Chapter 17 Chapter 17

Chapter 17 Chapter 17
Katsura.

I stirred weakly on the bed, the sheets covering every part of my body even when I tried to move away from it, it kept wrapping me up.

This was the first time I knew where I was and didn’t regret not waking up in the bed I shared with Jessie. I was getting used to waking up in different beds in Alessio’s mansion.

The space beside me was empty, he wasn’t there or maybe I was wrong about the room I woke up in.

But his scent hit my nostrils. Alessio always smelt of leather, smoke from his cigar, and pixie dust.

My heart sank for reasons and my thoughts went wild. Maybe he slipped away when I was fast asleep to be with Helen. I shifted slightly, my fingers brushing the warm spot on the bed where he must have been lying not long ago.

I was about to get out of bed when I heard a noise coming from the bathroom, the shower was on, and he was clearly taking a bath.

I sighed in relief, but my face flushed red in embarrassment when I found out my hair was a mess and I had drooled during my sleep. That wasn’t very lady-like.

Lying back against the plush pillows, staring at the ceiling, my mind drifting back to last night whether I wanted it to or not.

The kiss I shared with Alessio preoccupied my mind.

My fingers lifted to my lips without thinking. I pressed them there softly, as if I could still feel him. I didn’t know when I licked my lips as if licking off his taste.

The way he kissed me… it was calm but I was sure of one thing which was the fact that he claimed me to be his.

I knew I wasn’t going to be this happy for too long but I was ready to live in the moment, at least for a while.

I quickly adjusted in the sheets when I heard the creaking of the door as it opened.

I didn’t turn at first, but curiosity betrayed me. My eyes flicked in his direction, and froze when I saw him.

Alessio stepped out of the bathroom, water sliding down his bare skin. He was naked… completely naked, but that didn’t strip him of his dangerous looks. 

I didn’t know my mouth was open till when I found myself drooling.

I turned my face away immediately, I could feel the heat on my face and I was all sweaty. My heart pounded so hard I thought he could hear it.

“Have you never seen a naked man before?” he asked calmly.

“I… I wasn’t looking,” I said quickly.

“That wasn’t the question I asked,” he said calmly. 

I shut my eyes so tight that I couldn’t be tempted to look at him again.

“I wasn’t looking,” I shook my head, trying to maintain my stance.

He laughed softly. “You were.”

I clutched the sheet tighter, my palms sweating. I could hear him moving around, unbothered, opening drawers, walking like I wasn’t even there.

“You don’t need to lie to me,” he said. “You’ll see more.”

What?

I see more of him being naked in front of me.

Well, yeah I wanted to see more of that but he always made it embarrassing.

“I’ll try not to lie,” I muttered. “I just… didn’t expect that.”

“Well,” he replied, “you should start expecting many things around me.”

I peeked at him again. He had wrapped a towel loosely around his waist now, his hair damp, his body relaxed like he wasn’t a mafia don or a ruthless Alpha who led his pack to wars and killings.

“We’ll be spending the whole day together,” he said casually.

I snapped my eyes back to him. “The whole day?”

“Yes.”

“Doing what?” I asked.

He smiled. “I’ll take you somewhere.”

“Where?”

“It’s a surprise.”

I frowned. “I don’t like surprises.”

“I know,” he said, opening the closet. “That’s why I like them.”

Before I could respond, the door opened.

Alessio didn’t even turn fully. “Helen…”

But the voice that answered wasn’t hers.

“Forgive me, Don.”

I looked up, Scourge stood at the doorway, breathing heavily. Sweat formed on his forehead, his eyes were red, as if he had been punched in the eyes.

He bowed, refusing to raise his eyes to look at Alessio.

Something was wrong with the way he barged into the room.

Alessio straightened. “Speak.”

“Our goods,” Scourge said calmly, trying to catch his breath. “They’ve been tampered with.”

I gasped when I heard it but I tried not to move.

“Handle it,” Alessio replied flatly.

Scourge swallowed. “It was… the goods left in Ethan’s care.”

Ethan?

Ethan works for Alessio?

I turned to look at Alessio, and he tilted his head to look at me but I looked away immediately. He didn’t shout or curse under his breath.

Rage radiated from him, he didn’t show it but I could feel it and I knew Scourge did too. His jaw clenched as he reached for his clothes. 

He took out some clothes he could lay his hands on, then proceeded to get his shoes, he moved too swiftly but was bothered.

“Get the car,” he ordered.

Scourge bowed and left quickly.

Alessio didn’t look at me, just when I thought we were getting along really well.

“Alessio…” I whispered his name and reached out my hand to him, but he was already walking out.

The door slammed shut and I sat there, my heart racing with the silence surrounding me.

Something bad was about to happen. I hadn’t thought far when the next thing I heard was the roaring of the cars as they drove off the estate.

The hours crawled by, but I didn’t leave the bed. I tugged at the duvet where he slept… I just wanted to smell him.

“You’re still in bed?” Janiece walked in with a tray of toast and coffee.

“Alessio left in a hurry and…”

“Yes, and I don’t like it when he leaves like that,” she sighed softly and placed the tray before me.

Janiece stayed with me, sensing my unease. She made sure I didn’t eat alone even though I barely tasted anything.

“Are you married, Janiece?” I found myself asking as I put down the empty cup of coffee.

“Yes, but I love to be with my brother. He gets too violent when I’m not around.” She replied with a warm smile like she always does.

“Helen…” 

“Katsura, only you can make him calm,” she said, she didn't let me finish.

I only nodded like a child given candy.

Later in the afternoon, we walked through the garden. I had never been to the garden but Janiece said I would love it.

“You’re worried,” Janiece said softly.

“I’m fine,” I lied.

She studied me but didn’t pressure me. I was about to change the subject when the gates flew open and the cars that left in a hurry drove in.

Alessio got out of the car, his shirt was stained with blood, and his knuckles were swollen with cuts all over his body.

“Alessio!” Janiece cried as she ran to him, throwing her body on him.

“What did you do?” She cupped his face in her hands as she tilted his head repeatedly to know if he had marks on his face.

He raised his eyes without a word, but he didn’t look at me.

He gently pushed her aside and walked briskly into the house, leaving us confused.

“Everyone to the living room,” Sting announced loudly.

The guards and maids ran into the house including Janiece but I stood there, unable to move.

“You too, doctor,” Sting said.

I dragged my tired legs as much as I could. When I got to the living room, all I could hear were gasps coming from the maids and guards, they were all staring at something.

I shoved past the maids to stand beside Janiece who had her palm covering her mouth, her eyes bulging with shock.

My eyes trailed to where she was looking. I staggered at the sight of it, my stomach knotted and I wanted to throw up. I tried to scream but I had lost my voice.

On the table was Ethan’s head… his eyes were still open, no signs of fear or tears, just thick blood trickling down to the floor. I tried to look away but a strong hand held my head in place. 

It was Scourge, in his eyes were rage and resentment. I knew he hated me, but this was a different kind.

“Don’t you like your gift?” He growled.