AlexanderI groan as I turn off my computer. This work day has taken far too long—it’s nearly 10pm. My phone buzzes just as I’m finally on my way home, and I unlock it with a sigh, assuming it’s more work waiting for me. Instead, I find a text message from the last person I expected to hear from.Jen:I think I made a mistake, Alec. I miss you so much. Please, can we talk?I stare at my phone in disbelief, my heart twisting painfully. How dare she text me after all this time? She’s engaged to fucking Matthew Rousseau. She’s marrying him on the day she was supposed to marryme. What the fuck does she meanshe misses me? I guess rumors about Elena and me reached her ears. I know what Jennifer is like—even if she doesn’t want me, she won’t want anyone else to have me either.I clench my phone in my hand, sorrow filling my heart. She fucking broke me, and now she has the gall to text me? The worst thing is that my first instinct is to text her back. To ask her if she’s okay. If something hap
Alexander“Are you ready?” I ask, glancing over Elena’s outfit. She’s wearing a formal classy dress today, looking like an executive of some sort—like a Kennedy. “You look perfect.”Elena smiles at me, but the way she keeps touching her dress betrays her nerves. She follows me to my Aston Martin, her brows rising.“Didn’t you say we were going to your grandpa’s?” she asks, looking around. “I thought all Kennedys live on the same estate.”I smile and open the door for her. “We do, but the Kennedy estate is massive. This is just my mother’s mansion,” I say, tipping my head towards our house. It’s imposing all on its own.“My grandfather had his estate built so that each of his siblings and all of their kids would have their own space. It’s essentially an entire private neighborhood, so while this is all still private property, it takes about eight minutes to drive to my grandfather’s house. There’s no way we’re walking that far.”She looks around in awe and shakes her head. I forget tha
ElenaI wake up with my head on Alexander’s bare chest and snuggle closer. He’s got one arm wrapped around me, and I bury my nose against his neck.I smile at the memory of last night. He came to bed late last night, waking me up with countless kisses on my skin. The way touched me… he’s both rough and tender with me at the same time.Most days he’s gone by the time I wake up, but every once in a while, I wake up in his arms. I love those moments right before he wakes up, those moments when he’ll hold me close, when he makes me feel cherished. Those moments make our marriage more bearable—they help me forget that what we have isn’t real.“Your hair tickles.”I freeze in his arms, my entire body tense. I push away from him, but he won’t let me go. Instead, he pulls me closer. I blink, turning my head just a little. He’s got his phone in his hand, scrolling through his emails leisurely, his other hand on my waist.“Let’s go on a dinner date tonight. I think it’s time we start making fron
AlexanderI stand at the entrance of the store, silencing the sales assistant with my finger. I recognize my wife straight away, but unfortunately, I also recognize the woman standing next to her. I stand back, out of view, my focus entirely on Elena.I listen as Elise accuses her of having a sugar daddy, as she throws Elena’s mother’s hospital bills in her face. It doesn’t escape my notice that she purposely makes it clear that the bags Alaric Rousseau bought for her are of the same value as the hospital bills.I keep waiting for Elena to stand up for herself, but she doesn’t. None of the confidence she has when she resists me is present. She’s feistier when she’s reminding me that all I own is her body, than she is right now.She starts to shake, and I walk toward her. Elise’s eyes widen when she sees me, but I keep my attention on Elena. “I’m late, Buttercup,” I say, wrapping my arm around her. “But I’m here now.”Elena relaxes in my arms and looks up at me in relief. The trust in
AlexanderThe waitress leads us to a secluded spot by the window, but Elena doesn’t even notice the view. She’s absent minded. Even ring shopping didn’t seem to excite her. I offered to buy her additional jewelry, but she wasn’t interested.I move my chair closer to her, so I’m sitting next to her rather than opposite her, and she looks at me, a sad smile on her face.“My father hasn’t checked up on me since I turned eighteen, but he takes such good care of Elise,” she says, her voice breaking. “He doesn’t even seem to care whether I’m dead or alive.”I see the tears pooling in her eyes and grab her hand. Seeing tears in her eyes, fuck. I can’t stand it. “I know it isn’t the same, but you have me now, Buttercup,” I say involuntarily.She looks at me and nods. “I do. I do have you,” she says, her eyes never leaving mine. “There are a few things I want to do, Alexander… but I can’t do them by myself. Will you help me?”I raise my brows, and she tightens her grip on my hand. “I… I want t
ElenaMy phone buzzes just as I’ve made myself a cup of coffee, and I frown, surprised to find my brother calling me. I hesitate before picking up.“Elena? What the hell do you think you’re doing? Why the hell am I looking at photos of you with Alexander Kennedy?”Took him long enough. Alexander and I have been going on dates in the most public places we can think of for weeks now. It was only a matter of time before it came to Matthew’s attention.I sigh and run a hand through my hair. “Hi,” I say. “I’m good, thank you. So is Mom, by the way.”“I’m not in the mood for your bullshit,” he says. “Why were you with Alexander? You know full well the guy and I don’t get along. That he can’t stand Jen choosing me over him. You need to stop playing games.”I shake my head and take a sip of my coffee. “I love how you’re making this all about yourself, as usual.”Matthew laughs, the sound sending a chill down my spine. “You’re still as stupid as you’ve always been. Do you really think he’d eve
ElenaAll eyes are on us as we walk into the office. I’m nervous and try to pull my hand out of Alexander’s, but he holds me tighter instead. He leans into me, his lips brushing over my ear. “Back straight, chin up. You’re Mrs. Kennedy,” he whispers.I look up at him, and he grabs my chin, pinching gently as he leans in for a kiss, right in the middle of the lobby. He smirks as he pulls away, and I’m certain my cheeks are scarlet. Lately he’ll kiss me in public as often as he can, ensuring we end up in tabloids every week. He seems to revel in making me blush, seeing me flustered. I guess it’s yet another game for him.I look away and catch Luce rolling his eyes despite the smile on his face. Alexander throws his arm around me as we walk towards the elevator. “Remind me why you’re here?” he asks Lucian.I see the flash of panic in Lucian’s eyes, but he gets it under control within seconds and smiles at his brother. “I’m meeting a friend,” he says, getting off at a lower floor than us.
ElenaI’ve been restless all week. I’m used to not hearing from Alexander during the day, but I always know he comes home to me. Even when we don’t talk for days, I know it’s me he falls asleep with. Now that he’s on a business trip, there’s been no contact between us at all. I’m tempted to call or text him, but he told me not to bother him unnecessarily, and I don’t want to overstep. I didn’t think I’d miss him… but I do.“Earth to Elena,” Luce says.“Sorry, I zoned out again.”He shakes his head at me, annoyed. He’s been updating me on his love life, and all it’s done to me is make me worry about my own. I sip my tea and lean back into my regular chair at our local coffee shop.“Your mind is as absent as my brother is.”“Have you spoken to him this week?” I ask, unable to help myself.Lucian shakes his head. “Nah, but I know he speaks to Mom every day. Hasn’t he called you?”I shake my head. “Do you think he’s just ignoring me?”Lucian shrugs. “I dunno. Maybe he finally figured out
DARIOOne Month LaterIrise to my feet, clapping my hands so hard they almost hurt. Beside me, my mother and father join in on the standing ovation. On the other side, Giulia and Rosa are also clapping, though Rosa can’t stand yet. However, she has far more energy than just a month ago. The small theater is filled with admiration for the play’s first production, and I know that most of it is because of my woman’s performance.“Wasn’t she amazing?” I beam, turning to my mother and father.My father, who’s noticeably less grumpy now that his land grab is complete, is smiling from ear to ear. “Fantastic, son!” he yells over the clamor.“Wasn’t she great?” I grin, turning to Giulia.Elena’s friend smiles at me, nodding. “She always has been, but that was next level!”The curtains close, and the actors walk onto the stage to take their final bow. Elena looks gorgeous in her fifties-style dress,her hair styled as if she just stepped out of an old-timey magazine advert. She nailed the whole
ELENA“Where are you taking me?” I say, sitting in the passenger seat of his sleek sedan as he glides through the city.It’s been roughly two weeks since the standoff with Salvatore in the dining room. Since then, Dario and I have spent so much time together: lying in bed, talking about the future, making love, watching movies—trashyandclassy. We all even had a meal together. Dario, Salvatore, Maria, Rosa, Giulia, and I sat at the same dining room table as we shared stories and jokes and bonded, something I could never have believed was possible.“It’s a surprise,” he says.“Don’t you think we’ve had enough of those?”He glances at me with a smirk. Since all the roadblocks to our love have come crashing down, Dario has seemed so happy-go-lucky, as if he’s been waiting his whole life to let go of the mafioso darkness. I know it’s still in him. I know that if anybody ever threatens the Family or me, he’ll go full savage again. Yet, it’s so sweet to see how happy he is now.“This is agoo
DARIO“I know you didn’t approve at first, Miss Santoro,” I say, sitting beside Rosa’s bed.Over the past week, her health has taken a definite upward trajectory. No recovery will ever be miraculous, but watching my woman become more optimistic has been one of the greatest joys of my life. Just last night, when we were lying sweaty and content in bed, she said,“She’s becoming her old self. I don’t want to get my hopes up, but…”We both share that sentiment, not getting our hopes up, but we can’t help it. Our hopes are flying.“Maybe you still don’t,” I say when the frail woman watches me silently. “I wouldn’t blame you. Elena has told me about the fire. I hope that’s okay.”“It was always hers to tell,” she says, “and you can call me Rosa.”I count that as a victory. “Rosa,” I say, “I need you to know I would never hurt your niece. Just the idea of causing her pain makes me sick. I can’t imagine it. All I want is for her to behappy. When this started, I was a cold, miserable bastard, b
“Please, listen, Salvie,” Maria says. “I can tell you’re thinking about what Dario has said. I can tell it’s affected you. Otherwise, you wouldn’t even still be sitting here.”“I’m sitting here because I love you, Maria, and you look like you may cry if I leave.”“I may cry because the two people I love most are behaving like they hate each other,” she says in a shaky voice.“I don’t hate my son,” Salvatore snaps.“Thenlisten.”“Fine, I’m listening.”Dario looks at me, his eyes filled with emotion. I saw the demon in him before, the savage, but this is something else. I’m peering through the layers of mafiosi bravado at the little boy beneath. I touch his forearm, letting him know I’m here for support. Ialwayswill be.“Your concern about Elena having a career comes from your desire to make the Family look strong, correct?”“It’s more complicated than that.”“If we keep with tradition, if we keep our women in line, it’s a testament to how much control we have. Don’t lie to me, Father.
ELENAWe’ve come full circle. The four of us—Salvatore, Maria, Dario, and I—sit in the same dining room where we shared our first meal. Memories return to me as Clara brings in tea and coffee, the etiquette I completely messed up, the nerves that made me ache like I was going to break down.Once Maria pours the drinks, I say, “Thank you, Maria.” I don’t let myself give a single frick about the look Salvatore gives Dario. Since we’re going nuclear, I don’t have to worry about being too nice to the staff.Salvatore’s sharp eyes flit between Maria and Dario. “You wanted to see me?” he says after a long pause.Dario rests his elbows on the table, almost like a challenge, declaring that he’s finished with his old uptight ways. He looks dashing and capable in his pale blue shirt, sleeves rolled up, his taut forearms taking me back to last night. My body aches in the best way, my inner thighs throbbing as if demanding more. I never dreamed it would be so effortless.“I hired Elena to pretend
“I can feel your virgin pussy getting close. I can feel you throbbing for me. I can feel you wanting to spill more wetness all over my dick. I can feelyou, Elena. All. Of. You.”I pound into her body, making the mattress whine with each thrust, bringing our future closer to the present with each movement of pure, unbridled lust. Maybe she doesn’t want me to promise and thinks I’m not serious, but I know now that I am. I’ve never been more confident about anything.“You’re fucking creaming up for me,” I groan.“It sounds so hot,” she moans with that same tempting fascination.“You’re right … Oh, fuck, look at you. You’re not acting now.”“Nuh-nuh-no …”She bites down, her cheeks turning entirely red as she wraps her hands around my neck and pulls me in for a hot kiss. But the explosion of her release is too overwhelming for us to maintain a kiss. Instead, she opens her mouth, moaning right into mymouth, like she’s desperate for me to share this moment with her.Her entrance pulses arou
DARIOWhen I lay her down on the bed, she sits up on her elbows, her hair falling beautifully onto the bed, her breath coming quick and making her chest rise and fall, highlighting the sumptuous curves of her breasts. She’s wearing loose-fitting PJs and no bra. Her perky-as-fuck nipples poke through the fabric.“Is the door locked?” she whispers.“It’s like I told you in the limo,” I groan. “Nobody gets to see you like this. Only me.”“Like what?” She sits up. “Naked, you mean?”“Oh. My. God.”My voice wavers as she stands up, pulling her shirt over her head. She bites her lip as if anxiety is warring with her, but then she grabs her shorts and wriggles out of them. She stands in front of me naked, her wet haven glistening, her thick thighs tempting me.“Your turn,” she says, her old sass back with full force.My hungry flesh couldn’t be harder. I tear my shirt off, buttons popping, then grab my pants and yank them down. My lust springs up, precome flinging from the head, making her g
“I never said that.”“You didn’t have to.”“What if I do?” I snap. “Is there a problem with that? Are you going to hate me for it? Judge me?”“It was never about him,” she murmurs. “I was trying to exorcise my demons. You’re old enough to make your own decisions. Even before that was the case, you’ve always been mature enough. I can’t stand in your way,” she chuckles miserably. “I can’t even stand.”“Yet,” I say forcefully. “All of that’s going to change soon.”“So you don’t hate me?”“I could never hate you, but this is. So. Messed. Up.”She lets her head fall back on the pillow. “I know. I wish I didn’t have to tell you, but it’s been long enough. I should’ve told you a long, long time ago.”“Yes,” I say firmly. “You should have.”“Can you ever find it in your heart to forgive me?”Yes. I know I will. I could never hold a grudge against the person who’s cared for me for more than half my life. “I don’t know,” I say. “Maybe. Possibly.”“That’s more than I deserve.”“Will you sit with
ELENAI sit next to Aunt Rosa, holding her hands as she sleeps more peacefully than I’ve seen in weeks. We’re in the suburbs in the most prominent house in the neighborhood, with tall walls surrounding us and what feels like an army of Mafia men patrolling the grounds. Aunt Rosa has her doctor and her nurse here, too. For once, Giulia is getting some rest.I talk quietly as she sleeps, mostly to distract my mind from what Dario might currently be going through. I’ve asked Maria, who came to the safe house with us, to tell me if there are any updates. So far, there’s nothing. I guess he’s still handling things in the city, or …Not letting myself think about theor, I whisper, “He said that he loved me, Aunt Rosa. I don’t think he even realized he said it. It’s like it just came out, but maybe that means it’s more likely to be true, right? It’s as if he just said it without thinking, like a reflex. If you were awake, you’d hate me talking like this. You’d say something about him being w