Chapter 25 Going out !
Alessia’s POV
I am still sitting on the single chair, watching a telenovela, when my door is knocked on. The door opens moments later, and Alex walks in, his face blank.
“Alessia, pick out a dress. We are going out in- ” he checks his watch, “ten minutes,” he says simply.
He doesn’t tell me where we are going or ask if I feel like going out. I don’t even bother asking. I nod, walking towards my wardrobe. I flip through the new dresses and pick out a black, sexy 3/4 number with small slits on both ends and a deep plunging neckline in front. I quickly dress and slip it on, smoothing it down on the sides. I brush my hair and pack it in a low bun, spritzing some perfume on my ears. I walk to the shoe rack and pick out a pair of comfortable black heels. When I turn around, he is standing by the door, watching me. I didn’t even hear him return.
“Are you ready to go?” he asks me, cool, calm, and collected.
I give him a nod. “Yes, Alex.”
He gives me the once-over. “You look nice, Cara Mia,” he adds before gesturing for me to follow him. I follow him in shocked silence, not knowing how to respond to his offhanded, unexpected comment. We walk down the stairs together in silence, my heels echoing in the otherwise quiet corridor. He is quiet, his shoulders set in a tense line something must be up with his business.
By the time we arrive at the entrance foyer, two bodyguards are waiting, and I can hear Marguerite, Isabella, and Luca laughing at something in the living room. Thank God they are otherwise occupied. Isabella will not be happy I am accompanying him out. I turn away from their cheerful banter and face the armed guards. They are both wearing dark suits with their holsters visible. Alex grabs a faux fur coat from the rack and places it on my shoulders, gruffly saying, “This is your new jacket. It may get chilly out.”
My whole body feels warm from the light brush of his fingers on my skin.
“Thank you, Alex.” I touch my jacket. My hands seem to sink into its softness it feels like silk. I am sure it’s very expensive . The guards grab the double doors and open them, and we step outside, the fresh evening air brushing against my skin like a lover’s caress. There is a black tinted SUV parked out front, and another drives up to park behind it.
“Get in the car behind,” Alex orders the men.
“Okay, boss,” they reply, moving with mechanical precision.
He opens the door for me, and I step in as he goes to the other side to get into the car. The driver glances at him.
“Are we going straight to La Mirage?”
Alex nods. “Yes, Casper.”
The gates open electronically as we drive out toward the city of lights that never sleeps.
For a while, we don’t talk. I am remembering the last time we got in a car together and trying not to panic. I press my forehead to the window, hoping the passing scenery will calm my nerves as the city passes in a blur.
I turn around and face him. “Why are we going to the club?”
He doesn’t spare me a glance as he scrolls through his phone.
“I have a shipment that just arrived.”
He doesn’t say anything else, and I don’t ask. After a short while, he drops his phone in his pocket and shifts to look at the back, then the front again. Curiously, I ask, “Why are you doing that?” softly, trying to keep my voice even.
“No reason. I’m just used to always being on the lookout you never know when you’re being followed,” he replies calmly, and my stomach tightens with fear once again, my thoughts flashing to our last car ride. Not again. Dios, please let it not be a daily encounter.
The traffic reduces somewhat as we move toward the cosmopolitan part of town. The ocean peaks at a small distance, the water sparkling like jewels. Then Alex’s phone vibrates; he checks it, and his jaw tightens.
“Casper,” he calls. “Take the alternative route.”
“Yes, boss.”
I look behind, and I see the black SUV from the Ferrini household closely followed by a white tinted SUV.
Alex looks back again, then mutters, “Merde,” under his breath. My fingers start trembling on my lap as I fold my arms across my chest, not wanting Alex to see just how scared I am. The fear and tension build like a wave thick and suffocating. Then Alex brings out his gun, removing the safety. He gives me a look.
“Hold on. This might get bumpy,” he says quietly as the SUV speeds up. I reach for my seatbelt, strapping myself in. My heart is beating loudly in my chest as the wind howls outside, and the sound of the cars behind us in hot pursuit picks up.
Alex mutters one thing. “They have found us.”
Oh Dios, here we go again. Who has found us this time? Just how many enemies does he have or is this about me? Is it the Sirrano's again? Can we not have a ride in peace?