Chapter 121

[MIA]

Softer hands than Alex's enveloped me in a hug before I opened my eyes. My "stranger danger" instincts must have been lacking, because I simply snuggled deeper into my pillow, trying to bury my head.

I didn't want to wake up.

It wasn't as if I had much to do anyway, except stay locked in my room and binge-read a book.

"Mia! Get up!" A familiar voice giggled in my ear, followed by a kiss on my cheek.

Jenny…

My eyes flew open, and I sat bolt upright, tossing the little girl off me.

"Oh, God! Jenny!" Fear consumed me. "What are you doing here?"

Panic surged through me.

"You didn't miss me?" She pouted, tears welling in her eyes. "It's been two months. I was alone."

Guilt washed over me. "Of course I missed you," I said, scooping the seven-year-old into my arms and hugging her tightly, careful not to hurt her. "Jenny, you can't be here. If Alex finds out…"

"Alex…" She blinked. "Oh, you mean the scary man?"

I was dumbfounded. "You—you—what?"

"He was the one who came to get me from the hospital. He said we would surprise you."

My heart plummeted. Alex knew about Jenny. Did he find out after I told him about Alina? Running a background check on my story wouldn't be out of character for him. Or did he know about Jenny all along?

"Jenny," I gulped. "The hospital let you go?"

"The scary man told my doctor if he didn't let me go, the scary man would put the doctor in my hospital bed." She giggled, finding it amusing.

Anxiety overwhelmed me.

Alex knew about Jenny. Alex knew about Jenny. Alex knew.

"Where is—where is he?" I asked. She pointed to the open door of my room.

"Come, sweetheart." I took her hand, and she held it grudgingly, still upset that I hadn't visited her in two months. I promised to make it up to her with lots of cupcakes, and the "sugar monster" agreed as we headed out to find the man in question.

Chapter 121 (Continued)

Jenny released my hand almost immediately upon reaching the downstairs, running to Alex and hugging his leg. She was shorter and smaller than most children her age due to her medical problems, reaching only to his waist.

"Off, kid." Alex wriggled as if a demon had latched onto him.

I hid a smile, though it didn't quite reach my eyes.

"Jen," I called, and she left him with a grin.

"Scary man bought me so many toys! Can I show them to you?"

"Of course," I smiled, and she ran off.

Alex's eyes met mine, and I froze.

"So," His smile was smug. "Surprised?"

I didn't know what to make of it. Was it a good gesture? "I—how did you know?" I mumbled.

"What? That you're a liar?" He mocked. "Call it instinct."

"About Jenny."

"Mia, the Mafia operates by my orders and strategies. Seeing through people is kind of my job. Did you really think I wouldn't be able to figure out your secret? A poorly kept one at that." A maniacal darkness filled his eyes, one that resembled the man I had first met more than the one who had been in my room last night. "The only shame is I couldn't do it sooner. I would have, within the first week, if I wasn't so fucking consumed by you."

I gulped as he approached. "So?" He asked again, the psychotic grin spreading across his mouth. "Surprised?"

Fear gnawed at my insides. "Are you," My voice was a broken whisper, "Are you going to hurt Jenny?"

"Depends."

My heart sank. "Depends on what?"

"Will you marry me?"

I gasped, suddenly short of breath. He hadn't just said that. He hadn't. He hadn't. "Alex," Tears filled my eyes. "Will you hurt Jenny if I don't marry you?"

"If I have to." He tilted his head. "I asked you not to test my limits, Mia. And guess what? You did exactly that."

The tears fell. "You're a monster!"

"Your monster."

"Alex," I pleaded. "Please don't do this."

"I'm not even doing anything, baby." His eyes were dark. This was who he always was, and always would be: a cold, nefarious monster. A man who lies, threatens, and crosses any limit to get what he wants.

17:33 Sat, 6 Jul

Chapter 121 (Continued)

And the thing he wants happens to be me.

"But you will? If I don't marry you, you will hurt Jen?" I asked, hating the lingering hope I still held.

"A lot," he replied nonchalantly. "Starting with Bakshi's hospital refusing medical care."

"You can't do that."

"But I can." A twitch appeared in his eyes, as if he were enjoying this. "Other hospitals will soon follow. I don't have to remind you what will happen to Jenny's small, frail lungs if she doesn't return to the ventilator for her evening oxygen dose, do I?"

My vision blurred with tears.

His nature, his world—he had once turned me on. That was when I watched him threaten the world to keep me safe. Being on the receiving end of it? It was making me hate him.

I sniffed. "You won't send her back to the hospital if I don't say yes." This was more of an accusation than a statement of fact.

"You will watch her lungs give out right here, in front of you; she'll die in your—"

His words trailed off when I slapped him with all my strength, his head tilting to the side.

When he looked back at me, I expected anger, retaliation.

There was none.

He put his hand around my waist, pulling me close. I gasped as his erection pressed against my lower abdomen.

"Save the freakiness for the bedroom, Mrs.," he smirked.

His black eyes were monstrous and soulless as they locked with mine, and I questioned how I could ever have fallen in love with them.