The Carrero Contract - Selling Your Soul (Mafia Romance)

What’s done is done and I have learned to never linger on this kind of shit or else it just fucks your head up. Get over it and move on, look forward and keep going, it’s worked for me so far and I won’t fix what isn’t broken.

Alexi falls into companionable silence as we move and it’s odd that I don’t feel awkward about the lull in conversation. He does silence very well when he wants too, and I fall into step with his easy stride. Sort of glad of it really. I don’t feel like chit-chat.

It’s even weirder walking arm in arm with him so cosily and close. My naked skin on his smooth expensive tuxedo covered arm, walking out like any normal couple who have gone out on a date. I’m held tight to his body and trying to conceal my face and worst parts of my torn dress by using him as a shield. I feel surreal and lower my face as we pass suited staff wandering around in the main lower floor when we leave the corridor.

‘‘I was wrong … about the hair. You look better when it’s down.’’ He adds in afterthought and I blink at him with more than a stirring of suspicion.

‘‘Why are you being so nice? It’s making me nervous! You don’t do nice so what do you want?’’ I glance at him sideways and catch a tiny flicker of tightening muscle in his jaw. It’s either a thwarted smile or an irritated grimace.

Who can tell with him?

‘’I just got you roughed up because I wanted you to play a safe bet for me. I happen to feel responsible for the way it played out and like I said, I have no patience for men who use force on weaker opponents. This wasn’t part of the plan and I detest when I don’t predict an avoidable outcome.’’ Irony as I’m sure he pounds down weaker men all the time.

Who knew Carrero would be a soft touch for women under all that cold indifference. I still don’t know what to think about his little revelation; this doesn’t fit the image he exudes daily. It certainly doesn’t fit the way he behaves towards any of us; controlling bastard with zero tolerance to disobedience. He talks down to his little bedroom buddies anytime he brings one upstairs, and God knows what he does to them when he gets them in his bed; contradiction entirely.

‘’It’s not my first beating. I am practically immune to men slapping me around and exerting their dominance. I’ll heal, I always do.’’ I say it impulsively. That mouth of mine working faster than my brain, and he halts; turns to me with a hint of darkness in his eye.

as the palest grey eyes lock on mine in some weird silent communication I have no way of deciphering. Carrero is a complete enigma to me, and I am totally out of my depth every time we connect. ‘Complex’ should have a picture of him next

leans in and strokes my hair from my face, runs a thumb over my swollen bruise forming lips so softly it makes my body tingle. Caught in complete surprise and glued to that flawless face and not

seems to flinch at his own words, stepping back suddenly,

hard and fast as his face smooths over. He seems momentarily at a loss himself and I guess he didn’t mean to say it

swelling.’’ He seems reluctant to get too close again and I for one am a little glad. Whatever that was

I am not about to let someone like him be the first. I see what happens when women let their emotions overrule logic, and they become victims of their own heart. Well, mine died a long time ago and I’m sure that

up in a fate worse than death. It’s how you

groan. Body like a tonne weight and very aware that I have had a physical assault. It’s still dark, and glancing at my

I did exactly what I was told and came to bed, not really feeling like being around Carrero after that weird moment between us, even if bed was not something I wanted to do. I can handle him being his usually obtuse and stubborn arsehole self but the softer glimpse threw me totally. I don’t know how to deal with him being

I need aspirin and a drink to clear the horrid metallic bloody taste from my mouth. I feel like I have the king of hangovers and even my body hurts in

top of

a laptop open on top of it all. He’s still in his dress shirt and trousers

on my way to the kitchen, curving around the sunken island seating area in hopes he won’t notice me. I can’t be

my shoulders like a fluffy red cloud. He’s obviously in a chatty mood and I have no energy

I need an aspirin.’’ I start rummaging the drawers until I locate them and rifle in the refrigerator for a bottle of water to wash them down, suddenly aware that this has to be one

in the early hours of the day. It must grow fast, and I know he likes his early morning shaving routine, as I normally hear his razor going. Perks of co-habiting with him means I get to see him do normal mundane things like a mere human and