Chapter 13 House of Commotion
Alessia’s POV
I blink, startled by his reaction. His face darkens as he presses the answer button and finally lifts his phone to his ear.
“Ferrini here,” he barks into the phone.
“What!” He stands up and begins to pace around the room while he listens. He turns to Luca and shakes his head, while Andre just observes him quietly.
“How many?” he growls into the phone, and I sit up. Is it the Sirranos again? Will they not rest?
He lifts his eyes and stares at me as he talks. “Sylvia, handle it. I will be there soon and no cops.” He hangs up and puts his phone in his pocket, leaning back in the chair and facing Andre, giving him a subtle shake of his head. I stare at him, noticing his shoulders are now tense and his jaw is tight. It must be some trouble at the club.
Luca ignores him and faces me. “Are you feeling better, Alessia?” His eyes are fixed on my face.
“Yes, thank you, Mr. Luca,” I whisper, leaning back on the headrest.
We hear a gentle knock and I sit up, wondering who it is this time. Luca squeezes my hand.
“It’s nothing. I’m sure it’s Lucia.”
Andre crosses over to the door and opens it.
Lucia rushes in and she takes one look at my bruised hands and gasps.
“Signora Alessia, what happened?” she whispers, kneeling in front of me.
“Lucia,” Andre says, “please be gentle.”
“Yes, sir,” she mutters, taking my wrists into her small hands. As light as her touch is, it still hurts and I flinch.
Lucia mutters to herself, “Msk, msk. She is bruised badly.”
Across the room, Alex sits in the chair observing, his posture tense. Andre sits facing him, watching Lucia tend to my wounds, while Luca is seated on the bed by my side.
Lucia opens the first-aid box. “This will hurt, Signora. Please hold still.”
I bite my lip, trying not to cry out in pain as she runs a cold ointment that soothes but also stings all at the same time.I raise my eyes just in time to catch Andre’s glare at Alex.
“There was no reason for this, Alex.” Alex takes a deep breath and says nothing, but I notice that his jaw tightens.
Lucia continues to work in silence, muttering to herself, “No, no, no, non… If the master was here…”
“Lucia,” Alex warns quietly.
She freezes for a moment before pressing her mouth into a tight line. She wraps my wrists gently in a clean white bandage.
“You will be fine, Signora, but you must not strain your hands. Allow it to heal. I will bring you some food and then run you a bath.”
“I don’t want to eat,” I whisper.
Lucia looks at Alex and he says, “Bring her something light and some water.”
Lucia nods her head and leaves, returning with a tray of light soup and water. She places it on the side table. “Please try and eat.”
Luca picks the tray, balancing it on his lap. “It’s okay, Lucia. I will persuade her.” She nods her head and starts to clean up the room. My eyes stay with her as she disappears into the bathroom. I finally accept the tray from Luca.
“Thank you, Luca,” I whisper.
He smiles at me.
I stare at the soup and then pick up the spoon to have a few bites while all eyes are on me. Are they trying to poison me? I think for a moment, then brush the thought aside. He needs me. He thinks I have La Rosa. He wouldn’t kill me. I continue to take some sips as Luca pats my leg gently.
“That’s good, you tried. You will be safe here, okay?” I nod with my mouth full, even though I don’t really believe it. Lucia returns and takes the tray from me.
“Come on, Signora, your water is ready.”
I follow her into the bathroom. She packs my hair up in a scrunchie and undresses me carefully, making sure she doesn’t touch my bandaged wrists, and pulls me into the warm water with my hands hanging on the side of the tub. Lucia hums a soft song as she sponges me all over and removes all the dirt and sweat from my aching body. She bathes me until the water is clear. Then she helps me out of the bath, dries me and puts on a red pyjama set for me in my size softest cotton and clean.
“That’s much better,” she says, smiling at me.
“Gracias, It feels so good.”
“It’s my pleasure to serve you, Signora Alessia.”
I look in the bathroom mirror above the sink. My face is fresh and my wounds are healing. She walks me back into the bedroom and we find only Alex waiting. My pulse skips a beat and I am sure he can hear it. All of a sudden the air in the room seems to become hot and thick. I feel goosebumps erupt all over my arms.
“Leave us,” he commands as he rises out of the chair, walking towards me.
“Yes, sir,” she whispers, walking out quickly.
I gulp, my heart thundering in my ears. I stare at the gold satin bedcover, refusing to meet his gaze. He settles on the bed beside me and uses his fingers to lift my face. Our eyes lock on each other and I feel electricity course through me. Snap out of it I tell myslef . Remember you are his prisoner ! I tell myself off in my head trying to make my body stop responding to his touch .
“I won’t bind your wrists again, but make no mistake you are mine, my prisoner, and this is your cell,” he adds darkly, staring at my lips. I gulp, refusing to let him know how his touch is still affecting me. The earlier pep tall didnt work obviously. I remove his hands from my face roughly ,turning my eyes away from him.
“Go away, Alex. You have done enough for one night,” I whisper, laying back on the headboard to put some much needed space between us. He remains seated, his gaze locked on my face , scorching hot and so thrilling.
“Look, Alessia, I-” he doesn’t get to finish his sentence as Luca rushes in, sweating profusely.
Alex turns to face him, his eyes wide with shock. “Luca, what is going-"
“You are needed urgently downstairs, Alex!” he whispers hurriedly as he walks to the bed quickly and drags Alex’s hand. What could be the issue now? Is there ever going to be a moment of peace in this home?
I stare at Luca and his state makes fear start to course through me once more.Alex sighs, allowing him to drag him off the bed and telling me over his shoulder:
“Try and get some rest…” as he walks out.
I try and fail to still my racing heart as I come to one conclusion: it’s official ,I have walked into Fuji House of Commotion.