13. Damian

13

Iwhirl around toward Nat and Edo, a thunderous look on my face. Scarlett's last words hang heavily in the air.

I hate to admit it, but I'm unnerved by her smug remark. Scarlett's ambition and ruthless pursuit of power are legendary, and they threaten my own family's territory.

"Fucking bitch," I bite out, looking down at the ground, my hands clenching into fists. God, I want to fucking punch something right now.

Edo nods grimly. "There's also the matter of Alexis."

My head snaps up. "What about Alexis?"

"Mario's been looking for her," Edo says. "Do you think Mario shared that information with Scarlett? You said he didn't want Scarlett involved in the search."

"Scarlett most likely already knows Alexis's name. We can't assume she's completely in the dark," I say, raking a hand through my hair. Scarlett is Mario's only child and the heir to The Brotherhood. He's been including her in every decision and execution since we were preteens.

Edo frowns. "Do you think she knows what Alexis looks like? Mario did show you the picture, so it's obvious he's been showing it to the entire Family so they can hunt her down."

I shake my head. "No." I can picture Scarlett's dismissive scoff at being asked to actually look at a photograph. Her arrogance and vanity are legendary. "This is beneath her. She wouldn't want to look at a picture of a woman who is more attractive than her."

Nat laughs harshly. "Vain cunt. But this works to our advantage, especially since Alexis has cut and dyed her hair. But she needs to start straightening her hair. The curls are too distinct. Too risky."

My jaw clenches at the remark. Alexis's curls are one of my favorite things about her. I've watched them bounce up and down her shoulders as she walks down the hall. Her curls were one of the first things I ever noticed about her.

"Absolutely not," I say, a bit too forcefully. "Her hair stays as it is."

Nat arches an eyebrow at my vehement tone. Even Edo looks somewhat surprised by my uncharacteristic emotion.

"Have you lost your mind?" Nat demands. "Leaving such an identifiable trait could expose her if The Brotherhood gets a glimpse."

"Then we'll ensure they don't get that chance," I say in a clipped tone. I've already asked Alexis to cut and dye her hair. I can't ask her to change something else about herself.

Nat glares at me. Her dark eyes—so similar to our father's—bore into mine. "Can you think with your head instead of your dick?" she snaps. "Just because Scarlett probably doesn't know what Alexis looks like, doesn't mean she won't eventually. We all know Scarlett will keep up with the human trafficking aspect once she takes over. Why won't you protect Alexis from that fucking psycho?"

Edo clears his throat, sensing a rising tension between us. "Why don't you ask Alexis before you make a decision for her?" he asks me. "If she doesn't want to straighten her hair, then maybe a wig or head covering could be a compromise. Just if she's somehow off the mansion grounds."

"And even on mansion grounds," Nat remarks. "Especially if Damian keeps allowing Vincente to prowl around."

I force myself to breathe evenly before I rip Nat apart. "Very well," I say through clenched teeth. "I'll ask Alexis myself and let her make the decision."

I'm still too rattled by Edo and Nat's comments about Alexis as I'm driven through the gates of the mansion.

We can't be certain that Scarlett doesn't know about Alexis, and the last thing I want is for Scarlett to take an interest in hunting her down. Once Scarlett has made up her mind, nothing will change it.

Scarlett, with her beguiling charm and calculating smile, once held sway over my heart. But now, as I reflect on our history, I can't help but wonder what I had ever seen in her.

Our relationship had been a fa?ade, a carefully constructed illusion born out of obligation rather than genuine affection. Pushed together by our respective fathers, we played our parts, pretending to be the perfect Mafia couple while concealing our true selves from each other and the world.

But it was only after my father died that Scarlett's mask slipped, revealing the darkness lurking beneath her fa?ade. Her psychotic and sadistic tendencies emerged with a vengeance, leaving me reeling in disbelief and betrayal.

Stupidly, I thought I had been in love with her, blinded by her sweet veneer. But now, as I look back on our relationship, I realize I never did love her. I loved that I was doing what my father wanted me to do.

Scarlett never loved me either, not truly. She used me as a means to an end, manipulating me to further her own ambitions without a second thought. I didn't realize it until she asked me to shoot up the playground.

And now, with her reappearance, I can't help but feel a sense of dread. I know she's dangerous, capable of anything to get what she wants. But more than that, I worry what she will do if she finds out I'm hiding Alexis.

Striding through the mansion doors, I immediately seek out the head of security. "Status report?"

"It's been quiet, sir," the guard responds promptly. "All entrances and exits are secured per your orders. No threats have been detected."

I give a curt nod, some of the tension easing knowing not only that Alexis is safe, but that she hasn't tried to do a fucking stupid thing and leave again. I've had guards patrolling every entry and exit point, ensuring she cannot escape. She's allowed to roam the house and go outside in the gardens, but she is not to leave the premises.

Stringent protection is essential until I can figure out why The Brotherhood and Uncle Vinny want her so badly.

Uncle Vinny. That's another thought.

"Has Vincente Iacopelli arrived unannounced again today?"

"No sir. Not since he left earlier today."

I nod again, relief pouring through me. "Vincente is not allowed to enter this house unless he is expressly allowed," I tell the guard. "You must get verbal permission from me. Is that understood?"

"Yes, sir," the guard says. "I will let the others know."

Satisfied that Alexis will be safe from my uncle's unannounced antics, I turn and head toward the sunroom. I know she keeps a pretty strict daily schedule, and from what the guards have indicated, she always spends a lot of time painting in the sunroom.

It's empty.

Frowning, I peek outside to see if she decided to practice some mid-afternoon yoga.

Nothing.

I rush back to the foyer, my heart pounding. "Where is she?" I demand of the guards stationed there.

They exchange confused looks. "Miss Alexis? We're not certain, sir. She has not come down this way."

Fear grips my chest as I realize she can be anywhere on the sprawling mansion grounds. What if something happened? What if someone took her? My security protocols are supposed to ensure her complete fucking safety!

I take the stairs two at a time, throwing open doors as I go. "Alexis?" I call out, desperation seeping into my tone. Dread mounts with every empty room.

Finally, I reach the gym facilities and shove the doors open, my eyes scanning the space frantically. There Alexis is, jogging steadily on the treadmill, her earbuds in, completely oblivious to my frantic search.

"Alexis!" My voice is sharp with relief and anger as I approach her, my heart still racing.

She doesn't hear me, concentrating as her feet slap rhythmically against the treadmill. I can faintly hear the sounds of a hip hop song.

My initial fury melts away as I take in the sight of her, safe and sound. I did give her permission to roam the entire house. I can't be mad that she's exercising inside. I swallow hard, trying to calm the storm of emotions raging within me.

As I watch Alexis in the dim light of the home gym, clad only in a sports bra and biking shorts, I feel a primal desire stir within me. Her toned muscles flex with each step on the treadmill, her sweat-glistened skin captivating me in a way I can't explain.

Before I know it, I'm moving toward her, driven by an instinctual need to possess her. I close the distance between us in a few swift strides, my hand wrapping around her waist as I pull her against me.

She lets out a surprised squeal, her eyes widening in shock as my hand covers her mouth to stifle any sound. But as I hold her close, I can't ignore the way her body responds to my touch, the heat of her desire matching my own.

For a moment, I'm lost in the raw intensity of the moment, my senses overwhelmed by the heady mix of adrenaline and arousal. But as I feel Alexis's body pressing against mine, I can't shake the nagging question that lingers.

Why do I crave her so much? What is it about Alexis that ignites this primal need within me, despite all the dangers and uncertainties that surround us?

With a low growl of desire, I lean in to capture Alexis's lips in a fierce kiss, my hunger for her burning hotter than ever before.

But all too soon, Alexis breaks away from the kiss, her expression clouded with hurt and frustration. She shakes her head.

"No, Damian. No. You can't just kiss me like that after you've been ignoring me for weeks."

I know exactly what she's talking about, but I'm not going to give her the satisfaction of letting her know I've been kicking myself for my behavior.

"I don't know what you're talking about," I say coolly.

Alexis's hazel eyes widen before they narrow on me. Ah, it looks like Feisty Alexis is coming out to play. She comes in spurts, but it's always fun when she does emerge.

"You left me," she says, her voice barely above a whisper. "You… you treated me like a whore. You couldn't even give me the courtesy of telling me why you were leaving. And don't tell me it was for business! You and I both know that's bullshit."

I feel a stab of guilt as I remember how I shrugged off her cuddles, consumed by my own fears and insecurities. But my pride won't allow me to tell her this.

"You can't just use me however you want, Damian," she says, her voice trembling with emotion, her eyes burning with hurt and anger. "I'm not some pawn in your game, some disposable plaything for you to discard when you're done with me."

My jaw clenches with a surge of anger, my own frustrations bubbling to the surface. "I can do whatever I want," I retort, my voice low and dangerous. "I'm the Don of the Iacopellis, Alexis. You're at my disposal, whether you like it or not."

Alexis scowls at me, the expression looking oddly familiar. Where have I seen that before?

"No," she says firmly. "No, I'm not."

She tries to push past me, but I grab her arm, pulling her to me again. She struggles against me. "Let me go, Damian!"

"No," I growl. "Not until you hear me out."

She stills, and I allow her to move away from me. She crosses her arms against her full chest and taps her foot.

I drag my eyes away from her puckered nipples showing through her sports bra. Fuck me, this is going to suck.

"I fucked up," I say softly. "You wanted to cuddle after we had sex and I just… I panicked, okay? I'm not used to anyone showing me that type of emotion. Emotions are a weakness in my world, Alexis. A weakness to exploit."

I run a hand through my hair. "I was frightened, okay? Frightened of what it means to let someone in. I'm so used to being in control, to never allowing emotions to rule me, that I couldn't handle the vulnerability that comes with intimacy."

Alexis shakes her head, tears pooling in her eyes. "I—you were my first, Damian. And you tossed me aside like yesterday's trash. Do you know how that made me feel? Unlovable. Unwanted."

I wince. Truly, that wasn't my intention, and now I feel like a gigantic asshole. Alexis has been through so much in her young life, and I just added another pile of shit to her already shitty self-esteem and self-worth.

A-plus fucking job, Damian.

"I'm sorry," I say sincerely. "I've spent so long building walls around myself, shielding myself from any hint of weakness. I've never allowed myself to be so… exposed."

Alexis's expression remains guarded, her arms still crossed tightly across her chest.

"I know I hurt you," I continue, feeling my stomach swirl. "And I do regret that. But I want you to know that I'm trying, that I will do better next time."

If there's a next time. This may have been the one and only time I'll ever taste and feel Alexis Hartley.

Nodding to her treadmill, I stuff my hands in my pockets. This room feels too constricting. I've admitted way too much. I need to get the fuck out of here now.

"Enjoy your run," I mutter and turn to leave.

Before I can move, Alexis seizes my arm and yanks me to her.

And her lips cover mine in a hungry kiss.