AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Absolutely not,” I say, a bit too forcefully. “Her hair stays as it is.”
Nat arches an eyebrow at my vehement tone. Even Edo looks somewhat surprised by my uncharacteristic emotion.
“Have you lost your mind?” Nat demands. “Leaving such an identifiable trait could expose her if The Brotherhood gets a glimpse.”
“Then we’ll ensure they don’t get that chance,” I say in a clipped tone. I’ve already asked Alexis to cut and dye her hair. I can’t ask her to change something else about herself.
Nat glares at me. Her dark eyes—so similar to our father’s—bore into mine. “Can you think with your head instead of your dick?” she snaps. “Just because Scarlett probably doesn’t know what Alexis looks like, doesn’t mean she won’t eventually. We all know Scarlett will keep up with the human trafficking aspect once she takes over. Why won’t you protect Alexis from that fucking psycho?”
Edo clears his throat, sensing a rising tension between us. “Why don’t you ask Alexis before you make a decision for her?” he asks me. “If she doesn’t want to straighten her hair, then maybe a wig or head covering could be a compromise. Just if she’s somehow off the mansion grounds.”
“And even on mansion grounds,” Nat remarks. “Especially if Damian keeps allowing Vincente to prowl around.”
I force myself to breathe evenly before I rip Nat apart. “Very well,” I say through clenched teeth. “I’ll ask Alexis myself and let her make the decision.”
I’m still too rattled by Edo and Nat’s comments about Alexis as I’m driven through the gates of the mansion.
We can’t be certain that Scarlett doesn’t know about Alexis, and the last thing I want is for Scarlett to take an interest in hunting her down. Once Scarlett has made up her mind, nothing will change it.
Scarlett, with her beguiling charm and calculating smile, once held sway over my heart. But now, as I reflect on our history, I can’t help but wonder what I had ever seen in her.
Our relationship had been a façade, a carefully constructed illusion born out of obligation rather than genuine affection. Pushed together by our respective fathers, we played our parts, pretending to be the perfect Mafia couple while concealing our true selves from each other and the world.
But it was only after my father died that Scarlett’s mask slipped, revealing the darkness lurking beneath her façade. Her psychotic and sadistic tendencies emerged with a vengeance, leaving me reeling in disbelief and betrayal.
Stupidly, I thought I had been in love with her, blinded by her sweet veneer. But now, as I look back on our relationship, I realize I never did love her. I loved that I was doing what my father wanted me to do.
Scarlett never loved me either, not truly. She used me as a means to an end, manipulating me to further her own ambitions without a second thought. I didn’t realize it until she asked me to shoot up the playground.
And now, with her reappearance, I can’t help but feel a sense of dread. I know she’s dangerous, capable of anything to get what she wants. But more than that, I worry what she will do if she finds out I’m hiding Alexis.
Striding through the mansion doors, I immediately seek out the head of security. “Status report?”
“It’s been quiet, sir,” the guard responds promptly. “All entrances and exits are secured per your orders. No threats have been detected.”
I give a curt nod, some of the tension easing knowing not only that Alexis is safe, but that she hasn’t tried to do a fucking stupid thing and leave again. I’ve had guards patrolling every entry and exit point, ensuring she cannot escape. She’s allowed to roam the house and go outside in the gardens, but she is not to leave the premises.
Stringent protection is essential until I can figure out why The Brotherhood and Uncle Vinny want her so badly.
Uncle Vinny. That’s another thought.
“Has Vincente Iacopelli arrived unannounced again today?”
“No sir. Not since he left earlier today.”
I nod again, relief pouring through me. “Vincente is not allowed to enter this house unless he is expressly allowed,” I tell the guard. “You must get verbal permission from me. Is that understood?”
“Yes, sir,” the guard says. “I will let the others know.”
Satisfied that Alexis will be safe from my uncle’s unannounced antics, I turn and head toward the sunroom. I know she keeps a pretty strict daily schedule, and from what the guards have indicated, she always spends a lot of time painting in the sunroom.
It’s empty.
Frowning, I peek outside to see if she decided to practice some mid-afternoon yoga.
Nothing.
I rush back to the foyer, my heart pounding. “Where is she?” I demand of the guards stationed there.
