26

26
ARIA

It wouldn't be the smartest decision to enter an apartment where the door had been trampled down.
I paused, peeking through the tiny gap. My apartment was dark, but light enough for me to see that everything appeared to be in place.
There wasn't any movement and my phone that had been charging was still plugged in and resting on the table next to the door. It was strange that nothing was taken. I didn't have much but everything of value was exactly how I left it. Not wanting to take the chance, I quickly reached my arm through the small opening and grabbed my phone.
Turning away from my apartment, I typed in my passcode and clicked on my most recently called.
It went straight to voicemail.
I groaned in frustration, forgetting that Sandro's phone had been destroyed in the crash and he was yet to get a new one.
I dropped my hand, not knowing who else to call. The police? That didn't seem like a wise choice considering Sandro's reputation. I bit my lip, pondering on my options. I was about to head to my landlord when a familiar voice caught my attention.
"What's wrong? Why are you outside?" Sandro asked, and my head snapped into his direction. He had a curious frown plastered on his face, and his gaze was directed at the broken frame.
Trigger slowly followed behind him.
Sandro didn't bother saying anything else as he pushed the wooden door open and entered without thinking about it. He was dressed in casual clothes, consisting of a white t-shirt and grey sweatpants. I could see that he didn't have his gun on him.
From where I was standing and the limited view I had, I watched as he inspected my living room before disappearing into the bedroom.
Trigger stayed with me, observing from a safe distance away. He was sitting on his hind legs, but he also seemed ready to pounce on demand.
"Doesn't make sense, nothing was taken. Are you okay?" Sandro asked when he was done checking out my apartment.
I nodded, anxiously playing with my shaky fingers. Sandro engulfed my hands in his own, silently comforting me and the relief was instantaneous. "Yes, thank you. I don't understand. Did someone get the wrong apartment or what?"
"Looks like it," he said, letting go of my hands when they finally stilled. "But I don't think that's the case."
"What do you mean?" I scowled, waiting for his response. Sandro's jaw ticked and a frown made its way to his forehead. He didn't look happy – on the contrary. Sandro seemed on the verge of murdering whoever was responsible for forcing their way through my door.
"Sandro, what do you mean? I asked again, peering up at him.
"I don't want to scare you, bellissima," Sandro murmured, stepping closer to me. "Nothing was taken, because you weren't home."
"That's just my observation," Sandro quickly added when my face turned into one of shock. "You could be right and this was a mistake-"
"We both know that's not true, Sandro. Who would do this? That's fucked up," I whispered the last part, racking my brain for anyone that I might have pissed off in the past few months. A name popped into my head. Kian? After our encounter the last time, I was aware that Sandro might have left him with a threat or two.
Was this his act of revenge? What was his agenda? Surely he wasn't that stupid.
"Kian," Sandro said exactly what I was thinking. "It has to be Kian,"
I shook my head. "You don't know that. He works for you. In your club. Why would he do anything to upset you after the last time? He looked terrified."
"A man and a bruised ego is a dangerous combination, and maybe he's not alone this time," Sandro said, and I took a deep breath in while I pinched the bridge of my nose. The thought scared me and the possible scenarios petrified me. If I hadn't gone with Carlo...
"I'll have this lock fixed for you, but you're staying with me until we figure this out," Sandro explained, and I opened my mouth to state my arguments but of course, Sandro had made his mind up.
"No, bellissima. I don't want to hear it. I'll help you get some of your things, but you're coming home with me," Sandro deadpanned, taking my hand to walk me through my apartment. I kept my lips together, watching as he took my earphones out of his pocket and handed it to me.
"This is why I came back. You forgot it in my car and I know you can't go a day without it." He was right, and I thanked him with a quick kiss on the cheek.
"Let's just get out of here," I told him, starting to feel creeped out by my own apartment. Someone, a stranger, was in there and we had no idea who. Or maybe we did. My nose scrunched up, hating the feeling of uncertainty.
It didn't take long for my bags to be packed and loaded into the SUV. It also didn't take long for a few of Sandro's men to show up and fix the lock. I was amazed at how fast they were. By the time we were done packing, they were already finished installing the new lock with an extra latch.
Sandro shut my door, pausing for a moment before leaning his hands on the doorframe.
"Will you be okay to wait here with Trigger? I just want to talk to someone. I'll be right back," he said, and I eyed the dog on the backseat. He was sitting quietly behind me, watching the streets again.
"Who?" I asked, because I didn't know that Sandro knew anyone in the building.
"Tony," he said, referring to the landlord. I nodded, and Sandro reached through the window to pet Trigger on the head. It was ironic – just that morning I was shaking because I thought Trigger was going to eat me alive, but there he was making me feel oddly protected.
"Treats in the glove compartment. I won't be long. Close this window," Sandro pointed to the car, and I did as I was told. I relaxed in the seat, watching as he entered the building again.
Trigger whined, and I turned to look at him.
"What's wrong?" I asked as if he could understand me.
He whined again, and I remembered that Sandro mentioned the treats. I smiled, rolling my eyes as I opened the glove compartment. There was box inside, filled with bone shaped dog biscuits.
I took one, holding it up. "Do you want this?"
Trigger barked and his tongue fell out the side of his mouth. Hungry dog.
"I'm going to give you one, but don't fucking bite me. Do you hear me?" I doubt he could even comprehend what I was saying but I had to get it off my chest. He was breathing heavily, not taking his hungry eyes off the treat in my hand.
I should give it to him before I lose an arm.
I held it out to him, and despite how excited he was, Trigger opened his mouth just wide enough for me to place the biscuit between his teeth. He was gentle, but when I retreated my hand, he started munching as if he'd never been fed.
"Phew, okay. That wasn't so bad. Want another?" I asked, digging through the box for another treat. I gave him one more, but it became three and then four and in no time we were halfway through the box.
I could literally feel the joy radiating off him.
It had only been a day but I was already warming up to Trigger and he seemed to be warming up to me too. "
We should stop. Your daddy is going to be mad at me if we finish this entire box,"
Trigger mewled, flattening his ears on his head. "I'm sorry, buddy," I said softly, feeling terrible and then he looked at me with those puppy eyes and I gave in immediately. "Okay, one more,"
I handed the last one to him, just as Sandro exited the building. I closed the box, placing it back into the glove compartment as the driver's seat opened. Sandro winced, holding his ribs and I had forgotten that he was still hurt.
"Tony says he doesn't know anything," he said, and then looked at Trigger who was currently avoiding eye contact with him. "What's happening here?"
"Nothing." I shrugged nonchalantly.
Sandro hummed, narrowing his eyes in suspicion. Before he could say anything, I said, "You look like you're in pain. Do you want me to drive?"
"Only if you're comfortable with that," he replied, and I nodded eagerly.
"I am. Let's switch," I said and I could see the relief on his face. He leaned over, giving me a soft kiss on the lips and whispered a grateful, "thank you."
As he got out of the car, I climbed over the centre console. Trigger's gaze switched to mine and I gave him a wink. When Sandro sat down in the passenger seat, it was as if small exchange didn't happen as Trigger went back to observing.
"What's going on between the two of you?" Sandro asked, frowning at me.
"Nothing," I murmured, adjusting the seat.