The Carrero Contract - Selling Your Soul (Mafia Romance)

‘So what have I missed … and are we ready for nine p.m.?’ Straight to the point, no other chit-chat or mention of last week?

Fine by me.

Two can play at that game!

If Alexi is taking the all business route to interact with me then I can handle that just fine. However, I hate that it makes me feel weirdly upset and just triggers a nerve—stupidly so.

‘I took care of everything. Club’s ready, guests are sorted, and everything is in hand. All you need to do is put on a suit and look intimidating.’ I smile drily, tight facial expressions because it takes so much effort.

So be normal then.

Not that he isn’t in jeans and a t-shirt, it’s just like this he’s more street boxer than Mafia king and that edge of psycho he keeps in his back pocket is not so obvious when he dresses down. As much as I dislike that part of who he can be, I dislike it when he is less sinister to look at.

I know … I’m fucked up. Something completely wrong with me and I probably need therapy.

‘I’m bringing a guest—Chief of Police—Nice to keep things friendly with our local law enforcement,’ Alexi smirks, deviously so. I’m not sure if it’s because of what he said, or because he is enjoying behaving like an inconsiderate arsehole who takes no responsibility for being a thug in Miami.

I knew he had police on the take, but I didn’t think it stretched as high as that.

‘Does he need special requirements?’ I add, trying to appear completely professional and keep that edge out of my tone even though I feel irritated at him. Annoyed with myself that I am simmering hurt over how he’s pushed all talk of what happened away, as though none of it matters … as though I don’t matter.

‘He likes redheads.’ That dangerous flash of the eye trying to goad me to bite, and a hint at him being in sadist mode, and I just shake my head, refusing to fall for it.

‘Good for him. I’ll find him one.’ I’m not going to react. He’s angling for a fight and being his usual prick self, probably because I am not falling all over him for finally showing up to his own club.

In a way I also sort of feel relieved with the appearance of this version of him. I didn’t trust Mr Nice, couldn’t relax when he was playing docile, but I know exactly where I stand with smug arsehole Carrero, and know how to handle him when he is this way. No second guessing, no surprises. No trying to figure out his motives. As messed up as it is, I actually trust this side of him. I know it, it’s familiar and this isn’t an act to goad me to his demands. I know what is expected of me. He’s sulking and being a tosser—nothing new there.

me up when it came to him, nothing else but physically letting him inside of me. Once he got into my body, he got

won’t ever

none of the club girls. I want someone new. Not someone who has been passed around to everyone and their dog downstairs.’ His eyes flash in amusement and I know it’s said as a dig at me. Hurting me for my past and trying to use his

I came back, and he hasn’t used any to get at me until this very moment. It’s the first time in a long time he has put me down with an insult this way too, well, apart from calling me a whore in Miami. I take a steady breath to calm the way my heart and body just spin into meltdown,

preferred blondes?’ It’s there in my voice, that tiny ounce of hurt and I just

own goods. It would look wrong. Suspicious … Unless you’re offering?’ That manipulative look in that smug face

me and trying to make me jealous. He’s goading me because I rejected him in Miami and he

read anymore. I have just been blind to it. He doesn’t talk things out and expect honesty in an answer, why would he? He lives in a world of liars and backstabbing opportunists that has coloured his levels of trust … he tries to figure things out for himself with manipulation and pushing boundaries. He reads people on the surface and tries to

to hide that maybe I do still have some sort of feelings; I will supply him with a girl and watch him fuck her. Just to show I do not care at all … Even if it kills

two if you like, one for each side to take it in turns. I know you have more stamina than most men.’ I lift my chin and glare him down, voice oozing charm. Our eyes locked on one another for a moment

use our special room if you can work that. I miss tying up

doesn’t have that control over me anymore. Even though it does hurt, and it does get to me. I’m not that weak heart who crumbled

of my own and wanted to wipe away those memories for new fun ones. Only way to get over your past is to take control of it, right?’ I add haughtily and smile wickedly when his face physically

controlled. He looks completely livid, tense jawline, eyes darkening

sound so sure anymore, his own voice losing the venom and confidence, and he taps the table with his thumb; Agitation and

either when he’s trying to distract himself from something or gets excited in a very happy mood.

the good side to it, and I never said I was the one in straps,’ I cattily respond, insides swelling with that sense of satisfaction at ripping at him the way he does me. Venom in every word

if he can respect the no punishment boundaries and the fact I never agreed to be his this time. Alexi looks like he might explode, a weird smile that’s not really a smile, and a very intense frown for a second as he grapples to get a hold on his obvious emotions; Losing face under fire and his ability to be Mr Deadpan. It’s wholly wonderful to watch him crumble

one; get rid some of that bitterness you got going on, might put a fucking smile on your face.’ He snaps as he pulls open a drawer in agitation and starts rummaging, eyes on that and not me, and I wonder if it’s a tactic to give himself

the power trip, the upper hand. Knowing you wounded the person in front of you in ways

and flash it his way, seeing the rage as his eyes get darker as he glances my way and off

what he owns, but it doesn’t come. He can’t seem to look at me and all

knows I can date whoever

no hold over me that way this time as long as

can walk out the