Chapter 33 Joanna
Alex doesn’t leave my side all day as we go through some more history papers before lunch time and I am rescued by Lucia appearing with a tray.
I sigh in relief, massaging my temples, feeling a headache coming on.
Alex looks at me and something soft flickers in his eyes as Lucia places the plates on the table.
“I am sorry. I think we have done too much today. We will continue tomorrow,” he says, getting up to place the laptop on my bedside table.
I look at him, relieved. “Thank you, because the last couple of Latin words I was seeing double. I just didn’t want to complain.”
His mouth twitches as he fights a smile and settles back in his chair by my side. His arm casually brushing mine again. And I tense for a second. That’s another thing contributing to my headache that he can’t help me with right now is how my body shamelessly wants his own. I take in a deep breath, his presence is so commanding that it sucks up the air in the room. I eat quietly, keeping my gaze on my plate, barely tasting anything. The tension continues to simmer between us as usual.
I can’t even eat much because it’s not food I am craving. I place my cutlery down as his phone starts to ring. He picks it from the table and glances at the screen.
“Sylvia.”
My chest tightens, that's his manager at La Magerita I have a brief flashback of what I experienced my first day working there. He answers the call.
“Hello.”
He is quiet for a moment before he sits right up. “Which shipment? The arms?” He listens for a short while. “Gracias. I will be there soon.”
He ends the call and gets up. My heart skips a few beats. I want him to go, but I also want him to stay. Confused much, Alessia? Not really, nothing I. Feel for this this Mafia hottie makes sense, I admit to myself.
“Is something wrong?” I ask softly.
He shakes his head. “It’s business. A shipment of mine has arrived,” he says. “I always check my shipments myself.”
I nod at him slowly. I get it. In his line of business it’s hard to trust people.
“Are you taking Luca?” I ask.
“Luca is out with his familiar today.” He pauses for a moment. “Get your jacket. You are escorting me.”
Excitement soars through me as I try my best to not show how pleased I am. “Why me?”
His jaw clenches. “Because I said so,” he answers gruffly, then takes a deep breath. “My mother is having her ladies night here at the mansion. I don’t want you anywhere near those vultures… I mean her friends, without me here to intervene.”
Once again he is protecting me. How will I not soften towards him? How, Dios… how…
“I was a maid. Surely I have experienced worse than whatever insults they will throw at me.”
“That was your former life. This is now. Now you are mine.” His voice drips lower as he leans towards my ear and a shiver escapes me before I can control it. “My mother’s friends are not nice, they will tear you to shreds just for the fun of it.”
My stomach twists in knots at his explanation. I don’t say anything as he takes my hand and leads me out of the room. We walk down the stairs together when a lady appears at the bottom. I stiffen and Alex curses under his breath.
Too late, I guess. I square my shoulders as we descend, meeting a stunning woman standing in the foyer with Alex’s mother. Her features are striking, sharp nose and lovely lips kissed with red lipstick. Her black lustrous hair falls down her back. She is wearing a beautiful wraparound navy dress with pearls. Everything about them screams luxury.
Her eyes drink in Alex thirstily and Alex remains by my side, supporting my back with his wide palm.
“Well hello, Alex, I didn’t know you were home,” she purrs.
Alex’s shoulders seem to stiffen and he stands straighter.
“Hello, Joanna,” he says tightly.
Her gaze drifts to me as she makes a slow perusal from the top of my black loafers to my pale pink silk blouse. I feel judged and dismissed, like she doesn’t even consider me a threat.
“So this is the girl I’ve heard about,” she says.
I force a smile on my face. “Good evening, signorina, my name is Alessia.”
“Charming,” she replies, her smile not reaching her eyes. “You are a pretty little thing, aren’t you.” Her eyes move back to Alex and she lets out a mocking laugh. “Alex, she seems much younger than your usual type.”
I gasp as my cheeks heat up. Why does that statement hurt? He does not belong to you, Alessia, I whisper to myself furiously.
Alex clenches his jaw. “That’s enough, Joanna.”
She tilts her head. “Will you be joining us for ladies night? Your mother will like that.”
He shakes his head. “I am on my way out.” He looks at his watch. “I have a meeting at La Margherita.”
“La Margerits,” she says, repeating it slowly and her smile widens. “I remember the last time you took me there. We had a lot of fun, didn’t we?”
I feel something hot and painful swirling in my stomach. I hate that he spent time with her.
“Alessia,” Joanna says, fixing her eyes on me. “Are you going with him? La Margherita is a bit wild.”
Alex steps in front of me. “Yes, Joanna, she is coming with me.”
Joanna smirks. “Why are you being so protective of her?”
“I protect what is mine. You know that,” he replies.
As angry as I am with him, his words still send a surge of warmth through my chest. Joanna looks at me, her smile stretching wider on her face.
“You should be careful, Alessia. Alex’s world is flashy and overwhelming, young girls like you rarely last long.”
I suck in a deep breath as her words hit my solar plexus . I am only here temporarily, a passing folly. Anger rises in me like a tidal wave as I clench my hands at my sides. Before I can think of a suitable response, Alex cuts through the simmering tension.
“Move, Joanna. Alessia, let’s go,” he says sharply.
Joanna freezes for a moment, surprise flickering on her face as she steps aside. Her eyes remain fixed on Alex.
“I used to be the flavor of the month,” she says softly.
He ignores her, dragging me out of the house. I say nothing as I let him lead us out.He keeps my hand in his as we step into the waiting vehicle. I turn to him.
“Did you want me with you so I won’t find out about her?” I ask softly, my chest tight.
He looks at me, Alessia, his eyes intense and brooding. “I brought you with me because I want you with me, not because I have something to hide.”
My breath catches in my chest as once again, warmth fills my chest. His words touching places that I thought I had kept out of reach to him. Dios, I am in deeper than I thought…