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“You remember,” she says softly.
“Of course.” I smile and open my arms welcomingly. She stumbles over and falls into my embrace, still clutching the gun.
Her whole body is vibrating, shaking against me like a leaf in the wind, and I know she’ll snap soon if I don’t act fast.
“I pick you, baby,” I whisper into her hair as she nuzzles into my chest. My eyes meet Valentina’s, and the tiniest shadow of hope seeps into her face. She nods gently, encouraging me to ramp up this little act. “I’ll always pick you. I’m sorry for what happened back then; it’s not how things should have gone.”
“You love me?” Alexandra sniffles, glancing up at me with red-rimmed eyes. “Say you love me.”
“Of course I love you,” I purr, trying to radiate warmth and calm her down. I place a small kiss on her forehead, pulling her close.Now if you’d just drop the fucking gun.
“I love you too, Enzo,” she sobs, peppering my chest with kisses and leaving harsh red lipstick marks all over me.
Her makeup is smeared now. The mascara dripping down her face gives her a haunted look, and I almost feel bad for her.
Still won’t stop me from destroying her the second I get the chance.
“So, let’s end this then,” I plead, gazing into her wild eyes. “We don’t need them. We can just dump them back at the port and sail off into the sunset, together… you, me, and Alessia. A family, finally.”
She stares into my eyes, considering the idea, and for a second, my hope inflates. But then suspicion creeps back into her face, and she shakes her head firmly.
“No, I need them gone,” she says firmly. Her muscles tense, and I run my hands up and down her arms, trying to soothe her.
“We don’t need to start our beautiful life together with murder, do we?” I joke softly. “Let this go, Sasha.”
She hesitates, and I can see the battle being waged in her mind. Maybe she actually wants to kill Valentina and Matilda, or maybe she’s just under extreme psychosis and has no idea what she’s doing, but I’m not about to take my chances.
When she swings her arm up again, pointing the gun in Matilda’s direction, I gently grab her arm and lower it down.
With a deep breath and silent apologies to Valentina, I press my lips against hers. She melts into my kiss, her body going limp and pliable in my arms.
She sneaks her tongue into my mouth, moaning lightly, and it’s all I can do not to push her away. Instead, I hold her close, giving her the intimacy she so craves.
“Okay, fine.” She laughs, shoving the gun into my hands. “I won’t kill them.”
“Baby,” I breathe, internally thanking every deity I’ve ever heard of. “That’s a wise decision.”
“You will.” She grins and steps back.
Confused, I glance at Valentina, who closes her eyes like it’s all too much for her. Alexandra catches my attention slipping away, and fury crosses her face again.
“See, Enzo?” she demands angrily. “You can’t go a second without looking at that bitch. That’s why I need her gone… she’s brainwashing you; she has some sort of evil hold on you. Her and her spawn. Kill them or I will, I swear to God.”
“Okay, okay.” I hold up my hands in mock surrender, but inside I’m soaring.I have the gun. We’re one step closer to safety. Now think of a fucking plan.
“Matilda,” I spin around, catching her worried gaze. She’s gnawing on her thumbnail, watching the entire interaction intently. “Let’s go.”
“The little one first?” Alexandra asks, laughing like a loon. “Perfect, that’ll give me some time alone with Valentina.”
Her voice drips with hatred when she says her name, and I tense up, but I need to get Matilda out of this situation first. Lenny can defend herself if she needs to, especially with Matilda out of the way of danger.
“That’s right,” I agree with her madness. “I’ll take care of her outside, then come back for the bitch.”
It almost physically pains me to call Valentina a bitch, but it seems to resolve Alexandra’s suspicion. She falls into an empty chair and grapples with an empty bottle, looking for more wine.
When she finds it empty, she chucks it straight at Valentina, who ducks at the last second. The bottle explodes against the wall, spending tiny shards of glass everywhere.
“Matilda,” I holler, half-terrified. “Get over here!”