Chapter 14

CHAPTER 14

A lexandra

Shock.

I’d had so many over the last couple of days I was numb. My aunt had been placed in serious danger because of me.

And someone had died in the building because I’d been at the wrong place at the wrong time?

I couldn’t breathe, flashes of the ugly images rushing into my mind for the tenth time. I didn’t need to relive the murder, but maybe that was my real penance. I had to calm down, but was that possible?

Silly me hadn’t asked if I could have my phone back to contact her. I doubted he would allow it even with a burner phone. There were too many risks. I wasn’t technical per se, but one of the jerks I’d dated for all of two weeks had been a computer nutcase, capable of hacking computers and knowing every trend. Maybe I should have listening to his ridiculous theories on the world’s demise, but I’d gleaned only so much.

Still, what I had carried with me allowed me to know what Nico was attempting to do was smart. Very smart.

While I’d headed inside first, he’d thumped in, slamming the door leading from the garage and without saying anything to me, storming off. I heard another door slam a few seconds later.

“What a fucking child.” My words were harsh, but I couldn’t believe he’d closed down to the point he’d almost become belligerent. Maybe he hadn’t gotten close to another woman before, so he didn’t know acting like a Neanderthal thug after an intimate event wasn’t good for anyone.

I knew he had a lot on his mind. I’d also been able to tell that he hadn’t found it easy to share the horrible news with me. However, the bantering, the sparring we did wasn’t helping the situation in the least. I had to make a pledge to calm down and not overreact to him the way I had.

But sadly, the abruptness of how he’d ended the most incredible moment of passion had jarred me. No, not that I would admit it to anyone, but it had almost destroyed the feminine side of me that I rarely allowed to be seen. Yes, I was his goddaughter, but maybe he saw me as nothing more than a tomboy. I’d been called that before.

I couldn’t do this. It wasn’t healthy and from Italy, there was little I could do to help anyone. But somehow, someway, I’d be allowed to talk to my aunt. Period. Whether he liked it or not.

Mr. Sexy with an incredible mouth and tongue.

Oh, I was so incensed.

No. Back it off. Get something to drink.

Sighing, I decided to explore the kitchen. There had to be a wine cellar somewhere. I planned on trying the family wine, whether or not I’d end up cracking open a two-thousand-dollar bottle.

I found a smaller version of what I was looking for, the small, climate-controlled room stunning like everything else. There was a small tasting table and a gorgeous overhanging light. There were also LEDs highlighting the few racks of wine and from what I could tell, they were all from Marciano vineyards. At least I had a good time selecting a bottle of merlot.

It was from a few years before, likely worth more money than those just bottled. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d acted spitefully, other than when a professor had dared chastise me in front of the entire class, telling me I would be the first one of the year to flunk out.

I’d planned terrible things I wanted to do to him, including slashing his tires, but I wasn’t a stupid girl. I also hadn’t wanted to go to jail. That would effectively end my career.

Instead of acting on my need for violent revenge, I’d excelled in class, my grades much higher than anyone else, even skewing the curve.

He’d loathed me for it and all I’d done was smile sweetly.

My aunt had been proud.

This?

She wouldn’t understand.

If she remained alive.

The thought was debilitating. I’d always heard that things happened for a reason, but I couldn’t fathom what seeing what I’d seen had to do with anything.

At least I could finish out the year. For that, I was more than grateful. I would tell him so in the morning. If he allowed me to talk to him.

I moved back into the kitchen, searching the drawers until I found three different wine openers. He took his wine drinking seriously. There was also a cabinet of various wineglasses from long stems to stemless. I figured with my shakiness, stemless was the most appropriate.

When I took a taste, I honestly knew it had to be the best-tasting wine I’d ever had in my life. I walked toward the incredible set of floating frameless doors, doing nothing more than staring outside for a few minutes. The moon was brighter than I’d realized before. The entire moment in the woods had been perfect.

But with all perfect things came a drop, a bad thing happening. I wasn’t certain what to think, still numb. The last two hours had seemed surreal.

There was nothing I could do about his mood or the man shutting down. Nico was complicated, more so than I’d realized. What did I know? He’d been closed off every time I’d seen him. Well, not every time. He’d been emotional on a couple of occasions, including when I’d graduated early from high school. It was a moment in time I would never forget.

It had been the only real endearing moment where I’d been old enough to see Nico with his guard down. I took another few sips of wine, savoring the flavor. I had to admit my stomach was growling so much I felt a sharp pain. I could cook. Kind of. I’d become a master of creating cheap pasta dishes, contrasting the carbohydrates with a healthy salad, but it had been a long time since I’d attempted anything else.

I wondered if there was any cheese in the house.

I should have known better. What wasn’t in the pantries or in the two other freezers and second refrigerator? I found brie, a different cheddar, an Italian cheese of some kind, and my absolute favorite, blue cheese. I pulled out a plate, even finding some jam that would be perfect with the brie.

The nice girl inside of me had me pulling out a second plate. Nico was a jerk, but I had to believe he was also hungry.

After warming the brie in the rather complicated oven, I placed everything creatively on the two plates, finding some grapes and strawberries to top it off. There were two dozen different crackers, so I just picked one.

He might hate me or deny entry, but I’d leave it outside his office door.

Damn it.

I found a linen napkin, poured him a glass of wine, and left mine where it was for now. I’d been serious about retreating to my room, cuddling under the covers and searching for mob movies. Why not? Maybe I’d learn something.

I heard him talking to someone, but knocked loudly anyway. He was speaking Italian, but I could tell the interruption irritated the hell out of him. Another moment of shock settled in when he opened the door, his eyes locking on mine before falling to the food. I ignored him, fearful he’d push me out. I simply walked toward his desk, placing the items on the surface just so, and walking quickly back to the door.

He said nothing, which might be an improvement. I wasn’t certain. After closing the door, I took a deep breath. The man unnerved me more than any other gorgeous hunk had in my life.

At least it was time to take the bottle and head to my bedroom. I could sulk all I wanted to in private.

Just like he was.

Maybe, just maybe I’d get some sleep without seeing the dead man’s face.

Maybe.

A girl could hope.

I headed to my bedroom and for about a million reasons, I knew I shouldn’t cry, I should be strong.

But tonight? It was impossible.

I’d never felt so low, terrified, or lonely in my life.

The room was beautiful. It was comfortable. It was everything a girl could dream of. Yet the loneliness was real. I put down my food, turning down the bed and grabbing all the fluffy pillows to make an extra comfy headboard. The remote was on a special table near the oversized wall flatscreen. I tossed it onto the nightstand, took a gulp of wine, and yanked my PJs from one of the dresser drawers.

They were cute and pink, more girlish than what a woman would wear. Now I wasn’t certain if I could stomach wearing the piece of rather pricey lingerie I’d purchased only hours before. Doing so would seem blasphemous on so many accounts.

With everything in place, I eased under the covers, determined to find a mob flick or something equally as thrilling. Time to consume delicious treats and wine.

Fuck him.

Fuck his domination and his determination to break me. That wasn’t going to happen.

Besides, I had to be fresh so I could study for a few hours before taking the tests. I had a strong feeling they’d been made more difficult just for me.

Millions of dollars’ worth of donations.

Who did the man think he was?

Nico

I continued staring at the plate of cheese and fruit for almost a full minute. The effort she’d gone to almost made me feel guilty.

Almost.

That wasn’t a typical emotion for me. I was determined and direct with my decisions and they were final. There was no reason to lament over a single one. But this was more than just unexpected. Alexandra’s act of kindness touched me.

How was that possible?

The wine drew my attention and I had the distinct feeling she’d located the smaller wine cellar offset from the kitchen. A single taste would tell.

I was right.

She’d not only found one of our finer merlots that had won several awards, if my taste buds hadn’t failed me, she’d selected a bottle worth over one thousand dollars. I certainly couldn’t be angry with her. She had excellent tastes.

Except in stable boys.

Hell, I had no right to call Romeo that. He was getting to be world renowned as a trainer and I was lucky to have him. But seeing him with her, the look on her face had been too much. She’d been right. My jealousy had flared for a second time. Not the best look for me.

I pulled the glass to eye level, twirling the crystal stem before taking another sip. Excellent indeed. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d indulged in the family’s wine.

My life had succumbed to work, work, and more work. What did my mother continue to say at every family event? All work and no play make for a dead boy. My mother was many things including dramatic, which all her children adored about her.

I sat down in my office chair, determined to ensure the Greeks were remaining in their wolves’ den where they belonged. Cheese wasn’t the first food group I’d pick, but I’d barely turned on the laptop, maneuvering to the internet before the brie captured my attention for perhaps the fifth time.

It had been proven, including tonight, I had no self-control. The brie was delicious, especially with whatever flavor of jam she’d placed in the center before baking. Even the blue cheese was incredible, not just edible as I’d believed. And she’d selected the perfect crackers to go with every cheese.

I was smiling as I started searching, taking sips of wine every few seconds. While there seemed to be a couple of additional articles on what had occurred at the bakery, they’d been relegated to close to the end of the internet newspaper anyway.

Yesterday’s news.

As far as the pipeline project, there were dozens of articles, many depicting several different developers who’d purchased land then had it stripped from them. The city was going to have their hands full in trying to curtail the project since the government had taken precedence.

The lack of information on the recent beheading meant nothing to me other than the police had no evidence of who committed the crime. If they had, some reporter would have alluded to it. That would have taken the heat off Alexandra. I sat back, drumming my fingers on the surface of my desk.

I would be damn glad to get the security system boosted.

My eyes were tired, my cock still aching and the anger continuing to flow in my veins. With a quick glance, I realized in shock I’d consumed every scrap of food, the wine drained. How was that possible?

Because it would seem around my goddaughter, all things were possible.

I was such a fool, but I would push it behind me. There was no other choice. It was late enough I might as well try to get some sleep. The security wizards would be here bright and early. I didn’t want them to miss anything.

After checking to ensure what security was in place was armed as it should be, the lights were turned off and I headed upstairs. I’d selected a room for her that was far enough away that I was hopeful my libido wouldn’t get the best of me. Just another ridiculous thought.

Instead of turning toward my door, I looked at hers. The door was closed, but given the darkened hallway, I could tell she’d found something to watch.

I lingered, far too long. Perhaps I needed to say thank you. I wasn’t the kind of man to apologize, but she’d extended an olive branch, being the bigger person. Maybe I should as well. Suddenly, the door was right in front of me.

I debated knocking, but if she was asleep, the last thing I wanted to do was to disturb her and start another war between us. We’d done enough sparring.

She still had the ability to lock me out, but she hadn’t, a clear indication she wasn’t but so angry with me.

Or that she was just as exhausted as I was.

When I opened the door, the scream coming from my right evoked my training. I almost whipped out my weapon.

I was the only person who could call myself a dumbass and get away with it. And Domino had tried more than once. In this case, instead of some mafia movie, it would appear she’d found a slasher flick. And in English without subtitles. Nowadays, you could find anything on satellite television.

There were over three hundred channels. I’d watched maybe two of them over the years.

Was I pathetic? I refused to call myself that. It would be like admitting a weakness.

Alexandra was asleep, not surprising after the day we’d had. She’d eaten a significant amount of the food on her plate. From where I stood, I didn’t think she looked very comfortable, the number of pillows hindering her from lying down. Sighing, I walked closer, pulling the bottle into my hand. She’d consumed over half the bottle herself.

There were two sips left in the glass. I helped myself, placing the cork in the bottle before taking the tray from the bed. The room was large enough for a chair and table by the set of French doors plus another chair near the bed. With the tray on the table, I gently eased the remote from her partially curled fingers, placing it on the opposite nightstand. Several of the pillows were next and as soon as I’d made the adjustment, she settled further under the covers.

With the television turned off, the darkness welcoming, I stood over her for a few seconds. She seemed fast asleep, peacefully so. I pulled the covers around her, effectively tucking her in. I shoved my hands into my pockets, allowing my eyes to get used to the light.

She was a magnificent creature, stunning in every way and so unassuming. I’d thought about pulling her ponytail more than once like some kid. Or using it to keep her in place.

When I’d spanked her.

Again.

I was a sadistic as fuck man.

With her sleeping soundly, it was time for me to try to do the same. Yet I couldn’t leave the room.

I’d managed to open the door. I’d stood quietly, every muscle tense.

But I couldn’t walk out of her room.

Maybe I just wanted to watch over her. It wasn’t that I didn’t trust my soldiers. I did. They were highly trained and skilled, several skilled marksman comparable to any American military special unit.

But I was antsy, more concerned about her than I had been with anyone over the years. That did say something.

Maybe too many things.

I took up a perch in the chair near the bed, making myself comfortable. The weapon would remain, but there was no need to place it in my hand. No one was getting in this house without my knowledge.

At least the chair was comfortable, the room cool with a light breeze flowing in through the crack in the open door. She seemed to love the fresh air. I’d need to remember that when I altered the system.

Windows and doors could be isolated, but she’d need to embrace she couldn’t leave her bedroom exterior door open on a regular basis.

I leaned my head against the back of the chair. As usual, I was overthinking everything. It wasn’t always one of my best traits, even if I was detail-oriented.

Within seconds, I realized my eyelids were heavy. I rubbed my eyes once again, the dryness burning both. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d slept for more than an hour or two at a time.

I closed them, hoping a few seconds would help. She made no noise sleeping, but the consistent rise and fall of her chest allowed me to feel more at ease.

What was I going to do with her?

I honestly wasn’t…