by Lylah James
I couldn’t move. Her lips moved to my cheeks, kissing each side. She nipped playfully at my nose before kissing it.
And then her lips moved to my forehead. They lingered there for a second before she placed another soft kiss too.
My Angel wrapped her arms around my waist, her pregnant belly pressing against my stomach. She held me to her, her head over my racing heart.
She laid a kiss there and then hummed almost lovingly. “I missed you, Alessio.”
My throat closed up. The love in her voice made my heart leap. Wrapping my arms around her, I pulled Ayla against me.
We held each other like this, our arms firm around each other. We didn’t let go as the water cascaded around us.
She held me in her embrace, and I held her in mine.
“I love you, Angel,” I whispered in her ears. “I love you so fucking much.”
Chapter 23
Ayla
The sound of the door opening brought me out of my slumber.
I saw Alessio coming to the side of the bed. He blended almost fully into the darkness, but I saw him. I felt him.
He didn’t touch me. I thought he would take me in his arms, but I never felt his warmth. Alessio was silent while I kept my eyes closed, waiting for him.
When I felt him move, I looked to find him walking away. My heart drummed, feeling his loss.
The air felt heavy around us. Alessio’s shoulders were hunched together, like he was in pain. I didn’t like that. Alessio’s pain was my pain.
I watched him go into the bathroom, closing the door behind him. I waited for a few seconds, my fingers itching to touch him, to feel him, to hold him.
When I couldn’t bear it any longer, I threw the covers away and struggled out of bed. It came to a point where it was harder to get up from lying down.
I padded to the bathroom quietly. My fingers stayed on the door knob, debating if I should give Alessio privacy. My mind told me yes, but my heart refused. It pulled me inside, telling me to hold Alessio. To give him comfort.
I didn’t know what was eating him from the inside, but I had to take it away.
His back was to me when I walked inside. Alessio heard me, but he stayed still. His hands were against the walls, his head hung low. Alessio had his shirt removed, but he still wore his pants.
I watched the water cascade around him as I removed my dress. Dropping it the floor, my eyes moved to his discarded shirt. It was black, the same color he always wore.
I licked my lips nervously when I saw the wet patches. I couldn’t see the color, but I knew it was blood.
My heart stuttered at the sight, and my eyes moved back to the man in front of me. I should be disgusted, but I wasn’t.
Alessio Ivanshov was the man I loved. Whether he was a monster, a heartless killer, or my sweet lover, I loved all sides of him.
Every side of him was what made him Alessio. He wouldn’t be the man I loved if he wasn’t the killer.
Taking a deep breath, I stepped inside the shower. Alessio’s shoulders tightened, but he didn’t move. The water was freezing cold, so I quickly turned the tap to the warm side.
My hand came in contact with his cold skin, my body moving closer to his. “Alessio?”
He didn’t face me. “Alessio, look at me.”
Alessio leaned heavily against the wall, and I moved even closer. “Please, Alessio,” I begged.
As soon as the word please was out of my mouth, he swiveled around, facing me. His expression was pained, like he was battling something in his mind.
Without a word, I palmed his cheeks and peppered his face with kisses. With each kiss, I showed him my love. No words were needed. I just held him. I loved him with my touch.
Standing on my toes, I kissed his closed lids and then his forehead. Alessio released a shaky breath, his shoulder slumping in what looked like defeat.
I hugged him to me. My pregnant belly was in the way, but I was still able to lay my head on his chest. His steady heartbeat drummed in my ears, and I placed a kiss on his chest, right over his beating heart.
“I missed you, Alessio,” I whispered the truth. My fingers rubbed over his skin lovingly as he hugged me back, his arms wrapping around me tightly.
His breath left his chest in a loud whoosh as he crushed my body to his. I felt his lips on my ear. “I love you, Angel,” he whispered harshly. “I love you so fucking much.”
I felt giddy at his declaration of love. A small serene smile touched my lips as I pulled away from his embrace. I held his face in my hands and moved closer until our lips were inches apart.
When our lips met, it felt like fireworks. We created magic as our lips moved against each other. I kissed him with everything I had. Slow and deep at first, our tongues moved together in a mating dance.
Alessio groaned against my lips as he deepened the kiss even further. He angled my head to the side before nipping at my lips. My fingers gripped his hair, pulling him more into me.
I was going to show Alessio how much I loved him.
Our harsh breathing filled the shower as we pulled away. Alessio bent his head for another kiss, but I stepped back. His eyebrows pulled up in a frown when my hands went to his belt.
“Let me take care of you,” I said, pulling his pants down. He lifted his feet without a word and allowed me to remove his pants and boxer briefs. I pushed them away and stood up again.
Alessio stared at me curiously, his eyes darker than usual. “What are you doing?” he asked, wrapping his arms around me.
“You never give me a chance to take care of you. Let me do this,” I murmured before squeezing some soap in my palm.
Alessio opened his mouth to argue, but I shut him down with a quick kiss. He stared at me, dumbfounded, and I smiled, almost cheekily. I knew how to render him speechless.
I lathered up his body with soap, even going down to my knees to wash his legs. Alessio tried to stop me again, but I leveled him with a look before continuing with my task.
I pushed him under the shower head, letting the water cascade around us. Alessio stayed still for me while I washed him, rubbing my hands over his skin softly and with care. I entwined our fingers together and brought our hands up to my lips. After placing a kiss on the back of his hand, I washed myself.
Alessio stared at me with his intense blue eyes, his gaze never wavering. His whole attention was on me, and I reveled under his loving eyes.
When I was done, I stepped out and took the towel in my hand. Alessio followed closely behind me, and I dried him with the large towel. He was strangely silent as I took care of him.
He took the other towel and did the same thing for me. When I tried to stop him, he silenced me with a kiss. His bruising kiss left me hot and wanting.
My hands held his as I pulled us out of the bathroom. I pushed Alessio on the bed. His eyes widened slightly as he regarded me curiously. An eyebrow was raised in question, but he stayed silent.
No words. Only silence. Only us.
I climbed in bed beside him. When I laid down, he turned toward me, pulling me close.
His lips descended on mine, and we kissed. He licked along my lips, demanding access. I moaned, opening my mouth for his kiss. I shivered in anticipation, my body burning hotter as the seconds ticked by.
He pushed his tongue between my lips, seeking mine. My hands lifted to his head, my fingers wrapping his hair, pulling him closer.
We didn’t break the kiss as his hand whispered across my thigh, pushing my legs slightly apart. I gasped into his mouth, but Alessio just kissed me deeper.
My nails dug into his shoulders, a small moan escaping me. He groaned into the kiss, nipping softly at my tender lips.
When I felt his hand between my legs, caressing my inner thigh, his finger moving closer to my core, I broke the kiss. My heart hammered hard against my ribcage. My chest moved up and down faster with my harsh breathing.
Alessio’s lips moved to my neck as he continued kissing a downward path. He licked the
skin, nipping and biting softly, leaving his mark. A deep rumble echoed from his chest when my nails bit into his back.
Alessio’s thigh nudged my legs apart, and I licked my lips. He rolled on top of me, and my eyes fluttered shut. Alessio lowered his body over mine, his lower torso settling between my parted thighs.
I felt his hard length resting against my dripping core, and my eyes snapped open. His lips continued to trail wet kisses to my breast.
My hands went to his shoulders, and I pushed. “No.”
Alessio’s eyes immediately snapped open in shock. I pushed again, my voice coming out husky as I repeated my word. “No.”
His eyes flared in shock, disappointed and then disgusted. With himself.
Alessio swore, quickly moving his body off mine. “Fuck! Shit. I’m so sorry, Ayla. Fuck! I didn’t think. I shouldn’t have pushed you for more.”
Watching him beat himself up over a mistake that wasn’t even made, I felt my heart constrict. I shook my head and palmed his cheeks, bringing his attention back to me.
“No, that’s not what I meant. Stop beating yourself up when you did nothing wrong,” I soothed gently, moving my fingers over his rough stubble.
He opened his mouth to say something, but I pushed him flat on his back. Alessio snapped his mouth shut, swallowing hard several times. “What are you doing, Ayla?”
“Taking care of you,” I simply replied.
When I moved my body over his, his eyes widened in understanding. “You don’t…”
I kissed his lips soundly. My hands traveled down his stomach toward his hard cock. It laid hard and firm against his lower belly.
My fingers wrapped around his length. Alessio sucked in a hard breath, breaking the kiss in the process.
His eyes flared dangerously when my fingers tightened around him. “Ayla,” he groaned, and I smiled. I loved how I affected him so easily.
I stroked his hard length, watching Alessio, this heartless killer, coming undone with my touch.
His jaw was clenched, his breathing coming out harder and faster. I grew wet between my thighs, but I ignored the ache there.
A deep grunt escaped past his parted lips when my thumb moved over his tip. He was rigid as I continued to move my hands up and down, faster now. Alessio dragged in a strangled breath as I stroked his length.
I glanced down, watching my hand move over his swelling cock. I clenched my thighs together and licked my lips.
I worked him faster as his hips started to move with my hand. Alessio grabbed his fingers around my own, tightening my grip on his hardness. My eyes snapped to his, and I sucked in a harsh breath at the primal look he was giving me.
My breasts ached, my body vibrating with need under the intensity of his gaze.
“Like this,” he ordered roughly, moving our hands faster and harder. He released my hand and let me do the rest.
His hips jerked as he fucked my hand. My thumb swirled over the tip, coating it with Alessio’s pre-cum.
He groaned, becoming taut. I knew he was close. Leaning over him, I took his lips in a kiss. Alessio gripped my neck, biting on my lower lip before kissing me hard.
He stiffened beneath me and broke the kiss. Holding my gaze with his fiery blue eyes, Alessio came all over my hand and his stomach.
Feeling breathless, I looked down at the result, my eyes moving to my hand. Alessio bent down over the bed to retrieve the discarded towel.
He cleaned my hand, his cock, and his stomach before dropping the towel to the floor again. My heart was wild in my chest, my inner thighs wet from my excitement as I stared at my man.
I couldn’t stop looking at him. Alessio grabbed my knees and pulled me over him so I was straddling him. Smiling down at him, I leaned my forehead against his.
When I felt his hand slowly moving to my inner thigh, I jerked in surprise. He pushed a finger against my wet core, and I let out an unashamed moan.
Quickly giving myself a mental shake, I gripped his hand, stopping his movement. I removed his hand from my leg. Alessio looked at me in surprise, but I just kissed him.
“Only you tonight, Alessio,” I whispered against his lips. “Only you.”
I wanted to love him and take care of him. Tonight, Alessio needed me more than I needed him.
He needed my love, so I gave it to him freely.
Alessio’s eyes darkened possessively, and a low growl vibrated from his chest. When his lips made contact with mine, he showed me exactly who I belonged to.
I nipped at his lower lips, demanding control, and he gave it to me without question. He let me take and give whatever I wanted.
In return, I gave him everything.
With my kiss, I showed him how much I loved him. I made it so that he never questioned my love for him.
Chapter 24
My eyes fluttered open the next morning when I felt Alessio getting out of bed. He placed a quick kiss on my forehead before getting up. My eyes followed him quietly.
I usually woke up later in the day. But today, I wanted to spend the morning with Alessio.
My little princess kicked me hard in the side, almost like she was disapproving that we woke up so early. I rubbed my hand over my rounded belly, waiting for her to calm down.
My precious little princess.
I smiled at the thought. I couldn’t wait to meet her and spoil her. Love her the way she deserved. Give her all the love Alessio and I never had.
My baby would never live the life I did. I would fight tooth and nail if anyone opposed me.
But I knew no one would. As much as I loved her, I knew Alessio and everyone else loved her the same. She was everyone’s princess…the miracle everyone was waiting for but never realized they wanted.
She finally settled down when I walked to the bathroom. Opening the door, I walked in to see Alessio brushing his teeth. I stood beside him and did the same.
He was done before me. Alessio came to stand behind me. His arms wrapped around my hips in a hug, and he kissed my neck before leaving the bathroom. After washing my face and brushing my hair, I walked out to see Alessio putting his clothes on.
He already had his shirt and slacks on. I could see his back muscles bunching beneath his fitted dress shirt as he shrugged on his suit jacket.
I took the opportunity to look at him. When he turned around, Alessio gave me a crooked, sexy smile. His eyes were dark and fierce with power. I almost shivered at his intense stare.
Alessio was in his element. He exuded power and total control. His expression was hard. He almost looked terrifying as he walked toward me. His eyes, his steps, the way he held himself…everything spoke of dominance.
Alessio looked like the ruthless mafia Boss that he was.
Under his scrutinizing gaze, I grew bolder. More powerful. This man…he was mine.
When he came to a stop in front of me, his arm snaked out quickly. I gasped when he pulled me close. “Good morning,” he whispered roughly in my ear.
“Good morning,” I replied. He chuckled low, and my arms tightened around him. “Do you want to have breakfast with me?” I asked.
Alessio paused and pulled away. “I have things to take care of, Ayla,” he replied curtly. A look of pure fury appeared on his face, and I knew exactly what he meant.
Placing a hand over his chest, I rubbed softly. “Please.”
Alessio sighed, his shoulder dropping slightly. Just then, a knock came on the door. I smiled sheepishly. “That’s our breakfast.”
He shook his head, a small smile ghosting his lips. “Fine.”
I let out a squeal and gave him a quick peck before running to the door. Opening it wide, I smiled at the maid and took the tray from her hand. “Thank you,” I said before closing the door.
I placed the tray on the coffee table and waited for Alessio to take his seat. He pulled me to his lap, and I settled sideways against his chest.
Alessio picked up a piece of toast and held it to my lips, waiting for me to take the first bite. I di
d, and then I fed him.
We fed each other like we had done before. When the tray was empty, Alessio placed a kiss on my temple. “I need to go.”
I nodded reluctantly. “What are you going to do?” I asked quietly.
Without answering, Alessio picked me up and walked to the bed. He placed me under the cover and pulled the comforter to my neck. After tucking me in, he kissed my forehead and then lips.
“I’m going to end it today. I am going to fucking end everything,” he said roughly against my lips.
His words left goosebumps across my skin. I almost trembled at his tone. With those words, he gave me a final glance before walking away.
I closed my eyes, releasing the long breath I didn’t realize I was holding.
This was it. The ending Alessio had been waiting for. The ending I was desperate for.
Closing my eyes, I waited for my man to come back.
After he was done slaughtering his enemies. Our enemies.
***
Alessio
I walked downstairs to see Viktor and Nikolay waiting for me at the landing. Their faces were pensive, but I knew they were waiting for the same thing as me.
Nodding in their direction, I made my way to the basement. They followed closely behind.
“They lost too much blood,” Viktor said, coming beside me.
“It doesn’t matter,” I snapped. My mind raged at the thought of them dying. I wanted to torture them more. I wanted them to bleed and hurt more.
“It’s not like they will be alive by the end of the day,” I finished with a dark laugh. Viktor shook his head, but I didn’t miss the sinister smile that appeared on his face.
Nikolay was stoic as always, but I could feel his edginess. We all couldn’t wait for those bastards to stop breathing.
I would make sure to end their lives as painfully as I could, because they didn’t deserve anything less.
My steps echoed around the silent walls as I walked into the basement. Phoenix and Nina were there, standing over the limp bodies.
