise you, we'll find a way to make him pay for what he's done."

His words, filled with conviction and determination, supplied a small measure of comfort. I nodded, clinging to him as if hewere my lifeline in the storm that threatened to consume me. "Thank you, Alfie. For everything."

"So, what happened after you left," he asked. "Did anybody ask where you were?"

I took another sip of my drink before answering. "Luca covered for me," I said, looking down at my hands. "He, um…he kissed me."

Alfie blinked.

"I didn't want him to," I said quickly. "And I think he only did it to throw Dom and Angel off the scent. Well, it worked."

Alfie's expression was unreadable. "I suppose I owe him for that, even if he did stick his tongue down your throat."

"Alfie..."

"I'm joking. Sort of." The silence stretched between us, and I could feel the tension building. Alfie's jaw worked, and he downed the last of his whiskey. "Well then, I guess I’m going to have to do my best to erase that kiss."

He slid his hand along my thigh, and I shivered as he trailed his fingers up to the hem of my shirt. His eyes were dark with desire, and he leaned forward and captured my mouth in a searing kiss. His tongue slid along the seam of my lips, and I parted them, granting him entrance. The kiss sent heat spiraling through my body, and I wrapped my arms around his neck, pulling him closer. His hands slipped under my shirt, his calloused palms rough against my skin as he traced circles over my hips and stomach. He broke the kiss and nipped my bottom lip, sending a jolt of pleasure straight to my core.

"Emilia," Alfie murmured, his voice low and tender. His eyes were filled with desire, dark pools that threatened to drown me in their depths. The city lights from the window cast a silver glow on his lean, muscular frame. The patchwork of tattoos that adorned his body seemed to come alive in the dim light, each inked line telling a story I longed to discover.

I traced the designs down his chest. “You’ll have tell me about these.”

“I will,” he grinned, a wicked little smile that turned soft at the edges. “But not tonight.”

My eyes soaked him up, relishing this time we had and taking in every detail – the way his dark auburn curls framed his face, the light stubble that dusted his jawline, and the faint curve of his lips as they formed a small, knowing smile.

"Come here," he beckoned, leading me to the bed.

I hesitated for a fraction of a second before crossing the room to join him. With each step, my pulse quickened, the all-consuming need to be close to him driving me forward. As I finally reached him, I placed my trembling hand in his, feeling the warmth and strength of his grasp enveloping me.

"God, you're beautiful," he whispered, his breath hot against my ear as he drew me close. The intensity in his eyes never wavered, and I felt the heat of his gaze sear through me.

"Alfie… I…" My words trailed off as a thousand thoughts and emotions swirled within me, each one fighting for dominance. But in that moment, as we stood there, our bodies mere inches apart, I knew there was only one truth that mattered – I wanted him, needed him, in a way I had never experienced before.

"Shhh," he soothed, his thumb gently stroking my cheek as he silenced my rambling thoughts. "Just be here with me, Emilia. Let everything else fade away."

Alfie helped me peel my shirt off, and I reached behind my back, unclasping my bra and letting the lacy fabric fall to the floor. His hands found their way to my breasts, my nipples pebbling at his touch. He leaned down and took one of the nipples into his mouth, sucking and swirling his tongue over it.

It was slow, our lovemaking this time. Nothing like the frantic coupling in the abandoned bar, but it ignited me all the same.

This was our secret. Our sanctuary.

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