Possess Me by Michelle Heard

 

Chapter 46

 

Everleigh

 

Alek has been constantly asking when we’re moving in with him. The man doesn’t understand it takes time to pack up an entire life.

Of course, he’s offered to bring men over to help, but that’s where I put my foot down. This is something I want to do myself.

During the day, I go to work, and at night we pack a couple of boxes. It’s become our routine.

I like taking my time, that way, I can get used to the idea of living with Alek.

Sitting behind the counter in the bookstore, I listen to Vincent talking to his cars while I place an order for new books. One of those books is The Art of War by Sun Tsu.

I want to read it and see why Alexei loves it so much.

My thoughts turn to the BBQ, and I must admit, I enjoyed it a lot. And Rosalie was right. Everyone seemed pretty normal.

I don’t know what I expected. Maybe guns and men smoking cigars while plotting the end of the world?

I let out a bark of laughter. What a stupid thought.

Anyway, I’m really impressed with Isabella and Ariana. I think what they do is amazing.

I didn’t talk much with Luca or Demitri. I’m a little wary of Luca and Viktor because of the titles they hold, and Demitri is just a quiet person.

When the doorbell jingles, I expect to see Alek and glance up with a wide smile.

My face freezes at the sight of Barry.

The bastard isn’t welcome in my store after he hurt April.

“Afternoon.” He smiles, and I see the creep he is right through his fake smile.

Standing up from my chair behind the counter, I move a little closer to Vincent’s corner. “Please leave. You’re not welcome in my store.”

Only then do I remember the panic button Alek gave me, and I quickly grab my keys.

“Hey now,” Barry says, his hands in the universal sign for ‘I come in peace.’ “That’s no way to talk to a customer.”

“You’re not my customer,” I say, my tone tight. “Leave.”

Instead of respecting my wishes, Barry saunters closer. “You’re being very rude.”

“And you’re an abusive asshole. I know you prowl up and down the street, bothering all the women.”

He lets out a burst of incredulous laughter. “Wow. A nice guy shows you some attention, and you make a big deal out of it. You’re all kinds of crazy, lady.”

He moves closer again, and just then, Vincent comes barreling around the aisle of books. “Is Daddy here?” His expression turns from excited to cautious.

Barry takes a step toward my son, and I hiss, “Stay away from us.”

The doorbell jingles and my eyes flick to Alek as he enters. There’s a thunderous expression on his face. Honestly, he looks a little unhinged.

Peter is right behind Alek.

Alek walks to Vincent, and picking our son up, he places him in my arms. “Someone want to tell me what’s going on here? From outside, it looked a little heated.”

“Barry was just leaving,” I mutter, scowling at the creep.

Barry looks at Alek, and when he daringly raises his chin, my stomach tightens.

Oh no.

“I’m talking to the lovely lady,” Barry says to Alek. “Mind your own business.”

My man’s eyebrow lifts, and his eyes narrow. “I am minding my business. You’re talking to my wife.”

Barry lets out a bark of laughter. “Nice try. She told me she’s a widow.” His eyes flick to me. “Unless you lied to me.”

“I’m back from the dead, fucker,” Alek growls.

I glance at Alek and explain, “He came in a week or two ago asking me on a date, and I kept saying no. Then I found out he went on a date with April from the coffee shop, and when she wouldn’t sleep with him, he gave her a black eye and a busted lip. He’s apparently been up and down the street, chatting up all the women.”

“Hey now,” Barry chuckles. “Don’t go spreading more lies.”

Alek moves so fast that I let out a startled shriek when his fist connects with Barry’s nose. Not even a second passes before he punches Barry again.

Peter stops Barry from falling backward, then Alek orders, “Take him outside.”

Alek glances at Vincent and me. “Stay here.”

I watch as the three men leave. They cross the street, but then they disappear behind the G-Wagon. I hold my breath until I see Alek walking back to us while he tucks something behind his back and adjusts his jacket.

When he enters the bookstore, he stalks toward us and wraps his arm around us.

I smell gunpowder, and my eyes widen.

When he pulls back and sees the shock on my face, he takes Vincent from my arms and sets him on his feet. “Go to your corner, buddy. I just want to talk to Mommy, then I’ll come to play with you.”

“Okay, Daddy.”

Vincent runs off, and Alek tilts his head to catch my eyes. “Are you okay, moya malen'kaya lyubov'?”

I nod a couple of times before focusing on his concerned face. “Did you shoot Barry?” I whisper so Vincent won’t hear.

Alek lifts his hands, and when he frames my face, I smell the gunpowder again.

“Don’t worry about the fucker. He won’t bother you again.”

I widen my eyes at Alek. “You can’t just shoot people!”

“The fuck I can’t,” he snaps. “No one insults and harasses my wife. No one.”

His wife. Alek keeps calling me that.

That’s not what you should focus on!

“Still, you can’t go around killing people,” I argue. “It’s not right.”

“In my world, it is, Everleigh. It’s my priority to keep you and Vincent safe. If it means I have to kill half the people on this planet, then I’ll do it.”

Don’t you dare freaking swoon, Everleigh.

I stare at Alek, and seeing he’s dead serious, I know I’m not going to win this argument.

We stare at each other for a moment before he leans down and presses a tender kiss to my mouth. When he lifts his head, he whispers, “I will never allow anyone to hurt you again. Give me the freedom to protect you the only way I know how.”

This is who Alek is and who he will always be.

He comes from a world of violence, which I have experienced firsthand.

There’s no telling what Barry would’ve done if Alek didn’t stop him. Down the road, he could’ve become an abusive husband or a freaking serial killer. He could’ve been one of the bratva’s enemies.

I can’t trust people will do the good thing. Not in our world.

“Okay,” I whisper.

“We’re good?” Alek asks.

“Yeah, we’re good.”

He leans down again, and this time, he kisses me until I’m a breathless mess wishing we were at home so we could take this further.

When he breaks the kiss, he stares deep into my eyes. “I wanted to plan something romantic, but that’s a thing of the past.”

Confused by his words, I watch as he pulls a little black velvet bag out of his pocket. My eyes widen when he drops a ring into the palm of his hand.

“This is the tracking device,” Alek explains, and taking hold of my left hand, he pushes a massive diamond onto my ring finger.

His thumb brushes over the ring. “Hopefully, this will keep the men away.”

I let out a chuckle. “So I just have to pretend I’m married to you?”

Alek’s eyes flick to mine. “There’s no pretending, moya malen'kaya lyubov'. You are mine, and I am yours. Forever and always. We’ll make it legal once I have my mother settled in the US.”

“I want a romantic wedding,” I demand.

The corners of his mouth lift. “Okay.”