Natalya
I pull away and spin around. My mouth falling open as the sight of Alexander standing in the ballroom of our home in a tuxedo almost knocks me off my feet.
“What are you doing here?” I hiss, glancing around in search of my brother.
Alexander shrugs and moves toward me. “I figured you’d need a date and I have some news about our Finn problem.”
“Our Finn problem?” I ask, shaking my head. “It was never really a problem for you.”
His jaw clenches. “It was my fault that he found the information, so I sorted it.” He runs a hand across the back of his neck. “Everyone knows that slimy son of a bitch is king of the academy.” I shrug. “At least I’ve passed the figurative crown. Whether anyone will take note is another matter.”
“And the two million dollars?” I ask, finding it hard to believe that he found that cash already.
“Sorted. My uncle wired the money to him today.”
I feel the tension in my body escape as I nod in response. “But what guarantee do we have that he won’t come back asking for more?”
I pull a contract out of my pocket and pass it to her. “A non-disclosure agreement. Iron clad and written by the best fucking lawyer in North America. Finn signed it. If he breaks it, he will be in a lot of trouble.”
I search Alexander’ face, wondering why he would do all of this for me. If it is still a game, then he’s being very fucking convincing right now.
“Thank you,” I mutter, taking the contract and placing it in my purse. “However, you can’t just show up to a wedding uninvited.”
He tilts his head, smiling. “Well then, you’ll have to tell people you invited me.”
I shake my head. “How did you even get out of the academy?” I ask, knowing that they don’t grant leave of absence during a semester just for flippant reasons.
“I forged a letter from my uncle requesting I return for an urgent family matter.” He shrugs. “It was obviously rather convincing.”
“And how do you expect me to explain you being here to my brother?” I set my hands on my hips, glaring at him.
Mikhail won’t like Alexander being my date to his wedding, no matter who his uncle is. My brother has always been fiercely protective of me when it comes to men, and Alexander has been blackmailing me since the start of the year.
“Just tell him I’m a friend,” he says, shrugging.
“My brother will know something is off.”
Alexander takes my arm and pulls me close. “Only if you don’t play your part convincingly.” His breath teases against my ear as he pressed his lips to the hollow beneath it. “Stop fighting this, Natalya.”
“Fighting what?” I ask, pulling back to search his beautiful eyes. “You treating me like a dog you can order around?”
He winces at that. “Things have changed.”
“Changed for you, maybe.” I swallow hard, as I know that’s not true. Things have changed between Alexander and me in ways I never could have imagined and I’d be lying if I said I didn’t want him still, even after everything he’s put me through.
“You are lying,” he says, but there’s no anger in his voice. “I see it in your eyes. You know we are meant for each other.” His jaw clenches the moment he says that as if it is painful for him. “I’ve been a complete and utter dick to you for years, and yet I want you to put all of that aside somehow.” He cups my cheeks in his hands, eyes searching mine again. “I want you, Natalya.”
My stomach flutters with butterflies as I hold his gaze, knowing that deep down, I want him to. No matter what bad history has passed before us, I’ve fallen for my tormentor. It’s achingly pathetic, but in the past few weeks at the academy I’ve gotten to know him in ways I never believed I would. The misguided reason he hated me from the start and the darkness that fueled that rage burning inside of him.
“I am begging you, mi reina, to give me a shot at fixing this.” His eyes are desperate and searching and I never thought I’d see the day that Alexander Morales, King of the syndicate academy, would beg me for anything.
I wet my bottom lip and shake my head. “To what end?” I ask.
His eyes are full of an unreadable emotion as he searches mine. Someone clears their throat behind us, startling us both apart.
“Who is this?” Mikhail asks, making me almost jump out of my skin.
I turn to face my brother and find Siena on his arm, smiling kindly at us. “He’s a friend from the academy,” I say. “Brother, this is Alexander Morales.”
Mikhail tilts his head slightly. “Isn’t he the boy you hate?” I told him I hated the new kid from the Estrada Cartel years ago, after he asked about him.
After all, the cartel were his business partners, so I guess it was only natural for him to enquire. However, he does not know the torture and torment Alexander put me through over the years. I didn’t dare tell him, knowing he would have torn Alexander’ head off.
“We haven’t always gotten along,” I admit.
Siena shrugs. “Some of the best relationships start with hatred,” she murmurs, glancing at her husband. It’s hard to believe my brother is married.
I shake my head. “We’re not in a relationship.”
Alexander clears his throat. “Yet.”
Mikhail glares at him. “You better keep your hands to yourself, Morales.” He cracks his knuckles. “I know your uncle well and Natalya will be married by arrangement soon enough.”
Alexander pales at my brother’s warning, but his jaw also clenches. As if he doesn’t like being told to stay away from me. It makes a difference from no one being able to tell him what to do at the academy and I kind of enjoy seeing him being put in his place at last.
I guess Mikhail can be rather intimidating as he has to be half a foot taller than Alexander at six feet night inches. Alexander is about six feet two inches. “I mean no disrespect. It’s just that I care for your sister.”