Chapter 23

“Alexi, I’m drunk and stupid and… I thought it was what she wanted. She kept teasing me and giving me come-ons…” Demagio sounds like he’s about to cry, and I cannot tear my eyes away from the soulless greys keeping me rooted to the spot. Alexi is giving nothing away, so steady and in control, and that’s what is most unnerving. His eyes are on mine, and he has me mesmerised in a trance of unease. The withering mess of the man behind me proves that Alexi’s reputation isn’t just a myth; if the man claiming to have known him a long time, having a mental breakdown is anything to go by.

I catch a glimpse of black from the corner of my eye as one of Alexi’s men appears behind him, and he finally looks away from me, breaking his spell but keeping me up close against him protectively. My body is shaking and clinging to him for support even though I would not get up close and personal for anything on any typical day of the week! I swear Demagio has started bubbling, and out of the corne