Chapter 61 Defending Him
ALYSSA’S POV:-
The coast was breathtaking, a blur of water and salt-heavy air, but even the beauty of the lunch Vince had arranged couldn't stop the world from intruding.
I was worried about him. But, I trust him. Maybe he needed some time to deal with these problems, so I shouldn't meddle too much.
While Vince was away from the table to take yet another ‘urgent business call,’ a shadow fell over my chair.
I looked up, expecting a waiter. Instead, my heart sank.
"Alyssa."
It was Ken. But, since I knew Vince was right here and would arrive at my one call, I found myself utterly strong and composed.
Ken looked no less than a mess. His eyes were bloodshot, a fierce rage filling his gaze while he was clutching an envelope so tightly.
He looked like a man who hadn't slept in a week, he looked disturbed, a contrast to the polished, powerful man currently protecting me.
Seeming him right now only brought a smirk on my lips. Lifting my sunglasses, I raised my brows.
"Ken? What are you doing here?" I stood up, my hand instinctively resting on my waist, indulging in the sight, checking him out.
“You look horrible. Where is your fiancé?”
“I came here for you…” He whispered breathlessly, his features hardening into a frustrated, unreadable expression.
"You shouldn't have followed me."
"I had to. Alyssa, you have to listen to me." he hissed, leaning in closer. His voice was raspy, losing his composure with a desperation I never saw in him.
"Vince isn't who you think he is. Everything is a setup. He paid those men, Alyssa. He’s been feeding you lies since the moment you met." He explained in a hurried, senseless tone.
I blinked, confusion taking over me.
The words felt like a cold breeze, but they didn't penetrate. I looked at Ken. Messy, desperate, and bitter, and then I thought of Vince.
I thought of the way Vince had supported me since the beginning, how he confessed his fears. I thought of the flowers filling our room and the way he held me when I cried.
What makes him think I will believe him?
"Stop it," I said coldly, rolling my eyes, “You are only humiliating yourself.”
"I have proof! Right here in this envelope," Ken insisted, thrusting the papers toward me to which I stepped back as if his hand would burn me.
"Bank transfers, Alyssa. He is being blackmailed by one of the men he hired! He’s not your hero, he’s your captor!"
I didn't look at the envelope. I didn't want to see whatever lies he had forged to try and tear us apart.
All I saw was a man trying to destroy the only person who had ever made me feel safe.
Before he could say another word, my hand flew out, silencing him.
Slap.
The crack of my palm against his cheek echoed across the terrace. My jaw clenched, glaring at him for this pathetic attempt.
“I should have done that to ‘you’ the moment Vince told me about your cheating on our wedding day.” Hissing, I pushed him away from my proximity.
“Vince warned me over and over again. I didn’t listen. Do you think I am going to trust you when you have shattered everything?”
Ken’s head snapped to the side, his glasses sliding down his nose. The silence that followed was deafening.
He blinked, taking a few moments to consume what just happened as I was glaring furiously, cursing him in my mind.
"Don't you dare," I whispered, my body trembling with a protective rage I forgot I used to possess.
"Don't you dare come here and spit on my husband’s name, Ken."
"Alyssa, please-"
"Vince has done everything for me," I snapped, stepping into his space, forcing him to back away, pointing my finger contemptuously at him.
"He carries the weight of the world so I don't have to. He is a man you can never be. So don’t you fucking dare to insult my man-"
Before my hand could raise to hit him again, or push him, I felt a presence behind me. The familiar, heavy warmth of Vince. His scent filled me, discarding any possible stress.
I felt his hand settle on my shoulder protectively, his thumb rubbing a soothing circle for assurance but with him here, I fear nothing.
"Is there a problem here?" Vince’s venomously sweet tone cut through the air, his eyes darting towards Ken whose breath hitched.
Ken looked at Vince, then back at me, his eyes filled with a pity that made me want to hit him in the groin. I hated the look he gave him.
"You have really done it, haven't you?" Ken hissed, his steps retreating, "You have made her love the leash."
"Leave. Now," I commanded, holding my head high. Vince’s grip tightened, drawing me closer, claiming me in his shadow.
"I am not leaving him, Ken. Not today, not ever.” I declared unwaveringly. Ken or his words couldn’t change what Vince had done for me.
“He is the only man who has ever truly seen me. Stay away from us." I hissed.
Ken looked at the envelope in his hand, then at the way I was clinging to Vince’s side.
With a look of utter defeat, he turned and walked away, leaving the papers scattered, knowing he could no longer twist my mind in his lies.
Vince didn't look at the papers. He just pulled me into his chest, burying his face in my hair.
"You didn't have to do that, Alyssa," he murmured, kissing my neck with his arms all around me, "I could have handled him."
"I know you can," I whispered, closing my eyes and breathing him in as I pulled back a little, holding his hand with no intention of letting go.
"But I wanted you to know that I am yours, Vince. I won’t trust the wrong man anymore."
He smiled, making me sit back on my seat before shifting to his knees. A smile adorned my lips as I cupped his face in my palm.
“I had slapped you for him. I have hurt you for him. I won’t do it again.” I promised, resting my forehead against his, “You have always sought the best for me. I don’t doubt you ever again.”
“I used to curse marriage but look at me now… Willing to do everything to protect my marriage and my wife. You know what, Alyssa?” He inhaled sharply, taking my hand and kissing them intensely.
“I protected you because I couldn’t protect or help Lucia. I thought it would… calm the storm in my heart.”
Relaxing slowly, his head rested on my lap, clinging onto me as if I was the only thing he needed. Nothing but us existed in this moment.
“Right now? I am doing everything wholeheartedly. Not out of guilt, or remorse. But because I want to do it all for you.” He chuckled, remaining like that for quite a while where he announced his unbreakable resolve.
“I will always protect you.”