Chapter 24 Women
Alex’s POV
I shut Alessia’s door quietly, holding on firmly to Isabella as we take the stairs one step at a time. Women are too much trouble. I glance at her, noticing how she is leaning on me, pretending to be in pain when I know she didn’t get hurt. She has always been very dramatic anyway she learnt from the best, Mama.
As we step into the living room, I gently ease her into the chair and ask one of the lurking maids,
“Bring the first aid kit to me quickly.”
She curtseys and nods, running out the door and returning moments later with the box. Isabella sits patiently, cross-legged, as I open the box and get out some disinfectant and gauze.
“Give me your elbow,” I say as she sighs. I inspect the spot and, just as I earlier thought, there isn’t even a scratch.
She leans into me, purposely rubbing her breasts on my hand, her voice soft. “Alex, if you didn’t push me hard, I would not have been injured. I was scared.”
I ignore her. My silence is my answer. I won’t apologize she knows she treated her poorly. Just then, I hear footsteps and heels clicking into the living room. Merde, here comes the chivalry brigade. My mother steps into the room first, her eyes filled with concern, and Andre comes in after her.
“Oh, you poor thing , What happened Bella?,” she gasps, settling near Isabella as she places her head on Mama’s bosom. She looks between me and Isabella.
Before I can tell her, Isabella speaks, her voice shaky. “Mama, it was so scary. Alessia lost her temper and pushed me just because I asked why she has to live here.” Andre raises his brow but says nothing. My mother faces me as her lips tighten, waiting to hear my side of the story.
“Isabella, that is not what happened, and you know it,” I say flatly, starting to lose my patience.
Isabella looks at me, her eyes filled with hurt. That look might have worked before, but not now -not when I have a vivacious 5’7 Mamma mia upstairs. Alex, focus. I shake my head and face Isabella as she says,
“Brother, are you calling me a liar?” Her eyes fill up with tears again, like she has a reserve of ready-made tears.
“I’m saying that’s not what happened.” I close the box forcefully. “You abused her, and she stood up to you. You tried to slap her, and I pushed you, and you fell. That’s it.”
My mother sighs loudly. “Alex, she has been here, what, one day? And she is already causing problems between the two of you?”
I glance at my mother. “I will always stand for the truth. You should tell Isabella to stop looking for trouble. She is a guest in our home remember that.”
Andre hides a smile behind a fake cough as Isabella pouts. She stays quiet, her hand holding on to her fake injury.
“But Alex-" My mother doesn’t get to finish as my phone rings in my pocket. I pick it out, and it’s from my strip club, La Mirage.
I walk towards the console before answering. “Yes?”
The manager’s voice crackles through. “Sir, your long-awaited shipment has arrived. We need your signature.”
I look out the window, noting it’s evening time. Thinking if I’m going out, I have to go with Alessia so I don’t have to worry about my mother and Isabella’s shenanigans.
“That’s okay. I’m on my way.”
“Should we start opening it?” the manager asks.
“No, I’ll be there soon.” I hang up and place the phone in my pocket. Turning back, I find their gazes on me, but my mother asks,
“Is it business?”
I nod. “Yes, I have to go to the club.”
“Are you taking Luca with you?” she asks, and I think about it, deciding against it. Let him stay and woo Isabella. I know he has the hots for her, even though she isn’t giving him the green light yet. I shake my head. “No. Andre, Luca, and extra guards will watch you the queens of my casa.” That brings a smile to their faces. Good crisis averted for now ...
Isabella’s eyes meet mine. “Are you leaving now?”
I walk towards the doorway. “Yes, cara mia, immediately.”
Her voice trails me. “Where to? And will you be back tonight?”
I pause, not turning around. I would have to be dumb to say I can’t hear the yearning in her voice. Are her feelings a new development, or am I just starting to notice this change in her now?
“La Mirage. And yes, I will be back tonight,” I say without turning. I pause at the foot of the stairs, my eyes drifting to Alessia’s closed room. There is no way in hell I am leaving her here with my mother and Isabella. I chuckle as a dark idea starts to weave in my head ... This will be fun , It’s decided, I am going to La Mirage, and Alessia comes with me.