Chapter 21
I stood there, my gaze following Alessa as she walked away, disappearing down the hallway without a second glance. My jaw was clenched so tightly it almost hurt.
The anger simmering beneath my skin surged, sharp and hot. I wasn't imagining things. I had seen someone. The man standing in the shadows with her. But by the time I was here, he was gone.
I turned scanning the hallway, my mind racing. The way Alessa had looked at me, startled and almost guilty told me everything. She had something to hide. And it pissed me off that she thought I wouldn't notice.
But underneath that anger, something else twisted inside me. A feeling I didn't want to acknowledge. Betrayal.
I had learned young that trust was a luxury that got you killed. I had spent a lifetime making sure no one ever had the chance to stab me in the back.
But Alessa?
I hadn't expected it from her.
I kept moving, eyes darting from corner to corner. There was no one. No sign of the bastard. Just the oppressive silence.
And no fucking cameras, of course.
My hand ran through my hair, frustration building with every passing second. No proof. No name. Nothing. Just a burning need to get answers.
Grinding my teeth, I turned back toward the main hall looking for her. I wasn't leaving without her. When I didn't see her, I didn't waste a second. I headed straight for the parking lot.
And there she was.
Alessa stood by the car, her posture stiff, arms wrapped tightly around herself like she was trying to hold it together.
The dim streetlight cast long shadows across the pavement, flickering against her pale skin.
A sharp gust of wind blew her hair across her face, but she didn't move to push it away.
She shouldn't have left, shouldn't have walked away from me like that. Not after what happened.
I didn't slow down as I approached her. "Get in the car."
She didn't even look at me.
"No" she said, her voice quiet but firm.
I clenched my fists, fighting the urge to grab her. "Alessa, don't fucking test me right now."
Her chin lifted, defiance flashing in her eyes. "I don't want to go anywhere with you."
"I don't think I gave you a choice" I exhaled sharply.
She tried to step back, but I was faster. I grabbed her waist, lifting her off the ground with ease. She kicked, hands pressing against my back but it was useless.
"Go to hell," she muttered, but I couldn't care less.
I laughed low, my voice a growl. "Not before you get in the car."
I yanked open the passenger door and set her inside, ignoring her protests as I reached across and pulled the seatbelt over her. She struggled again but I fastened the buckle with a sharp click before she could stop me.
Her chest rose and fell rapidly, her eyes burning with fury as she glared at me.
I held her gaze, one hand braced against the car door, the other resting on the seat beside her. I could see the fire in her eyes, the rise and fall of her breath.
I reached out, trailing a slow finger over the diamond bracelet on her wrist. The one I put there just a few hours ago.
Then I lifted my gaze back to hers.
"Next time" I leaned closer, my voice dropping. "If you don't want to be called a whore then don't act like one."
The words left my mouth before I could think. Before I could stop myself.
She flinched.
It was small barely noticeable but I saw it. The slight tightening of her jaw, the way her breath hitched for a fraction of a second before she masked it.
I shut the door before she could respond, my hands curling into fists as I walked around to the driver's seat.
The drive back to the penthouse was suffocatingly silent, the air thick with unresolved tension. Alessa sat rigid beside me, her gaze fixed on the window, and I had nothing left to say.
But the words I had thrown at her sat like a weight in my chest.
I shouldn't have said that.
I knew it the second it left my mouth.
We reached the penthouse, Alessa stepped inside first, heading straight for the bedroom and slammed the door shut.
I exhaled sharply, dragging a hand through my hair before making my way to the liquor cabinet. I needed a drink something strong enough to take the edge off the rage simmering beneath my skin.
My gaze flicked down to my hand to the wedding band still wrapped around my finger. I had never worn it before tonight. Never saw the point. But tonight, I had slipped it on without thinking.
With a scoff, I tugged it off, setting it on the counter with a dull clink.
She was fucking impossible. She had no right to act like the victim when she was the one keeping secrets.
But even as I downed the drink, the weight of my own words hit me like a punch to the gut. I shouldn't have called her that. The second the words left my mouth, I had wanted to take them back.
Rage and guilt warred inside me, twisting together in a way that made it hard to breathe.
I sighed, setting the glass down with more force than necessary. Arguing wasn't going to get me anywhere.
After a while, I pushed to my feet and headed to the bedroom. The bathroom door was slightly ajar. I stepped inside, my eyes landing on her instantly.
She had changed into anightgown, her back to me, standing in front of the mirror as she ran a brush through her hair.
She hadn't noticed me yet.
I stepped closer, my hands sliding around her waist from behind, pulling her back against my chest.
"Don't move" I murmured against her ear.
She stilled in my hold, her grip tightening around the hairbrush. I met her gaze in the mirror.
"Tell me" I said quietly,pressing a kiss against her bare shoulder
"You don't trust me," she said. "So why should I tell you anything?"
A muscle ticked in my jaw. "Alessa."
She turned in my arms, tilting her chin up to meet my stare. "I won't say a word unless you trust me."
I exhaled sharply, my fingers flexing against her waist. The last thing I wanted was another fight.
"Fine" I muttered, my voice rough. "I trust you."
A flicker of hesitation crossed her face before she spoke. "I was alone. There was no one with me."
I searched her face, watching for any hint of deception but all I saw was exhaustion.
I could push. Could demand the truth, force it out of her.
Instead, I just nodded. "Alright."
She blinked as if surprised by my response but said nothing.
I dropped my forehead against hers for a beat before pulling away.
"I shouldn't have called you that," I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper. "I was angry, but it doesn't excuse it."
She nodded but the hurt in her eyes didn't fade.
She turned away and I let her.
I didn't believe her. Not entirely but I was too fucking tired to argue again. For now, I had let it go even if the nagging doubt in my gut refused to disappear.