Page 81 of Filthy Dirty Dom

“Hard going doesn’t mean impossible.”

They stared at each other. To some, Leslie knew she’d seem foolish, ordering Alex to stay with her and her family even if it meant exposing her and them to even the most remote possibility of getting caught in the crossfire between Alex and Bratva. And it wasn’t that she wasn’t scared. Of course she was scared. They were talking about the Russian mob. But if she gave in to her fear, she’d be swept away, or more likely, Alex would be swept away from her. She needed to curtail her fear and focus on what was in front of her, and right now, that was a fierce determination to fight back if necessary, to protect herself and her loved ones, but also to safeguard Alex. Alex, who was the one who always safeguarded everyone else, and was clearly willing to do it again, willing to leave Leslie, probably leave New York altogether, if he thought it would be in everyone’s best interest.

Even if it wasn’t in his own.

“I told you, Alex, you’re not leaving me.”

His expression was so hard, so fierce, that she blinked when it softened with a hint of amusement.

“You’re something else, you know that, Leslie Duke?”

At the evidence that he was giving in, at least for now, Leslie took a shaky breath. “You’re just figuring that out now, Samuels?”

He shook his head. “I’ve known it all along. So here’s how it will work. We’re safe here. We wouldn’t still be here if I didn’t think so. But if the time comes that that’s no longer true, even if it means us having to separate so I can draw danger away from you, that’s what is going to happen. And you won’t fight me. And if you do, I will do whatever I have to do, Leslie, including tying you up, blindfolding and gagging you, to get you where you need to be.”

Maybe it showed just how sick she really was, especially because they were talking about a dirty politician hiring the Russian mob to come after Leslie and Alex, but Alex’s words didn’t scare her or intimidate her; they just turned her on.

“You do what you have to do, Alex. And I’ll do the same.”

“Leslie—”

Whatever Alex was going to say was interrupted when Renee suddenly poked her head in the library again. She was carrying a brown package. "Your art supplies arrived," she announced, looking at Alex then at Leslie. Obviously sensing the tension in the room, she quickly handed Alex the package before leaving with a murmured goodbye.

“Alex,” she began.

He shook his head. “We’ve argued enough. You know my position and now I know yours. We’re at an impasse so let’s not argue anymore. Right now, there’s no need. We’re on this island together. Until the time comes otherwise, let’s try to enjoy it.”

She sighed then glanced at the package. “Fair enough. Thank you for ordering the art supplies. Bella probably has things we could have used, but this way I won’t have to ask.”

“You and Bella talked more?”

Leslie nodded. “"She's a little guarded, but I think we had a good conversation. She’s interested in fashion. Maybe we can sketch together later.”

Alex smiled, though it didn’t reach his eyes, and she knew he was still troubled by his phone call with Luca—the head of the Italian mafia—and their conversation.

Suddenly, something caught Alex’s eye. His gaze landed on the album that Bella had put down on a shelf in the bookcase; Leslie hadn’t even noticed that she’d left it open.

As he looked at it, a shadow of something deep and painful passed over Alex's face.

And that’s when Leslie knew for sure.

Alex did know Mia.

And she’d meant something important to him.

"You knew her?" Leslie said, breaking the silence. “Mia? Bella told me she died.”

Alex glanced at her and gave a curt nod. "Yes, I knew her. And yes, she died.”

His words were weighted, dense with what he left unsaid.

"What happened to her?" Leslie asked gently, unwilling to let the topic drop, but being mindful that there was a story there, something painful that Alex wasn't ready to share.

Alex took a deep breath, his gaze back on the photograph. "She was murdered."

The words hung in the air between them, harsh in the hushed library. Leslie drew in a shocked breath. "I’m so sorry. That's terrible," she murmured.

"It is," Alex agreed, the corners of his mouth tight. He was silent for a moment, his thoughts obviously elsewhere, before he finally looked at Leslie again. She saw the wall that had come up between them, an immovable force.