Chapter 11 ~ Alexander #2
Almost every room in the house has a camera, except for the bathrooms. I scroll through till I find the spare room where I plan on putting her.
It’s directly across the hall from mine.
The closer she is to me, the harder it is for her to avoid me.
I take the camera and I move it around. There’s only one corner of the room where the view is obscured; it’s the small sitting area closest to the window.
I’m going to have to talk to the security guy and see if he can put another camera in that corner. I want to see her every move.
I don’t have to wait long for everyone to shuffle into my office which consists of two other people; Danny leans back, taking a seat in the leather chair across from my desk.
Rose is closest to the door, gripping her hands together with a look of apprehension on her face. Since I hired her, she has been jumpy around me. I have always been polite to her, so I’m not sure what makes her so nervous, but whatever.
“Everyone is here, boss. What do you need us to do?” Carlos says as he moves closer to the desk, taking the last empty chair.
I look at everybody and snap the laptop lid down.
Taking a deep breath, I might as well jump right in. “I’m getting married in two weeks. I know it’s quite a shock. I didn’t plan on it. It kind of came as a surprise today. But we’re going to need to increase security and make sure that the grounds are protected.”
Rose still looks like she’s in front of a firing squad, so I try to soften my tone when I speak to her directly.
“Rose, you’re more than likely going to need to hire extra kitchen staff.
I don’t know exactly what you’re going to require.
Isabella will move in here in a week, and I’ll be spending a little more time at home.
Since she’s going to be my wife soon, I expect that in the future we will hold functions here as well. ”
I give her a look of understanding as her eyes go wide.
“I know this is rather quick to dump on your lap. But as I said, it was dumped on mine today as well. If you have questions, Maria will be available to fill you in on how she runs my parents’ household.
I’ll place a call to my mother tomorrow and tell her to expect your call. ”
I look at them all and say, “That’s all I have for right now.”
I fold my arms across the desk. “Carlos and Danny, you get back to me on the extra security. I’d like a minimum of two or three more men.
Things could get a little dicey around here after my meeting in New York, so I’d rather be safe than sorry.
I hate to push this and interrupt your evening, but the sooner we get started on this, the better. ”
Danny gets up immediately, heads to the door, and walks out.
That’s just his style. All he needs are the details.
No bullshit. No chatty Cathy here, he just gets the info and does the job.
Rose follows quickly behind him, happy to be leaving the room as fast as she can.
Carlos remains behind and closes the door behind them.
He just looks at me with that stern expression on his face, as if to say, spill it.
But I don’t want to play his game of twenty questions tonight.
I figure if I blast him with details, he might just avoid the subject.
Keeping my tone even and stern, “Carlos, I need you to get ahold of our security guy who installed the cameras. I need two more cameras installed in the house before the end of the week.”
He assesses me for a moment. “Will do. Why not ask Sebastian if he’s a pro at this?”
I guess I won’t get off Scot-free after all.
“Sebastian and I have had a difference of opinion this evening. I’m thinking after my trip to New York and we both cool down, I expect things will return to normal between us. But for now, get someone you trust.”
He shrugs. “I know a guy who did some work for us at the club. I’ll get a call to him tomorrow morning. It’s too late to call now, but I could try?”
He just leans back against the door, crosses his massive arms, and studies me. I ignore him and go back to flipping open my laptop.
I nod.
“Call whoever you need as long as he’s discreet and knows how to keep his mouth shut. I want you here when he installs the cameras just to make sure. I’ll be at the office tomorrow, most likely heading to the club after that. But if you run into any problems, let me know. “
Carlos steps away from the door. “Give me the rundown of where you want the new cameras installed, and I’ll make sure that it’s handled.”
I try not to look at him, trying to conceal my intent.
“Spare bedroom and pool by the end of this week. I’ll give you a full list in the morning once I run down a few locations tonight. I want the outside patio garden area, that sort of thing.”
Waving my hand in the air as if it matters less to me.
“I want to know if anybody comes on this property. I want to know who comes and goes. While I am away, I want you to look into a private security detail for Isabella. I don’t want her to know she’s under surveillance, but I’d like to get a rundown on her daily activities, if and where she works, who she’s friends with, the full details for security reasons. ”
Carlos breaks out with a lopsided grin. “Security reasons? Are you sure that’s all, boss?”
Fucker, I was going to tell him about tonight, but he’s pushed the ‘go fuck yourself button.’
I stiffen in my chair. “Yes, and that’s the end of this conversation. Head home. I’ll see you in the morning.”
He turns and opens the door. His grin widens as he looks back at me.
“Fine. I’ll let it drop for tonight, Alex, but you will tell me, eventually. It just makes me wonder why a wedding to a woman you find so unappealing is happening in two weeks?” He steps out the door and I hear him chuckle, “Night, boss.”
Asshole!
I know setting up the security cameras is probably not my smartest idea, and I don’t understand why I’m doing it.
However, if she refuses to communicate, I need to find a way to understand her.
Maybe it’s just an excuse to stalk her, adding another twisted kink to my repertoire, but my sick, twisted mind wants to know how she thinks, and how she behaves on her own when I’m not around to play with her.
Of course, I have not been very gentle in getting to know her either, but no one ever said I was gentle.
I flip through the images of each room in my house on the screen, jotting down a list of where I need them angled to the best advantage.
My phone vibrates on my desk. I read the name scrolling across the screen. It’s my father’s.
What now? Sebastian had better not put my father up to give me a lecture. I will break his nose if this is what this phone call is about.
I take a second before picking it up. “Father? What more can I do for you this evening?”
My father takes a slow breath. “I had not intended to call so soon, son. Since you departed early, you didn’t give me a chance to speak to you privately. I figured I would call you and ask for an explanation of this evening’s events.”
I thought I’d have at least a day before I had to deal with this. Fuck. OK, well, let’s just grab the bull by the horns and get it over with.
I keep my voice even.
“I’m not exactly sure what you’re referring to, but I did my part. I apologized. I even pushed the wedding date to show my enthusiasm for the match. Even after that display in the sitting room.”
In a clipped tone, “Yes, I found that rather odd. I also found it rather strange that you and Sebastian seem to knock heads over a girl you’ve just met. He seemed rather protective of Isabella. Would you care to explain his actions?"
He waits for me to answer, but I don't.
He breathes heavily. "This isn’t normal for Sebastian’s personality unless driven to it. Plus, that girl had been crying on your arm before she entered the dining room.”
I pinched my eyes shut with my thumb and forefinger, and the ache in the back of my skull thumps back to life.
I grind my molars together, answering through tight lips, “Let’s just say Sebastian and I had a difference of opinion. But it’s all worked out, brotherly love and all that.”
After a little period of silence, my father lets out a low growl.
"Well, that’s not all the exciting events of this evening. I just got off the phone with Robert. He would prefer that Isabella be in your home by Thursday of this week. He wants her out of his house and into yours before the meeting in New York on Friday."
I can feel my jaw pulse as I press my teeth together stopping myself from speaking.
"I don’t understand his rush or the reason he wants her out so badly. But I had told him I would call you and see how you felt about the situation. Seeing as you wanted her sooner rather than later, I recall you stating.”
That sends a chill down my back. Two weeks is faster than any wedding that’s ever been planned within the organization, and now he wants her out in less than three days? Why does he want her in my home so soon?
Something’s up with this. It doesn’t feel right.
Barking back at my father. “Fine. He wants her out? I’ll pick her up tomorrow.
Call him back and tell him to get her shit packed and I’ll have my guys come and get it.
” I threaten “It doesn’t feel right. I don’t know how you feel about it, but to me, it seems a little too quick to get the girl out of his house. ”
This guy is an asshole. Not that I mind getting Isabella here quicker. I just wanted to have time to set shit up, but I’ll work on that.
“Is he flying with us on the private jet to New York?”
“No," he replies. "He’ll meet us there.”
My father’s voice sounds tired, “But I agree, kicking the poor girl out so soon doesn’t seem quite right. Your mother will watch out for her while you’re gone. Isabella’s mother seems more than willing to step in and help with the wedding.”
My father grinds out, “Robert is a prick. I already told you that, but I didn’t think that he would treat his daughter so badly. It makes me question his motives as well and why he pushed so hard for this match.”
My father has a point. This seems a little strange.
We’ve already agreed to the marriage and we’ve already agreed to the takeover, so why shove her in our faces any more than he already has?
I think I might have to get Carlos to do a bit more background research on Mr. Gallo and soon-to-be Isabella Russo.
“Place the call. Tell them I’m picking her up tomorrow. I’ll have her room ready by tomorrow afternoon.”
My father huffs out, “She works, she has a job, Alexander. She’s a restoration artist at the Art Institute of Chicago. But I will give Robert a call; I’ll let you know what time you can collect her. This will be a shock to her. I don’t think the prick even told her she was leaving by Thursday.”
This guy is an asshole. I’m glad he’s not joining us on the plane because I’d probably punch him in the face. Her family has a real fucking problem with her, and I don’t know what it is, but I’ll get to the bottom of it.
“Good enough,” I bark, “let me know. I already started getting everything ready here.”
“Try to be gentle, Alexander.” I can hear the hesitation in his voice, which is so unlike him.
“This whole thing has been a shock to her. She’s a sweet girl, so just try to have some patience. She knows our way of life, but she doesn’t know yours. Just give her some time.”
Anger raises its ugly head again, “How did I end up being the prick in this whole thing?
I agreed to the match. When you called me this morning, I didn't argue. I pushed up the wedding date. For fuck's sake, I’m letting her move in here less than 5 hours after meeting the woman. Why does everyone seem to think I’m the asshole here? “
“Because you are, Alexander.” He states, and he’s quiet for a moment.
“They cut you and me from the same cloth. And I know how this is going to affect you. But there’s a bigger play at hand, and she’s only a young girl.
Let her grow into her role. Take some time and some patience; she will blossom on her own.
You just need to hold your temper in check. ”
He lets out a long sigh. “But that’s enough for tonight. It’s been a long evening. I’ll get a hold of you tomorrow and let you know what time you can pick her up.”
I rage inside. “Good enough. But like I told you, father, my wife, and my rules. We don’t have to worry about her daddy coming to her rescue since he’s the one hell-bent on selling her to the monster in the first place.”
I hang up. I don’t want to hear anymore. I am who I am and I’m not about to change it for them or anyone. When they want someone to do the dirty work, they call me. I can’t change my skin like a chameleon. I am not the nice guy in this scenario, nor will I ever be.
Tomorrow I’m bringing my little bunny to my home, which almost makes tonight worth it. I can’t wait to see the shock on her face, the pulse pounding in her neck when the monster comes to take her away again.