“This is insane, Alexius. Can’t you see how fucked-up this is?” Mira’s green irises burn with a wave of anger I can understand, but it does nothing to persuade me to change my mind.
Nicoli appears by the door, and I simply lift a brow at him. Mira’s back is turned toward my brother.
I let out a breath. “I’m trying my best not to lose patience with you, Mira. But this is your last warning. My relationship with Leandra is none of your business. It is not your place to question or challenge the decisions I make when it comes to my wife. So, for the last damn time, stay out of it.”
“I don’t know about you, Alexius, but I can’t exactly walk around this place singing goddamn Christmas carols when I know you’re keeping your wife locked in a room for God knows what.”
“Stay out of it, Mira,” I warn.
“Goddammit, Alexius. The least you can do is let her leave her fucking room. This place is a goddamn prison on its own. Even if she wants to leave, you and I both know she won’t be able to put a foot out the front door without you knowing.”
“I’ll handle this situation as I see fit.”
“You’re handling it like a fucking psychopath.”
My angered glare levels her. “Disrespect me like that again, and I’ll—”
“Lock me in my room, too? Treat me like a petulant child as well?”
“If you act like one, yes.”
Mira’s eyes are frozen on mine, disdain simmering in their depths. “You’re scared of losing her. I get that. But nothing—and I mean nothing—justifies this, Alexius.”
I take a second to simmer down, trying to keep myself from saying something I’ll regret. Mirabella has been and always will be an important person in my life. A sister I never had. But the situation between my wife and me is complicated, to say the least, and as much as I love Mira, I will not allow her to interfere.
I cross my arms and lean back against the edge of my desk. “For the last time. Stay the fuck out of my goddamn business.”
Mira’s cheeks turn a fiery red, her savage fury beaming from her glowing cheeks. There’s no mistaking it. She hates me. But at this point, I don’t give a shit.
Her heels dig into the carpet on my office floor as she approaches, pausing mere inches from me, lifting her chin with defiance I’ve seen her showcase so many times before. “I always knew you were an asshole. Cruel. Even cold-hearted at times. But I never thought of you as an unjust man, Alexius. And what you’re doing to Leandra, the future mother of your twins, it’s unjustified and downright despicable.” Her eyes narrow as she leans closer. “Your father would be disappointed.”
“Mirabella! That’s enough.” Nicoli’s voice crashes through the room, and she visibly gasps, unaware of his presence until now.
Her face is instantly pale, and I’m sure her shoulders slump the tiniest bit. It never ceases to amaze me the effect my twin brother has on her. It’s everywhere, in her eyes, on her cheeks, her lips, her frame. She is no less bound to him as I am to my wife, yet Nicoli refuses to acknowledge it.Dumbass.
With a visible breath, she steels herself, her jaw set as she turns to face him. “You’re okay with him keeping her locked up? You condone his actions?”
“That’s not important. What’s important is that I know my place in this family.” Nicoli steps inside, his hands tucked into his pants pockets. “But it seems like you’ve forgotten yours.”
She flinches, pain scattered in her eyes’ radiance. But her shoulders remain squared, her will iron-cast. “Maybe I have,” she says. “But at least I haven’t forgotten how to be a decent fucking human being.”
Rage erupts and slices through the tension as she storms out with angered footsteps, the loud slam of the door an echo of her fury. Understandable. But inconsequential.
Nicoli simply stares at me, dark strands hanging down his face. It doesn’t take twin telepathy to know my brother isn’t exactly thrilled with me either. But as he said, he knows his place.
“She’s upset.” I state the obvious, pouring us a drink.
“Upset? She’s practically frothing at the mouth.” Nicoli takes a seat on the couch, loosening his tie, and I hand him his drink. His brows furrow as he studies me. “I’ll always support you, brother. No matter what.”
“I feel a but coming.”
“No but. Just a question.”
I sit down across from him, and his strained expression doesn’t go unnoticed. I sigh. “If you have something on your mind, just say it.”
“Do you know what you’re doing?”
“The truth?” I tap my finger on the armrest.