Page 15 of Double Edged Hearts
Chapter Four
Cora
Alex lives in an actual house now.
Four years ago, it was a penthouse apartment in the city. Perfect for the playboy billionaire. Now he owns a mansion with a lengthy drive that took us a few minutes to get down before the house rose into view, a beautiful sight that stole my breath away.
The massive exterior in the moonlight reminded me of something old and European. He’s Italian. So, it doesn’t surprise me if that’s the look he was going for.
Once inside, I was more impressed with what I saw. The décor is cream and burgundy. It feels like the sophisticated version of him that doesn’t ride around on motorcycles jumping from buildings.
We moved to the living room. While I walk in to look around, he lingers by the door.
I turn to see him watching me like a toy he’s brought back to play with. A doll in the dollhouse.
Moving away from the door frame, he walks into the room and comes right up to me. I step back, but he reaches for my hand and leads me into the kitchen. My hand is swallowed by his. When he releases me, he takes off my jacket and pulls my shirt from the band of my pants.
“There, you don’t look so fed-like now. You almost look like my girl.” He holds my gaze, and I don’t have the heart to argue.
It’s the worst thing for me to argue with him and tell him I’m not his girl when I still feel so much like his.
“I’m still a fed no matter what my clothes say,” I decide to answer.
“Yeah I can see that, Goddess.” He says with emphasis and runs his gaze over me from head to toe.
When he tilts his head to the side to give me a cocky smile I’m drawn to the tattoo of the cross on the right side of his neck. All the guys in their crew have one. Together they’re called The Four and they’re known by that mark. A tattoo of a cross for their fallen. Claudius has his inked on his cheek. Alex, Dante and Gio have it inked on their necks.
I remember Jude having one too. I met them all at the same time and I remember being wary around a bunch of mobsters but feeling like there was something off about Jude. Maybe it was instinct. Turned out I was right.
Alex regards me with observant eyes. I’m not sure what he’s thinking but I know we have a lot to talk about.
“How are you?” I ask. The question seems out of context. Displaced even, like remnants of a broken conversation amidst the angst filled tension that surrounds us.
“Alive and kicking. Can’t complain doll,” he answers. “You know what they say, everyday above ground is something to be grateful for.” His smile deepens but doesn’t reach his eyes.
That’s the second reference he’s made to death. It shows he was probably thinking about Jude too. It’s expected, the anniversary of his death is next week. I still remember.
“How about you? Four years looks good on you?” A twinkle sparks in his eyes.
“Thank you, and I’m okay.”
“You like the place?” he asks, motioning his hand around.
“Yeah… it suits you. When did you get it?”
He takes off his biker jacket and my breath catches at the sight of his T-shirt clinging to his muscles like it was painted on him. He notices my reaction and a little smile dances on his lips.
“A few months after the last time I saw you. Of course, I thought I’d be seeing you a lot sooner than now.” He raises a curious brow signaling it’s time to have that serious talk. He’s ready.
He just opened the window of opportunity for me to apologize and explain why I left. Time to lay the cards on the table and confront the elephant in the room.
We stare at each other and my chest tightens as I think of what to say. He’s waiting for an answer and the insistence of his stare is a tell that he’ll wait all night if he has to. The only thing that comes to my mind is the thing that matters most. My sorrow for what I did.
“I’m… sorry,” I say, repeating what I said last night.
“What for? What exactly are you sorry for, Coraline Monroe? That you left me? Or… that you can’t be with me?” An easy smile slides across his face, a contrast to his questions.
“Both. I’m sorry I left the way I did… It was wrong. ” The only person who can understand why I just had to get gone was Richard. When I got back he was so relieved to see me he forgave me for the worry of having no contact for such a long time.
