The Carrero Contract - Selling Your Soul (Mafia Romance)

He would never let them insult me or hurt me. That safety and security I get from him is an instant balm as the warmth of his body flows through at our point of contact and calms me instantly.

Alexi doesn’t visibly react to my moving to him, but his foot slides towards me and he rests his knee against mine as a subtle message that he feels my unease. It’s a small tiny movement but I understand its intention, and I’m immediately soothed with knowing he’s as in tune to me as I am to him nowadays. He’s reassuring me that he’ll always fight my corner.

“I can’t help that I had a natural aptitude where you didn’t. Some of us are more capable of handling things. Now shut up and focus on why I’m here. I’m losing patience and you don’t want me pissed … younger cousin I may be, but I won’t hesitate to remind you who the fucking boss is.”

Alexi doesn’t waste time in acting it either. He’s asserting his authority and the energy is building in him rapidly. I can feel it coming from every pore, psyching him up to act should he need to show them who is boss. That level of anger and cool control combined sends shivers down my spine and even I sit up and take note. Poised like a panther, hostility brewing and a complete lack of care that we are in a crowded restaurant. Alexi is confident, this hotel is partially Carrero owned, and he doesn’t have to be so careful in his behaviour here. Money can make so much go away.

The two men tense, hold their gazes on his face, turning a tad whiter in complexion and I jump when a glass is swung in front of me from my other side surprisingly.

“I’ll drink to that,” Gino chimes in, shoving the vessel a little too close to my face to let me know I’m being shielded from both sides, and eyeballs the cousin as intensely as his twin is doing. A little backup and visually saying he will join in the fucking up of these men should they continue to pursue it. Gino may not be a cold sadist like his brother, but I don’t doubt he has enough of the cray-cray gene to make an impact and he wouldn’t let his brother battle on his own.

They shared a womb after all and came from a single cell.

I realise that coming here with only these two was maybe not wise if there is animosity between parts of their family that he never warned me about. Surely, he should have brought backup if he expected something like this. He told Mico and Jackson to stay put along with all his other escorts so we could have a free weekend with no third wheels. He said he wanted this to feel like a weekend getaway, rather than just business.

I thought all the Carreros were a united front with a wealth of loyalty and respect, not a simmering feud between these men. I find it odd that Alexi wants to come here and buy a casino to retire in, with these men as his support system. He must be insane.

Rob loses all venom instantly and drops his eyes to the table; his posture immediately slackens, and he sighs heavily before glancing at his brother and lifting his head once more.

Obvious defeat and withdrawal.

Thank God.

“I’m sorry. Forgive me. I talk out of turn and I mean no disrespect. I’m somewhat shocked after the last girl seemed to be so stereotypical for what you date.” He is backtracking, remembering who he is fucking with and relenting. Not as dominant as he likes to make out—all hot air and no spark—bark without a bite.

I physically breathe out heavily with relief.

“The reason the last girl isn’t here today is that she bored me quickly, as do all nodding obedient little doorsteps with no backbone. There’s no challenge if there is nothing to tame,” he adds in a less dangerous even tone. An obvious insult at his cousins’ choices of wives and their relationships in general, and I feel a little smug at his sarcastic reply.

High five, Alexi.

I have to say, though, his sentiment is a revelation to hear. I always assumed he wanted submission and obedience in a woman. It kind of explains why he fell for me. I have always been far too rebellious for my own good. Even afraid of him I still stood up to him occasionally.

“You disrespect my woman again … I will shoot you in the fucking face. I may be your blood, but I’m your boss first and foremost and it will do you well to remember that.” Alexi snaps, anger breaking loose just enough to get the point across, and both men sit like stone with zero reaction. Chastised and remembering he has the skill and means to carry through on a threat like that.

Rob nods and holds out a hand to Alexi in a show of submission. Shaking his hand to end this weird and tense dinner fight. It may have been brief but I feel like it lasted for long minutes. Alexi watches their united hands for a moment

circulation. Alexi likes subtle intimidation and a show of aggression in a small way. Tyler didn’t fare well with a tie choke, so I assume this is meant in the same way. I hold my breath and try to pretend I’m not looking by staring at my dinner settings,

as my right hand. If you value your place in our empire, I suggest you apologise to her and show the same respect you show our mothers. You know the wife of the head holds the same power of command and will have a foothold over your head soon enough.” Alexi’s own knuckles whiten as he applies real force and the grimace on Rob’s face suggests he is in crushing pain. He nods, profusely and stammers at me sloppily.

Miss … umm … Walters. I … umm … mean no disrespect.

and I just nod distractedly and offer him a vague smile. My brain losing interest and latching onto something that sparked my inner devious. I forget tense, anxious

I mutter half-heartedly,

he yanks his arm back to rub his tender digits while Alexi sits back smoothly as though nothing happened. Mr cool and controlled once more and carefully smooths his shirt and tie out to regain that suave composure. Didn’t even break a

considering he has now brought

That’s crazy.

happened to Alexi, such as prison or kidnapping then I would assume

Mrs King Carrero—Queen Carrero, and I have a say in what happens to

couldn’t give a command, then I wonder

him this weekend in Vegas. The clogs turning, the wheels moving, and I can see an answer to his family blocking him

for both of us. Take away the

as stupid and impulsive. It’s a manipulation for an outcome, and I shouldn’t even think of

clawing at some honesty to build something real, and here I’m deviously thinking of a plan to use what he is to me

used this to get what I want. I don’t want to harm what we have growing between us. I want to be trusted and to trust him. I can’t ask him

learn to do? Isn’t that why he is trying to show me he

it a little too long. Guilt eating at

Mrs Carrero. I know he would. He respects the code of their family as much as Alexi does, and

been talking while I zoned out, and I watch the two brothers shift in their chairs. One looks uneasy while the more combative just looks moody. I don’t know what else I missed, but

into the fold and having to toe the line under a younger cousin.” Rob has lost that arrogance and seems almost submissive in his approach now and I wonder about the history there. What actually went on in this family

minutes.” Alexi casts an eye around the table, obviously needing to chat this out with his cousin away from an audience of inferior women, and I almost jump in fright as the other three leap to it and vacate like scared little rabbits. I guess the tension of the conversation had them all poised to flight. I, on the other hand, raise a brow at my commanding man and catch his eye, with that hint of refusal brewing inside. Despite myself, I just cannot back down and obey him when he throws orders my way, it’s a knee-jerk reaction I can do

his breath fanning my cheek

Purring like a Cheshire cat as I lean back to lock adoring eyes

back and give him an appreciative peck on the cheek to reward him for being a good boy. Slight lipstick marking him for his efforts.

looks indulgently at me, trails his fingers up my leg seductively, out of sight of the others as I get up and swan away merrily, shaking my arse for his benefit because I can feel his eyes following me out the door. Even with a tiny almost nothing touch

the two blonde Stepford wives hurry in ahead of us. In case we infect

God forbid.

leaning in close and hushes her voice to a low level. Her face is

Watch what you say in front of them in here. They are programmed to repeat all to their