I just snap my lips shut, throw Alexi my most venomous look and slide across the seat in an attempt to
claw back some dignity, crossing my arms once more and moving away so he won’t touch me, and to
show him how pissed off I am. Alexi slides in, slaps my thigh a little saucily and nudges me over with
his shoulder and hip so he can have more room. His grey eyes fixing on mine, light and cloudless,
which suggests he really isn’t in a combative mode at all. He looks annoyingly chilled.
“Rude!” I snap, annoyed that he bodily moved me while smirking like a smug dickhead at his own
hilarities. Nothing about this is funny. His manhandling, his manner, his fucking annoyingly happy and
jokey mood. He has plenty to be sorry for.
Abduction, assault, imprisonment, all very good reasons for me to be pissed off at him.
“Yeah but I’m sexy, so I get away with it.” He really is on some weird happy sarcastic mood kick. I look
to the ceiling for strength and exhale noisily.
“What is wrong with you? Why are you being so … ugh.” I give up. I’m in a strange place between
tearful, afraid and seething mad and can’t seem to figure out what to do with all of that. It just has me
tired. Prickly, caged in and lashing out like a terrified cat in a cage.
“Happy? Non-argumentative?” He smiles with that devilish twinkle in his eye and throws his arm across
the back of the seat as we get shut inside, so he circles my shoulders. Closing in on me like prey he’s
about to devour.
“Prickish,” I retort coldly.
“Because I woke up this morning and realised, I get to torment the shit out of you every single day for
the rest of your life, and you signed up for it.”
If that’s what you call it? Ownership and abuse.
That cheeky smirk turns into a full-on grin with his arrogant cockiness at the fact I’m now tethered to
this arsehole until I divorce him or die trying. I can already tell he’s going to be unbearable. In his head,
I probably just need sleep, time, indulgence, to get over my mood and we can live happily ever after in
our forced marriage.
“You know people get married to love and cherish each other for life, not see it as an excuse to deliver
emotional and mental torture to the one stuck with them.” The truth in my words sting, and I have to
close my eyes again to control the waterfall waiting to tumble out.
“Yeah, but you married me.” A wink this time, which pulls an eye roll and a grimace out of me. I’m not
impressed with this man; from the moment I opened my eyes, and it’s getting worse by the minute.
Nothing he can say or do will help.
“God help me. We need to get a divorce; I already hate you and it’s only been one morning.”
“It’s against my religion, looks like it’s till death do us part.” He scoops my hand in his and surrounds
my fingers with his snugly, pulling my hand onto his lap and cradles it there. I don’t stop him. Wishing
the normal soothing warmth his touch gives me was present, but it’s not. I just stiffen, let my hand go
slack and don’t react in the way I normally would at his touch. That sense of calm and safe is dead. I
feel restrained.
I sulk and stare out the window and ponder my life. About what I’m going to do with this nugget head
next to me and that goddamn marriage certificate. I can’t stay with him like this. It’ll only make me feel
worse. Like suffocating to death every day of your life, over and over—like drowning.
I watch the Vegas scenery roll by, trying to get lost in my own thoughts, resigned that I should stop
opposing this trip and get it over and done with. I’m only slightly aware of Alexi’s voice when he starts
talking to someone on his cell phone. I zone him out and rest my head against the chair behind me,
letting out all my anxiety and woes in a long emptying breath. Trying hard to calm myself, ease the
rivers of molten lava pouring through my body. Blank out the pain and fear and grasp at rational.
I just need to get my head around this before I can figure out my next step. Try to battle down my
demons and think logically. I know most of this is an erratic panicked response to a situation, and it’s
made worse by lack of sleep and a major hangover. I should breathe and let it all slow down and sink in
gently.
I mean what’s the worst outcome, really. Sensibly, if I forget why I’m feeling like I do.
I’m living with him already, so I guess it just becomes permanent. No big horror there. If he behaves
and nothing changes then it’s no different to cohabiting … right?
No. He owns me now.
I get more respect from everyone if I’m not just his mistress; I guess. A Carrero is protected and
cherished in his world.
That’s not worth it.
Okay, job security because he will never fire his wife.
Yes, he would. He totally would because he now thinks he has a say over everything I do.
I try to see the positives beyond the whole getting to spend my life with him and share his bed every
night, shackled to my master and obedience whether I agree or not. If I try hard and forget the ‘owned
for life by a complete control freak who knows how to destroy me’, maybe I will calm down.
It’s marriage. Tied to him for eternity. Possible servitude, and what if I try to leave him?
Running away as his wife will be a hell of a lot harder than just some random mistress.
I ran when I was thirteen. It got me locked in a little room, tied to a bed and punished for days. Alexi
isn’t all that different. I’m his now. He owns me legally. He wouldn’t take kindly to me running.
Stop it, Camilla. Alexi isn’t Rick. You’re blurring the lines because it scares you. Stop obsessing and
think clearly.
The girl who swore to never allow another man to own her in any way. To never bow down and accept
another master, and I just drunkenly married the biggest control freak I have ever met in my life.
Someone who has proven to me before just how much of a cruel sadist he can be. Someone who
broke me in ways no man ever has.
I shudder at the thought that he could change now he has the leverage over me and involuntarily
tremble.
I can’t see past it.
“Are you okay?” Alexi turns his head, pausing on his phone mid-conversation to look at me, pulling my
eyes to him. Concern etched lightly on that smooth tanned face.
“Hungover and in need of a nap.” I lie faultlessly, impulsively, hiding the real reasons behind my
shakes. Internally crapping myself for something most girls spend their life dreaming of. Alexi’s
expression softens and he smiles a tad.
“We won’t stay long, and we can have lunch at the suite after, if you prefer that to going out?” He cocks
his head to the side with a studious scan of my face. I can tell he’s doubting the truth in my words; he
has an inkling I’m not being completely honest, and I turn back to the window to stop him dissecting
me. Finding pain in the gentle look he is giving me, and it only makes my thoughts riot all over again.
If he gets a whiff of my desire to run, who knows how that will go. He would come after me.
“Yeah. I need more sleep.” I exhale heavily as though to prove the point, cringing as he squeezes my
hand with a little tender acknowledgement and goes back to his call.
I feel wretched for lying to him. I haven’t done that since we started this romantic, lovers to whatever
we are now, and all it does is make me feel guilty. Crazy really, considering I used to lie my way
through life effortlessly and I’m sat here convincing myself he is once again the devil incarnate and
about to chain me to a cross.
I don’t lie to him anymore and I curse myself for eating myself inside out because of it. My hand moves
to my lap, sliding free of his and I fidget with the hem of my tailored blouse over the long pencil skirt I’m
wearing. Nervously, brain and emotions in turmoil.
Stop internalising and just tell him. Give him the chance to defend himself and sort your head out,
Camilla. Let him help you shake away the demons and give you the reassurance once more. You know
he can.
I know that there is a side of him that reaches me in places no one can. If I speak, say something,
maybe his part can find mine. She’s in here hiding, curled up small and crying to be saved from herself
all over again. I need to focus on the fact he is the one person who has proven he can do that.
Help me settle the demons back into their deep dark holes and show me the way once more.
“Actually …” I clear my throat as the word tumbles out painfully, nerves choke me instantly and I curse
myself for my inability to just tell him the truth. My inner conscience when it comes to him is annoyingly
dominant, guilt mauling me, but my fear of verbalising vulnerability is taking over. Old Camilla and old
habits are hard to separate when I feel like everything is in jeopardy.
Alexi pauses, moves his phone to his shoulder and regards me seriously. That look that tells me
nothing at all and I realise I can’t really gauge how he will react when I’m unable to tell how he is feeling
at the moment. Too caught up in myself to read him. I lose my courage completely and swallow my
words.
“Never mind, it’ll keep for later.” I fold, even more so when those dark annoyingly perfect straight
eyebrows furrow across his face and he looks a tiny bit irritated. Just adding to the weight of my fear.
“If you’re sure?” It’s one last olive branch to talk this out but I shrug it away. Insides gnawing with
nerves. Courage lacking and I swallow it down.
We have a whole casino to view and then an afternoon in our hotel no doubt. We don’t fly home until
tomorrow so I’m sure it can keep until we are alone. Build up some bravado to broach this topic once
more when I’m less hungover and dying. Maybe give him a chance to help me through this mess in my
head because I don’t think I can do it alone.
“Positive.” I throw a weak, feeble smile that doesn’t ring true and avoid his penetrative gaze once more.
Breaking my heart because I need help to get me through what I’m feeling, and I just denied myself the
hand of the person who has the power. I’m pulling away from him and dissolving all we have built.
I’m willing the minutes away until we get to this damn building. Alexi goes back to his call and I can tell
it’s Mico on the other end when I actually listen to what he is saying. Trying to focus on something other
than my own mental breakdown and breathe slowly in through my nose to push the anxiety attack
further away.
“She will forgive me, eventually. Might cost me a divorce though.” He winks when he catches me
watching him and my face flushes at how easily he is joking about this. It’s surreal that he just doesn’t
get it.
His mood isn’t on the negative side even if he is in cool and controlled mode, but I guess it’s because
we are on our way to a business appointment. Alexi wears different masks for different scenarios and
likes to get in character and the right mindset before getting there. He might just be cheerful about
buying something new and putting this issue aside while he focuses on what he is doing.
That’s what he does, and I know this. He has always separated the emotional aspect from business
and put one aside when needed.
I don’t get why he isn’t more freaked out like me over this whole marriage thing though. Alexi is literally
the biggest commitment-phobe on the planet and had no intention of shackling himself to anyone, ever.
He didn’t even rate women as worthy of constant companionship before us.
How can he not understand how huge and terrifying all of this is?
He smirks as he listens to his right-hand man, looking irritatingly handsome in his casual attire and
well-groomed appearance. Relaxed, confident and very much still the wolf-like sex god I met in the first
days of life with Alexi. Getting to know this nicer side has never taken away from that badass persona
and panther-like demeanour he has going on. If anything, knowing him the way I am beginning to only
makes me realise how effortlessly suited to his world he is and none of it was ever an act. He really is a
straight up gangster.
“Well, she dislikes Mrs Carrero immensely, so maybe stick with Camilla. Yeah, hates it more than
London.”
Ha fucking Ha.
So now they’re joking over what to call me. I whip my hand out and stick my middle finger up at him in
an unladylike retort and frown grumpily his way. Still agitated and all over the place.
“Tosser.”
He just smiles at me, dimples and charm oozing over me and I try to ignore the little internal flutters
they still give me. Hints of him relaxing and the hostile snap at me earlier is fading away. His move
back to a sunnier disposition is unwittingly calming me down.
I riled him with my reaction and Alexi does what he does, gets hostile and bites back because I know
you have to handle him a certain way. It’s a circle with us. I bite, he bites, I bite harder and so on until
something gives. Alexi took another route and has been trying to diffuse us away from fire and hell hath
no fury, knowing this is what we do. He’s trying to combat it.
Another hint that I’m just overreacting and should just talk to him about what I’m feeling, instead of
pushing him away and hating him for my messy head.
Damn him.
“Yup that was her. Looks like I might be on the couch for the rest of our unofficial honeymoon.” He
chuckles with no seriousness, mood still improving as the morning progresses and I’m overwhelmed
with almighty heartfelt guilt and crushing regret.
He tries so hard and every time I just slap him down and see only the worst in his intentions. I always
fail to see what’s staring me in the face. I let my mistrust blind me to reality.
He loves me and would change the world to keep me happy.
That comment is the final straw, I don’t even know why, other than I just can’t hold all this in anymore
and everything I have been clenching inside like a crumbling damn just bursts free, like the frayed rope
holding the weight up, finally snaps. All the angst and anxiety and worry and confusion, fear and
memories, and I just burst into immediate tears with a loud spontaneous sob. Pain because I’m hurting
both of us with my ingrained insecurity and terror.
My hands fly to my face and I turn away, so he doesn’t see me cry like a moron. Mortified that it all just
broke like this when I was trying to keep it from him. I couldn’t hold the act any longer and now I’m
gushing wounds and heartache all over myself. A pathetic woeful collapse, ripping masks off left, right
and centre.
Everything just hurts so much.
“London? Cam? What is it?” His hands pull me back to him, unravelling my tightly hunched body as he
unclips my belt and tugs me into his lap and a strong embrace, fluidly. Speedy, effortless because to
him I’m feather light. He pulls my face to his and curls in around me, caging me into that security of his
warm body so he has his nose touching mine from a weird angle. Instantly wrapped in Carrero and
strangely cocooned in a tight space that just feels and smells of him.
Instant safety, the missing sense of security I was aching for, and despite my whirring thoughts, he is
still an anchor in the stormy sea when I least expect it.
“Talk to me.” The soft concern in his tone matches the panic in his voice and I stop my stupid noises to
try to talk. Blubbering like a fool, sodden from my outpouring and floundering hysterically. Swallowing
and inhaling heavily to calm the crazy and say something. My insides heavy and weighed down with
aching pain.
“How can … you … why are you not …?” It’s a mess of soggy words and sniffs and I gulp as I try to
regain control properly. Unable to pull myself together for one coherent sentence.
“Take a breath, calm down. Nice and slow. Take your time, baby.” He strokes my face so very gently
and smooths my hair away from my now drenched cheeks tenderly, that coldness has gone and only
the soft and caring version of Alexi is here with me right now. The man I need. Smoothing my hair,
brushing my cheeks to catch falling drips and snuggles me in so close, all my senses home into his
body and nothing else.
I will always need him.
I needed him when I woke up, not the angry yelling him, that snaps when I do. I needed this version of
him to just give me time to filter in what I was finding out.
Brushing through the hair on my temple with his fingertips to calm me down as he cradles me close
with his other arm tightly around me. Finding a strand of my hair to twist in the way he does when he is
soothing me, my scalp tingles from the tiny tugging and I find the inner calm moving back in to silence
the manic panic. Gaining control of my tears and erratic gasping, burying my face against him and
holding on tight like my life depends on him. Clinging to my rock.
He still has the gift.
“I’m scared.” It comes out breathily, a low feeble whisper, and he frowns as he strains to hear me.
Pulling my face back with careful fingers so he doesn’t lose eye contact with me. So close he’s blurry to
my tear-washed eyes.
“Of what? Me? I thought we were past that.” The crestfallen way his face changes and he hugs me a
little closer, wrapping me in a bear hug. Regret evident in that gorgeous pair of the palest grey eyes.
Bringing me hypnotically to stillness and shaking some sense into me finally as it’s all laid in front of me
so obviously. Alexi was never going to hurt me. He’s who he is for me, and that won’t change, even
with a binding license to tie me to him.
My past, my fears choking me into this hysteria. He isn’t the reason. I’m punishing him for my own
scars.
“Marriage. Ownership … being a prisoner.” I can barely say the offending words, gulping and breathing
in heavily to regain some sense of sanity and stillness. The trauma of uttering it brings full-on shame
coursing through me horribly. Alexi squeezes me again and turns my strand of hair around his finger a
little more so the scalp tingles to ground me again. Instinctively knowing how to soothe me, with just his
low tone, soft touches and keeping me close.
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