A Lifetime With You by Athrhteera

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Chapter 76

Matteo

'I know she's with you.'

The message said, leaving me anxious and somehow out of words. I had stared at my phone for five minutes because I didn't know if I was supposed to reply or let it be. It was obvious Alexei knew that Alena was with me but the main question was, how?

The laughters and chatters were loudly heard from downstairs which calmed me down a little bit, knowing they weren't coming upstairs to check up on me.

Then again, I didn't want to hide things from Alena anymore-I did it before for her own sake. Was I supposed to hide about this as well? What type of good was going to come out from it?

Another message came in and I looked down at the sender: Alexei.

'Mikhail doesn't know.'

I read, blinking a few times as another message went through.

'Well, not yet.'

I immediately turned to look at the door before shutting it close and heading out to the balcony, occasionally glancing at the door incase Alena stepped in. I didn't want her to overhear my conversation with Alexei, at least until I heard about the things he wanted to say first. Without wasting anymore time, I pressed the screen to call Alexei.

It took him a couple of rings before he picked up the phone.

"Look who decided to call me back," he said from the other line!

"Are you alone?" I asked, ignoring his sarcasm.

The question was simple. I just needed a confirmation from him if Mikhail was in the room with him or he was alone-it was safer if he was all by himself. I couldn't trust Mikhail and I couldn't trust Alexei either but at least, he was keeping Alena's whereabouts a secret for now.

Maybe, he was finally coming to his senses.

However, it was still too early to judge.

Alexei chuckled from the other line, "You're worried?"

I kept quiet, not wanting to play around. I just wanted an answer and if he didn't want to give me any, there was no use for us to talk anymore. I always had my doubts with the Russians but ever since I had fallen in love with one, I tried to be positive sometimes.

"If it's Mikhail you're worried about, he's not here." He added, giving me the answer I waited for.

I sighed, feeling a little bit better.

"Why did you call me?"

"Just to clear the air between us after what happened."

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07:40 Mon, Nov 4

Chapter 76

that I don't feel the same way,"

think I'm

and I from last week replayed in my head,

of the reasons why we needed

that. Men like us aren't

but men like us, we didn't deserve anything good in our lives. If another lifetime ever existed, I would've probably chosen a different life where I wasn't the villain. I wanted a calm and peaceful life

we earned were given to charities, probably just one of the ways to cover up our money laundering. Then again, our hands were always going to be dirty from the men we killed despite

to hell, aren't we?" He

do you want,

I found out about it? I know you're

me

respond seemed to make him laugh, as if it was

my sister a favour. Let's just say I'm trying to be

you

continued to speak, "I was there that night when he hit her. As much as I respect and look up to Mikhail, I don't exactly tolerate abuse especially when it's towards my sister. Don't get me wrong, it

a way, you're making

I'm

"I

I wanted to." He continued to speak before sighing, as if he was having a hard time to choose the right words-he had his own battles to

should I thank

don't need that.

can I trust you

my sister. I'll protect her

she got hurt

take the blame. I really

heard the door being pushed open and I saw Alena stepping in, looking around the room for me. Once she saw my figure on

said as she grabbed my

"Hey... you," I replied.

you? You took

at her as she continued to look at me. There was something about her eyes, I was always drawn to her every time we stared at each other-it could be

It was as if my body could finally function properly if I had her beside me and my body could somehow self destruct if she was nowhere near me. It was

"Your brother."

"Alexei?" Her eyes widened.

and a frown appeared

are you so calm about it? Shouldn't we be worried?" She asked, this time her grip on my

he won't tell Mikhail. He said

me one? Owed me

not doing anything when he hurt

onto his face and let him bleed on the ground. He said he was capable of protecting my wife as if I had failed,