Chapter 97 Chivalry
Alex’s POV
Turning towards the voices I freeze in the spot as Luca walks in with Angelica tucked into the crook of his arm. I watch Luca as they walk towards me, calm, serene and happy as my life crumbles right before my very eyes. Jealousy wild and unbidden fills my chest but I squash it just in time schooling my features into a calm facade.
They take a look at my bloody hands and Angelica lets out a small gasp while Luca narrows his eyes with concern and then shock flashing in their depths as his eyes zero in on my bloody fists.
“Dios Alex, what happened to your hands?”Luca says slowly “We have been looking everywhere for you and Why is this place so messy?”
I sigh taking a few steps back and dropping onto the sofa, suddenly feeling very exhausted.
“Something bad happened Luca” I say flatly reluctant to get into details but I know I don't have a choice. Luca is like my brother. He will help me get to the bottom of this. Angelica steps closer her eyes taking in the shattered glass on the floor and the wine stain spreading on the woven rug.
“Were you entertaining Signor?”
I stare into her grey eyes “I was entertaining some witches, but I don't even remember how we all got here “
Luca swears under his breath and sits down near me leaning forward on his hunches.
“Alex, what are you saying ?You are talking in riddles, start from the beginning.”
I choose to not embellish the truth after all I need their help. At least Luca knows how me and Alessia started and he knows how much I care for her. He more than anyone knows I will never be this sloppy. Only the truth and nothing but the truth will set me free. Straightening my shoulders, mind made up to bare my soul I tell them every single thing, everything not sparing myself, or Alessia's ubrupt arrival and show of power.
\-Starting from The third cup of wine I accepted from only Dios knows who
\-My gaps in my memory
\-Alessia scathing words and the disappointment in her eyes
I lean back when I am done feeling spent like I just ran a marathon. Everyone is quiet for a few terse moments before Angelica speaks up “Signor, I think you may have been walked into an elaborately planned trap”
I want to snap back and say “ You think?” But I clench my jaws instead choosing silence
Luca nods solemnly on agreement “I know you are not that careless, if you wanted to entertain it won't be here” He pauses for a moment then faces me “Alex who offered you the third glass of wine can you spot him/her out in a crowd?”
I didn't even think of that, I search my mind for a moment returning back to the moment I accepted the drink just as Luca and Angelica left for a walk.. but the face still remains blurry, the hand! The hand though was feminine. That is something at least!
Turning to Luca for the first time since Alessia left, I feel a strand of hope growing in my belly, maybe all is not lost after all. Facing Luca I tell him the truth “Luca I can't remember the face but I know it's a woman”
Scoffing I add “ I tried really hard to explain to Alessia that it all seems a bit too easy but she refused to listen to me ,she wants concrete proof.”
“It's not that she didn't want to listen to you Signore”. Angelica defends her firmly “She is heartbroken by what she saw and she thinks you cheated on her.”
Something twists in my chest as her words don't make me feel better .Shaking my head as if to shake the disaster away I lean forward, my elbows pressing on my knees, clutching my head in my hands as I feel a migraine coming on. “She said she turned down her mothers choosen mate for me.”
Luca lets out a deep breath “Oh Men! That pompous Bastardi Federic?”
Luca’s chagrin doesn't make me feel better “Yes Luca, him” Silence fills the room once more
“Alex I know you and I trust you Luca says finally but We need to get an iron-clad, unrefutable proof”
Anger crawls up bubbling from my chest like lava as I Snap at him “How do we get that Luca? I
certain I didn't invite them to this secluded room? I know I was drugged?but How do I prove it???”
Luca raises his hands in mock surrender “Alex I am on your side,remember that always”
Sighing I give him a brief slap on the back “I apologize for snapping at you Luca I am not myself.”
Luca gives me a terse smile “Its okay Alex, don't mention it.”
Angelica straightens “So we need solid proof”
I look at her. “How will we get that in a coven full of witches?” They dont like me and I know they believe Federic will be a better choice for Alessia. I personally think they are all in on it but out of respect for Angelica I don't voice out my thoughts for now.
She pauses for a moment then says Softly “I may be able to get one of them to help us.”
I look at her in shock, my eyebrow raised. How could she possibly have met someone here already and earned their trust?Or has she found her relative already the one Enya mentioned? Witches are usually thick as thieves. They may all be in on it for all I care- Enya, Frederic heck the entire high council might want to tear us apart and I just fell into their trap.
Turning to Angelica I am about to ask her to explain when I hear quick footsteps approaching the doorway. Leaning back I straighten turning my gaze to the doorway question forgotten waiting with bated breath to see if someone has come to gloat already.