Page 105 of Contract of a Billionaire

I shot up, my palms on his warm chest. “It’s not your fault,” I croaked. “You saved their lives. Look at Branka. She’s strong and brave. And a total badass if I may say. All thanks to you.”

He reached to the nightstand and lit a cigarette.

“Some days I wondered. Mia was so ashamed of her body, but she refused to let Father break her,” he continued, lost in the past. “The moment she turned eighteen, I helped her get to the U.S. and join the military. Once she was accepted, he couldn’t get her out. You want to know the ultimate irony?”

I wasn’t sure that I did, but I nodded anyhow. He had never confided in me like this before.

“She committed suicide.” A soft gasp sounded from my lips. “A group of assholes raped her and she just snapped. Couldn’t come back from it.”

“God, Alessio,” I murmured softly, pressing a kiss to his cheek. “I’m so sorry. So damn sorry.” He had so much tragedy in his life.

“At Mia’s funeral, I beat my father black and blue, then took Branka to live with me. I swore at least one of us in this wretched family would have some semblance of normalcy.”

It made me admire him even more. He took his responsibility seriously. I pressed my cheek against his warm chest and kissed his sculpted abs. His scent was all over me and around me. The scent of sandalwood, spice and smoke. Familiar and intimate.

“Are you smoking a lot?” I asked for no reason.

“I’ll quit.”

I raised my head off his chest. “You will?”

He nodded. “It’s not good for the baby. Or you.”

My lips curved into a soft smile. “Nor you.” I shifted and pressed my mouth against his. I’d never get enough of him.

“I love you.”

His hand grabbed my nape and he nipped my bottom lip. “Don’t you ever stop, Autumn. There isn’t much that can kill me but you… you can.” His last words came out rough, but the look in his eyes said it all.

“Ditto,” I murmured. Another kiss. Wet. Possessive. So fucking right.

“Forget the contract and the blackmail,” he rasped against my mouth. “Marry me because you want to.”

We still had a lot of things to resolve. My own parents worked at their relationship every day. So would we. A lot of ghosts to bury and wounds to heal. But we’d do them together. I finally had him back. I missed him with an ache for the past four years.

“Yes,” I murmured, burying my face into his neck. He smelled so good, like warmth and spice. And home. “There is no need to rush it though. And nothing big. Leave the big wedding to Branka.”

“Anything you want.” His lips moved over my head. “She told you, huh?”

“Yeah.”

“She fought it for years. Not sure what made her suddenly change her mind.”

That was definitely not my story to tell Alessio.

“I’m not sure if arranged marriages are smart,” I muttered. “She should marry for love.”

“More than anything, she needs protection,” he retorted dryly. “Our father managed to make many enemies.”

I tensed. “What about you?”

“I have many enemies too.” I flicked him a worried look. “I’ll protect you and Kol. Always.”

I didn’t doubt him. I always felt safe with him, but it didn’t mean I agreed with his illegitimate business.

“Would you have many enemies if you were just an average businessman?” I asked hesitantly.

“Probably.”