Chapter 13 Chapter 13
Vito’s POV
Damn what was this mess why was I standing here watching myself lose him. It pissed me off how he said there was never more between us than between brothers it pissed me off that he did not feel what I felt even though I knew how wrong it was and even though he was not into men hell we were cousins. And now I had to stand here and watch that bastard walk up to him take his beautiful face in his hands. I did not want to see that I did not want him to kiss him. It was strange but I never felt like Nicolai and I were family as if we were not related at all. It always went deeper what I felt for him and no matter who I fucked no matter how gorgeous the men and women were no matter how good they looked tied up under me it was never what I really wanted because it was always him I wanted. But I had to stand here I had to endure this. I deserved to suffer I had taken the last thing he had left after Selena died and I had regretted the words the moment they left my mouth because I knew what they would do to him and that he would only go through this farce now because I pushed him too far. I had no right to look away.
Nicolai’s POV
I stood there with the taste of dust and silence on my tongue. I could have laughed if I still remembered how. Instead I looked at Alessandro watched him move like an actor in a play only I did not know I had been cast in. He stepped in front of me lifted his hand placed it on my neck like I was something he had to adjust so it fit better into the scene. I felt his warmth the quiet pressure the unspoken you are mine in every movement. I could have stepped back could have shown him I did not stand here willingly but there was no space left between us and then he kissed me. Slow but not hesitant like he did not need to convince me only confirm what was already his. His lips soft his grip on my neck firm and that mix made it feel wrong not the kiss itself but the fact that he took it this easily without resistance without consent without emotion pure ownership. My muscles tensed my breath went shallow my head roared not from shame but because it felt like having my name ripped off my skin. It was not the kiss that broke me it was the fact that he allowed himself to kiss me because he believed I had no say in it at all. I let it wash over me like a storm that destroys everything. And when he pulled back his hand still on my neck his breath too close I knew there was no path back. I had not been kissed I had been claimed. “You are mine,” he whispered. I heard nothing behind me though I knew everyone was watching. None dared speak. Only Alessandro smiled and murmured “Well done little one.” I did not answer. I stepped away left his praise hanging in the air like smoke as I turned my back to him trying to hold on to the last shred of myself that he had not named yet. My father said something about the guests waiting but I did not look at him. I heard footsteps one leaving one coming closer. Alessandro took his place beside me his hand sliding around my waist like he was guiding something he bought. I let him because resistance felt like madness and I was not sure yet if I was mad enough to start fighting today. We walked through the hall through a corridor of faces pretending politeness as if this were a celebration instead of a demonstration. I saw Vito in the back standing half in shadow his face still his hands in his pockets his shoulders tense. For a moment I think I saw something burn in his eyes not for me but against himself. Alessandro pulled me a little closer not affectionate just firm enough to show control. “Try to smile a little you look like you just got buried.” “You seem to forget we buried my sister four hours ago the woman you were supposed to marry even though I would never have allowed it.” Alessandro laughed low no joy just a dark vibration more threat than humor. “Selena was sweet,” he said softly enough for only me. “She would never have understood me. But you are different harder and softer where it matters.” He looked at me like he had already dissected me chosen me. “You are wrong I am not who you think I am I am a damn art student grieving my sister I have nothing to do with any of this anymore.” He stopped in the middle of the aisle with everyone pretending not to listen. His grip froze his eyes sharp. “You are many things Nicolai but innocent is not one of them. Maybe you were once somewhere between brushes and canvases somewhere when Selena still lived. But the one you were died with her. The one standing here now belongs to me. And if you are smart you accept that.” “You have no idea who I am and I do not want to know who you are. I get through tonight for my father and tomorrow we go separate ways.” “Oh Nic,” he whispered my name shortened like an insult. I grabbed his arm hard. “Do not call me that we are not friends you have no right.” He glanced at my hand gripping his sleeve. “Interesting,” he murmured. “So there is anger left. Good.” “Everyone thinks you are sensitive soft breakable but I see the truth. You adapted so well you forgot who you were now you cling to anger.” “I am not clinging to anger and I did not forget who I was.” I turned and walked away. In my mind was her voice again you promised Nic never again. He followed instantly. “You will not walk away from me.” I stopped before he reached me. I turned slowly. “Stop saying my name like you own it you do not know me you only know a mask that fits your world.” “I did not choose you,” he said quietly sharp. “My father forced me like yours forced you.” “Then leave me alone De Luca.” He laughed dark. “No you belong to me.” I did not step back even though my body wanted to. “I am not an object Alessandro you cannot own people.” “In this world,” he said calmly “you do. With rings. Or with blood.” My stomach tightened. “Then you are all insane.” He reached for my chin not rough not gentle exactly in the middle just enough to test my limits. I slapped his hand away. “You will not break me.” Something flickered in his eyes the look of someone challenged. “We will see.”