Chapter 48RUSSEL "I didn't think I'd ever get the pleasure of being hosted by you, Mancini. How about we enjoy it more and talk a little less about business," Nikolai said as a maid poured whiskey into his glass. He leaned in and whispered, ”We could even catch up on old times.”I leaned back in my chair, taking in the perfectly organized dining with all the men seated around it. I couldn't help but maintain a frown, wishing I could actually send a bullet right through Nikolai’s skull at his suggestion. Seated next to me was Kegan, who put his hand on mine to warn me, probably sensing my anger. It had been a long week of meetings, negotiations, and strategizing. And here I was, seated among the very people whom I could actually give anything to be away from. I picked up a glass of whiskey, and my foolish brothers erupted in cheers. I scanned the faces until my eyes rested on Dylan, who wasn't even trying to hide his impatience. This wasn't really his scene, and I wondered how he wa
Chapter 49RUSSEL Allesia went after Nikolai regardless of the unwavering hatred in his eyes and the venom dripping from his tone. I stood by the window and watched as she clutched his hand just before he reached his car, I watched as she begged for him to give her a chance to explain.But of course, Nikolai was too pissed to entertain such laxity, but that didn't stop them from engaging in a lengthy conversation that ended with Allesia wiping her face with the back of her hand and Nikolai pointing accusing fingers at her. Although I couldn't hear what exactly was being said between them due to the distance, I could guess that he was telling her how disgusted and disappointed he was by her actions. And from the way she was trying to hold back her tears, I could tell she was really hurt by his words. I scoffed as they continued to talk and at a point, it seemed like Allesia was also accusing Nikolai of something because he looked a bit guilty, but his guilty countenance was almost im
Chapter 50 ALLESIA~~~~~THREE DAYS LATERIt's been three days since that altercation with Russel, three days since he left and never returned, three days since Nikolai found out I was being paid to sleep with Russel. Three days and I was still feeling so shitty about myself, three days and I still couldn't push the conversation with Nikolai out of my mind. “Nik, I can explain, please…” I pleaded in a small voice. He paused just by his car and turned those golden eyes on me, his handsome face scrunching with judgment and disgust, “Go ahead,” he began in a slow but steady voice, “Explain that you ran off on me in the middle of the night, on our date, a day that was supposed to be the happiest we've had yet, the beginning of many things to come–”“Nik–” I tried to touch him but he yanked his hand away. “It's Nikolai to you,” he warned with anger blazing in his eyes, “What's this, Allesia? I thought you were better than this?”I glanced back at the house nervously, my trembling finger
Chapter 51ALLESIA TWENTY MINUTES LATER~~~~~I dragged my feet sluggishly down the hall towards Russel's study as my mind raced in different directions. I tried to keep the thoughts away, to focus only on the task at hand, but how could I when the mere curiosity as to what exactly Russel had planned for me was gnawing at my insides like a cankerworm? I purposely wasted twenty more minutes in the room after he left, thinking of possible ways to defy him. But in the end, I realized that defying him would only make my punishment worse, so I took a quick shower and dressed simply in a plain nightdress without any underwear like he had instructed.“You are twelve minutes late,” Russel stated in an icy accusing voice the minute he opened the door. I shrugged, “I had to prepare.”He rolled his eyes before dragging me right into the room, shutting the door as quickly as he had opened it. The next thing he did was to pull me to himself and crush his lips on mine with a force that knocked t
Chapter 52ALLESIA “You are disgusting, you know that right?” I spat with venom.“Yeah, I know. And I'm about to show you just how despicable I am.” I inhaled deeply and forced myself to look at them. Russel seemed to appreciate my obedience because he gave me an appreciative smile. I didn't want anymore punishments from him, I decided. After seeing the length he could go to humiliate me now, I honestly didn't think I had the stomach to watch this the next time.Maintaining his focus on me, Russel allowed the girl to continue her touching . With her hands firmly holding his base, she began taking more of him into her mouth. I swallowed hard as I watched him shut his eyes momentarily, he even groaned loudly. To my utter dismay, watching them began to give me a weird sensation to explain. Russel noticed my discomfort and the way I tried to cross my legs over the other and smirked, understanding the effect he was having on me. With a smirk, he seized a handful of the girl’s hair, using
Chapter 53RUSSEL I channeled my anger into my fists as I sent a spiral of punches into the punching bag. The resonance of the punches lingered in the home gym, suspending time momentarily. I paused, but only to catch my breath before I continued again. I had a target in mind, seventy punches for the round if I could help it, and somehow, even though it was just a momentary flash, I had a clear picture in mind of just who those punches were directed to. Memories of last night wouldn't stop bugging my mind, and even though I tried my hardest best to keep the cause of my woes out of my mind, there was just no way to do it. She was stubborn, dauntless, so fucking disrespectful. My hand instinctively reached to rub the tender area where her soft hand had slapped me last night while my eyes remained fixed on the punching bag in front of me. The anger simmered within me, just as it did last night. This was the second time she was slapping me, and each time, I still found it so hard to
Chapter 54 RUSSEL It took me fifteen minutes to get ready, yet I was still cussing underneath my breath for taking so long. The last thing I wanted was a run in with Hyacinth and her filthy family, I thought as I scrambled to pull on my suit jacket, the fabric catching on my sleeves as I hurriedly straightened my tie.I finished with the tie and picked my phone, I made towards the door, only to find Kegan standing there, blocking me as his brows wrinkled in a tight frown. I gave him a sour look and waited for him to get out of my way or state his mission, but he pushed me aside and entered the room instead. “Just how hard is it to get a hold of you? There are cellphones for a reason, you know?” I checked my phone and bad enough, there were over ten missed calls from just Kegan, “I know you're old fashioned and you probably don't know what technology is, but whenever you see my name pop up on that piece of computer in your hand, you swipe right and answer the damn call!” I rolled my
Chapter 55RUSSEL We drove out of the estate in a fit, Vincenzo had silently left the table with us, Kegan was driving, Dylan sat beside him in the front while I sat behind with Vincenzo. Thankfully, neither of them said anything about the breakfast as we drove. We continued in silence for a while, our heartbeats and the sound of the car speeding past trees and other cars the only disruption to the quietness. I closed my eyes and rested my head on the headrest.It was a miracle she didn't remind me today of how I lured my father to his death, that was one of the saddest truths she ever told. Because perhaps, if I had been there… I shook my head, what was that the therapist said about portioning blame to myself? But hell, life was way more realistic than letting someone whose only job was to sit behind a desk, listen to all your problems and tell you how to avoid them when they couldn't even understand what you were probably going through. Besides, what had I done with the therapist