The Carrero Contract - Selling Your Soul (Book 1 of Contract Trilogy)

18

''London, I told you to give Santagato a wide berth.'' Alexi snarls it at me quietly as he comes up behind me at the bar and I just sink in deflation and ignore him hovering right at my back as best I can. He's been on my arse for everything tonight while swanning around with his new skirt and some other girls from the floor like a horny teenager. If he's making a show of not favouring me, then it's effective. Killing what's left of my selfrespect and any inklings my heart might have had to keep on beating for him.

I have literally had to endure him being ground on, kissed, felt up, and had a pair of naked tits thrust in his face when one of the girls gave him a lap dance. It's some new kind of torture, and yet I managed to look completely unaffected on the outside while my soul committed suicide. I feel like I exist in an alternate reality and no longer feel like I am here or real anymore.

Every moment has become a constant mass of feeling like shit, and I'm on the verge of curling up to cry. For the first time ever, I think I see the benefits of getting high on Valium or boosting my depressive mood with some coke. Except he would flip his shit and find ways to turn it into a bad trip.

Santagato has only approached me for requests, tending to his room and such, nothing more now that he realises I was a passing fad for King Carrero, but I guess Alexi is still keeping tabs on me enough to see him come near me. I don't know whether I should take hope in that or remind myself as a possessive bitch he still doesn't want people touching his toys.

''Calm yourself, New York.'' I jibe at his constant use of my stupid pet name. ''He wanted a specific girl with specific skills and some oysters sent to his room. He hasn't approached me for anything else except to meet his requests, and it seems I am no longer something he wants.'' I turn back to the bar and continue flicking through my list, checking for the names I was searching for as I am sure we have an extra guest that hasn't been accounted for. Ignoring the fact he is STILL standing right behind me, even though he knows it makes me uneasy, I blank him out with all my might.

I saw a face in the group that I don't remember greeting and have no idea if he came in with our guests tonight.

''He had his hands on your ass.'' He sounds angry; probably enraged his property has been defiled by another man's touch. I would be a fool to assume jealousy and sigh heavily, more interested in my problem than his.

''If you haven't noticed, most of your members think I am still touch worthy, and I am pretty accomplished at removing their hands without insult. If you ever paid attention then you'll see that I get groped nightly, with subtle hands.'' I smirk at that one because I know that will enrage his good old ''Do not touch what's mine!'' mentality and show a severe lack of Carrero respect.

''What?''

Yep, definitely angry, his eyes changing from the palest grey to the darkest storm on the seas, and he also seems to grow a little taller. For once I get delighted at seeing his negative reaction. Nice to be on the offensive side for once.

''Your family have arrived; Mico told me they are upstairs and already have their appointment up there with them. Everyone is comfortable and being attended to, all ticking over like a finely oiled machine. I think I deserve a raise, or at least a pat on the back, for how well I run your little operation.'' I just gloss over his temper tantrum with indifference and try to focus on my tasks.

I'm not going to let him get to me, not now he has the nerve to sit pushing women in my face all night.

''I'm taking you off the floor for the rest of the night, go upstairs.'' Alexi dismisses my half joking suggestions, sounding grim and stubborn, that simmering temper is not as controlled as normal and I turn on him with shock.