Chapter 12

I am really starting to dislike your brother.

***Andy***

 

I grab my brother’s arm and pull him to the side. Afon is talking to Ford and Tarzan so it’s a good moment to ask if he’s doing what I think he’s doing. “You’re not going through with what Fausto suggested, are you?”

His gaze hardens and he pulls away from my grip. “This doesn’t concern you anymore, sis.”

This doesn’t…my eyes narrow while my blood boils. “That was your plan all along, right? Run Buca Di Volpe all on your own without me butting in. Shove out the pesky woman so you can run it with the hard hand like our father used to do.”

Ricca’s upper lip twitches. “Afon,” Ricca snaps loud enough to draw everyone’s attention. “Explain why we both signed the contract.”

Afon’s hands fist at his sides and I know very well he’s got dual emotions. Though it was an asshole alpha move, Afon’s motivation was based on the connection we had the first time we met. I didn’t even know what it was back then, but I also was very aware he made my body spark with something I never felt before. But the all business, lay it out because she needs the finer details, is a dick move that only my asshole brother can pull off.

“No. That’s not necessary because I know all of Afon’s motivation. Except…his bottom line warms my heart but yours, brother…yours makes my blood run cold.” I step away and come to a stand next to Afon.

Who instinctively wraps his arm around my waist to pull me closer. The fact that he doesn’t utter one single word also tells me he has my back. And it’s then I also realize that there’s no other man that could be more perfect. He doesn’t fight my battles, nor does he let me fight them alone. He’s right there next to me.

Ricca’s phone beeps with an incoming message. He glances down and gives me a smirk. “Too late now, sis.”

“You fucking asshole. I hate you,” I seethe.

“What the fuck is going on?” Tarzan snaps.

I point my finger in the direction of my asshole brother. “That fucker just took Chiara, Esposito’s daughter, hostage.”

“You did what?” Tarzan’s voice makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end.

“It’s nothing. Chiara won’t be touched. Fausto, Arminio, and Ernesto know how to follow orders.” He connects his gaze with mine. “They’re aware. Have a little trust, sis.”

“Have a little…you fucking asshole.” Afon’s fingers tighten, pulling me closer against him.

“Enough.” The single word bounces off the walls, making everyone snap their head toward Ford.

“Like I said, together we’ll end that shit. This clearly took place before we had our little talk, so we’ll handle it. I’m sorry to say that now that it’s done we can’t let her go.” Ford holds out his hand toward his wife who’s clearly ready to throw around some words. “Not done, you’ll have your say in a bit. Now, as I said, we can’t let her go because Esposito will retaliate anyway, yet now we still have leverage. She won’t be harmed in any way. You got that, fucker?”

Ricca nods. “I already took care of it, they have their orders. But I’ll get home and make fucking sure myself, okay?”

“Yeah, you do that. But I’ll be on your doorstep early tomorrow morning to make sure myself,” Tarzan answers my brother.

“Okay, folks. Let’s call it a fucking night. We all need to cool down and get some sleep. We’ll meet at Ricca’s house later tomorrow and talk things through,” Ford says and guides his wife toward the door.

Except Tarzan is rooted to the ground, her arms crossed in front of her chest and a full-on glare aimed at my brother.

His upper lip twitches, a sign of pure anger and annoyance. “Tomorrow,” he snaps and stalks out of the room.

“You know…I am really starting to dislike your brother,” Tarzan mutters.

“Yeah, well…you and me both,” I tell her.

I still can’t believe he did that. First, he broke his promise to me that he would never push me toward an arranged marriage, and for him to take a woman hostage? Especially after what happened to me? I’m starting to think I don’t even know who the hell my own brother is anymore.

“Come on, anima mia. Let’s grab something to eat, a glass of wine, and then we’ll take a shower and slide into bed.” Afon’s voice rips me from staring at the door my brother just went through.

And I now realize Ford and Tarzan as well because they aren’t in the room with us anymore.

“We’ve got two new guys outside keeping watch and I’ve set the alarm. I’ll put something in the oven before I take Dozor out of his room for a walk. That way I won’t have to get up early tomorrow morning.” Afon steps forward but I grab his wrist.

“Do you mind if I come with? I would like to get some fresh air too.” His face lights up due to my words, giving me a lift of his chin in agreement.

Afon jogs up the stairs to get Dozor and when he walks back into the room, he’s brought one of his coats for me to keep warm. He laces his fingers with mine as we walk into his large garden. Even with the moonlight the large garden is a sight to behold.

A wide stone path leads through the grass where on the left is a wide space of flowers that are growing wild against the large stone wall that surrounds the property. Dozor runs off until we see him stop abruptly. A squeaking sound emerges as Dozor comes running back to us. Dozor throws a bright yellow screaming chicken in front of Afon’s feet.

Afon reaches for it but Dozor snatches it away, only to throw it back the next instant. I watch it go on like that four more times before Afon curses and gives up. A giggle escapes me, making Afon glare at me in return.

“Dozor, sit,” I tell the huge dog and his ass hits the grass the next instant. “Stay,” I tell him and I snatch up the toy that’s covered with slime.

I hand it over to Afon with a shrug. “I can’t throw for shit unless it’s a knife.”

A proud smile tugs his lips before he throws the toy, making Dozor dash off into the night. It turns into a repeated action until Dozor plops down and refuses to hand over the toy.

“Come on, big man, let’s go inside,” Afon says, making Dozor trod off into the house. “Why don’t you go upstairs? I’ll grab us some snacks and a bottle of wine.”

For the first time in all those days I’ve spent in his bed I’m actually nervous. It’s crazy, I know, considering Afon wouldn’t hurt or pressure me in any way. A gentle push in the right direction though? Yes. Although for some his fingers wrapped around my throat won’t be viewed as a gentle push.

He leans in and brushes his lips over mine. “Stop thinking, Andy. Take a shower and get into bed. We’ll talk with some TV on in the background and then we’ll sleep. Nothing more. Okay?”

“Okay,” I reply and dammit, just that soft kiss was enough to make my heart skip a beat.

Before I lose my mind and wrap my fingers in his shirt to kiss him silly, I rush toward the stairs without looking back, hearing Afon’s chuckle following behind me. Dammit. Sounds like he knows for damn sure what he does to me.

He keeps surprising me at the moments when the crucial things matter. In a world that’s lead by men, it’s he who gives me a place next to him. I know Tarzan had everything to do with this, and yet I know for sure he wasn’t ever like this for her. What we have is completely different.

The heat of the shower is a welcome relief in washing away all the emotions from the past few hours. Seeing a scene like the one on Afon’s doorstep isn’t your everyday business. I’ve created bloodbaths myself, killing without remorse for the sake of survival, but it never gets any easier. It’s not like I’m a sobbing mess, but it does take me a moment to shrug it off.

The same goes for Afon, knowing very well Jakov was his friend. In this life you know how easy life can slip away. It never gets easy losing a loved one, friends, soldiers, people around you who are in some way connected. It takes a piece of your heart that will never heal.

When I emerge from the bathroom in a large ruby red nightgown, I see Afon already on the bed underneath the covers. A drop of water still trailing down his shoulder here and there. He must have used the shower in the bathroom across the hallway. From the nightstand he grabs two glasses of wine and hands me one after I slide beneath the sheets.

“Just one, we need to be at the meeting bright and early. I know Ford said later tomorrow, but he always says that shit and then we get a text to meet him at nine. I’d like to handle some other stuff first.” Afon takes a sip and places his glass back on the table, his head now resting against the headboard and his eyes closed.

“I’m sorry about Jakov,” I whisper.

Without saying anything he just strokes his hand along my back. Placing my wine next to his without taking a sip, I snuggle against him and close my eyes, already drifting off to the sound of his heartbeat.