I get up and button my suit jacket. “Believe me, no one is more concerned about her well-being than I am, and no matter how much I want to make this decision for her,” I glance at Isaia, and he nods his approval, “I can’t. Not this time.”
* * *
Leandra
“Leandra?”
I look up and find Alexius filling the entryway with his large frame, his black suit and tie casting a spotlight of authority over him. “Can I talk to you for a moment?”
“Sure.”
I push the wrapped present to the side and smile at Mira before walking over to him. He places a gentle hand at the curve of my back, and I suck in a breath only to have it burst from my lungs when Alexius pushes me up against the wall, pressing his lips hard against mine, kissing me hard, his tongue breaking through the crease of my lips and sweeping through my mouth.
“Mmm,” I groan into our kiss, struggling to keep my legs steady. I can hardly think straight while he’s kissing me stupid, his hand sliding up the back of my thigh, squeezing my ass in his palms, and lightly nipping my bottom lip between his teeth.
“What was that for?” I murmur breathlessly.
His finger traces along the curve of my jaw, his forehead touching mine. “Do you trust me?”
“Well, that’s a loaded question,” I tease, but he levels me with his stern gaze, and my stomach turns. “What’s going on?”
“I know I’ve hardly given you any reason to, but I need to know if you trust me.”
“That depends.” I search his eyes. “Are you planning on locking me up again?”
“Don’t even joke about that.” He lowers his head, watching as he smooths the fabric of my shirt between his fingers. “I’m serious, stray. There’s something I need to show you.” His dark brows knit together, his blue eyes stern, his cheeks sharp and carved. “But first, I need to know if you trust me.”
“Alexius, you’re scaring me.”
“For once, I want to do the right thing when it comes to you.” He pulls his lips back in a snarl, hissing as he places his hand on my chest, his fingers touching the base of my throat. The tendons in his neck are strained, the thick vein pulsing fast. I can’t tell if he’s angry or anxious. Maybe both. “No matter how I feel about it or how badly I want to make this decision for you.”
“What are you talking about?”
“Goddammit!”
With a jerk, he pulls away, turns his back on me, and paces. I have no idea what the hell is going on, but I’m scared. Warning sets my nerves alight, fear twisting my stomach. “Alexius.”
“Leandra. Do you. Trust me?” His eyes flash with an urgency that penetrates my bones, his features solemn but stern. Whatever is happening, it’s serious, and it has my husband more on edge than I’ve ever seen him.
“Yes,” I breathe out. “I trust you.”
Our gazes lock, and I’m not sure if it’s a relief or fear I see within the blue shades of his eyes. He holds out his hand for me to take, and I place my palm in his, his fingers gently closing, then squeezing lightly. “I need to show you something.”
“I don’t know if I should be nervous or scared right now.”
“Just—” He presses his lips together and touches my cheek. “Trust your gut.”
I’m trying to keep my breathing steady as I follow him, his hand clutching mine tightly. We’re walking through the foyer, past the steps to the back of the house and down a long corridor. With every step, my heart beats faster, and my senses heighten. There’s an energy around Alexius, and I can’t place it. But whatever it is, it’s radiating off him in waves that make the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end.
The corridor leads to a black door at the far end, a gold-plated doorknob glinting under the fading light. It’s one of those doors you see in horror movies, the ones that lead to a basement filled with torture devices and dead bodies.
I’m shaking by the time we reach the door, and I’m sure my heart skips a beat when Alexius turns the knob, the latch clicking open, revealing a flight of stairs leading downward, with dim lights against the walls.
“You okay?” he asks when he feels my hand tremble in his.
“Yes. No.”
“I won’t let anything happen to you. I swear it. You’re safe.”