Page 56 of The Darkest Prince

Kneeling on the floor, I wrap my hands around his neck, wanting desperately to take out my hunting knife and slash his throat. The thought of blood splashing across my face thrills me.

But I can’t make a mess.

Alex would be traumatized forever if she ever saw the kind of shit I did to the men who wanted to hurt her. The blood alone would haunt her dreams. So I choke the life out of this asshole.

“You ruined my night, you piece of shit.” I curl my fingers tighter around his neck and squeeze, pinning him down with my legs when he tries to get out of my grasp. “We were so close.” I shake my head, digging my knee into his chest. “And you had to go and fuck it all up.”

The Russian Mafia wants to use Alex as leverage to get Bastian’s cousin back. Grace Hale is Fitzy’s only granddaughter and the heir to the Adams fortune. Her father is connected to the Bratva and the leader of the terrorist organization that killed our parents.

The Devil’s Knights and The Founders Society have been keeping Grace safe since she was a child. Bastian has done a lot to protect the girl he’s only met once. Before she became Grace Hale, she was Katarina Adams Romanov. Her name change was essential, but recently, The Lucaya Group discovered we have her. And ever since, we’ve had all kinds of criminals coming for us.

And now that they know about Alex, we have to get her out of here. No more easy college student life. She’s going to have to pack tonight.

After the life drains from the man’s eyes, I release my hold on his throat and rise from the floor. I find Alex in the living on top of Bash. He’s cradling the back of her head and stroking his fingers through her hair.

“I will never let anyone hurt you,” he promises before kissing her lips. “You’re mine, Cherry. And I protect what’s mine.”

He does.

Bash has been protecting me from myself and the world for years.

“Where’s your brother?” I ask Alex as I enter the room.

“At a friend’s house.” She turns to look at me. “Why?”

“Because he needs to come home and pack his shit. You’re both moving out of this apartment tonight.”

“W-What?” Alex croaks. “Are you serious?”

“Deadly,” I tell her.

I reach into my pocket and grab my phone, sending a text to Marcello. He responds instantly, telling me that he will arrive in Providence with a security detail for Alex within the hour.

One of the perks of our father owning a private security firm is how quickly we are able to respond to threats. Marcello can take a short helicopter ride from Devil’s Creek and be here with Alex when we have to leave.

We can’t stay with her.

ChapterTwenty-Two

Within two hours,we have Alex and Aiden moved into a new apartment in Providence. It’s more secure and not as close to the campus, but it will keep Alex safe for the next few months.

She’s a wreck, shaking so hard from crying, terrified of someone coming for her again.

Marcello sits on the couch beside her and pulls her into his arms. “Look at me, princess.” He hugs her against his chest. “You’re safe. I’m here now.”

Alex hasn’t stopped crying since I killed the Russian. She doesn’t understand what’s going on, and we can’t tell her everything. Some secrets have to stay with us.

Bastian held her on the couch until Marcello arrived, promising she was safe. No matter what we told her, she still wouldn’t stop crying. I have never seen our girl this upset. She’s always so tough and rough around the edges. It’s like something snapped in her head.

“I’m staying in Providence,” Marcello says to calm her down, running his long fingers up and down her back. “No one is going to hurt you.”

“But that man,” she bites out, her lip quivering. “He tried to climb through my window.”

“He didn’t touch you.” He wipes away her tears with his thumb. “Damian took care of him.”

“I know. But…” She sobs again, resting her head on his chest. “I’m scared.”

“Look at me, Cherry.” Bastian slips his fingers beneath her chin to steal her attention. “You’re in a new apartment now. One with much better security. You have nothing to worry about, pretty girl. We got this covered. Aiden is here.” He tips his head at her twin, who sits on the couch next to me. “And Marcello will be in the apartment next to yours until you graduate. If you need anything, he’ll be there, okay?”

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