ENZO
The daybefore the christening party, I go to bed hoping I'll get a full night of sleep. I barely doze off when I feel someone slide under the sheets next to me.
I jerk awake to see Allegra looking at me seductively, her tongue sneaking out to lick her lips as her gaze roams over my naked chest.
"Go back to sleep, Allegra," I tell her, not in the mood for anything. She pouts, moving toward me until her hand is over my chest and trailing down.
Catching it, I push her away.
"I told you to go back to sleep." Why is it that I look at her and yet don't feel anything?
"You don't want me anymore?" She peers at me from beneath her lashes as she tries to put on a hurt expression.
"You're still healing," I reply curtly, not wanting to dwell too much on my lack of attraction toward her, or the fact that she feels like a complete stranger.
"Go to sleep," I repeat.
"I can make you feel good." Her hand goes for my pants, but Icatch her wrist mid-air, tightening my grip around her hand until she's wincing in pain.
"What did you not understand when I said go to sleep? Now!" I fling her off the bed, and she seems to get the message as she scrambles off, her nostrils flaring at me.
Fucking hell, how is this my Allegra?
That's my last thought as exhaustion claims me and I fall asleep.
The following day, the party is in full swing, with relatives I've never even heard of, all coming to kiss my cheeks and congratulate me on my son. But what I hate the most is that Luca is being paraded around like a goddamn object.
Even though I have to interact with everyone, including the Russians, my eyes follow Mrs. Marshall as she carries Luca from guest to guest.
"I need to speak to Vlad," I tell his second-in-command when I see him. As the new Pakhan, Vlad is the only one who can make the decisions regarding the merchandise, and as such, the only person I need to convince.
"He's in the garden," he says, and I give him a nod before going in search of Vlad.
There are too many people in here, so it takes me a while to get outside. It's still winter, and I don't see why anyone would willingly go outside in this weather. But as I open the door to the garden, I hear a familiar voice.
"He won't even know," she says, and as I take a few more steps, I get a clear image of the situation at hand.
Allegra is standing a little too close to Vlad, her hands playing at his belt.
"What the fuck?" I mutter after I make sure my vision isn't playing any tricks on me.
Vlad pushes her out of his way.
"You should teach your wife some manners. She's notexactly…housebroken," he adds wryly, and I let my rage loose as I punch him right in the face.
"Fuck, Agosti, careful," his hands fly to his nose. "Plastic surgery is expensive." His nonchalance only fuels my anger further, so I jump on him, punching away.
This time, he expects it and starts defending himself, landing a few blows of his own on my face and stomach. It's only when my father has men pulling us apart that we stop.
"I guess the deal's off?" Vlad wipes some of the blood from his face, his eyes darkening as he stares at it. He doesn't wait for anyone's reply as he says, "I thought so," before he shrugs and leaves.
My father quickly follows, intent on fixing whatever damage I've made, but my thoughts are only centered on Allegra—and her fucking audacity.
She's cowering in a corner, and when she notices me stalking toward her, she takes a few steps back, hitting the wall.
"Care to tell me whatthatwas?" I ask, narrowing my eyes at her.
She's trembling, and I'm not sure whether from fear or the cold, but as I get closer, she averts her face.
