Chapter12.
1306 Words
Selina's POV.
Twilight is just beginning to settle as I stand in front of Alessio's grand villa. The large oak door creaks open a few seconds after I knock, revealing a sharp-eyed old woman. Her face contorts into a scowl that could curdle milk when she sees me.
I arch one eyebrow in dismay and smirk at the familiar look on her face. She never really had much time for me. She never trusted me. I didn't like her either. I always felt that she interfered too much when it came to me and Alessio. Turns out I still don't like the old hag.
"Well, well. I was hoping for a warmer welcome. Guess some things never change, huh, Nonetta?"
She answers me curtly.
"Don't call me that, Selina. You always bring trouble with your perfume. What do you want?"
I sigh and brush my way past her. Her scowl deepens. If it's even possible.
"You never liked the way I smelled. Or maybe you just didn't like the fact that Alessio did."
The air inside the villa is thick with old memories. Alessio emerges from the study. Sharp-suited and cold-eyed. He has a tumbler of whiskey in his hand.
"Who's here No..." He freezes in his tracks when he sees me standing in the middle of the entrance hall. His voice is calm and detached when he addresses me. A far cry from the warmth he spoke with when he was talking to his grandmother.
"I didn't expect to see you again, Selina. I thought you'd be married to some rich, fat guy by now, sipping champagne on his yacht."
"I can see her out again, Alessio."
Alessio looks at his grandmother over my shoulder.
"I'll lock the door behind her so she can't get back in."
His gorgeous mouth curls into a smile. His eyes dance with amusement. I have to stop myself from rolling my eyes.
"It's fine. I can handle her."
She scurries out of the room. Thank god. She smells like an old person, and she makes the entire place stink. Now I can focus all my attention on Alessio.
I put on my very best seductive voice as I take a few more steps towards him.
"Oh, come on, Alessio. I'm not as bad as all that. I've had a lot of time to think about the mistakes that I made." I pause for a second and let my eyes linger on his mouth, then his eyes. "Like letting you go."
"You didn't let me go, Selina. You burned that bridge, and then you pissed on the ashes by taking up with Dante." His tone is stern as he puts his tumbler down on one of the small tables and crosses his arms over his chest in a defensive gesture.
I smile through the mounting tension. I take another step towards him. He doesn't move away from me, but keeps his arms crossed.
"I was young, Alessio. Reckless, and Dante was convenient."
Before Alessio can respond, another figure steps into the room. It's Dante. He looks older, sleeker, but he still has the same cocky grin on his face as always. He also freezes in his tracks when he sees me.
"Well, if it isn't the ghost of Christmas bad decisions."
I tilt my head slightly.
"Dante. Still wearing knock-off cologne and pretending that you're Alessio's equal I see."
He smirks at me, but I can see the flash of anger in his eyes.
"Good enough for you to be screaming my name if I remember correctly."
Alessio shoots Dante a warning look. Tension zips through the air like static. A rush of excitement comes over me. My skin tingles.
Alessio turns his attention back to me.
"Why are you here, Selina?"
"I want a second chance." I lower my voice suggestively. "Not with him. Not with the past." I glance over at Dante then back at Alessio again. "With you."
Alessio looks suspicious. I expected as much.
"People don't crawl back without a reason, Selina. What do you want?"
I smile a slow seductive smile.
"You. And maybe a little redemption."
A heavy silence follows. Alessio watches me carefully. Like a predator that isn't sure if the prey has been baited.
Dante chuckles, breaking the silence.
"She's got some nerve, Alessio."
His eyes are still locked on me.
"That's all she ever had."
My voice is soft, almost vulnerable.
"I know you don't trust me, Alessio. I wouldn't trust me either, but I don't have anywhere else to go." I lower my eyes to the floor and lace my voice with just a hint of desperation. "I'm not the same person I was. I've fallen from grace. Made my mistakes." I soften my eyes and raise my gaze again. "I'm not asking for a hand-out. Just a roof over my head for a little while."
Alessio's cold, calculating eyes search my face. I can see that the slight tremor in my voice has struck a chord with him. He sighs heavily, glancing over at Dante who's leaning against the wall as he watches our exchange with a bored expression. Alessio still seems reluctant.
"So, all you're asking for is a place to stay until you're back on your feet? Why should I believe you?"
I answer him slowly, earnestly.
"Because... I'm not trying to deceive you, Alessio. I've learned the hard way. My luck's run out, and I can't survive on the streets. Not on my own, at least. All I'm asking for is a little help."
I'm almost pleading with him now. I let my words sink in for a few seconds. I keep my eyes locked on him. Alessio might be tough on the outside, but I know that he has a soft spot for a woman in need. He likes being the hero. I keep my expression as desperate as I can manage. Alessio scans my face again before uncrossing his arms and reaching for his drink again.
"One night. You can stay here for one night, and then you're gone." His voice is gruff, and his eyes are hard. I don't mind. I know that I have him right where I want him. "I'll ask Isabella to get a room ready for you. This doesn't mean that I trust you, Selina. Don't mistake my charity for weakness."
I smile faintly at him as I nod my head. "Thank you." I breathe.
Alessio watches me with narrow eyes for a few more seconds before leaving the room.
Dante chuckles. His eyes full of amusement. He stands up from the wall and walks over to where I'm standing.
"You think that Alessio's charity is worth anything? But then again, you always did have a way of getting what you want." He leans in closely. "You always did have a price as well. What is it this time?"
"You're right, Dante. There's always a price. Sometimes it's just about knowing when to ask and who to ask. And sometimes it's about knowing whose door to knock on."
Dante watches me, his lips curling into a smirk. He's clearly intrigued by what I'm really doing here. I can tell that he's working some angle as well. I picked up on the tension between him and Alessio. I know that something is going on between the two of them. Maybe it's something that I can use to my advantage later.
Dante lowers his voice and leans in even closer. Almost like we're sharing a secret.
"You've always been a woman with many useful talents, Selina. I wonder how you'll make yourself useful this time."
My eyes flicker with a dangerous spark. I lean in even closer to Dante. My voice is low, barely even a whisper.
"I'm sure I'll find a way. After all, I'm still your cousin's favorite mistake."
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