Chapter 27

**Steph pov**

The drive to the mall was pleasant, quiet, we didn’t need to make unnecessary conversations, we were happy just to be accompanied by each other. Which is a strange concept for me, I’m not normally comfortable around anyone. Let alone a man. Men mean danger. They have brought me nothing but pain and suffering.

But Alexi has to be different right? He saved me, true, he also shot me, but i did try and run from him. Even when i knew i shouldn’t have.

He grabs the wheelchair from the boot of the car and helps me into it, as i look around, from where we are parked i can see the entire mall and it is huge. It's the biggest thing i have ever seen. And it is a little intimidating.

I'm not sure i could actually enjoy shopping here, there are going to be so many people, and i cannot stand being in a crowded place. It is probably one of the reasons i always avoided this place.

But i know that Alexi won’t let me back out and leave, he is the one calling the shots here, and there is nothing i can do about that. He might have saved me, but he is also the reason i cannot be free any longer. He has taken me as his own.

“What’s on your mind, Stephanie?” he asks, kneeling down in front of me, “You look like a frightened little lamb who’s up for slaughter.”

I laugh a little, surprised at how true it sounds, “I feel like one.” i say, “When i tell you that i have never been here, it was for a reason, i hate crowds of people. They freak me out.”

Alexi laughs, patting my leg, “And here i was thinking that you weren’t afraid of anything.” he shakes his head, “You don’t need to worry, i won’t let anyone hurt you, or disrespect you. You are with me, and that comes with certain privileges.”

I nod, trying to remain calm, “Okay, but if it gets too much for me, can we leave?”

Alexi's smile grows, “We can leave when i have decided that you have enough clothes.” he stands and moves around the back of the chair, turning me towards the mall, “And we will not leave until you are the one who decides on those clothes, and shoes. It'll be you who wears them; you have to get things that you like.”

I growl under my breath, of course he wouldn’t agree to leaving until i have done what he requires of me. Great. Fucking fantastic. I do not want to be here and having to decide on what i want will only make that worse, i hate shopping.

Though i suppose when you’ve only ever shopped with limited money, you don’t get to enjoy it.

i guess if i try and enjoy myself then this could actually be fun. After all, i get to pick whatever i want without a budget.

The mall is even more packed than it looked from the outside, people are rushing around everywhere, so engrossed in their own lives that they barely notice anyone around them. Which is good for me. I don’t want anyone to notice me.

The first shop we walk in was a brand i don’t even recognise, nor have i ever heard the name of, but it was right up my alley, i picked out some jeans and t-shirts. Which of course had to be approved by Alexi.

“it’s coming into winter, you need to pick some sweaters too.” he tells me, holding the pile of clothes i had chosen.

I nod, rubbing my chin as i have another look around the store, there are a couple of sweaters with band logos on, but none that i know. And i refuse to wear something if i don’t know what it is. So instead, i pick some plain black ones. They will keep me warm.

“Is that all?” He asks me as he wheels me to the counter, “I thought you would have picked a lot more.”

“Yeah, me too.” i admit, “But this the only the first store.”

Stores, two, three and four were a bust, i didn’t find anything in them that i liked and i was starting to get a little deflated by it. I wanted to show Alexi that i could listen and do what he wanted me to. But the people and the shitty stores were making that difficult.

“Why don’t we have a break?” Alexi asks, noticing the tears in my eyes as we leave the fourth shop. “We can get something to eat and come back.”

I nod my head, smiling through the tears, “That sounds good.”

He wheels me to the food court, and we both decide on a juicy burger, some fries and a cola. It was the perfect meal. And one of my favourites.

We manage to find a table even though the place was packed to the brim, and i smile as i bite into my burger, the crunch of the salad making it even better.

A man walks towards us, dressed in a suit, gold dripping from his neck, “Alexi.” he says, his voice much too friendly, “What a surprise it is to see you here.”

The mafia lord tenses, glancing at me before he turns to the man, “And who said you could approach me?” he growls, “I don’t care if we are in public, i will still blow your head off.”

Th man laughs, turning to me, “Who is your female friend?” he asks, “It would be a shame if she were to get caught up in all of this.”

Alexi throws his chair back and stands, reaching for his gun, but the man is already walking away, leaving me with an awfully sour taste in my mouth.

“who was that?” i ask, putting the burger down, my appetite long gone.

“I shouldn’t have brought you here.” he says, pulling out his phone. “I should’ve known they would be watching.”

My whole-body tenses, fear pumping through me, “Who is watching?”

Alexi doesn’t answer, he dials a number on his phone and requests whoever it is to meet us by the front of the mall.

When he hangs up, i lean forward, desperate to know what is going on. “are we in danger Alexi?” i ask, needing the know the answer.

He turns to me, his eyes colder than usual, “Eat your burger and pretend not to be so fucking afraid, you are going to make this more exciting for them.”

I throw my hands up in the air, “For who? Who is following us?”

Alexi wraps a hand around my throat so suddenly that i gasp and choke, unable to catch my breath, “Question me one more time and i will let them fucking have you.” he warns, his lips inches from mine, and then, just as suddenly, he lets go, “Eat your fucking food.” he tells me.

Shaken, and afraid, i do as i am told. I have no idea what is going on, but i know it isn’t good. Alexi is on edge. He's worried and he won’t tell me why.

Whoever that man was, this will not be the last time we see him.

I don’t pray much, God has never helped me, but i find myself praying that we make it out of this mall alive.

Because whoever it is hiding in the shadows, they are dangerous enough to make Alexi jumpy, and for someone as strong and confident as him to worry. It means trouble, serious trouble.

And i am caught right in the middle of it.