Chapter 9 Alexander kept his arm around my waist , gently pulling me aside . Hell kill him ! I hissed , watching William approach with the vintage cricket bat . A dangerous smile played across Alexanders sculpted features . Darling , death would be too merciful . He pulled out his phone , his upper class accent dripping with dark amusement : Have a medical team on standby at the Blackwood estate . Discretion is paramount . His thumb traced lazy circles on my hip , completely at odds with the tension in the air . I shot him an incredulous look .. Castro dragged his gaze from Williams approaching figure , his perfectly maintained facade crumbling like his mud stained Armani . Aveline , we never properly ended things . This arranged marriage its just business . You cant possibly- The crack of willow on bone cut through the morning air as Williams cricket bat connected with surgical precision . Castro crumpled to the ground with a cry of pain . Ive been standing here listening to your bullshit , William snarled . You manipulated my sister , struck her , and now you have the audacity to make demands ? Another swing punctuated his words . Despite his designer suit now being thoroughly ruined by grass stains , Castro kept his desperate eyes . locked on me , dragging himself forward like a wounded animal . Will , stop ! I called out as he raised the bat again . Hope flared in Castros eyes . You see ? She still cares . What we had- pulled away from Alexanders protective hold and approached James . His triumphant smile froze as I crouched before him , letting my palm connect with his face That , I said with deadly calm , makes us square . Next time you raise a hand to me , I wont be so gentle . As for breaking up -I must point out its rather difficult to break up when you never publicly acknowledged me as your girlfriend , isnt it ? Hard to end something that officially never existed . Chapter 9 Rising gracefully , I smoothed my dress . Ill make this crystal clear , Castro : I dont love you anymore . The next time you show up here , I wont stop William . I grabbed Williams arm , turning my back on Castros broken form sprawled across our front lawn . William , however , was still unwilling to leave . No need to face murder charges over someone like him . I snapped . William tossed the vintage cricket bat aside with visible reluctance , but couldnt resist straddling Castros prone form to deliver a series of precise punches that would definitely rearrange that aristocratic nose job . Once William had worked out his rage , Alexander signaled the waiting medical team . Four uniformed paramedics efficiently loaded our unwanted visitor onto a stretcher . Ive fucked her for seven years , As we turned to leave , Castros voice rang out with vindictive spite . How does it feel , bro , marrying my leftovers ? Both men spun around with lethal grace . I caught Williams Savile Row sleeve , but Alexander was already moving . He pressed his Italian leather shoe into Castros injured leg , grinding down with precise pressure . You know , he remarked conversationally , though his eyes were arctic , youre making quite a case for why the old money families still value breeding . Dont worry youll have a front row seat to watch her live her best life without you . Take him away . Once the ambulance had disappeared down the private drive , Alexanders demeanor shifted completely . He threaded his fingers through mine , his touch gentle . Shall we hit Bond Street ? Perhaps start with Cartier , work our way down to Chanel ? I blinked at him , confused . After such drama , he wanted to … shop ? Why shopping ? His lips quirked into a half smile . Moth says shopping is the best cure for a womans troubled heart . My heart needs healing too ! William interjected hopefully . I could use some therapeutic Rolex Chapter 9 shopping . Alexander smoothly shouldered him aside , leading me toward his Aston Martin . During the drive , I tried to explain everything , but he gently cut me off : The past is past . I dont need you to reopen old wounds . None of it matters to me . His eyes sparkled with mischief . Though I must say , I rather enjoyed being called a man of integrity . Do go on about my virtues . His playfulness pulled a genuine laugh from me . By sunset , his Aston Martin was overflowing with distinctive bags from every luxury boutique in Mayfair , purchases spilling from the boot into the back seats . William sulked on the mansions steps , cuddling our Persian cat and making exaggerated comments about favoritism . Whatever darkness Castro had tried to bring dissolved in the warmth of laughter and new beginnings . C C ( 0 ) ( 0 ) Chapter 10 Five-year-old Annie, who can understand animals, saved Landon Hawthorne, a wealthy businessman, from suicide. Now she's his whole world and he's her legal cheat-code against every villain fate throws ...