I can’t help it; I laugh right in his face. “You’re serious? That’s what has your panties in a bunch?”
“Where did you go with them?” he grits out.
I run a gold fingernail down his chest, knowing it’s eating him up inside that I dare to touch him, and there isn’t a damn thing he can do about it with all these people around. “I wasn’t with them.” I lean closer. “Gage here just couldn’t wait to see what’s under this dress. Ryder and Dex gave him a helping hand.”
Viktor turns an unhealthy shade of purple before storming off in a slew of Russian. I don’t know what he said, but I’m sure he called me every name in the book.
Gage laughs. “That was fun. Pretty sure he blew a fucking blood vessel.” Gage places a hand on the small of my back, leading me back to the table. Gage and I sit while Dex and Ryder return to their post with security. Viktor’s back at his table, glaring daggers into the side of my head; Alexey and Dmitri are still nowhere to be seen.
“What the fuck?” Leo hisses. “I don’t understand Russian, but he just came back to the table pissed the fuck off.” He darts a glance at Viktor. “He’s fucking scary.”
Gage kicks back in the chair, giving Viktor a cheery wave. “He hasn’t seen scary yet.”
“You’re one crazy dude,” Mateo laughs. “I love it.”
Evander snorts. “Of course, you would. I would think you two are related if I didn’t know better.”
“What happened back there?” Leo whispers.
I shake my head. “Later.” No way I can tell them anything here with Viktor less than five feet from our table. “I’m going to go make our donation, and we can get the hell out of here.”
“Thank fuck,” Gage breathes.
I peck him on the cheek and stand up, making my way to the donation table. I scribble down the enormous pledge for my donation that I always give because the money does go to the cause they are raising money for, surprisingly. It’s my way of trying to atone for all the bad shit I do, even though I know nothing can make up for anything I do.
“Hey, Baby. Can I get your number?”
I smile, playing along. “I’m sorry, I already have someone that calls me baby.”
“What aboutil mio sole?” Ryder purrs right beside my ear.
“Oh, that one’s new.” I turn around and run my hands up his chest. “That one can get you more than my number.”
“What about a dance?” He takes my hand and leads me to the dance floor. Surprised, I wrap my arms around his neck. He slides his hands around my waist, jerking me closer. “I wanted one dance with the most beautiful woman in the room.”
I smile. “You might be a little biased.”
“No,” he pulls my arms from his neck, takes my hands, and spins me in a circle, making my dress flair out before jerking me back to his chest, keeping my hands tucked in his over his thumping heart. “I’ve seen every guy in this room watch you wishing it was them. That gets to kiss you, touch you, fuck you, or get a little taste of having your attention for one second.” He leans closer to my ear, our hips still swaying to the music. “You know what the best part of that is?” I shake my head, lost in whatever trance he’s pulling me into. “I get that with you,Il mio sole. You’remine.” He growls the word mine in my ear, making goosebumps pop up on my skin.
I pull back and look at his dark eyes, the obscene amount of fairy lights making them gleam like a feral animal. I slant my mouth over his in a kiss not meant for the public, letting this room know I’m finallyhis, and I don’t give a fuck who knows it. I don’t care that this room saw me kiss Leo and Gage before. They are mine just as much as I am theirs. He lets go of my hands to grip the side of my face and deepens the kiss. I slide my hands around his waist, sliding them up his back. He pulls back with his grip still on my face.
“I love you,Il mio sole,” he says gruffly, emotion making his voice rougher. He’s told me he’s loved me before, but I can tell by the look in his eyes he doesn’t mean it in the same way. My breath hitches and all I can do is stare into his eyes. “I’m in love with you. I have been for years but didn’t know how to tell you. Youaremy life, Alessa.”
I can feel tears gather in my eyes, but happy ones. “I love you too, Ryder. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”
He takes his thumbs and brushes the tears away that fell. “You won’t ever have to find out. I’m in this for the long haul with you.” He takes abreath. “And with them.”
I don’t think he will ever know how much I mean I can’t live without him. If it weren’t for him, I would have said a long goodbye to this world the day after my dad found me and many more times after that. When I thought about ending my life, his smiling face would pop into my mind, and I would change my mind. He doesn’t realize how many times he’s saved my life, not just from the dangerous situations we put ourselves into, but he saved me from myself.
“I love you,” I tell him again, and his face transforms with the most beautiful smile.
He lays his forehead on mine. “Say it again.”
I giggle, but it’s watery. “I love you so much, Ryder Jett Venchelli.”
“I love you too, Alessa Jade Poletti,” he says and kisses me again. “Let’s get out of here.”
I couldn’t agree more.
