Page 2 of Bound By You

His dick has other ideas, though, and he just doesn't know how to stop trying. I worry it'll be too late by the time he realizes his mistakes, and when he finds her, his guilt will eat him alive. Because hewillfind her. My heart hurts for them. Sofia is like a sister to me. I love her dearly, and the guilt ate me alive, knowing what our families and my brother had done to her. She felt betrayed, and decided to take the easy way out, disappearing without a trace. And I love Damian. He's my blood brother, my best friend, but he's also a fucking idiot. He needs to get his head out of his ass fast.

This leads me to where I am now, on Long Island, staring at the fuckingKai, or second-in-command of theNonos tis Nychtas’mansion. I sigh, shaking my head.

I stand to every inch of my six-foot-three-inches and square my shoulders, running my hands down the sides of my short dark hair, and ensuring the long hair on top is still slicked back.

I knock on the door and a butler answers. He takes me through the dreary house; it's like a shrine to his deceased wife, who was tortured, raped, and killed by the Romanians, which turned out to be his brother’s fault. He helped them get to her as a fuck you to his brother for taking the woman he originally wanted but who was already pregnant with Selene. The brother doesn't know Basil is aware of his betrayal; it's taken him nine years to get his plans in order.

The butler takes us through the foyer, then right down the hallway, coming to a stop by a black door. He knocks, and then enters with me behind him.

Basil Adino sits behind his black desk, leaning back in his chair, his white-blond hair in in disarray. He looks stressed, but that's expected. He’s been planning and plotting a takeover for nearly a year.

Between the Bratva, the Italian Mafia, and Basil’s men, whom he has recruited behind his brother's back over the years, the takeover should go smoothly, and the revenge will be bittersweet. Normally, other Mafia wouldn't get involved with these types of situations; it's between family, despite how close my father and Basil are, but Adrian is rumored to be dabbling in human trafficking and, we may be assholes, but we stop at flesh-peddling.

"Alexandr, please come in and take a seat." He sighs. I tilt my head and take a seat in the comfy-looking black armchair. "Is everything okay, Basil?" I question. I’m concerned about him; he's alright for a Greek. He and my father are close friends, and they have been since infancy. They grew up together, much to Adrian's dislike. Adrian has tried to start a war several times over the years, but Basil always quashes it.

"Sorry, Alexandr, just worried for my daughter Phoebe is all."

I nod. I'm aware of the youngest Adino child who was forced to move to Greece with her grandmother. Sergi was upset when she left. Those two are really close, like brother and sister, really. I haven't physically met her, though. He'd meet up with her once a month, and they'd talk on the phone, but he always ensured to keep her away from us.

Adrian had taken a liking to her after he had her mother killed when she was ten. He had an auction site set up with several takers, including the Romanians. Basil did the only thing he could think of and sent her away. He didn't have the manpower to take his brother on, and the only way to get her to leave was to make sure she thought it was because he didn't want her anymore.

Apparently, she's the spitting image of her mother except for her white-blond hair, so it was easy to convince everyone he couldn't stand being around her when he just wanted to keep her safe. He struggled with the decision and spoke to my father atlength about it. He loves his daughters but had to do what was best at the time. When his mother-in-law passed away in her sleep, he had no choice but to bring Phoebe back. He's kept her at arm's length, though, for her safety, but keeping up the façade eats him alive every day.

He sighs deeply. "The marriage contract cannot be with Selene, my eldest."

I raise my eyebrows at that. Don't get me wrong, I don't want this marriage at all, but I also know I must marry an Adino for us to help take down his brother and the trafficking enterprise in our area. Otherwise, it would start a war.

"What's changed your mind?" I ask in a calm voice, not looking forward to explaining this to my father. He will think I did something to fuck things up and, for once, I didn't.

"I haven't changed my mind; I just changed the bride," he states solemnly, and I furrow my brows in confusion.

"Despite it being a marriage in name only, for appearance's sake, it needs to look real for Adrian to not get suspicious, and he will not believe it with you and Selene." He looks pissed, and I keep quiet, waiting for an explanation. "She was aware of the rules; she signed the documents but decided to make a sense at a family gathering—more for attention than anything. Selene states that she is in love with some college student."

I arch a brow. "Okay…? Why can't we kill the guy? She's clearly breaking the written contract we both signed and wants to get back at me for not giving her my black card," I state.

His answer shocks me.

"She. It turns out my daughter is not into men anymore and thought it best to bring the young lady to our family restaurant while Adrian was there." He runs his hand through his hair, frustrated. "She also has a new passion, painting, and the classes she's chosen cost $15,000 for three months." I try not to fucking laugh. Selene is one of those people who tries new things justso she doesn't lose a life of luxury. She's very materialistic and spoiled. Basil is the kind of man who prefers the women in his family to take responsibility and earn their keep, meaning college. Degrees and jobs, which Selene does not want.

I've heard whispers of Phoebe wanting to be a vet and already in college taking courses, according to my fuck buddy, Mindy. Selene's very jealous and has been planting shit in her sister's ear about their father not wanting her to work because she'll be married off, not that I gave a shit. Mindy likes to try and cuddle and have pillow talk after our fuck sessions, and Selene's whole “I'm into women” thing is definitely not true. Does she like eating pussy? Yes, she does. Mindy is her go-to pussy, but only when she knows I'll be there, too, which I'm certain her father knows nothing about.

I've only ever fucked her mouth and ass, never her pussy, and usually I watch as she gets tongue fucked as I fuck the women in between us, much to her dismay. Still, I think this is a ploy she didn't think her father would take seriously. Too bad she made it too public…but this is perfect for me. I never wanted to marry Selene; her personality is shitty. That's why I've bitched nonstop over this arrangement. I know I would have killed her within a few months.

She's basically only good for her asshole and mouth. The last time we met, as per the contract rules, we didn't have a chaperone. She tried to make a show of ownership after a barista flirted with me, then pushed the crocodile tears when I told her to knock it off. So, the fact she's now into the opposite sex is hilarious, and I don't have to marry anyone.

He must have noticed my expression because he lets out a little chuckle.

"Don't get your hopes up, Al. Like I said, I'm switching brides, which your father has agreed to, too. I just wanted theopportunity to tell you, and for you to meet your new bride today." He smirks at me, and my stomach bottoms out.

Shit, fucking Dad.I wait patiently for him to announce which of the women in his family will be my new bride.

"Phoebe."

That is all he says, and I stand up fast.

Fuck no, she's just a kid.

He puts his hand up and states, "She's nineteen. You're only seven years older than her, and I think this is a better way to keep her safe until our plan comes to fruition next year." He says it so calmly, but I can see the fury in his eyes. He doesn't want her to marry me just as much as I don't want to marry her. Selene fucked things up; she knew her sister would have to take her place, but she put herself first anyway, out of jealousy and greed, like she always does.