The Carrero Contract - Selling Your Soul (Mafia Romance)

It sounds like a reasonable offer. Sweetening the deal, removing himself from the scenario, sounding like he means it, but he can’t take out the one thing which leaves it sour no matter how many bonus points he adds on—that it will still be a connection to him. And as long as he is involved, there will always be that black cloud of doubt that he will leave me alone.

I get up slowly and clumsily, and move away from the corner I have put myself in giving him a wide berth, and head for the couch to sit down. Trying to look more confident than I feel, and praying Mico comes back soon. The carpenter has shut us in and seems to be silent now, oblivious to what’s going on or in fact deliberately got out of here and is staying away.

‘This is no life for you, Cam.’ Alexi is trying to appeal to me in other ways and I just roll my eyes even though I am facing away.

‘Well, it’s pretty much how I started out, so I can’t say it bothers me that much … home away from home.’ I answer sarcastically, swallowing down the last of my vulnerable sniffles. I’m no stranger to poverty or hard times. I know I can get through worse than this if I have to. I have lived through harder times and I will again, once I get a little time to pick myself up.

‘You deserve so much more.’ He follows me with a heavy tone and I eye roll harder and almost strain an eyeball this time.

‘Don’t even … You make me laugh you do.’ I can’t help the sardonic smile pasted on my face as I spin at him, my common dialect breaking through my practiced posh, at the irony of his words. He must think I was born yesterday to believe any of this horse shit and at least he has done what he does best; pissed me off and replaced woe with fire. Nothing ignites my fight more than Alexi being a dickhead.

‘Did I deserve more when you sent me packing? Or is it only when I have a use that you deem me worthy of an actual existence?’ I spit it at him, seething with hatred and venom and yet still, he just looks deadpan.

Nothing is sparking him beyond minor irritation and I don’t get it. He was very much the alive and kicking hell hath no fury when I launched a shoe at his head, why the hell is he being so controlled now? What did Mico say to him before he left to have this much of an effect on his behaviour?

‘I don’t want to fight with you, Cam. I am trying to give you a lifeline to a better place.’ Again, another sombre and steady tone with no real conviction. He’s trying his hardest to appear like he’s a stable human being and not the crazy psycho I know that dwells inside.

‘See, this is my problem right here. You think what you’re offering is a better place and a brighter future, but I have been there and done that, Dahling. You may be offering better surroundings, money and a job I excel at, but it comes with a price on my soul, and it’s one I am not willing to pay a second time round. We both know you will have me five minutes and the urge to exert control and punishment will be your undoing. Stop trying, I’m not biting. I don’t want it. Go back to your club Alexi and find some other mug to deal with you. I bet Joyce will jump at the chance.’ I lift the cushion to my lap to still my shaking hands and sigh when he moves closer, not getting the hint that his proximity is not welcome. I tense up, every inch of me battling between shivers and goosebumps and butterflies going crazy, but he ignores it and sits down next to me. A two-foot gap between us, and he turns my way to lean a hand on the back of the over worn leather seat which puts his hand very close to my shoulder. I can feel his eyes penetrating my face and try to blank him by staring straight ahead at the door, as it visibly vibrates again with whatever the carpenter is doing. At least it’s a sign he is still here and I am not completely alone with this demon.

‘Twenty percent! I will triple your wage and stay away from the club as much as you need me to. I won’t interfere in any way. I give you my word.’

He just doesn’t give up.

‘Jesus, she must really have done a number on that place. Are you that desperate?’ It’s almost a disbelieving laugh.

‘I’m not leaving you here.’ Alexi’s voice has that hint of softness that reminds me of that night; when I thought he could maybe love me too. It’s a sharp biting reminder of how deluded I was to ever fall for hints of caring. It throws me for six, heart reacting, yet I refuse to let him see it. Shutting it down quickly and I harden myself to him.

to lie down soon or I may pass out. All of this

‘No’ and I’m pretty impressed with how much he is holding onto his cool. I know inside he must be raging and desperate to administer some sort of heinous punishment for defying him. He’s probably fantasising about picking me up and locking me in the boot of his

you? The asshole who broke in? A boyfriend? Client?’ His words sound strained, but his assumption makes me

self-esteem that first sign of trouble I go back to being a tom on the street? How many fucking times Alexi …? I wasn’t a whore by choice and I don’t sell sex to any man for anything, anymore. I survived with what I knew and as soon as found another way to do so, I left it behind. Just get out … just fucking go, you’re making me crazy and I need to lie down.’ Fury erupts and I push my cushion at his chest as I push him back and storm to stand. He doesn’t move, just keeps penetrating my skull and giving nothing away; Waits for me to spin on him before

is as stubborn as I am, and we glare at one another, so close we

go. This is pointless. You won’t get the answer you want, and

have only seen him do when he was tired and stressed over business. I have never seen him behave this way when his face hasn’t been pushed in a file or glued to his laptop.

in life, or his biggest earners. In fact, he always told me it was beneficial for contacts but not overly

to him this much. He could just go hire someone to do a better

coming to the club and staying in the apartment tonight and you’re going to quit that dead-end job that makes you wear that piece of shit dress. Meghan isn’t your name, I don’t want to hear it again and you WILL come home, Camilla! It’s where you belong.’ Alexi explodes slightly; I guess frustration finally builds to that level. It’s that bossy, arrogant ‘I OWN YOU’ tone that I knew he hadn’t lost—hiding in the pretend docile act. He’s losing his temper with me and here it comes. Next will be the side of him

stay a million miles away from him for as long as I live. No

quickly as his just

I do everything fucking else. I survived you, didn’t I? I survived a bloody crack in my skull at your hands, and I have survived men who almost killed me countless times. Why don’t you just piss off?’ I turn haughtily to walk towards my bedroom, so done with this conversation and him, and determined to end it. Signalling that this is well and truly over and he should

I belong? He spent weeks telling me it wasn’t with him, so why would

him defensively. I flip my shit in shocked reaction; Sanity jumping out a window when it comes

The one he shackled and emotionally abused. The one, who has been licking her bitter wounds for the past four months, throws out her head and attacks with a fury

hurling abusive curses at him and screaming with all

FUCKING TOUCH

his aggressive handling and a wary expression crosses that normally arrogant face. The guy, who always punished

back. Keep your hands to yourself!’ I cry it at him; tears pouring down my face as everything inside of me slides out rapidly and I no longer care. He can go die for all

to my bedroom at speed, clumsily, and shut the door hard with a bang that rocks every wall hanging in my room. I push a chair up under the handle so he can’t follow, and throw myself against the door too. I slide down and huddle beside it as an extra barrier to keep him out—crying because I am frustrated, angry, broken inside

no concept of how messy in my brain it has been since I last saw him and I wasn’t prepared for any of

I curl up into a tight little childish ball, willing him