Chapter 37 La Visage
Alessia’s POV
Once we arrive at the palatial hotel, the driver parks on the curb and the valet rushes to open the door. Alex gently nudges me.
“We are here.” He steps out of the car and I follow him silently. The walkway is covered with red carpet and guards are standing on either side bowing with respect as we walk inside side by side. Once inside the air conditioned lobby I look around the sleek hotel dotted with Italian furniture and a few guests are hanging around the receptionist desk. Upon sighting Alex the bell boy approaches quickly, bowing.
“Good evening, Signor Ferrini. Welcome back.”
Alex nods at him, not saying a word, as we are led into his private elevator and he presses the presidential suite.
Soon enough we arrive on the last floor. As we step out of the elevator together he leads me towards the only door on the floor, pulling out a golden key card from his pocket. I look around curiously at the carpeted floor covered in soft black carpets that make me want to slip my foot in. A console is placed on the side with a lovely mirror on top and fresh red roses on the table.
“This is beautiful,” I murmur, admiring the wallpaper geometric designs.
He tilts his head at me, a smile twitching at his lips. “Glad you like it, Cara mia. It’s one of my recent investments.”
We step into the opulent wide living room designed with rich Italian royal furniture, a dining area on the far left and an open design kitchen with all sleek appliances that look brand new.
Alex pulls me to the sofa and I lay down as the doorbell rings. He heads to open the door and returns with Luca.
“What took you so long?” Alex growls impatiently.
“I was conversing with your new receptionist,” Luca adds, smiling. I turn away and smile. How are they such good friends? They are so different. One is jovial while one is grumpy. I get comfortable on the chair not really paying close attention to their discussion. Suddenly,I yawn as exhaustion starts settling in me the night spent without Alex, the four lessons in the morning, then the encounter with Marco Vitelli’s goons in the alley. I need some respite. I yawn again and Alex notices as he stops mid sentence and looks at me.
He gets up, extending his hand to me. “Come, Cara mia. Go lay down in the bedroom.”
I accept it gratefully. “Thank you, Alex.” He leads me towards the golden bedroom with a king size bed on the podium then sets me on the bed.
He cups my face gently, looking into my eyes. “Take a nap.”
I nod my head and stretch on the bed, my eyes already drifting closed.
Much later the sound of the doorbell jolts me awake and I look around wondering where I am for a moment before it all comes back to me Marco Vitelli’s goons, Alex’s hotel La Visage.
I yawn heading into the bathroom to splash water on my face. Then I open the wardrobe to grab the silk robe hanging there, I quickly take my clothes off and slip into the robe as it clings to me like a second skin. I look at my reflection in the mirror my face looks well rested, eyes bright and eager for something I don’t want to get into right now. I turn away and head for the living room , wondering who arrived. I open the door peeking through the opening. Two women stand in the living room dressed in two short skimpy dresses. One has long red hair and the other auburn hair with makeup done. My heart sinks in my chest as jealousy surges through me making me almost breathless. Bright and hot. Calm down, Alessia. You should have expected it after all. This is his hotel. Even if he doesn’t order the ladies, they will be offered on the house.
I gulp hard holding on to the bedroom door as the redhead tilts her head toward him smiling seductively.
“Signor Ferrini, it’s nice to see you again,” she purrs, and I just want to snatch her by the hair and pull out her perfect little teeth. Alex doesn’t look up as she strides towards him and lays a hand on his shoulder. I have a flashback of watching the ladies grind on him at La Mirage and something snaps inside me. This will not happen again, not while I am here after what he told me earlier. I know I shouldn’t care but I do. I know I am only here to help him find La Rosa but still I can’t stop. I won’t stop. I don’t care that since I met him it’s been one danger to another; that just adds to his appeal. I won’t allow them to have him. Not after he saved me from the goons and how he held me tight in the limo. My jaw tightens and my shoulder straightens with resolve as I step out of the room and march into the living room refusing to even think about what I am about to do. My pulse is pounding in my ears but I can’t stop my legs from moving. I will go and lay claim and stand by him. As I approach them one of the ladies lets out a soft laugh and I scoff. Let’s see if you will still be laughing once I take him away.
They don’t notice me until I stand a few paces away. The room falls quiet as the women seem to understand that they are trespassing and I am pissed. Alex raises his eyes to me as I stand a few paces away from him, hands on my hips.
His eyes land on mine. “You are awake, Cara mia?”
“Si,” I whisper breathlessly as his gaze drifts to the robe I casually grabbed and put on, his eyes burning a trail down my skin. Desire, hot and bright, flickers in his eyes for a moment and it almost makes me weak in the knees.
He doesn’t say another word. He just gets up and starts walking to me one step at a time, slow, measured, like a hurricane choosing where to destroy first. And tonight it looks like I am his target.