Ruined By My Brother's Best Friend (by Silverwriter) novel Chapter 274

ARABELLA’S POV

I almost choked on air with how fast I gasped, staring at Alvise like he’d just spoken to me in another language.

“A date…?” I rolled my eyes, shaking away the fluttering I felt in my stomach. “I’m not in the mood for any jokes, Alvise.”

He raised a brow. “We’ve been over this many times.”

I knew what he was referring to, and yes, we had.

He didn’t joke.

“You’re taking me on a date?” I asked in disbelief, my heart beating faster.

Alvise was eerily calm, like he hadn’t just said the most unbelievable thing to me.

“I’m certain that’s exactly what I said, Arabella.”

Ignoring his cold response, I shook my head. “Why would you want to do that?”

A muscle twitched in his jaw, and his eyes darkened, the tension radiating off him was almost enough to

burn me.

He didn’t find that funny.

Good, because I wasn’t joking either.

“That’s a very interesting question, Arabella.” He mused. “Why would I want to take a woman wearing my ring on a date?”

My stomach twisted, my eyes dropping to the ring on my finger before flicking back up to him. “You need to stop that.”

“Stop what?”

I shifted in the seat. “The way you refer to our marriage like it’s real.”

Alvise stared at me blankly, scraping his tongue over his teeth. “I don’t remember telling you it was fake.”

“You said it was just for…”

“I know what I said and didn’t say, Arabella.” Alvise snapped, cutting me off, his voice suddenly stern, like I was aggravating him.

I swallowed. “Then what is this about?”

“Exactly what I said it was about.” Alvise muttered. “I’m taking you on a date. I know you heard me the first time.”

12:30 Wed, Sep 16 MJ).

Rumed By My Brother’s Best Friend

I blinked, trying my best to ignore my spiked-up nerves.

course, I didn’t hate the thought of going on a date with Alvise.

In fact, I liked it… maybe a little too much, but I knew engaging in any of this would only hurt me in the long run.

I was going to get more attached to a man who didn’t share the same sentiment and could shut me off whenever he felt like it.

It wouldn’t end well.

I looked out the window to avoid his piercing eyes. “I’m not going on a date with you.”

“I wasn’t asking, Arabella.”

I sucked in a breath, his words making my skin tingle.

He had a way of saying the most nerve-wracking things in the calmest way, like he was oblivious to how much his words affected people.

“Tell me, why do you suddenly want to do this with me?” I asked, turning to look at him.

Alvise leaned back in the seat, his long legs slightly parted, and with his full attention on me, he muttered, “Because I want to.”

I dug my nails into my palm. “I don’t want to go on a date with you, Alvise. Definitely not after how mean you were to me in the gala.”

“Ah.” He adjusted his wristwatch before bringing his now narrowed eyes up to look at me. “I wanted to leave this topic for later, but we can definitely talk about it now.”

There was a threat in his voice, and that only confused me more.

I glared at him. “Why are you upset? If anyone should be pissed between us, it should be me. And I am!”

“You let another man touch you.” Alvise said, his harsh, cold voice making a bitter taste settle on my tongue. “And then he fucking kissed you.”

My eyes dropped to the veins on the back of his hands as they protruded beneath his skin.

“I’m not upset, Arabella.” He shook his head. “That would be an understatement.”

I didn’t let his words make me cower, even though they made me uneasy. “And I’m also pissed, but guess what? You don’t care. If you did, you would have stepped away when your ex was all over you…”

“I never touched her.” Alvise cut me off sharply. “And if you had stayed one more fucking second, you would have seen me telling my guards to take her away.”

I shrugged. “I didn’t touch that man either.” I looked away, facing the road. “I guess we’re even.”

If looks could kill, I was certain I’d be dead by now with the way Alvise’s sharp gaze burned into my face.

“If you think we are, you have another thing coming, Arabella.”

12:30 Wed, Sep 16 MJ).

Ramed By My Brother’s Best Friend

“You already killed the man.” I said, guilt churning in my chest. “So what else do you want? I didn’t kill Tatiana, did I?…”

“I couldn’t care less if you do.”

I opened my mouth… closed it, and when his words still left me stunned, I looked at him. “I’m not a

criminal.”

He chuckled, but it was far from one of amusement. “I see.” He tilted his head to the side. “But I am, rightf

I nodded. “Yes, you are.”

“Good.” His voice dropped dangerously low, and in one swift movement, he grabbed my wrist and yanked me forward.

I fell against his chest, fisting his suit to steady myself and puffing the two loose, curly strands of hair covering my face away.

Alvise brought his face closer, sending goosebumps over my skin as he spoke, each word carrying a threat “Since it’s been established that I’m a criminal…” His eyes dropped to my lips before he looked back up. “Keep that in mind when any man comes close to you or even tries to fucking touch you because I will kill them all, Arabella. Every single one of them.”

I used my hold on his jacket to drag his face closer until we were sharing a breath, our noses brushing and our lips dangerously close. “Like I said the last time, if you want to touch me, just say so. Stop using these threats as a cover-up.”

He didn’t respond and satisfied with getting the last word in, I huffed, releasing my grip on his jacket and making a move to straighten up.

Suddenly, Alvise slid his hand over my waist, holding me in place as he rasped, “I want to touch you, Arabella, and I will. I don’t need a fucking cover-up.”

12:30 Wed, Sep 16 M).

Ramed By My Brother’s Best Friend

Another Thing He Did For Me