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.

and I almost choke on the

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

if it’s going to be living in the lot. Looks like shit, probably came here to die. It

off again though, what he said and this time I do start crying. I don’t know what’s bloody wrong with

him by getting upset over something so dumb; I slap him on the chest amid blurry tears

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

down there, but it still

I will never understand you.’ He mutters it under his breath at me and gets a frosty look in return. He

least you can admit it,’ I snark back at him, wiping my nose on my sleeve and try to stem the tears. I feel stupid for getting this way over something ridiculous. My hormones are haywire today and I should

brain of his changing direction and it has the same effect as a sobering stroke, getting me to stop sniffing and blink

is surprised into a more stable mood anyway.

you have a new driver, so he doesn’t ever have to abandon you to park. His name is Wes; he is coming down from my 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 me on one of his commands and I feel

Hell just froze over.

because, to be honest, I never thought the day would come that he would ever actually agree with me. I calm myself, smooth my dress down to regain

is fine. I am fine.

instantly stern and I honestly have no

just blink back at him in bewilderment, looking down to check my file and then my dress in case

so why isn’t he with you?’ It’s that edgy bastard tone coming back because … well because

I sigh at him.

I 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

relent in

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 the whole no touching thing, and I sometimes wonder why I bother. He

throw him my unamused glare and he just ignores it. He presses something

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

to do a little double take and blink 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 it as I

of his t-shirt neckline that’s barely a ‘thing’ and I must say I’m impressed. It’s so inconspicuous it’s barely there and very high tech, most

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

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

night on the piss? With a bunch of Carrero men? Like a little Carrero gang bang? I’m not sure that’s my thing.’ I am confused by the invitation, disarmed by it, but Alexi

normal people, not an orgy, and he’s taking Alessandra his girlfriend. Mico is taking 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

if everyone couples up for a cosy little family bonding time, and no