Chapter 17

Alec

The rage fills my body as I see Nikolai's men look at her body in lust. She's mine bastards! The dinner meeting seems like it was taking too long. I can't seem to be able to focus. I know I'm supposed to be listening to what Nikolai is saying, but I'm too distracted by the men staring at her.
Lucien cocks his head to the side, raising his eyebrows at me, but I shake my head at him. He knew it aggravated me to see anyone looking at her like that. No need to cause a scene and stir up trouble with the Russians.
I slip my hand under the table and place it on her thigh. Courtney's skin is so soft and seems to calm me down. I feel her body tense up then relax when she realizes it's just me.
Last night at Nikolai's club, Sergei grabbed a girl and handcuffed her to a bed. He ripped her innocence away and left her bound and naked for someone to find. She was apparently not a whore, just a woman he employed keeping the bookwork up to date.
If she was a virgin, then what the hell is she doing in a place owned by the Russian Mafia?
Who was she really?
Was she a blood relative or just a friend?
I take my hand off her and place it securely around her waist. Then I look up at the men smirking making my claim known. The dinner has come to an end and my arm never leaves her side the whole way home.
"Go wait for me upstairs baby." I kiss her neck and release her. "Did you and Caterina finally get everything sorted out?"
He lets out a shaky breath, "Yes. I talked to her, but she said she needs space from me."
I knew how bad it broke him seeing the woman he loves in such a vulnerable state. Caterina was breaking down while Courtney held her. He wanted to be the one comforting her, but how could he when he was the cause of her pain.
"She'll come around, just give her time. Gotta go." I winked at Lucien, giving him the hint not to come knocking on my door for a while.
I can't wait until I have her in my arms again. I wonder if she heard my confession that night. I actually think I might be in love with her. I've always been a cold person shutting out my emotions, but now I'm done fighting it. I want her and hope she'll find it in her heart to look past all my mistakes accepting me. Please.
Accept me, Courtney. I'm not sure if it's love, but for you, I'm willing to risk it and try.
She's changed into one of my button-up shirts making her look even sexier. The top few are unbuttoned making one side slide off one shoulder. So beautiful and it's all for me.
I walk up behind her sliding my hands behind her neck and whisper. "I didn't like how Nikolai's men were looking at you."
It came out harsher than intended, but I can't help it. She makes me so crazy that I can't even control myself. I capture my lips digging my fingers in her hips as she grinds against me. It feels so good to have her in my arms.
"Baby, we need to talk," I say, pulling away.
She looks like she's about to cry. No. Please, baby, don't cry.
"It's nothing, bad baby, I promise." As the tears start to fall freely from her beautiful face. I cup her cheeks wiping away her tears. "Baby, I don't know what I feel for you. I don't know what I'm feeling and it's confusing the shit out of me. I've always pushed my feelings away. I'm done fighting it. I know I've hurt you and I'm so sorry. I want you but only if you'll have me. I'm not sure if it's love, but for you, I'm willing to find out. Please..."
She's now full-on crying but it's not sadness she's feeling. She's happy.
"Yes, I'll have you, baby. I'm willing to try with you. I know you hurt me, but I'm done fighting these feelings for you and if you're willing to take the leap then so am I." She says wrapping her hands behind my head crashing her lips to mine.
For once in my life I'm happy and she's happy. We're truly happy and right now I don't care if it's not forever. I'm just happy she's looking past all I've done to her in the past and accepting me for me. Her legs wrap around my waist wanting more, but I know in order for this to work I need to control myself.
I tear my lips away and touch my forehead to hers, "I know you want more baby, but for right now I just want to lay down on the bed and hold you. We will have time for that later, I promise."
I see her eyes light up and lead me to the bed. No matter how bad I want to take things further, I can't. I need her to see I'm serious about wanting to try. I want to have a relationship with her. I need her as she needs me and I need to be the man that she deserves. My leg overlaps hers and my arm envelops her body just as I close my eyes.
Knock.
Knock.
That incessant noise wakes me up making me groan in frustration. I told him I didn't want to be disturbed. Maybe if I ignore it, he'll go away. Nope. He's still knocking and making me more aggravated.
"Alec, open up!" Lucien hisses from the other side.
"Okay. I'm coming." I say slipping out of bed and out the door he greets me with a smirk. He's got that look about him that lets me know he knows something's up.
"Well, I waited and waited, but I never heard any commotion going on up here. I got curious so I looked in and I see you still clothed. So you tell me, what is going on in that head of yours you stubborn ass?" He says, leaning on the wall.
"I-I want to try with her you know, to have a relationship with her."
He gasps in shock, holding a hand over his heart, "Has hell frozen over? On to other news, Nikolai called said one of his men has a location on Sergei."
Finally!
This time he won't get away with both Italian and Russian forming an alliance to take him down.