Total pages in book: 159
Estimated words: 151304 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 757(@200wpm)___ 605(@250wpm)___ 504(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 151304 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 757(@200wpm)___ 605(@250wpm)___ 504(@300wpm)
And my gut sank, because after what I just witnessed, there was every possibility he was.
12
Nastasia
Troubled by what occurred the day before, I found myself at my uncle’s door the very next morning. Nicolas let me in, and the moment Laredo took in my tired expression, he stood and opened his arms to me. I didn’t want to be that girl, but damn, I needed the comfort. And so, I stepped into his waiting arms and allowed myself to be held.
Last night, Vik found me in my room, sitting up in my bed, waiting, and he undressed easily. I pulled up the covers, and under he slipped. He held me all night, and my mother kept her distance. She usually did when Vik was around. Perhaps it was because he consumed me in every which way. When Vik was close, it was impossible to think of anything other than the man himself. He overrode my thoughts. A usually annoying peculiarity that just happened to come in handy the past few days. As per the current routine, I woke alone, but I woke rested.
“Is he here?” I asked my uncle quietly, and I didn’t need to elaborate. He pulled back to look down at me, and when he shook his head, I closed my eyes and uttered, “I didn’t know.” I blinked up at him. “He has to know that, right?”
Uncle Laredo’s brows pulled down. “Of course he does, sweet girl. Philippe doesn’t blame anyone for what happened more than he blames himself.” He shot me a sad smile. “It’s been a rough year for him.”
Well, that sure as shit didn’t make me feel any better.
“Where is he?”
“I don’t know.”
I stared, incredulous. “If you knew, would you tell me?”
My uncle smiled gently at my ability to see through his bullshit. “He wishes to be alone. To take some time to help his brother. I’ve allowed it.” Laredo cupped my cheek. “I protect my boys, sweetheart.”
My stomach twisted, because although he may not have meant it as a stab, it definitely felt like one toward Sasha. Worse than that, my brother deserved it.
Fair enough.
I half rolled my eyes. “What about the other one?”
My uncle’s smile lifted. “Now, he is in his room. You’re welcome to wake him up.”
With a quick kiss to his cheek, I move down the long hall, and when I got to his room, I opened the door just a sliver. The room was pitch-black and smelled of his aftershave. I called out quietly, “Alessio?” After all, he was a grown man, and he could’ve been doing grown man things in that room. I didn’t want to catch him unawares. “Les?”
No response.
Was he even in here?
I pushed the door a little, allowing some of the light from the hall to penetrate. Under the silken navy covers, the shape of him was clear, and when I was sure he was decent, I tiptoed into the room, stood by his bed, and smiled down at his scarred, sleeping face.
He looked so peaceful.
Oh well.
Spreading my wings, I threw my arms out at my sides and flew. My body connected with his. At the moment of impact, he doubled over in pain, pushing me off, and let out a long, wheezed, “Oh fuck, my nuts!”
While I rolled onto the free side of his bed, I rested my cheek on my upturned hand and said sweetly, “Good morning.”
Oh my. If looks could kill.
I laughed in complete silence.
Alessio glared at me with tired eyes before throwing his head back onto the pillow and groaning, “You bitch.” He cupped himself through the sheets. “Ah, my dick.”
Okay, so I did feel bad. Not enough to not taunt him though. “I’ll bet Cora would rub it better.”
“Nas,” he growled in warning, and I lifted both my hands in the air in apology. As he half panted, I watched his eyes narrow on me. “What are you doing here? It’s too fucking early.”
A scoff ripped out of my throat. “It’s 11:00 a.m., sir. Get your tight butt out of bed and take me out for coffee.”
“What?” he uttered, and his entire body stilled. His eyes darted around, and his lip curled. Cautiously, he enquired, “Like a date?”
“Ew.” I tasted sick in my mouth and visibly recoiled. “We’re cousins, dude.”
Alessio seemed a little offended at my disgust. “Twice removed. Through adoption. Not by blood.”
I couldn’t help the strained chuckle that escaped me as I drew out the question. “Wait. Are you offended? Do you want me to want to date you?”
“Jesus, no.” He glowered at me, and I wouldn’t have believed it if I didn’t see it, but his cheeks turned pink.
What kind of friend would I be if I didn’t mess with him a little?
“I can pretend, if you want me to,” I went on, my body shaking with merriment. “Hold your hand and all.”