Chapter 7: Motive (Gianna's POV) I came out and handed my dress to the employee. "Please alter at the waist, make it an inch and a half smaller," I smiled. She nodded with a smile and then left. I saw Ace handing his suit to the male employee and I stayed in my spot because I realized I couldn't just walk out. The employees would think things then rumors would spread and our marriage would become a scandal before it even happens. The employee nodded in understanding and then left. I began to follow him out but Ace caught my wrist at the door. "Murderer?" he asked. He sounds amused. I swear he's inhumane. How can he talk so casually about the fact that he killed my brother? I saw it happen with my own eyes, maybe that's why he's never denied it. But still, how can he be so cold and shameless about it? I freed myself from his grasp and turned back around only for him to grab my elbow and spin me back around, pinning me to the door. The entire door shook a little because of how hard he pushed me into it. I stared at him, my gaze hard. "Ouch," I said through gritted teeth. "Ouch? Yeah, ouch," he scoffed, putting his arms up on either side of my head, trapping me in as he did against the mirror a few moments ago. "Gianna, you love taking jabs at me and holding what I did against me. I know you'll continue to do it for the rest of our lives that we spend together, I've come to terms with that. But let me tell you, have no fucking idea what you're talking about." I stared at him, my gaze not wavering. "Not a fucking clue. Because you're not involved in your father's lovely business that your brother was on the path to fucking ruin. It's because of what your brother did that I killed him. And you haven't got a clue what really happened." "I saw you shoot him in cold blood myself. I don't care what he said to piss you off or offend you, you shot him in front of my fucking eyes. Should I be reacting differently?" "Your brother-" He let out a shaky breath and it looked like he was trying to keep a lid on his temper and keep himself contained. "If you knew what your brother did, you wouldn't act the way you are. Because if you're reacting like this when I killed your brother, then you should fucking understand that I killed your brother because of what he did too." "Well, of course, you had a reason," I scoffed. He blinked in confusion. "Everybody needs a motive, I'm sure you had one too." "Motive?" he echoed. "The only problem is, Allister. I don't fucking care what it was. To me, you're my brother's murderer and that's it." I placed my hands on his chest to push him off but he grabbed my wrists, pinning them to the door. "You're playing a very dangerous game, Gianna." "Am I?" "You very much are. Because if you find out the truth, you wouldn't be able to handle it. And you'll be the one suffering, not me. Just remember that." "I will, thanks. Now get off of me." He watched me, both of us breathing a little heavily from the anger and frustration seeping through us both. "What is it, Allister? Hearing what you did pisses you off now?" I scoffed and he dropped my wrists. "Get used to it. I'll be here to remind you every single day for the rest of your life." "Is that your attempt at making me regret it? Because it's pathetic, just like you." "Congratulations on a pathetic wife then. Move." "Make me." I gave him a hard shove, resisting the urge to scream while I did so. He stepped back, he let me push him. I turned to the door and grabbed the handle, taking in a few breaths to calm myself down so our fathers couldn't tell. Once I was calm again, I twisted the handle, pulled the door open, and left. I walked to the front and found it empty. I looked around in confusion. "Ms. Phoenix." I turned to the desk where the lady was. "Your father asked me to tell you, he left with Mr. Allister on some business. He suggested you go to lunch with Mr. Ace and he'll see you at home later." "Lunch?" I asked. She nodded with a smile. "Let's go, darling." I clenched my jaw and turned to Ace. "Actually," I cleared my throat. "I think I'll take a cab. I have to get back to work." "Come on now. It's the lunch break at your office too. Let's have a meal and I'll drop you back at work." He grabbed my hand and pulled me out of the boutique. I freed my hand from him as soon as we came outside. He opened the car door for me, his jaw ticking. "Get in," he barked, holding the door. "We're not having lunch together." "Get in the fucking car, Gianna." I saw a reporter trying to snap a picture with their phone from across the street. I huffed and climbed into the car quickly, hoping I didn't give the man too much time to get a picture with my face showing. He slammed the door shut and walked to the other side, climbing in beside me. "Mr. Pete, how far is Sapphire from here?" Sapphire is considered to be the best restaurant in our circle because people meet there to look pretty while discussing their nasty business. The owner doesn't say anything to them and obeys all orders. He declares it closed when it's needed for a meeting, he calls the reporters at the right time to draw attention when it's asked for. He works on the orders of the corrupted people of Chicago. "Twenty minutes at most, sir." "Take us there, please." At least he has manners and doesn't consider himself superior to his staff. I stared out the window the entire time, both of us sitting in a miserable, frustrated, angry, raging silence. The car stopped at the front and I pushed the door open, climbing out. "Please be here when I call," I heard Ace say before he stepped out and grabbed my hand, pulling me inside. "I can walk on my own," I said through gritted teeth. He ignored me and walked to the manager. "Table for two." The manager glanced over at the owner. "He's an Allister," Gerard, the owner, said without looking up from the newspaper. "And she's Phoenix's daughter. Give them a table." The manager led us to a table by the glass window and the restaurant was rather empty today. I sat across from him and grabbed the menu, reading through it. I don't have much of an appetite but I'll order something for my body's sake. We placed our orders and were waiting for them in silence until he broke it. It can never be peaceful with us in the same room, let alone at the same table. "Gianna." I turned to him. "Allister." He rolled his eyes, glancing at Gerard. He opened his mouth to say something when his phone vibrated on the table. He answered it, reading Mr. Pete's name. "Hello?" I took the time to gaze out the window. I was looking at the cars driving by when a black van slowed down to a stop across the street and parked itself. I narrowed my eyes, watching the door open with a slide and a series of men and a few women came out. With cameras. "Allister." He's on the fucking phone. "Ace." "What?" He huffed at me. "I think there are reporters and paparazzi outside." "Yeah, I know." He turned back to the call. "Get rid of them, please. Call for help." He hung up and then looked right at me, not even glancing outside. "Turn away from the window, Gianna," he said sternly. I turned away and untucked my hair from behind my ear so it shielded my face. "Go into the bathroom, don't come out until I tell you to. Quickly, go." I stood up and rushed into the bathroom, closing the door and locking it shut. I can't believe I have to hide in a bathroom from paparazzi, for fuck's sake. The only times I have to deal with them is at the bigger parties where they're only taking pictures of me for my outfits and my brand. But they got a single picture today, I can already imagine the headlines about a Phoenix and Allister union. I groaned, leaning against the wall, hitting the back of my head against it. I fell quiet and listened to all the chaos outside. I could hear some reporters and papz trying to barge inside the restaurant. I heard several men so I think Ace's security was called. I could hear arguing, yelling, and clattering. The reporters were being thrown out, no doubt. Allister's men were getting rid of them. Clearly, the reporters were tipped off. But who the hell would tell them? I didn't think anybody knew we were coming here. Unless Ace planned it and brought me here on purpose. But if that was the case why would he let me hide in the bathroom and even call his men to get rid of the people out there? God, I'm so confused. Maybe the reporter I saw earlier called more? I wish I just refused to have lunch with him and went back to work. I was busy today too, I had clients coming over. I trust my employees and know that Brad and Julianne will handle it. But goddamn it, I'm wasting such important time on someone as unimportant as Allister. I walked to the two-seater and sat down, waiting to be called out, not knowing how long that would take. And boy did it take long. An entire. Fucking. Hour. . . . . . Chapter 7