Chapter 40 A Reckless Escape

Chapter 40 A Reckless Escape
ELENA

My stomach was a tight knot of unease as I stood on the sidewalk with my arms wrapped around myself despite the mild evening breeze. The tension in my chest hadn't eased since Alexander had yanked me out of the café. Now, it only deepened as I waited outside with Riley, who had joined just a few minutes after Alexander had taken Victoria aside to speak with her.

I could still feel the way Alexander's frustration filled the air. The way his jaw had locked when Victoria had cornered us with the truth. I hoped he would be able to defuse the time bomb that was Victoria or at least come to an agreement with her. I hated that they'd been talking for ages.

Riley, who had rushed outside when she saw me alone with Alexander talking with some chic, was already fuming.

"What the hell just happened?" she demanded, searching my face. "And why is that—" she gestured sharply toward Victoria "—woman talking to Alexander like she owns the damn world?"

I let out a breath, closing my eyes briefly.

"Not now, Riley."

"Not now? Not now?" Riley echoed, incredulous. "Elena, I just watched you get dragged out of a café like some rebellious teenager caught sneaking out. And now that bitch—"

"Riley," I pleaded in a quiet but firm voice. "Just…please."

It wasn't like I wanted to be the nice person; it's just that things with Victoria were a little bit complicated.

And then, the final blow—we both watched as Victoria strutted off with a victorious smirk and, to our surprise, slid into Alexander's car as if she'd won some invisible battle.

Riley narrowed her eyes, crossing her arms as she watched Victoria slide into the backseat of Alexander's luxury car. The way Victoria carried herself, as if she'd just won a battle, set Riley's teeth on edge.

"That's her, isn't it?" she muttered under her breath.

I sighed.

"What?" I was still watching her and saw how Victoria glanced at me slyly.

"That's the same bitch who 'accidentally' spilled wine on your dress at his mother's dinner that night, right?" Riley's voice was filled with venom.

I hesitated.

"Yes," I muttered.

Riley's fingers curled into fists.

"I knew it! I knew I recognized her fake-ass smile. Let me—" She took a step forward, making her intent clear—to grab Victoria by her hair and make her regret every moment of smug satisfaction.

I quickly grabbed her arm.

"Riley, stop. She's not worth it."

Riley huffed, but before she could argue further, Alexander turned back toward us. His expression was slightly impassive, but his tone remained sharp.

"Prescott will take you somewhere safe," he instructed. "Your place isn't secure anymore."

My fingers clenched.

"Where are you taking her?" I couldn't stop myself from glaring at the car where Victoria sat. I could tell she was watching us through the tinted window like a queen surveying peasants.

The idiot.

Alexander chose Victoria over me, which didn't sit right.

Alexander didn't answer right away. He simply studied me, his steely grey eyes dark and unreadable.

"That's none of your concern."

I swallowed the sharp retort threatening to leave my lips. I had no right to demand answers—but I wanted them.

Instead of arguing, I let out a slow breath.

"Where am I being taken?" My voice seemed resigned.

"One of my houses downtown. Prescott knows the place well. It's safer," Alexander said.

I didn't reply. I turned toward Prescott, who was already standing by the security car, waiting for me.

Riley shot Alexander a glare before looping her arm through mine.

"I'm going with her." The gesture took me by surprise, but I obliged immediately.

Alexander's eyes flickered to Riley and then to me, his jaw clenching slightly. But he didn't argue. He only nodded once before turning away and walking toward his car, where Victoria waited.

As they pulled away, Victoria smirked through the window, and the mere sight of it made my stomach churn.

Later on,

The ride was quiet at first, save for the hum of the tires on the road. Riley kept glancing at me, but I only stared out the window, deep in thought.

"You okay?" Riley finally asked.

I nodded once, but no one could tell I wasn't okay.

I didn't want to go to another of Alexander's houses, be locked away under his orders like some fragile possession he needed to keep out of harm's way.

Knowing that Alexander was taking Victoria somewhere else didn't sit well with me. The triumphant smirk on that bitch's face kept getting me riled up. I hated that Victoria had won over me. Even though I knew this wasn't supposed to be a battle.

Halfway through the ride, the frustration that had been boiling inside me finally erupted.

"Stop the car," I said suddenly.

Prescott glanced at me through the rearview mirror.

"Excuse me?" He kept driving.

"I said stop the car," I repeated, my tone firmer this time.

Prescott sighed.

"Miss Carter, I have direct orders—"

"I don't care about his damn orders, Prescott," I snapped. "I'm getting out. Now."

Riley sat up straighter.

"Elena, what—"

"I need him to stop the car right now. I'm not going to another one of his houses," I cut in, my voice shaking slightly from how much I meant it.

Prescott hesitated.

"Miss Carter—"

"Either you let me out now, or I jump out," I said flatly.

That got his attention.

"Elena!" Riley gasped.

But my glare was hard, my face determined.

"I'm not joking, Prescott."

Prescott clenched his jaw, hesitated for another second, and sighed heavily. With a muttered curse, he pulled the car to the side of the road.

"Fine," he bit out.

I threw open the door. Riley hesitated for only a second before sighing and following me.

As soon as the car pulled away, Riley turned to me with her arms crossed.

"Now what, genius? You have a plan?"

I swallowed.

"Not really."

Riley groaned.

"You really are a pain in the butt."

I managed a small smile.

"I know." Anything was fine with me as long as I wasn't hiding away in another one of Alexander's penthouses.

Riley let out a sigh, glancing around, already concluding.

"Come on. You're staying with me tonight." She grabbed my hand and led me to a bus stop so we could catch a bus.

ALEXANDER

Meanwhile,

I sat in my dark living room with one hand resting on my forehead as I leaned back on the couch.

The evening had drained me.

Victoria had me cornered. The woman was a goddamn vulture, circling and waiting for the perfect moment to strike. And now, I'd agreed to something I never would have considered otherwise.

A bitter curse escaped my lips as I reached for my phone.

I needed a distraction. And right now, ensuring Elena was fine was the only thing that could distract me.

I dialed Prescott's phone.

It rang twice before my bodyguard picked up.

"How is she?" I asked immediately.

There was a long pause.

I sat up straighter, my sixth sense instantly telling me something was wrong.

"Prescott?"

"She asked to be dropped off," came Prescott's clipped voice.

My blood ran cold.

"What?"

"She refused to go to the safe house," Prescott admitted in an extremely careful voice. "She got out halfway and left with her friend."

My grip on the phone tightened as I cursed under my breath.

"And you let her?"

"She wouldn't take no for an answer, sir," Prescott said, sounding uneasy. "I—"

A sharp crack filled the room as I hurled my glass against the wall. The shattering sound echoed through the phone but did nothing to reduce the fury surging through my veins.

Prescott had one job. How could he let two women overpower him?

My voice was dangerously low when I finally spoke.

"If anything happens to her, Prescott…" My fingers curled into a tight fist.

"You're dead."