The Carrero Contract - Selling Your Soul (Mafia Romance)

“I think she has a personal vendetta against me; the man I shot at thirteen was the man she was supposed to marry. It doesn’t matter that everyone was slaughtered anyway. She has her eye on you to serve up a specific cold message to me. That’s why they’ve been watching the club. You are number one of her top five. Send me a message and wound me the deepest. It’s why she hasn’t given up on you after a failed attempt. This is because of what I did.”

Alexi trails off with that serious tone and swirls his drink again. My insides all gripping together in a horrible heavy coldness as it sinks in and I literally swallow my saliva noisily as bile rises in my throat. Shuddering with the awful reality of this shitty insane world and the players who treat lives like disposable commodities.

“So, they will come again? Her men will keep coming after me until I’m dead?” It’s shrill, high pitched and drenched in fear as I shudder, voice breaking as it comes out of me and everything pales around me as my eyes blur at the bite of tears. Alexi puts his glass down and stalks towards me.

“You think I would let anyone touch you? That I won’t do everything in my power to keep you safe? I’m not my father. I don’t need to rally the families to fight back, we are already united, and I have way more reach than he ever did. I can end this with one death—hers. If that’s what it takes, then that’s what it takes.” He growls it, eyes on mine as he brushes back my hair and pulls me to him by my jawline with one gentle hand, bringing me to him so we stand facing each other closely.

“She dies and it stops?” I lock my gaze on him, needing his presence to stop myself panicking into hysteria. Reminding myself that he does and will always keep me safe. His dominance and aggression oozing as proof that he will do anything to protect me.

“She is the head of her family; without that, they will go running back to where they come from. She is the one with the balls and the vendetta. If she’s dead, I believe the rest will run back to Italy.” He traces my lips with his thumb and leans in to touch the tip of his nose against mine. Calming me with gentle caresses and just being my rock when I need him.

“So, what’s stopping you? Why hasn’t the order already been issued? The fact you’re sitting here mulling this over tells me something is in your way. I know you and you wouldn’t be sulking in the dark if the plan was in place.”

“My family won’t allow me to kill her for what has gone on so far. She’s a woman who was scorned by my blood and they don’t want to start what could be another war. They don’t want New York to experience that level of bloodshed again and don’t deem her misdemeanours as anything worthy of a hit.”

“You’re kidding me, right?” I blanch at him, eyes widening, and that pit of hot anger bubbles up again inside me warming my icy cold shivers away to nothing.

“They don’t agree that the rest of them will dissipate if she dies. They think revenge will come anyway and that the risk isn’t worth it over a couple of whores.”

“Bullshit! You know this world and you know these kinds of people. You cut the head off the snake and the body flails around like a useless limp dick until it eventually dies. That’s what will happen when you take away their boss lady and remind them of the Carrero power. Take her out, be done with it and forget them all over again. You know it’s the right decision, and I’m not just a fucking whore. I’m yours … I’m Alexi Carrero’s heart. That has to account for something.” I rage at him, fury on full show and blood levels soaring as my heart beats out like a war drum.

Alexi smiles at me unexpectedly, breaking my growl with that genuine flash of pearly whites and runs a thumb across my cheek gently before leaning in to peck me lightly on the lips and graze his nose against mine.

“I knew there was a queen dwelling inside of you.” Another proud smile, another touch of noses and he lets me go.

“I can’t go against the board. My hands are tied unless I can convince them that this is the way to nip it in the bud. Trust me, I’m working on it. Thinking out a plan.” He walks away from me, leaving me standing in the centre of the room and goes back to the booze cabinet.

“The board? Your musty old table of ageing Carrero men who previously ruled the roost? What do they know of modern times and how it works now? You are the one who has headed this family for a decade, almost. Things have changed, it’s not the same as when your father was standing here, and they should have a little fucking faith that you know what you’re doing by now.”

“You think I don’t know that, but I was raised by a code and respect for the men before me. If they say no, then I cannot proceed. My father isn’t objecting, but the rest are, and I can’t dishonour their wishes.”

I’m ranting and he’s calmly pouring another drink. He waves a glass my way and I shake my head, too churned up for more booze when my insides are bubbling away like a volcano about to erupt.

“Then they are idiots. Go get someone else to do it then … Santagato, one of the other family heads, and just act like it was nothing to do with you. Make it happen, Lexi, make the fucking bitch go away!” I squawk a little hysterically as the words tumble out and he pauses to look at me, bringing me down from the rafters with a frown.

“I can’t. I won’t. Asking a favour of that magnitude shows a weakness in my chain of command. I can’t have Santagato know my family isn’t united on something like this and give him an edge over me.” Alexi is deadly serious and that stubborn streak in him is showing through. I know the how of the inner workings, the twisted games and stupid signals always in play around these men. I sigh and resists the urge to ‘arghh’ at him.

your family politics, God help me. Sometimes I realise it’s a blessing to be alone and have no one to call

throw my hands in the air in exasperation and Alexi gives me a dark look that cools my jets instantly. A hint of hurt and I know I just insulted him in some vague way. I guess he considers me his family now, but

down and see if there’s another way I can eradicate the issue. It’s not ideal but it will buy me

don’t even let him finish his sentence. Snapping

down with her and have a little chat over coffee? Really? Is that all I’m worth to you?” The rage erupting in me is not really aimed at him because I know how rooted in tradition and rules his family are, and his hands are tied. I’m venting, upset, being unfair, but it’s frustrating as hell when he knows the way to fix this and he just can’t

Go against all my morals about touching women and not give two shits. She took on the role of family head, she lost her right to protection as a woman. If I do that, though, my head goes on the block,

back at me, tempers rising between us, shocking me with his words as I realise the magnitude of him disobeying the board. I rub my fingers through my scalp to try and release some of the pressure building inside me, scraping my brain back inside my skull to stop the onslaught of tears threatening to come tumbling out. They are not in hurt, but in sheer agitation at the shit I find

me at her. Show me where to find her and I will do it my fucking self. I have drugged enough women over the years, used my wiles and cold-hearted abilities to fuck people up. I’ll do it. It’s not hard to overdose with something in her drink at a nail bar or a beauty salon. I have the balls to do it and the ability to pull it off. It doesn’t come back on you then

all my emotions bubble over, pacing and hissing with sheer anger and venom

a quiet observation from a serious tone and I can’t tell if he’s impressed or shocked. I know in my heart I would do it.

cow walking my streets. If you do something, then your family take me God knows where and what? Kill me? Fuck no… you’re all insane, and

my family is my problem when and if the time comes. I won’t have that on your conscience, we both know you have never ended someone’s life.” Alexi’s temper bites and his tone sharpens to match mine. Anger high in the air but we’re not mad with each other. Just all this crap threatening what we have starting between

the times I have seen his cold and uncaring response to doing it.

died a little with every one I took and lost the ability to value life anymore. It dehumanised me far worse

I used to think a sociopath. He clearly isn’t, as nightmares and dreams signal guilt. Alexi maybe feels nothing for what he does at the time, but his dreams punish him instead. On some level, his subconscious knows what he does is very wrong. Another layer to my cold-hearted killer

him too, right around his torso and squeeze him tight. Head whirring with the chaos of the problem in front

Fuckers.

though; brain whirring with solutions that bypass him and all

just get Jackson to do it then.” I point out and push myself away from him with a smirk and a superior little look that says, “so there.” Injecting some humour into my tone but it’s only half

shakes his head at me. He knows this is getting nowhere and he doesn’t want to fight with me either. This matter is too big, and I don’t see a resolution tonight. He

death of me, you know that?” he states softly, temper calming, fatigue fading out the fight and he reaches out to trail his hand across my chest delicately, igniting goosebumps and cooling the last ounces of my rage. His eyes following across the scraps of lace barely concealing my ample breasts, and he finally seems to notice I’m dressed in

ever again, those words will become your reality. I’m crazy enough to poison you and then cut your manhood off to make you choke on it.” It’s only half in jest with a stern tone and warning glare

else. You are the only date from here on in, I swear. I’m still pissed about what you did at the club … don’t think I’ve forgotten that just because you landed yourself

conquests in your bloody living room.” I lift my chin defiantly, not backing down on why I did it

regards me for a long silent moment and then sighs heavily, knowing he has no standing in this argument and should just give up while he can. I may have acted like an arse, but he lit the rocket under me and gave me the fuel to

of a hostess thanks to your green-eyed flip out. You need to figure that out when we get back.” It’s a stern tone but the smug hint of a smile tells me he isn’t that bothered anymore. Maybe he

staff and has potential.” I point out and get that little uncertain look he gave me when I mentioned her earlier. Not convinced that anyone called

little control freak.

to fuck you and sleep. We have a flight at 5 a.m. I’m tired, agitated and have a lot to do.” Commander and chief mode initiated, but it just

you know. I get a say in when and where. Maybe I’m tired too and don’t want you to fuck me.’

he

my heart stops for a moment. It’s that ‘I will bend

of urgency that sends shivers from my toes to my groin. I