All Chapters of Straight Until Him: Chapter 1 - Chapter 8

Alessandro's POVIf my father saw the state I was in and the place I'd ended up tonight, I was a hundred percent sure that he was going to have a heart attack.But I didn't care.I chose not to care the moment I slipped past the guards and pulled up to the sensual groovy club everyone had been talking about downtown.Five shots in and my head was a mix of pumping adrenaline and raw excitement as the neon lights flash around the place, bringing a jolt of thrill through me—one that I'd never had before.FUCK YES, THIS IS LIFE!This is to you, dad!I climb onto a table, laughing like nothing was wrong, arms spread like some kind of reckless maniac that'd just won a ticket to paradise.Laughs and stares turn immediately towards my direction, but instead of shying away this time, I soak in the glory and yell out, "Drinks on me guys! Celebrate me before I'm back in my cage!"The crowd immediately erupts into a group of cheers, glasses clinking to bash me into a celebration.And for a second

Alessandro's POV“Micah's like a second dad to me.” Sarah went on, her words continuously piercing through my chest, and then she leaned in closer to drop an innocent statement, “you'll love him. Everyone does.”I didn't know which was worse.Having Sarah spit out praises that had guilt creeping in with every second that passed by, or the fact that Mr stranger ... .no, Micah, looked me dead in the eye and said, “We’re family after all, I want to believe that my sister's in good hands. .” Acting like we'd never in fact met….had sex last night.“I…” I took a deep breath and turned my back on them, ignoring the icy gaze burning through my back. “I need some air, I'll be back.”I bolted out of their reach before anyone could stop me, my heart hammering and my palms becoming clammy from the heat of just how close my one-night stand had been.I mean, I thought I never saw him again, but here he was—in the flesh. He even looked more handsome and manly in his three-piece suits, and his messy

Alessandro’s POVThe message burned in my pocket like a live coal.A blurry image. Me. Shirtless. With Micah.I couldn’t breathe. Who sent it? I looked around to see if there was anyone smirking or way too interested in what was happening, but there was none. Just people laughing and toasting with their champagne glasses like nothing was up. I wanted to scream.I thought about telling Micah. But his smirking face and shrugs came to mind, and I dead the thought down. If he thought it was a game, he’d treat it like one. This wasn’t a game. This was my life. My future.I continued my walk with heavy steps.The ballroom had gold chandeliers dripping light onto polished marble floors. The tables were dressed in white silk, each with a rose and crystal glass. The room was glowing. Cameras flashed as the elite of New York poured in politicians, billionaires, CEOs. Laughter bounced off the walls like music.Sandra who is the star of the ballroom stood at the centre wearing a stunning emerald

Alessandro’s POVThe handprint stayed with me all night.I had smiled when I saw it. Not because I was losing my mind, though that was a strong possibility, but because I knew. It wasn’t a threat. Not a ghost. Not him.It was Nicole.Our little secret. Since childhood, every time one of us couldn’t sneak in or shout the right phrase, we pressed our hand to the window. A silent, I’m here.I did indeed smile because at that moment, even with the world coming apart at the seams, she was still present.When I walked into the Romano offices the next morning, everything seemed too bright. The glass walls, the shiny floors, the clicking of costly footwear. My father used to say the company was made to intimidate; for me, it was prison.I buried myself in paperwork, trying to look alive. Numbers, contracts, signatures. All the while, the coin sat in my pocket, heavier than gold should ever feel.Noon arrived, and the door came open without knocking, classic Nicole."You look like you just cra