The Carrero Contract - Selling Your Soul (Mafia Romance)

‘London?’ Alexi’s voice makes me stop dead as I get to the hallway for the lift and my heart drops like a lead weight. He’s followed me, and I turn back, ready to face another yelling match or sadistic prick appearance. I’m just overwhelmed with whatever the hell that was between us back there and he’s clearly in the mood for putting women in their place today and functioning on high sexuality.

And he called me London, which is usually not a good sign.

I move slowly, inhaling heavily to reel in my chaotic hormones and face him, expecting the worst. He just looks calm, unemotional and unaffected in the way I am, which irritates me.

One sided sexual tension then?

‘You dropped this.’ He hands me a sheet of paper with my handwriting all over it, a list I have been ticking off as I work, and I sigh. A little relieved that’s all he followed me for, and bring my eyes back to his as I take it. He studies me closely.

‘Thank you.’ I don’t know what else to say. There is an awkward pause because he just stands towering over me silently, looking at me with that effortless deadpan expression of his, and yet the air between us gets instantly thick and heavy.

My panties are not as ready to drop so dramatically but the embers are still glowing.

‘I’m sorry I yelled at you,’ he mutters quietly. It’s not the most heartfelt apology of my life, and it’s obvious he’s still being a moody prick as he says it with a slightly strained tone. A look on his face that he feels obliged to do this rather than wants too, but I guess it’s better than nothing. I can tell it’s not easy for him to do it.

Alexi never apologises before committing horrible acts of punishment on me, so maybe I am being saved from future worry. He only ever said sorry when he was letting something go or already administered the revengeful reaction in the past—never before.

‘I’m sorry I tried to Wonder Woman a rescue for a stinky stray. He ran away by the way. I don’t think he will be back.’

Impulsively, I fill the weirdness between us with words and back down feebly. Losing all my sass when he’s this close, even while I am still reacting down in the nether regions like a sex-starved nymphomaniac; Standing awkwardly, feeling fidgety while trying to stay completely still to hide it.

Think of BOB … BOB, my large well-endowed vibrating friend and a nice night of porn and orgasms. That should cure me for a while!

‘Actually … he was in the lot when I pulled in, ran right out in front of me.’ Alexi looks grim and despite myself and my normal lack of empathy for most human beings, a massive pang of pain strikes me across the chest, killing my libido dead. I grab his wrist impulsively in complete horror, clutching him in painful panic.

‘Oh my god, you didn’t …?’ Tears hit my eyes, such a stupid reaction over some dumb unwanted animal but its automatic and I can’t help it. A vision of him running over that poor, defenceless little beast strikes a massive dagger in my heart. Throbbing instantly as it rips me in two.

Alexi frowns at me as though I am insane and then looks down to the death grip I have on his wrist, clinging to him needily in the hope he is joking. My knuckles turning white with the effort I am holding on. He’s probably wondering how it is he can’t touch me but I get to anytime I want. Not that this is affection. I am on the verge of hysteria over some creepy cat.

‘Little shit dodged me, he’s fine. Probably sharpening his claws on my paintwork as we speak.’ He answers sarcastically, disinterested in the poor animal’s plight and my eyes widen in shock.

‘You tried to hit him?’ I squeak, appalled that he would try to run it over, a weak defenceless innocent animal. A poor kitty, one just looking to survive. I let him go in complete disgust, abhorrence all over my face.

Alexi just rolls his eyes at me and sighs.

‘No. Add animals to my no women, no children rule. Unless he throws himself under my car or gives me reason to run him over … I am not completely devoid of morals,’ He replies tartly.

No, just a heart.

brushes away the red imprint I left on his arm as though swatting a fly off, and I

still gawping at him, overly fragile, emotionally now. Unsure if he’s joking, lying or just being a prick, and when he touches my hand softly,

Looks like shit, probably came here to die. It seems old.’ He adds warily and I get the vibe he’s trying to stop being a dick. In

this time I do start crying. I don’t know what’s bloody wrong with me. I don’t want it to die here like some sad lonely unwanted street rat. The

though I’m somehow offending him by getting upset over something so dumb; I slap him on the chest amid blurry tears and stupid

cry okay. Are you completely abhorred by women’s tears in case they infect you somehow? It’s not catching Alexi—you can’t contract human emotions by being exposed to tears you know!! It’s not a disease!’ I slap him in the shoulder again for being an insensitive arsehole

like a normal woman down there, but

his breath at me and gets a frosty look in return. He really

my nose on my sleeve and try to stem the tears. I feel stupid for getting this way over something ridiculous.

and it has the same

inside of me is surprised into a more stable mood

uptown office to be stationed here. All he does is drive, nothing else. Think you can handle that? Obediently?’ Alexi skims the agreement part, obviously miffed that he did, in fact, have to side with

Hell just froze over.

would come that he would ever actually agree with me. I calm myself, smooth my dress down to regain my cool control

I am fine.

something?’ Alexi looks instantly stern and I honestly have no clue what

at him in bewilderment, looking down to check my file and then my dress in case it’s something stupid, questioning

so why isn’t he with you?’ It’s that edgy bastard tone

I sigh at him.

am in the hallway of your …’ I shut my mouth when I realise what I am saying. Especially with the lift right at the side of me where I was almost abducted. Alexi just raises that infuriating brow and stays staring like a cold stone arsehole. I crumble, all resistance wavers, and I am momentarily rendered

relent in an exasperated

a move to go but the hand he splats on my chest ungracefully to stop me almost sends me back on my arse and enrages me in an instant. Still not quite getting to grips with

it. He presses something on the side of his head instead

Hallway. Now!’ Commanding, cold, efficient. He’s back to Mafia King. I have to

really see it, the thing he used to talk into. I can see a small almost clear thing in his ear like a little wireless radio, and he catches me looking at

I must say I’m impressed. It’s so inconspicuous it’s barely there and very high tech, most likely

automatically, and he nods, a hint of pride on his face that’s sort of cute. He really does love his brother I guess, even if they are weirdly competitive and very strange together. It’s odd to see an actual caring response from him and I relax

Tech genius when it comes to security. Now talking of which, he came to invite us all out for a night on the tiles. You want to come?’ Alexi raises expectant brows, another change in conversation direction, and a soft smile appearing ever so slightly that distracts me for a moment. I have to shake my eyes away

I’m not sure that’s my thing.’ I am confused by the invitation, disarmed by it, but Alexi smiles at me properly and his dimples give me internal butterflies that make me curse myself

Mandy and a few of our cousins with their women come too. We do this sometimes, to let off steam. How about it, London, do you want a night off?’ He leans one hand against the wall to

up for a cosy little family bonding time, and no way in hell am