Daddy’s billionaire step-brother
Chapter 69: Wild nights

Jessica felt a shiver run down her spine. His words were dangerously seductive, a game of temptation she wasn't entirely sure she could win. But there was no denying the pull she felt toward him, even though every rational part of her screamed that he was the wrong kind of man.

She glanced away, trying to break the spell he had over her. "Maybe I am," she said, her tone flippant, though her heart raced faster. "But I don't think you're the kind of trouble I need."

Alekos chuckled, the sound deep and rich, vibrating through her. "I think you know exactly the kind of trouble I am," he said, his eyes never leaving hers. "And you're not afraid of it. Not really."

Jessica swallowed hard, feeling the tension between them tighten. She had never been so aware of anyone's presence before of how dangerously attractive someone could be, and how reckless it made her feel. Alekos was a man who played by his own rules, and she was beginning to realize that she was being drawn into a game she hadn't agreed to.

"Why are you here?" she asked, her voice quieter now, more serious. "At this party, I mean. I didn't think someone like you... mixed with this crowd."

Alekos' eyes darkened, and for a moment, Jessica thought she had pushed too far. But then his lips curled into a small smile. "I have my reasons," he said simply. "And tonight, one of them happens to be you."

Her breath caught in her throat. "Me?"

Alekos nodded slowly, his gaze intense. "I don't believe in coincidences, Jessica. I was at that baby shower for a reason. And seeing you again tonight... well, let's just say I was hoping for it."

Jessica's pulse quickened, and she felt her defenses start to crumble. This was a dangerous man, not just in his affiliations but in the way he made her feel like she was standing at the edge of a cliff, daring herself to jump.

"You should stay away from me," she said, her voice shaky, unsure whether she was warning him or herself.

Alekos took another step closer, and now they were only inches apart. His eyes bored into hers, the intensity almost too much to handle. "Maybe I should," he said softly, his voice a low murmur. "But I won't."

Jessica's breath hitched as the space between them seemed to vanish, the air charged with a tension so thick she could hardly think. Every fiber of her being screamed that she should walk away, that this was too dangerous, too reckless. But instead, she stayed.

For a moment, they stood in silence, the world around them forgotten. Then Alekos leaned in, his lips brushing her ear as he whispered, "Tell me, Jessica... do you really want me to stay away?"

She felt the heat of his breath on her skin, the electric thrill of his words sending shivers down her spine. She wanted to say yes, to tell him to leave her alone, to walk away from whatever this was before it went too far.

But the words wouldn't come.

Instead, she met his gaze, her heart pounding wildly, and said, "I don't know."

***

Jessica slouched into the cushioned chair on Clara's terrace, sunglasses perched on her nose, trying to block out the relentless Mykonos sun. She massaged her temples, feeling the aftermath of last night's wild party pounding in her skull. Clara's villa was a peaceful haven, but this morning, with her hangover in full swing, even the sound of birds chirping felt like a hammer to her brain.

Clara, looking radiant despite her growing baby bump, placed a plate of fresh fruit on the table and sat across from her. "You look like the night was a success," she teased, her eyes sparkling.

Jessica groaned, taking a slow sip of the coffee Clara had poured for her. "Success? Maybe... but right now, the fun is charging its price," she muttered, grimacing as she rubbed her temples again.

Clara chuckled softly. "Well, you seemed to enjoy yourself. I thought I saw you talking to someone, too. Did you meet someone interesting?"

Jessica hesitated for a moment, a sly smile tugging at the corners of her lips despite her headache. She placed her coffee cup down and leaned back in her chair, pushing her sunglasses up onto her head. "Actually, I did." Clara raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Oh? Who?"

"Alekos," Jessica said nonchalantly, though the name hung in the air with a weight she hadn't expected. "You know... Adrian's friend. The guy at your baby shower."

Clara's face immediately shifted from lighthearted curiosity to concern. She sat up straighter, her hand instinctively resting on her belly. "Wait-Alekos? The guy with the tattoos?"

Jessica laughed at Clara's sudden seriousness. "Yeah, him. I know, I know... he's the bad boy type, but-"

"Jessica, no," Clara interrupted, her voice firm and edged with alarm. "He's not just the bad boy type. He's the bad man type."

Jessica blinked, confused. "What are you talking about? It was just harmless fun. He's... exciting, you know? Dangerous, sure, but I'm not getting married to the guy."

Clara's expression darkened, and her tone grew more urgent. "Jessica, listen to me. He's not just dangerous in the way you think. Alekos isn't some rebellious guy looking for a fling. He's the head of the Italian mob here in Greece." Jessica froze, her heart suddenly beating louder than her headache. "What?"

Clara nodded, her eyes never leaving Jessica's. "Adrian told me. Alekos isn't just some guy with tattoos and a mysterious vibe. He's a criminal. A very dangerous one. He runs the Italian mob. I don't know the full extent of what he's involved in, but Adrian made it very clear that you need to stay away from him."

Jessica's head started to spin, but this time it wasn't because of her hangover. Her thoughts raced back to the night before-dancing under the stars, the way Alekos had looked at her, the thrill she felt when they kissed, like nothing she'd ever experienced before. He made her feel alive in a way no one else ever had.

But now? Now she could only think about what Clara was telling her.

"The... mob?" Jessica's voice was barely a whisper. She tried to process the words, but they felt surreal. "He never mentioned anything like that."

"Of course he didn't," Clara said, her tone softer now, but still firm. "People like Alekos don't talk about what they do in the open. They live in the shadows, and trust me, that's where you want to stay-far away from him."

Jessica leaned forward, resting her elbows on the table, her head in her hands. The excitement, the adrenaline from last night was rapidly draining from her, replaced by a growing sense of dread. She remembered how effortlessly Alekos had drawn her in, how easy it had been to let herself fall into the heat of the moment with him. She had kissed him. She had let herself be swept away by the danger of it all.

But now, knowing what she knew, she couldn't shake the feeling that she had crossed a line she had no business approaching.

"I kissed him," Jessica said quietly, her voice shaky. "Last night... I kissed him."

Clara's eyes widened, her expression shifting to shock. "Jessica..."

"I didn't know," Jessica said quickly, her heart racing as panic began to set in. "He was just he made me feel so alive, Clara. Like I could forget everything else, like the world was just ours for the night. And now you're telling me he's a fucking criminal? Like, not just any criminal, the head of the italian mafia?"

Clara reached out, placing a reassuring hand on Jessica's arm. "I understand that excitement, Jess. I do. But this isn't like flirting with some guy at a party. Alekos is dangerous, and you have no idea what getting involved with him could mean. You need to stay away from him."

Jessica bit her lip, her mind still reeling. She had always craved excitement, something to break away from the predictable, monotonous life she had grown up in. And Alekos... he had given her that, even if just for one night. But now, knowing who he really was, she couldn't deny the fear creeping into her chest.

"You're right," she finally said, her voice a mix of resignation and fear. "I need to stay the hell away from him."

Clara nodded, relief flickering in her eyes. "Please, Jess. For your own sake."

Jessica leaned back in her chair, her appetite gone. The thought of seeing Alekos again now filled her with a mix of regret and confusion. How could she have been so reckless? She had known there was something dangerous about him, but she had been too blinded by the thrill to care. Now, the reality was hitting her hard.

"Do you think he knows who I am?" Jessica asked suddenly, her voice small. "I mean... does he know about my family?"

Clara hesitated, then shrugged slightly. "I don't know, Jess. But people like Alekos? They usually know more than they let on."

Jessica swallowed hard, her pulse quickening again. The idea that Alekos might have targeted her because of her wealthy, influential family made her feel sick to her stomach. Was she just another pawn in some larger game?

"I have to stay away from him," she repeated, more to herself than to Clara. But the thought of never seeing him again sent an unexpected pang through her chest.

Clara squeezed her hand, her eyes filled with concern. "You'll be okay, Jess. Just be smart. You're too good for someone like him."

Jessica nodded, though deep down, she couldn't shake the memory of his touch, his gaze, the way he had made her feel.

Too good for him, maybe. But that didn't mean she didn't still want him.

And that scared her more than anything.