21. Alex
TWENTY-ONE
Alex
The hot water cascades over my body, washing away the grime and tension of the past few days. I lean against the cool tiles, closing my eyes and letting the steam envelop me. The shower is a brief respite. But even here, my thoughts are consumed with Bella.
I know I need to tell her the truth. She deserves to know what her father did and why he's on the run.
The letter she received is the key to finding him. I should be focused on the job, on extracting that information from her, finding her father, and getting back to my life.
My life is on the line, and the stakes couldn’t be higher. Yet all I’m doing is fucking and watching movies with her like there’s no pressure on either of us.
I’m already too deep. Bella isn’t just a job anymore. I’m committed to her in a way I never thought possible. The idea of leaving her after this is done fills me with a kind of dread I’ve never felt before. I’ve never gotten attached to anyone, ever. So what’s so different about her?
I run my hands through my hair, trying to clear my mind. Marrying her was supposed to be a way to protect her, to keep her safe from Russo and his men. But now, it feels like more than that. I want to make her mine, to keep her with me.
The shrill ring of my phone cuts through the silence, yanking me out of my thoughts. I sigh, turning off the water and grabbing a towel before picking up the call. It’s Ricardo.
“Alex,” he says, his voice as cold and precise as ever. “Give me an update.”
“We’re on the move,” I reply, trying to keep my tone steady. “We’re getting closer to finding it. Having to lie low because Russo’s people keep coming after her.”
Ricardo’s silence is heavy, and I can almost picture his calculating expression. “You need to get this done, Alex. I don’t have time for all these delays.”
“I know,” I say, clenching my jaw. “When have I ever let you down?”
“Be careful,” he warns. “Don’t get attached to her. She knows too much already. She could compromise everything.”
The words hit me like a punch to the gut, but I force myself to stay calm. “Understood,” I reply, my voice flat.
The call ends, and I toss the phone onto the counter, my frustration bubbling over. I stare at my reflection in the mirror, water droplets clinging to my skin.
The man looking back at me is torn between duty and desire, between the life he’s known and the life he wants with Bella.
I take a deep breath, trying to steady my racing thoughts. I know what I have to do. I’ll keep Bella safe, I’ll find her father, and I’ll finish the job. But I can’t deny what I feel for her. I’m all in, and there’s no turning back now.
I dry off and dress quickly, my mind already racing ahead to the next steps. I have to tell Bella the truth, to prepare her for what’s coming. But more than that, I need to make her understand that she’s not alone. That no matter what happens, I’m with her.
As I step out of the bathroom, I find her sitting by the window, looking out at the world. My heart aches with the need to protect her, to make her mine in every way that matters.
“Bella,” I say softly, and she turns to look at me, her eyes filled with questions. I’m going to tell her the truth. She deserves to know.
I cross the room in a few strides, pulling her into my arms. She fits perfectly against me, like she was made to be here. “I almost forgot,” I say instead of the truth. “Got you a gift.”