Nero tries to sit up, emitting a pained groan. “What are you doing here? How the fuck did you get in?”
I place my hand on his shoulder. “Careful.”
“I was just telling your wife you should keep your door locked.”
Apprehension and unease flood Nero’s expression. “Fuck.” His gaze pings to me before moving back to Alessio. “Stay away from her.”
The tattooed man crosses his arms over his chest. “Didn’t know you were married.”
Nero blinks once, twice, as if convincing himself that this is real.
Alessio tilts his head. “You didn’t come in to work. I thought I’d give you a courtesy call before coming over to kill you, and Blake picked up and explained the situation.”
I’m sorry, what? Did he just say what I think he said? “Kill him? You wanted tokillhim for being late?”
Alessio’s gray eyes shift to me. “He knows the deal. No second chances. I thought he didn’t show up because he couldn’t handle the work.”
He must be joking.
“I can handle the work just fine,” Nero growls. “Just let me get dressed and—”
I turn around so fast my hair whips against my cheek. “Absolutely not.”
“Blake—”
“No.” I get to my feet and walk right up to Alessio, who’s looking at me curiously. I’m so angry and tired that I don’t have the energy to hold my tongue. “I was up all night because of what you did to him. I’m not doing that again. You hear me? You’re out of your damn mind if you think he’s going anywhere today. He’s going to get some rest, and you’re going to leave us alone.”
Silence descends on the room, so thick you could bite into it.
I glance at Nero. His eyes are wide with shock.
Alessio sniffs and has the decency to look somewhat ashamed. “Fine. He can take today off.”
Damn right.I give him a curt nod.
He shoves his hands into his pockets. “By the way, why is there underwear all over your foyer?”
Oh crap.Blood rushes to my cheeks. I haven’t bothered cleaning up the lingerie I threw at Nero before I realized he was hurt. “Never you mind,” I mutter, refusing to meet Nero’s eye. “Are we done here?”
“Yeah, we’re done. I’ll show myself out.” With one final glance at Nero, Alessio disappears from the room.
A few seconds later, I hear the front door open and shut.
“Blake.”
“What?” I snap. I’m convinced both these men are clinically insane.
“That was… Wow. Thank you for taking care of me.”
I take a deep breath, trying to calm the storm of emotions swirling inside me before I turn to face him. “Did you let him beat you up on purpose?”
Guilt zaps through his gaze.
Suddenly, I’m overcome with the urge to strangle him. “You will never do anything like that again. Not while I’m here. Not while I’m the one who’s waiting for you at home.”
His skin turns ashen. “You’re right. I’m sorry.”
I’m sorry too. I’m sorry that I still have feelings for this man, because it only makes it more likely I’m going to get hurt again and again.
