Chapter 15: A Dangerous Invitation
Chapter 15: A Dangerous Invitation
I was about to leave the hidden room, questions swirling in my mind, when a knock interrupted the silence. John, Alexander’s ever-loyal bodyguard, stood in the doorway, his expression unreadable.
"Sir, an invitation from Nathaniel York," he announced, his tone steady.
At the mention of Nathaniel’s name, Alexander’s features hardened, his icy exterior returning instantly. Whatever vulnerability I thought I’d seen vanished as he muttered, "I’ll handle it."
John hesitated. "Max Carter might be there too."
Alexander’s jaw tightened. The air between them grew heavier before John retreated, leaving us alone once more.
Once the door clicked shut, Alexander’s focus shifted back to me, his gaze cold and unyielding. The crack I’d briefly witnessed in his armor was gone, replaced by the impenetrable wall that defined him. His voice, sharp as ever, sliced through the quiet. “Get out of this room. Now.”
I stayed still, caught between the man who had hinted at something greater and the ruthless leader who insisted on loyalty with a firm hold. It felt like I had entered a game I could never completely grasp, where I was a pawn with no option but to adhere to the rules.
I nodded, suppressing the lump in my throat, and moved toward the door.
The pressure was overwhelming, and I couldn't escape the sensation that the night had merely started. When I entered the hallway, the door shut securely behind me, making me alone once more.
—
The next day. The tranquility shattered with a knock at the door, followed by its creak as it swung open. I heart leaped in hope, only for it to falter when John stepped inside, his imposing figure casting a shadow that swallowed the room. His expression remained impassive, icy gaze betraying nothing.
“The boss wants to see you,” he said flatly, voice rigid. “He expects you to be ready in five minutes.”
I crossed my arms. “What does he want now? Didn’t he just tell me to leave last night?”
“It’s not a request,” John replied, his tone carrying a quiet menace, eyes giving no room for argument.
How much longer would I endure this? What if I defied Alex’s demands?
“I’m tired of being treated like an animal!” Fury ignited in her chest. “I’m not a dog for him to play with.”
“Sorry, miss. But if you’re not down in five minutes, I'll have to take you by force ,” John said before turning on his heel and leaving the room, the door clicking shut behind him, leaving me alone in oppressive silence.
Moments later, Vee entered, a crimson dress draped over her arm. Her usual sharp demeanor softened slightly as she said, “You need to change.”
“I’m not going anywhere,” I snapped, glaring at the dress.
“Refusing isn’t an option,” she replied, her tone firm but not unkind. stepping forward to assist me. Despite the resistance in her chest, I allowed the help as the soft fabric brushed against my skin. The emerald green dress was simple yet elegant, hugging my curves in a way that made me feel powerful, if only on the outside.
“I don’t need him dressing me like I’m some doll,” I muttered, adjusting the gown as Vee fastened the back.
Vee’s touch was gentle, and despite the silence, there was understanding in her gaze.
Vee left my hair loose, long waves cascading down my shoulders like a waterfall of light brown. She worked swiftly, not wasting a moment.
“You look beautiful,” she murmured.
The words felt foreign, but I didn’t have time to dwell on them. With a nod, I followed John downstairs, the click of my heels echoing against the polished floors.
\---
The black Rolls-Royce idled outside. Alexander stood beside it, his tailored suit and commanding presence making him seem untouchable. His icy-blue eyes locked onto me as I approached. He said nothing, simply gestured for me to get in.
The drive in the car was filled with tension. The city lights rushed by in a blur as we raced through the streets, and I couldn’t shake the sensation of being pulled further into a realm I couldn’t comprehend. Alexander's quietness was overwhelming, his attention directed forward.
Upon reaching the venue, a luxurious mansion aglow with golden lights, the atmosphere grew increasingly tense. Sentinels stood at the entrance, their impassive faces heightening the discomfort. Alexander entered confidently, and I trailed behind, the magnificence of the area doing little to calm my anxiety.
The space was crowded with strong men and women, their laughter and conversation concealing the hints of threat. The chandeliers overhead emitted a warm light onto the gleaming marble floors, yet everything seemed frigid.
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We had hardly entered the assembly when a voice echoed, smooth and taunting.
"Ah, if it isn't the notorious Alexander Levi."
A tall figure stepped out from the crowd, his dark hair combed back, his angular face contorted into a grin. His watchful stare fixated on me for a moment before returning to Alexander.
"Max Carter," Alexander said, his tone a deep rumble.
I became tense. Just the name gave me chills. Max Carter, the head of a competing mafia clan, was as captivating as he was perilous.
Max grinned, eyes slanting as they locked with Alexander’s. "I expected you to arrive by yourself this evening…What a disappointing”
I could observe the tension escalating between them, dense and heavy. Max's words held a personal touch, something lurking beneath that unsettled me.
Max's eyes returned to me, and his grin grew broader as if he discovered a certain enjoyment in my unease. "Ah, but what is this?"
Max’s smirk widened as we approached, his eyes flicking between Alexander and me. “Ah,,” he drawled, his voice dripping with amusement. “I’ve heard so much about you. And this must be the lovely Dysis.” “I didn’t think you’d bring your new pet to an event like this, Alexander."
My blood ran cold as his eyes scanned me up and down, the implication behind his words sinking in. A shiver ran down my spine, but I refused to show any fear. I wasn’t some object to be toyed with, even if Max seemed to think so.
Alexander stiffened beside me, his jaw tightening, but he didn’t respond immediately. Instead, he stepped closer to me, positioning himself between me and Max. It was a small gesture, but it didn’t escape my notice. His presence was a shield, his calm exterior belying the storm brewing just beneath the surface.
"You should watch your tongue, Max," Alexander said, his voice cold and controlled. "You don't want to test me here."
Max chuckled darkly, a sound that didn’t sit right in the air. “Oh, come on Alexander.” Max’s attention shifted back to me. He took a step forward, his eyes locking with mine as if daring me to show any weakness. "Tell me, darling," he said, his voice oozing with mock sweetness. "Ain’t you way too beautiful to be with a ruthless man like Alexander Levi?” He doesn’t treat women nicely like I do. Or are you just a pawn in his little chess match?"
I stood my ground, refusing to let him see any fear. "I’m no one's pawn," I replied, my voice steady, though my pulse was racing.
Max’s smile widened, but there was no warmth in it. "We’ll see about that," he said cryptically, before turning away with a slow, deliberate pace. “Don’t be so shy,” Max continued, his tone mocking. “I’m sure we’ll get to know each other much better soon.”
Alexander’s hand moved to my back, a silent command for me to stay still. But the touch felt more like a warning than a reassurance. His gaze never left Max as he spoke, his voice as cold as ice. “Keep your distance, Carter. This is a private affair.”
Max chuckled, a low, guttural sound that sent another shiver through me. “Of course. I’m just here to remind you, Levi, that not everything can be controlled. Not even you.”
The words lingered in the space between them, heavy with unexpressed tension. For a brief instant, I believed Alexander could strike out, yet he stayed still, his eyes slightly narrowing. He remained silent, yet I sensed the tension in the air, a struggle of determination that required no spoken language.
“Don't think you'll get away by sending your men to take her.. I won't let that slide” Alexander said.
Max appeared indifferent. He turned his head, gazing beyond Alexander in my direction. Ignoring what Alexander said. "Don't be concerned, Dysis…You are secure.. at the moment." He turned his attention back to Alexander, the smirk still present on his lips. "Yet, you can never predict what the future brings, right?"
I kept my gaze fixed on him as he moved away, his silhouette vanishing into the throng. Yet the heaviness of his words hung in the atmosphere, weighing on me like an oppressive fog.
Alexander’s hand grasped my arm a bit more tightly, his hold secure yet not uncomfortable. I could feel the underlying tension between us, the fragile grip on control he was just managing to maintain.
“Stay close,” he whispered, his tone so soft that only I could catch it.
I didn’t require him to say that. Max Carter's stare felt like a burden bearing down on me, and I couldn't escape the sense that he was observing my every action. As we approached the table, I sensed my heart rate increasing.