Chapter 135

The week passed quickly. We spent our days visiting Alex’s favorite childhood spots, and he never left my side after the cafeteria incident. He treated me as if I were a porcelain doll, ready to break at any moment—and perhaps I was.

For the first few days, I was hesitant to be in public. Gradually, I became more comfortable.

Today's activities included shopping and dinner at a restaurant co-owned by Gabriel's friend, Zach—apparently Skye's father. I hadn't met Alex's little "fangirl" yet.

I love shopping, especially without a budget! I loved trying on dresses, and Alex seemed to enjoy giving his opinions on each one. He bought everything I touched, even the items I wasn't completely in love with, until I had a whole new wardrobe.

"I had such a great day!" I exclaimed as soon as we got home, not caring about the volume since we were alone. Aurora was staying in her apartment. Ronan was at a party. Gabriel and Sofia were at a charity gala for tigers, I think.

"I had a great day, too," Alex hummed.

"You didn't even buy anything."

"I had fun pampering you. I don't like shopping for myself."

My brows furrowed slightly. "You have a great wardrobe."

"I have a stylist who buys for me."

"Wow," I teased. "The big bad Alex King of the mafia has a stylist!"

He smiled, and I shook my head, looking around the house. Sofia was a painter; dozens of her paintings filled the house.

"Your dad's obsessed with Sofia," I commented.

"Obsession with your wife runs in the family, I'm afraid."

Heat rose to my cheeks. "Are you flirting with me, Mr. Whitlock?"

"What if I am, Mrs. Whitlock?"

Blushing, I walked closer to him as he sat on the couch. I hesitantly sat on his lap. He froze, surprised by my action. Even I hadn't expected myself to do it.

"You need to be careful, or I might think you like me," I whispered, our breaths mingling.

"I more than like you, Mia," he replied sincerely. Without hesitation, I leaned in and kissed him lightly.

He stiffened under my touch, his hands clenching at his sides.

Chapter 133

I pulled away. "Why aren't you touching me?"

A flicker of emotion crossed his eyes. "Am I allowed to?"

Every time I'd screamed and pulled away when he tried to get closer, it had clearly affected him. I nodded.

His hands rose, one cupping my cheek as he pulled me back in for a kiss, devouring me completely. He was soft, gentle—something I hadn't known Alex to be—as if savoring every second.

I felt him harden beneath me, desire reflected in his eyes when I pulled away. I was breathless.

I expected him to want more, for his hands to linger, but he didn't. Instead, he rested his forehead against mine, our noses almost touching. "You have no idea how long I've been waiting to do this," he said, surprising me.

"How long?"

"Since I last stopped." He kissed my forehead. "In case you haven't noticed, I'm a little addicted to you, Mia."

"That's good, because I feel the same way," I smiled softly.

"Are you ready to finally let me in?" he asked. "Please, baby. I'm dying here."

My smile vanished, and I reluctantly nodded, trying to get off his lap, but he wouldn't let me. He pulled my legs to one side, wrapping his arms around me, allowing me to rest my head on his chest.

"Let me hold you so you remember that you're safe now," he said. "And so that I remember you're safe now, too."

"Is it okay if I don't go into details?"

"I will take whatever you give me."

"I I woke up to see Dominic beaten and bloodied, tied up in front of me. There were two of them—a ginger and a blonde. The details are fuzzy, but they beat Dominic in front of me. I somehow managed to loosen one of the ropes and tried to escape, but one of them grabbed me and held me down."

A sob wracked my body as suppressed memories flooded back.

Alex's hold tightened. "What did he do, love?"

"He he held me down," I repeated. "I was weak, but I fought back. I I kept struggling, but he was too heavy. He kissed me forcefully, and then his hands slipped under my clothes."

I felt Alex freeze. I closed my eyes, burying my face in him, sobbing. "I kept calling for you," I cried. "I thought maybe, by some miracle, someone would hear me."

Alex's chin rested on my head. "I'm so sorry, Mia. I'm so fucking sorry."

"I was so angry at you for not protecting me. So angry you married me. I could feel his touch on my skin for days. He took his time, you know? He pressed on my wounds when I moved I" I couldn't finish, a sobbing mess.

Alex didn't reply. He just held me tighter, as if trying to absorb me completely.

"Did he?" Alex's voice broke.

Chapter 133 (continued)

I shook my head. "He just touched himself while touching me. I kept my eyes closed, but he stopped when he got a call. He told the blonde they had to leave because the Bratva were on their way. He considered shooting me, but I think he had other orders. He mentioned something about this being a message to the King family—to not fish in waters they don't belong to."

"Thank God he didn't" Alex didn't finish. He pulled me away, and I reluctantly looked at him. Rage filled his eyes—a terrifying, almost psychotic rage. He seemed to be barely containing himself. "I will kill every man in the Italian organization if I have to until I find your attacker, and when I do, I swear to God, we will give him a life worse than death."

Silent tears streamed down my face.

"I should have never dragged you into this mess," he cursed in a language I didn't understand. "I should have never forced you to marry me. I don't know what I was thinking. I knew I gave up a normal life the moment I joined the Bratva, but I swear, I got selfish. I thought I could have it all with you. I really thought I could" He paused, swallowed hard. "I'm as guilty as that man. I'm so fucking sorry, Mia."

I shook my head, the tears unrelenting. "You found me."

"After I became the reason you were taken, hurt abused."

I shook my head, sniffing. "It's not your fault."

"But it is," he retorted. "It's my fault. I made you marry me, it's my fucking fault."

I shook my head.

"Blame me, baby. You were right. I should stay away from you." He added, "I don't know what I was thinking this week, trying to make you happy again."

"I was happy," I said. "This week was the happiest I've been in a long time."

He looked at me with an unreadable emotion, his eyes red-rimmed. "Hearing all this from you it makes it all real. I think a part of me hoped all this while that it wouldn't be this bad. They wouldn't have"

Rage flickered in his eyes.

I blinked, more tears falling. I snuggled closer to him. He took a moment before putting his arm around me. Alex's breathing was uneven.

"I'm safe here," I whispered, referring to his arms.

"Then you'll stay here," he promised, and I closed my eyes, feeling his touch after days, hoping it would erase the bad memories and nightmares. I fell asleep there.