Chapter 18
Daphne
The living room is huge, big enough to fit a hundred or more people inside. So why do I feel like I'm suffocating under his unyielding stare?
It's so dark here, with nothing but shadows around us, lurking under the moonlight.
Alex didn't even bother switching on the living room lights, only the kitchen is illuminated.
He stands behind the counter, sipping on water as he stares at me calculatedly, and then he's on his feet, heading towards me.
I wasn't prepared for the sudden switch up. I wasn't prepared to be brought up here. I take a few steps back and then my legs hit the edge of the sofa. Alex corners me until I lose my footing and fall back on the soft material.
God, why does it feel more luxurious than it looks? I could sink into the couch, if my body wasn't so on edge.
Alex drags a chair over and props it right in front of me.
His towering frame is half encased in shadow, but a sliver of moonlight illuminates the soft stubble on his jaw.
His deep set eyes mirror mine, and I can't help but let my eyes wander over his beautiful face and the dusting of flowers covering his neck.
I swear, there's something wrong with me. This is not the time, Daphne.
He leans forward, closing the space between us and I draw a breath, tensing at our proximity.
"I've been busy these past few days. But I think it's time we discussed your role in all of this and why you're here."
My eyes widen, having not expected that. I thought he was going to threaten me or something.
"We both know you were at T Bar on October 11th from 9pm to 11.30pm. Don't bother denying it, I know it's you." He brushes a thumb over his lip, and I remember everything so vividly—the way his lips felt against mine, the scent of him filling my nostrils, the taste of him....
My legs shift, drawing close together and he notices. Shit.
The bastard smirks and I curse myself for being so obvious. I then take in a deep breath and try to relax. The last thing I need is for this criminal to think I'm attracted to his murderous ass.
"Yeah, so?" I scowl, crossing my arms over my chest.
"You witnessed the murder in the back alley. You're the one they were looking for."
"I didn't see anything," I argue stubbornly. If I can't admit the truth to the police, I'm definitely not saying anything to him.
He chuckles, eyes crinkling together as he places a firm hand over my quivering knee. I try to jerk away, but his hold is so firm, I have no choice but to stay put.
"Darling, you admitted everything to Aaron in that bathroom, remember? Pretty foolish of you considering he's working for the other camp."
What? My mouth falls open in confusion and then I shut it again, mind swimming with questions. Aaron with the drugs. Aaron realising that I was the one who saw the murder. The masked men gathered outside my dorms who chased me down
It all makes sense but it can't. Aaron is a good man. He's always been...good.
"How do you know that? You weren't even there?" I whisper. I would know, I left him the moment I saw Aaron, all beaten and bruised on that front lawn.
"I bugged your phone," he admits, not an ounce of guilt on his face. Like he's stating a fact, instead of admitting he'd breached my privacy.
"So you're telling me the people waiting for me in that van that night...they're not your people? They're with Aaron?" I eye him skeptically. "How do I know it wasn't you? What do you stand to gain from this anyway? What do you want with me?"
"Daphne, I think you're smarter than you give yourself credit for," he says, making me burn with anger. "I'm the one who intercepted. I'm the one who saved you. Trust me, if those men had caught you, you wouldn't be alive right now."
Goosebumps erupt across the back of my neck and I shiver involuntarily.
"Why?" I ask hoarsely.
He takes off his jacket and dumps it on me. "Here, I'll adjust the heater. Didn't think it was that cold."
I frown at him as he looks around his stupid penthouse. "I'm not cold!" I snap, shrugging his jacket off me. "Tell me why they want me dead."
"The Italians were doing business in our territory, without our knowledge. Their boss killed one of ours on our turf. I don't expect you to understand, just know that it's not allowed. And since you're the only one who saw him, that makes you the key witness."
An image of the older man who took the shot flits through my mind. The Italians? Boss? Good lord, what did I walk into?
"We have by laws, it's the only thing that prevents chaos between the organisations. But once you cross it, then chaos is allowed." His eyes gleam in the dark, the malice in them catching the light. His grip tightens on my knee. "And you're going to give it to me."
"So you're in a criminal organisation? Just like those people in the back alley?" I conclude slowly. I've only ever heard about the mafia in movies like the Godfather. It's one thing to watch them on tv, a whole other thing to find out they exist in real life.
"Ding. Ding. Ding. Finally you're catching up." He claps sarcastically and I have the strongest urge to slap him, but I'm not stupid. This man is easily twice my size, if he were to return the slap, my face would split into two.
"So what I need from you is simple. Testify to witnessing that man committing murder and your job is done."
"I don't remember applying for said job," I mutter under my breath and he glares at me.
"You don't have a choice. I'm the only thing standing between you and the Don. If I let you go, he'll kill you."
I put my hands over my face, wishing I could erase everything that has happened these past few weeks. Then I think about all the people who must be wondering what the hell has happened to me. After all, I've been missing for the past 3 days.
"What about my friends? My family? Are they in danger too?" What if they went after my loved ones to get to me? Suddenly, I'm spiralling in panic. Alex has to grab hold of my face to force me to calm down.
"Your family is fine. We're watching them and your friends. Everything's been handled. The college has been notified of your coming down with mono. You're on mc and will finish the rest of the semester online."
I have to blink a few times to make out the words from his moving mouth. "Nobody will believe this. Especially not...." I refrain from saying Elizabeth's name, not wanting to involve any of my friends further. But it's true, she's an avid mystery thriller reader and nothing escapes her.
"Trust me they are fine. You've been texting them everyday and they are none the wiser."
He releases me and stands up, like he's done with this conversation. Even though, I still have so many unanswered questions.
"We'll practice your statement tomorrow. Get some rest. Oh, and the guest rooms aren't ready. You can sleep on the couch for now."
I'm at a loss for words as he saunters up the stairs, leaving me in silence. Sleep on the couch? Is he serious? He stole me from my life, yanked me out of that comfortable hotel room downstairs, needs me to testify against some mafia don for his benefit.....and he wants me to sleep on the couch?
Fuck that.
I march up the stairs, after him. There are a few closed doors up here and only one half opened, dim yellow lights shinning through the doorway. I walk ahead, heart beating rapidly in my chest as I push open the door and head inside.
The sheer size of the room tells me it must be the master.
Sprawling, smooth marble floors glimmer under the moonlight shining through floor-to-ceiling windows.
A massive bed occupies most of the room, silky white sheets neatly tucked in and pillows arranged neatly by the headboard, not a crease in sight.
There's a table littered with papers perched by the windows and a stand near the walk in wardrobe. The sound of water running stops, and Alex emerges from the en suite bathroom. He immediately stops when he catches sight of me, eyes widening in surprise.
"What are you doing here?" he grits out, trying his best to sound patient. It only makes me want to piss him off more.
"I'm not sleeping on the couch," I argue, rejoicing when his face fills with dread. He doesn't say anything so I scuttle past him, heading into the bathroom. Like the bedroom, warm yellow lighting washes over the dark tiles, giving the entire space a luxurious feel.
I walk over to the sink and wash my face a few times. I then sift through his cabinet, looking for a toothbrush. But before I can reach for anything, my arm is yanked backwards. Alex slams me against the wall, his hands on my arms, caging me in.
The heat between us is electric, anger radiates off him, heating my skin. He swallows hard, staring down at me as his grits out, "Don't touch my things."
"I was only looking for a toothbrush," I reply innocently, swallowing the apprehension currently flooding through me.
"I'll get it for you tomorrow. You're not allowed here. It's best you leave now."
There's a warning in his tone, something that should scare me but I'm too angry and frustrated to care. All I want is to inflict some sort of pain on this man who has brought me here against my will.
He probably thought he'd scared me but I smile up at him, moving closer till our lips almost meet. The sudden reaction startles him and he releases me slightly.
"Listen, I think it's pretty obvious that you need me more than I need you. You need me to testify and I need a toothbrush and a comfortable bed to sleep in. So if you want me to cooperate, I suggest you do the same."
My body is shaking as I step away from him and grab a new toothbrush from the cabinet.
There are a few glass vials lying around, which he quickly pushes aside, piquing my curiosity.
He watches me silently as I brush my teeth and I ignore him, spitting out loudly on purpose.
I also make it a point to splatter water all over the pristinely clean sink when I wash my face.
His face pinches with disgust, filling me with satisfaction but the cherry on the top is when I jump on his bed. It sinks in like a cloud, his sheets softer than any I've ever felt before. I wonder how much this would have cost him.
"You can sleep on the couch," I smile up at him from my spot, purposely rolling around and messing up the sheets. His hands clench to fists by his sides and for a second I really think he might murder me.
After a few seconds, he walks into the walk in wardrobe and I wait, tucking myself under the sheets. I expect him to head downstairs and leave me alone, since it looks like my company is slowly killing him.
What I don't expect is for him to walk out shirtless, in nothing but a pair of sweatpants hanging low on his waist. I try not to stare but it's hard when a literal greek god is right in front of me, every muscle, every hardened ridge bathed in moonlight.
He's lean, pure muscle but not too bulky. His muscles ripple with every movement as he walks over to the other side of the bed and presses a button that draws the curtains closed. It doesn't shut out all the light though, I can still see his silhouette and am acutely aware of how close we are.
This is crazy. I've never shared a bed with a man before and being in such close proximity with Alex is making me nervous. I'm slowly realising the situation I've put myself in.
I'm sharing a bed with a shirtless stranger, but I'll be damned if I gave up first. I'm going to stay put, even if that means I won't be able to sleep all night.
"Wipe that drool off your face, zaychik. I don't want it on my pillows."
I glare at his rippled back, wishing I could stab him and bury him under these sheets.
"Screw you," I say the first thing I can think of and then I turn away from him, tugging the blanket around me.
"Sorry you're not my type." He yanks the comforter towards him, leaving my feet bare.
I curse under my breath, pulling it back.
Looks like tonight is going to be a long night.