The Mafia And His Angel by Lylah James

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter 12

 

 

Alessio

 

“Boss, we got her in her basement,” Phoenix said breathlessly through the phone. I felt the side of my lips tilt upward at the news.

Let’s see if you can run away from the truth now, kitten.

“I’m coming,” I snapped and then hung up. Throwing on my suit jacket, I fixed my tie and then opened my drawer to take out my black leather gloves.

I always wore them when we had a problem in the basement, just in case I had to get my hands dirty.

Closing the drawer with a bang, I swiftly walked out of my office. Each step I took, I let the anger inside of me build again. It consumed me, and all I saw was red for my betrayer.

My blood roared in my temples and I could feel the veins throbbing. I grasped on the fierce rage inside me and pulled, hard.

My body tensed, my muscles locking as I stomped through the dark corridor. The cold air crackled with my hot fury, and only my footsteps sounded off the walls as the frigid atmosphere became deadly. It sang to me and my body fed on the scent of death.

I wanted to squeeze the life out of someone. I wanted to see the life leaving my traitor’s eyes until there was nothing left, just another corpse.

The monster inside of me was raging, begging to be unleashed. I had kept him in for too long and it was time to let him free. And so I did.

As I drew closer to the door, I saw Phoenix and Artur. I pushed the black wooden door open with such force that it banged hard against the wall.

Inside, Ayla had been strapped to the wooden chair. She was folded into herself, sobbing and begging to be released. Her eyes widened at the sight of me and she cowered, terrified.

My monster laughed and fed on it. He wanted more.

Keeping my eyes fixed on the frightened kitten, I walked straight up to her, stopping only an inch from her chair. I bent down until we were eye level and she whimpered. Perfect. Just the way I wanted her.

She flinched and pushed back, trying to escape from my cold, angry stare.

She stared at me for a few seconds, her mouth gaping as silent tears streamed down her round, rosy cheeks. Her eyes were red and puffy from crying, and at the sight of her vulnerable face, my heart constricted. Just a little, but it was enough to weaken my resolve.

The monster roared, furious at my show of weakness. He clawed inside me and a blinding rage encompassed me again.

There was no room for weakness in my life. My heart was cold and lifeless, and it had no right to feel. I did not want to feel anything but anger.

I grabbed her chin in my hand, my fingers digging hard into her cheeks. She moaned in pain and thrashed against my hold.

“Please,” she mumbled, her face turning red.

“Why the fuck are you spying for the Italian?” I growled, my voice hard.

She stopped struggling for a moment, seeming surprised, a reaction I hadn’t expected. After a few seconds of silence, she shook her head and then started crying again, whispering no over and over.

“Please no. No. I’m not spying. Please. No. No,” she said in a rush, shaking her head left and right, her hair covering her sweaty face in the process.

I expected that answer. Who would be stupid enough to accept their betrayal? They would lie until there was nothing left to lie for. Only when they saw their life flashing before their eyes, just before their last breath left their body, only then would they tell the truth.

Letting go of her cheek, I moved my hand downward, prolonging the suspense before grabbing her neck firmly in my hand and squeezing. She choked, sputtered, and flailed, but she couldn’t escape my unyielding grip.

Her cheeks puffed and she emitted a gurgling sound. When I saw her starting to lose consciousness, I let go of her neck. Her head rolled back and she panted. Ayla tried to take a deep breath, but she struggled with it.

Gasping and moaning in pain, she begged again. “Plea…pleas…please. Believe me…” She coughed violently, her chest heaving, drool running down her chin. She shook with wild tremors.

“I’m…te…tell…telling…the…tr…truth.” Ayla sobbed. “I…did…I didn’t do…any…didn’t do…anything.”

“Don’t fucking lie to me.” My voice boomed in the sterile, frigid room.

Shaking her head again, Ayla looked me straight in the eyes. “Please, Alessio. I didn’t do it. I don’t know what you’re talking about.” She coughed again, then took a deep breath in, wincing in pain. “Believe me, please. Please, Alessio. I didn’t spy on you. Alessio, please believe me.” She kept repeating it over and over again, every word growing fainter as she began to lose her resolve.

Her body fell limp against the chair, and she could barely keep her eyes open.

Growling, I raked a hand through my hair. What if she is innocent?Could it be?

Is it worth torturing someone who could be innocent?The nagging voice in my head persisted.

My monster argued. He roared. He wanted death. Kill. Kill. Kill.

She could be the traitor. Don’t let her go.

Confused, I turned my back to Ayla. I couldn’t look at her anymore. Her tears. Her pain. Her vulnerability. The begging. Her voice as she said my name. She made me weak.

It made my heart do a strange thing. It made me…feel.

A sudden pain went through my chest and I hated it.

What’s happening to me?

For the first time in my life, I fought against my monster. He wanted to be free, but I pulled him back inside. He fought and roared, but I continued fighting.

Why was I fighting for her?

Looking up, I saw Artur and Phoenix looking at me strangely, their eyes questioning. I glared and bared my teeth at them angrily. Both of them quickly averted their gazes, their faces becoming a mask of impassiveness.

Standing up straighter, I didn’t turn around, refusing to look at Ayla. I took a deep breath and walked toward the door. Artur and Phoenix followed me outside and the door closed behind us.

“Keep her here and keep questioning her. She will eventually break down.”

“Yes, Boss,” Phoenix said.

I took a step forward, but then stopped. Turning around, I faced my men and growled in a deadly tone. “No one lays a hand on her.”

If anyone dared to go against my order, then they would die. Both Phoenix and Artur seemed surprised, but then nodded.

My order took me by surprise too. I didn’t know where it came from, but all I knew was that I didn’t want anyone touching mykitten. That admission shocked me too.

Without sparing them another glance, I walked away, my stomach in knots. I still felt angry at myself for the weakness I had shown.

And then I was angry at Ayla.

I didn’t have my answers yet. I wanted to believe her, but could I really? My empire was at stake and she was a possible suspect. It didn’t matter what I felt for her, or why her pain was my pain. I still had to get answers, and it didn’t matter whether I played fair or not.

Slowly, I felt my aching heart return to its unfeeling state. In my bedroom, I took a deep breath and stared at the wall, letting the coldness seep back into my body.

She wouldn’t make me weak. I wouldn’t let her.

 

***

 

Ayla

 

I didn’t know how long they kept me there, and I wasn’t sure whether it was day or night. All I knew was that I wanted the pain to end. I couldn’t take it anymore. My head pounded and my body felt weak.

My wrists were aching, and every time the rope pressed against my sensitive skin, I whimpered in pain. The skin was scratched raw and I’d been bleeding from my struggles.

“What information did you give the bastards?” Viktor asked again. Viktor, Nikolay, and Phoenix took turns interrogating me, and I was beginning to notice they were exasperated by my answers.

“I didn’t do it,” I said.

Why would I support monsters like Alberto and my father? I loathed them. But Alessio and his men didn’t know that, because I hadn’t revealed the truth.

My life was already in jeopardy. Admitting I was the daughter of Alfredo and the fiancée of Alberto wouldn’t help me.

The truth would put me in more danger. I was Italian and their enemy, so they would never believe me.

No matter how much I begged and sobbed, they wouldn’t listen. They refused to let me go. “Ayla, damn it! Lying is not going to get you out of here!” Nikolay yelled as he paced the room.

Neither will the truth, I thought as I cried.

Sucking in a deep breath, I winced at my dry throat. “Please…Viktor, Nikolay. I didn’t do it. Believe me. I don’t know anything,” I whispered, my voice scratchy from hours of crying. I could barely even talk from the constant throbbing pain in my throat.

Nikolay stopped pacing and stared at me, his eyes full of pity. I shifted my gaze to Viktor and saw that he was looking at me with the same sympathy.

I knew I was slowly weakening them. They wanted to believe me. They seemed almost convinced that I hadn’t done it. I just didn’t know how much longer I could stay strong. All I wanted was to go back to my bed and cuddle into my soft covers, forgetting about this nightmare.

We were still staring at each other in silence when suddenly the door opened. I blinked several times, trying to get rid of the fog in my eyes. I felt my heart stutter in panic when Alessio walked in.

He wore his regular three-piece black suit. His hands were bare—no black leather gloves. Alessio stared at me for a few seconds, his eyes blank.

He stayed at the door and crossed his arms over his chest. Looking at Viktor, he gave him a nod. My eyebrows furrowed in confusion when Viktor got up and came closer to me. Fear clawed its way inside me.

A few seconds later, I felt his hands on the rope. There were a few tugs and I winced at the discomfort and pain.

Then my hands were free.

They believe me? I didn’t know what to do or how to act. Was I being released, or were they going to torture me some more?

“Get up,” Alessio ordered in a gruff voice. I quickly did as I was told and cradled my wounded hands against my chest.

“Go to your bedroom. You are free,” he said in the same emotionless voice. I sucked in a harsh breath, stumbling back against a hard chest. I didn’t have to turn around. I knew it was Viktor.

He grasped my shoulders and held me up until my weak legs could support me. I shook so bad that if it hadn’t been for Viktor, I would have been on the floor.

“Can you walk?” he asked, his voice strangely soft, as if he was talking to a wounded animal.

I nodded and he let me go. I stumbled forward and slowly walked toward Alessio, my legs heavy. My eyes stayed focused on him as I made my way to the door. He didn’t move or say anything as he continued to stare at me.

When I walked through the door, Alessio’s cold voice stopped me dead in my tracks.

“Don’t even think of escaping.”

I didn’t look at him when I nodded. Escaping didn’t even pass through my mind. I knew I couldn’t escape. There was no point.

His men would just catch me, and in the end, I would have to pay for my defiance. I had no desire to come back to this basement or to feel Alessio’s wrath.

I would live my life as a quiet maid and try to become as invisible as possible.

I heard Artur’s voice. “Boss, why are you—”

Alessio lifted his palm, silencing him. My shoulders sagged and I wanted to cry in relief.

I followed Phoenix as he led the way. We climbed the stairs, bringing us to the main level. I couldn’t see anyone and the house was completely silent.

“What time is it?” I asked nervously.

“Two-thirty in the morning,” Phoenix replied.

My steps faltered. Almost seventeen hours. I had been in that basement for almost seventeen hours.

“Are you coming or not?” he asked when I stopped. Nodding, I followed him to the stairs as he led me to my room.

“Go take a shower and sleep,” he said.

“Thank you,” I whispered, looking down as I hid my tears from him.

I walked inside and he closed the door behind me. Blindly looking for the light switch, I turned it on and the room was instantly illuminated in light.

I was tired, weak, hungry, sleepy, and numb. All I wanted to do was sleep and never wake up.

Quickly shedding my clothes, I got into the shower. The warm water cascaded around me and I felt the warmth cover my cold body. My teeth chattered as I washed myself. Silent tears streamed down my cheeks. Tears of relief. I sank on the shower floor and cried while letting the warm water fall over my weak body. I didn’t know how long I stayed in the shower, but when my body felt fully warmed and my tears had finally dried, I got up and walked out.

After putting my black pajamas on, I felt myself smile. I would sleep and forget everything. But that smile turned into a gasp of horror when I saw Alessio sitting on my bed. Staggering back, I curled into myself, fear spreading through my body.

He hastily got up from the bed when he saw me cowering behind the door. “Shhh, don’t be scared. I’m not here to hurt you. I’m not going to hurt you.”

My eyes widened in surprise at his tone, which was gentle and soft.

I have lost my mind. I must be dreaming.

I shook my head and sputtered. “You…you…I…”

My head grew dizzy when I saw him giving me a sweet smile. My legs gave out, but before I could fall on the floor, he rushed forward and grabbed onto my arms, pulling me into him. He cradled me to his chest, and I instinctively wrapped my arms around his neck and held on, scared he would let me go.

“It’s okay. I got you,” he whispered, walking to my bed and gently placing me down.

He sat on the mattress, and that was when I noticed the first aid kit on the bed. Alessio pulled it onto his lap and removed some bandages and a bag of antiseptic wipes. He looked up and our gazes met. I froze when I saw his eyes glistening with emotion.

Leaning forward, Alessio gently grabbed my hands and placed them on his knees. He took the wipes out of the packet and gently rubbed my raw wrists. I hissed and he quickly mumbled, “Sorry.”

Did he really say that?

Bending down, he blew on my wrists and continued cleaning the small wound. It stung, but with him gently blowing on the burning skin, the pain slowly started to diminish.

My eyes were closed when he wrapped the bandages around my wrists.

“There. All done,” he whispered, slowly rubbing his finger on the bandage.

I opened my eyes and stared at him. Why was he doing this? My heart stuttered when he brought my wrists up and placed a single kiss on each of them. My mouth hung open. This wasn’t actually happening, right? “I’m sorry, Ayla,” Alessio said against my wrist. I stopped breathing for a second. He apologized to me. The Russian mafia boss, Alessio Ivanshov, a man who probably never uttered the wordsorryto anyone, had just apologized to me.

I was in a state of shock. My heart was beating wildly in my chest and I fought to breathe. He looked up at me and my body started to warm up under his soft gaze.

This is not possible. Alessio couldn’t be sitting in front of me right now and apologizing. He couldn’t be this…gentle.

“I shouldn’t have treated you like that. I can’t apologize enough. But please know that I am so very sorry,” he continued as he placed my hands on his knees again. Bringing his hand up to my face, he moved my hair behind my ears, letting his fingers linger on my cheek. “I believe you,” Alessio added.

I gasped, then gulped hard, and continued to stare at him, my eyes wide. I didn’t say anything. I couldn’t.

“Please forgive me for my horrible actions. This won’t happen again. You are safe here. Nobody will ever mistreat you again,” he muttered, his voice a little rough but still gentle.

He stared at me for a few more seconds, his blue eyes twinkling with something I couldn’t quite pinpoint. Alessio was always rude, arrogant, mean, vulgar, and menacing.

But this side of Alessio was strange, and against my own resolve, my heart did a flip. His kindness and softness was unnatural, but my heart grasped onto it and held it tight.

For a man like him to apologize, it meant something, right?

Suddenly, he drew away, but then his lips tilted upward in a small smile. “There’s food here.” He nodded toward my nightstand where a tray of food sat.

I looked back at him when he continued. “Please eat. You must be feeling weak. I will tell Lena that you are not going to work tomorrow. You need rest.”

I nodded, still looking into his eyes, trying to find any sign of deception or trickery. But I only saw honest feelings. He really did feel guilty.

Still confused at the new turn of events, I stayed speechless. Alessio sighed when I didn’t say anything. Moving away, he stood up and stared down at me.

“Goodnight,” he said in the same smooth voice.

His expression was sad and dejected. Almost mournful.

My heart constricted and my eyebrows furrowed in confusion. Why was I feeling sad for him? He deserved to feel the guilt and sorrow over causing me unnecessary pain. But why did I feel bad for him?

As I tried to understand my own feelings over this whole ordeal, he gave me a final look and turned around. Without saying anything else, Alessio walked out of my bedroom and closed the door behind him.

I was left on my bed, speechless and confused.

Who was this new Alessio?