Page 16 of Alessio DeLuca

It’s a bullet casing.

My blood turns to ice in my veins as I stare down at it, a chill of dread creeping down my spine. There’s no note, no explanation. But the message couldn’t be clearer if it was written in blood.

I’m being hunted by someone far more dangerous than I thought…

* * *

Alessio

I pace my study like a caged lion, my fingers clenched into a white-knuckled fist. The bite of my nails into my palms does nothing to calm the riot of emotions coursing through me, my gut twisted into knots.

What the hell am I doing? What was I even thinking, showing up at Maty’s door like some lovesick pup? I’m Alessio fucking DeLuca. I don’t fucking chase after women, I don’t beg for scraps of their time aornd attention. I fucking take what I want, when I want it.

But Maty? From the moment I saw her, all fiery defiance, whip-sharp smarts and lush curves, I knew she would ruin me. And like the fool I am, I crave it. Fucking crave her, with a ferocity that scares me.

I thought I could control myself, keep the upper hand. Seduce her slowly, until she was begging for me. But being near her tonight, surrounded by her warmth, her scent, her smiles… it shattered my already weak control.

I wanted to take her in my arms, lay her on that fucking kitchen table and feast on her until she was crying my name. Until she forgot every man who came before me, until her world narrowed to my hands, my mouth, my cock. I wanted to claim her, ruin her for anyone else.

The need was so strong that I could hardly breathe. It took every ounce of my willpower to pull away instead of pinning her to the wall and devouring her right there.

I have to get a fucking grip. This madness, this obsession… it’s a distraction I can’t afford. Not when my enemies are always circling like fucking sharks, looking for any hint of weakness to exploit. If they knew just how deep my need for Maty runs, they would use her against me in a heartbeat.

I can almost hear my father’s voice in my head, cold and mocking. “Emotion is a weakness,” he’d sneer, his eyes hard. “You let a woman worm her way under your skin and she’ll destroy you, one way or another.”

I’ve spent my life hardening my heart, building walls so high and impenetrable no one could ever breach them. I swore I’d never let myself be vulnerable, never crave anything or anyone so much that it could bring me to my knees.

And now here I am, brought low by a slip of a girl with eyes like molten chocolate and a mind that never stops. Who looks at me not with fear or greed, but with fiery challenge, unafraid to push back against my darkness.

Nine

Chapter 9

Maty

The bullet casing sits on my desk, gleaming dully under the fluorescent lights of my office. I can’t stop staring at it, my stomach burning with fear.

It’s been three days since I found it on my doorstep, and I’m not anywhere near even close to figuring out who sent it or what they want. All I know is that someone from my past has caught up with me, and they’re not fucking around.

I should tell Alessio. He could help me get to the bottom of this. But every time I try, the words stay stuck in my throat.

How can I bring back my sordid past without losing his respect? Without tainting the way he looks at me, like I’m something precious and good?

No, I can’t. I’ll handle this on my own, like I always do. Even if the very thought makes my blood run cold.

I’m startled out of my dark thoughts by a knock at my door. I hastily shove the bullet casing into my desk drawer, my heart pounding as I call out a shaky “Come in!”

It’s Ava, Alessio’s assistant. She gives me a quick, professional smile as she hands me a garment bag.

“Mr. DeLuca asked me to deliver this to you,” she says. “He’ll be by to pick you up at seven.”

I blink at her, not understanding. “Pick me up? For what?”

“The gala tonight,” she says patiently,like she’s talking to someone particularly slow. “For the children’s hospital? He said you’d be his date.”

I’m sure my jaw is on the floor. Alessio wants me to be his date? To a high-profile charity event, where I’ll be on his arm in front of the entire town?

It’s a statement, a claiming. He’s announcing to the world that I’m his… what, exactly? His plaything of the moment? His girlfriend?

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