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.

then 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 as he grasps

over Rob’s expression in an alarming second as his own knuckle and wrist pales with the force they are being squeezed free of 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

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

sorry, Miss … umm … Walters. I

apology and I just nod distractedly and offer him a vague smile. My

harm no foul.” I mutter half-heartedly, waving a dismissive hand and forgetting my nerves

his tender digits while Alexi sits back smoothly as though nothing happened. Mr cool and controlled once more and carefully smooths his

considering he has now brought it up a couple of times today and the day I do, if I do, I have the same power in his family as he

That’s crazy.

to speak, when married to the boss. It makes sense. If anything happened to Alexi, such as prison or kidnapping then I would assume control in his

I have a say in what happens to

Alexi couldn’t give a command, then I wonder if I could.

head and I falter for a second about whether his men would follow my instruction and deal with her if I married him this weekend in Vegas. The clogs turning, the wheels moving, and

could literally end all of this so easily, for both of us. Take away the threat and

it away again as stupid and impulsive. It’s a manipulation for an outcome, and I shouldn’t even

are clawing at some honesty to build something

would ruin us if I 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 to never

he is trying to show me he can

brain swirling around and I wonder about it a little too long. Guilt eating at

he would. He respects the code of their family as much as Alexi does, and now it’s in my head, I can’t stop turning

you give me doubts. Are you sure you are up to the task of taking direction and running my Casino?” Alexi’s stern tone wades in over my thoughts, bringing me back to the fact they have still been talking while I zoned out, and I watch the two

the fold and having to toe the line under a younger cousin.” Rob has lost that arrogance and seems almost submissive

all go powder your nose before dinner comes to the table. We need a few 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

mouth grazes my ear, his breath fanning my cheek intimately; to the men, it looks like a kiss on the cheek as a

need a few minutes alone with them.” It’s softly spoken, for my ears only and pulls a huge satisfied smile to my face. Purring like a Cheshire cat as I lean back to lock adoring eyes on my hunky specimen and overflow with stupid joy at such a

I too push my chair back and give him an appreciative peck on the cheek

as I get up and swan away merrily, shaking my arse for his benefit because I can feel his eyes following me out

entrance in the foyer and the two

God forbid.

pulls me back beside her, leaning in close and hushes her voice to a low level. Her face is serious

cautious with those two. Watch what you say in front of them in here. They are