AllFreeNovel
Share Us
She lets out an audible scoff, though her eyes are sparkling with amusement. “But maturity lies in knowing when to let a moron be wrong.”
That teasing remark startles a laugh out of me, reverberating through my entire frame. If anyone else would have said that to me, I would have ended them. But Alexis’s delivery was just too perfect.
Her face splits in a wide, beaming smile at the noise, bright enough to figuratively stop my heart in my chest.
Goddamn, she has the most beautiful smile, I think somewhat dumbly. It transforms her entire face, brings a radiant warmth to her eyes that I can easily see myself getting lost in.
I clear my throat, forcing myself to regain my composure as warmth blooms in my cheeks. “What can I say?” I admit wryly. “I am, after all, a man of exceptional taste.”
Alexis smiles again and bends her head to take another bite of her food. As she does, my gaze lands on a familiar figure standing in the dining room entrance, her hair cascading down her back in red waves.
Scarlett Rafa.
I feel my stomach plummet as our eyes lock across the distance, and a wicked smile settles over Scarlett’s mouth.
Fuck.
18
DAMIAN
Fuck.
My heart sinks as I see Scarlett making a beeline toward us, her eyes narrowed and a saccharine smile plastered across her face. I mentally kick myself for not listening to Edo’s advice. He warned me that it wouldn’t be a good idea.
Fuck.
“Damian, darling, what a lovely surprise!” Scarlett coos as she approaches, leaning in to air kiss my cheeks. Her eyes flicker over to Alexis, who shifts uncomfortably under Scarlett’s overtly hostile gaze. “And who is this?”
Fuck.
I swallow hard. “This is Maria. She’s a cousin visiting from out of town.”
Scarlett’s brow furrows as she looks Alexis up and down appraisingly. “You’ve never mentioned having cousins before.”
“Well, you never asked,” I reply with a tight smile, trying to keep my tone light.
Scarlett’s eyes glint dangerously. “I suppose I didn’t. How… interesting.” She steps closer to Alexis, who unconsciously leans back. “It’s so nice to meet family. We simply must get together for dinner soon, Maria. You, me, and the Chihuahua, Natalia.”
The thinly veiled threat in Scarlett’s sugary words makes my stomach twist into knots. I should have listened to Edo—bringing Alexis around my unhinged ex-fiancée is a huge fucking mistake. Now we’re both caught in Scarlett’s viper-like glare, and I have no idea how to extract us.
My heart pounds as Scarlett turns her full attention to Alexis, studying her intently. “You know, you look awfully familiar,” Scarlett muses, tilting her head, studying Alexis like a predator would its prey.
Alexis opens her mouth, no doubt with a million curious questions about who this unhinged woman is. But thankfully, seeming to sense the tension, she stays silent.
Cold dread grips my chest. What if Scarlett actually looked at the picture Mario has of Alexis? If Scarlett recognizes Alexis…
I’m ready to have a damn heart attack right here. This had been an incredibly foolish risk to take.
Alexis appears to try to defuse the situation, extending her hand for Scarlett to shake. “It’s nice to meet you…”
Scarlett lifts her hand, and I see the glow of a knife in her fist before Alexis does.
Before Scarlett can even move toward Alexis, I jump out of my chair and yank Scarlett’s arm, twisting her wrist back. Alexis screams and throws herself backward, knocking her chair over.
The waitstaff gasps, and a handful of men jump up from their booths.
Scarlett spins around, moving faster than me, and lifts the knife so it is pressed against my carotid artery.
