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“My daughter, my daughter,” Alexandra groans, violently pulling her fingers from Lenny’s head. I see her wince, knowing Alexandra purposely pulled out a chunk of hair. “Why does everyone care so much about that whiny little bitch?”
Neither of us responds. My eyes are glued to Valentina’s, trying to silently communicate love, reassurance, and hope.
She gives me the tiniest, indiscernible nod, letting me know she’s following my lead—not that I have one yet.
I need to figure out more. I need to get inside Alexandra’s head.
“Alexandra,” I try again. “Why? After all these years? We broke up in college… I don’t understand this.”
“Oh, we didn’t break up.” She whirls around, shooting me a dark look. “No, Enzo, somelittle bitchgot in the way, didn’t she?”
She shoots Valentina a withering glare, and my mind spins.I broke up with Alexandra at least six months before I even met Lenny, and that was over six years ago.
My brain hurts from these insane mental gymnastics, but I try again.
“So, you think Valentina is the reason I broke up with you?”
“You didn’t break up with me,” Alexandra screeches and slams her fists down in frustration. “She seduced you; she’s the reason. She muddled your brain… I know it, Enzo. You never wanted to leave me. We were in love!”
In love? Okay, she’s definitely struggling with reality.
“Alexandra,” I say softly, trying to switch tactics. “We weren’t in love. We were hooking up for a few months, that’s it. We?—”
I stutter, noticing Valentina’s eyes get rounder. She shakes her head subtly, warning me to stop now, but it’s too late.
Alexandra’s nostrils flare, the color rising to her neck and chest. She pulls herself up to her full height, throwing her shoulders back, and circles Valentina like a vulture.
“I mean, it’s not that I didn’t like you at the time, but…” I plead, trying to correct my mistake.Fuck, I shouldn’t have said anything.
“But what?” she cries, her eyes moving wildly across my face. “See? She’s got you brainwashed! You did love me, Enzo! All those little notes you left for me, the letters, the flowers… don’t deny it.”
What the fuck is she talking about?
I wrack my brain for any memory of having sent her flowers or love notes and come up with nothing. It was literally just casual, meaningless sex.
I open my mouth to speak, but it quickly turns into a scream as she grabs a thick candlestick and smashes Valentina across the cheek with it. Valentina gasps, lurching forward in her chair as tears spring from her eyes.
Alexandra tosses the candlestick carelessly onto the floor and storms up the stairs, leaving us alone with a room full of silent, dangerous-looking men.
“Lenny,” I whisper, my voice urgent and raw. “Are you okay?”
“Yes,” she chokes out, rubbing her quickly bruising cheekbone. That’s when it hits me—Lenny is unbound and none of these guys are going to take the initiative to tie her up without command.
She realizes it at the same time as me and we sit, staring at each other silently.
“Enzo, we need to—” Valentina’s rushed words cut out as the door swings back open and Alexandra troops down the stairs, followed by a row of maids in skimpy uniforms.
They circle the table, setting down dishes and opening serving trays. My eyes follow their movements, wondering what fresh hell this is.
“Time to eat!” Alexandra announces, her foul mood from two minutes ago long gone. She prances over to me, lodging herself in my lap again, and motions for the maids to serve us.
As they scoop potatoes, chicken, and vegetables onto our plates, Alexandra pours herself a glass of wine.
“This smells good,” I say, keeping my voice neutral.Maybe the only way out is to play along with this madness?
“Doesn’t it?” She grins into my face. I wince as she licks my cheek, pressing a kiss to my temple. “Not as good as you, though.”
“What’s the occasion?” Valentina asks quietly.