Page 21 of An Alpha's Affair

As the vow to never be infatuated with another man runs through my brain, I once again lock gazes with Luca Dalonzo. I close my eyes to sever the connection because his eyes just told me I was a damn lie.

“Sir, just come with us. Mr. Dalonzo is a busy man, and you don’t want these problems,” the large man whispers so only we can hear.

I can’t help the snort that comes out because these Italians gotta a lot more sauce than I expected. They definitely have a little black pepper in there somewhere. When all the men look in my direction, I can’t help but grimace.

“Uh, my bad. Please, continue with whatever this is.” I shrug, and Ross stares at me in disbelief.

Hell, they’re doing me a favor. I don’t want to get in the crossfire. Ross can kiss my ass if he thinks I’m going to tell them anything different. He whooped the dog shit outta me, and he thinks I’m going to cosign him calling me his wife? I wish the hell I would.

“You’ll regret this,” Ross sneers before the men lead him out of the coffee shop.

Ross doesn’t say anything else, and he’s not foolish enough to resist or fight the three large men, so a little sense of relief spreads over me for now. However, as everyone turns to watch them leave, the heat of embarrassment finds its way to my face once again.

Unlike my so-called husband, I hate the attention of strangers. Although Ross would claim up and down that I would spread my legs for any man that looked my way, he was the one dipping his pole in any hole that gave him a second glance.

“You alright,Coniglia?” Luca questions in that dreamy accent.

I don’t know what he just called me, but damn it sounded sexy. I have to remind myself that this man is not what I’m used to. The way he handled Ross without even raising his voice or getting out of his chair says something. But I felt something from the very first sight of Luca. It’s like I’m trying to pull against a bungee cord, but no matter how hard I fight, I still spring back to him.

“I’m fine. I’m sorry about that. I’m sure you were just trying to enjoy your lunch, and here comes Ms. Badu with all her bags.”

“That’s a funny analogy. I haven’t heard that song in a long time,” Luca chuckles with a shake of his head. His long hair swings like a breeze just couldn’t help but touch him.

“You know the song?” I question, a little surprised.

Luca, with his pressed dress slacks, button-down shirt, shiny shoes, and expensive watch, looks more like a Maroon 5 or Imagine Dragons type of guy. He definitely doesn’t look like he’d know anything about Neo Soul, but to be fair, maybe he just knows Erykah because she’s a Dallas native.Everyonewho lives in the DFW should know her.

I guess I really shouldn’t be so judgmental, Luca doesn’t look like the type to save a woman from being beaten in a club bathroom either. But I know better than anyone, looks can be deceiving.

“Of course. I’ve lived in Dallas for most of my life.”

“Interesting, so where did you live for the other part of your life?”

I can guess it’s somewhere in Italy because of his accent, but I’m not sure because the only other countries I’ve been to are Jamaica and Mexico.

“I’ll tell you on one condition,” he says, leaning forward with a twinkle in his eye.

“And, what’s the condition?”

“A date, tonight,” Luca replies.

“So let me get this straight. The man that saved you, shows up today just in time to beat Ross’s funky ass again…”

“He didn’t beat up Ross, K.K.,” I interrupt, rolling my eyes.

“Whatever,” my cousin says, waving a dismissive hand. “HebeatRoss’s ass, then he asks you out on a date after telling your bitchass husband that he’s your new man. Chiiile, where’d you say he was from again? ’Cause they don’t make ’em like that no more.”

“You’re stretching the story, cousin. Nobody said all that,” I chuckle.

“That’s exactly what you said, sis. I ain’t mad at all. You suffered enough with that asshole. I knew when your Mama said you hadn’t been home that something wasn’t right.” Karlie shakes her head, scowling.

She’s never met Ross, and I know my parents haven’t said anything bad about him, but I know that Karlie’s negativity is coming from a place of concern. She’s the only person besides Luca who saw the aftermath of Ross’s beating. After I told herthe truth about my relationship, my cousin was ready to bring in the cavalry.

It took a lot of begging and pleading for her not to call my family. I eventually told my parents that I had left Ross, and I would be divorcing him as soon as I got on my feet, but I only told them about his infidelity. His cheating was enough reason for my Mama to call him everything but a child of God. I didn’t want her to worry or get my daddy’s blood pressure up if I told them everything that was going on.

“I know, K.K. I’m ashamed that I let him control me like that. I should’ve never turned away from my family.”

“Aww, it’s okay, cousin. We all make mistakes. As long as you don’t lose your mind and go back to that prick.”