Chapter 3 | Alexis
Alexis
The next day, I was finally settled in and able to video chat with Mom.
She texted me as I was working on my new laptop, and curiosity coursed through my veins.
How had her first night married to Michael been?
It was still so strange to me to envision my mother married to someone else.
My father had never made her happy, and I found myself hopeful that something good could come of our tragedy.
Deep in my heart, I hoped that Michael would be kind to her and she’d experience something more profound than the loveless marriage with my dad.
Bianca: Michael set me up with a laptop. Can I video call you?
Alexis: Sure. I’m on my laptop now. I’ll email you a link.
Her face flashed on the screen and I waved.
“Hi, from prison!”
“It doesn’t look so bad,” Bianca said, her eyes darting around the room behind me. “Maybe a little bare.”
“It’s torture,” I moaned, resting my chin on my fist, “but I’m making progress.”
“With what?”
“I’m monitoring the ports along the East Coast looking for patterns.
Dad’s shipments aren’t going to have anywhere to dock, and his contacts in Europe will cancel them once they realize he’s dead.
..unless,” I lifted a finger, “John and Simon figure out other ports that are receptive. I’m monitoring for suspicious activity. ”
“Jesus, Alexis,” Bianca breathed, closing her eyes in frustration. “Your monitoring is what got us into this mess. Can’t you just Netflix and chill for a few weeks? I don’t want you anywhere near this situation.”
“Um, hi, 2015 called and would like its catch phrase back,” I teased, rolling my eyes. “Netflix and chill is so lame, Mom. And besides, you and Dad paid a lot of money for me to go to MIT and learn my tech skills. Shouldn’t I actually use them?”
“Not if it’s going to get you killed!”
“Okay, okay,” I sighed. “I can’t with the dramatics. I’m already dealing with the bodyguard from hell with the personality of a rock. I’m an expert in encryption, Mom. No one’s going to know it’s me.”
“Please be careful. Is Nick being kind to you?”
“He’s fine,” I muttered. “Possibly the most boring man on the planet, but fine.” Straightening in my chair, my smile deepened. “How was last night with Michael?”
“We will absolutely not be discussing that. The marriage is consummated, which is most important for us to put the plan in motion.”
“Well, you’re glowing, so I’ll assume the best.”
“I absolutely am not.”
“You are.” I leaned forward and lowered my voice. “It looks nice on you, Mom. You never glowed around Dad. Why didn’t you marry Michael when he first proposed? I’m dying to know the story.”
“One day, sweetheart. For now, I’m worried about you. Do you need me to order you some clothes or anything? Michael gave me a credit card. Maybe I could order them here and have someone drive them to you? I’m not sure.”
“We have the basics,” I said. “You know I’m good with yoga pants and comfy stuff, especially in my prison.”
“Please stop calling it that,” she said, frowning. “It breaks my heart.”
“Okay.” Glancing over my shoulder, I huffed. “I’ve got to go. I’m going to make us some lunch before I starve to death.”
“Please be nice. Nick is going out of his way to protect you, and I’m sure he’s not happy about the situation either. I get the impression he’d rather be by Michael’s side.”
“I said I’m making lunch! For both of us,” I said, exasperated. “That’s nice, right?”
Mom arched a sardonic brow.
“Gotta go. Love you. Bye!”
I ended the video chat as Nick emerged from the downstairs murder-basement.
..or gym, as he liked to call it. He was shirtless as he strode into the kitchen wearing black shorts and sneakers.
He walked to the refrigerator and pulled out a bottle of water, lifting it to his full lips as he began to chug.
My mouth suddenly went dry as my eyes skated over his pecs before lowering to his six-pack.
What were they feeding gangsters these days?
IV-infused protein packs? Good lord, he was ripped.
Tattoos darted his biceps and forearms, and several also lined his chest above his dark nipples.
I licked my parched lips, wondering what it would be like to touch him there.
.. If I ran my fingers over the skin, would he moan with that deep voice?
He lowered the bottle and faced me, his brown eyes filled with deep satisfaction. “Want to take a picture? It will last longer.”
Embarrassment flooded my cheeks as I felt them turn ten shades of red. “I was just wondering if you always walk around your home like a naked caveman. There were plenty of shirts in the clothing stash.”
The corner of his lips curved, and he slowly approached me. Anger darted up my spine as I had to tilt my head to look up at him from my sitting position. His chest glistened with sweat, and I had the insane urge to lick it...
“I don’t wear shirts when I work out,” he said, his gaze intense as he stared into my eyes. “But if it makes you uncomfortable, I’ll start, princess.”
My nostrils flared at the stupid endearment.
“Don’t fucking call me that,” I said through clenched teeth.
“You have no idea what kind of life I’ve led, but assuming I’m some spoiled brat is really insulting.
I worked hard to teach myself valuable skills that someone like you could never understand.
” Rising, I squared my shoulders. “I want out of this world, and one day, I’m going to accomplish that. So, fuck you.”
I slammed my laptop shut, ready to storm down the hallway.
“Hey,” Nick said, gently gripping my arm. “Wait. Sorry. I won’t call you that anymore.”
I wrenched free of his grasp. “Good. In fact, don’t speak to me at all. That probably won’t be hard with your caveman mentality.”
Nick’s eyes darted between mine, and filled with emotions I couldn’t decipher.
I flashed him one last glare before pivoting and heading to my bedroom. After slamming the door, I crawled into bed and tugged the pillow tight, holding onto it for dear life as I began to cry.
My father had left my mother and I with nothing when he died. He’d completely cut us out of the will, and I was now a young, inexperienced woman forced into exile from my father’s greatest enemies.
I was the furthest thing from a princess, whether Nick realized that or not.
What he couldn’t also know was that I’d always been a bit of an outcast. Someone who never really fit in during my awkward high school years, and someone who struggled to connect with people.
My closest connection was my mom, and although I loved her dearly, I also knew it was super-lame to be best friends with your mom.
Sadly, I’d never had any other option. I’d always been a computer nerd with a weird personality that just didn’t click with people.
So, yeah, when Nick assumed I was a rich mafia princess, it made me pretty fucking pissed.
Sighing, I wiped my tears and replayed the argument in my head, acknowledging I’d been a bitch.
In truth, I was annoyed at my attraction to him.
I’d never really had boyfriends in the past, if you didn’t count my junior year prom date who was a terrible kisser.
He’d come out as gay our senior year, which made me feel slightly better that he’d seemed about as excited to kiss me as a kid going to the dentist.
I’d always assumed I’d grow into finding love. That once I got a job and moved to Manhattan, I’d find someone more compatible. In a city of eight million people, surely I could find one who understood me...right?
“You’re not going to find anyone until you get out of prison, Alexis,” I muttered to myself, sitting up and reaching for a tissue.
My lips fluttered as I blew out a breath, and I slid out of bed to wash my face in the adjoining bathroom. Gazing at myself in the reflection, I spoke with firm resolve.
“Antagonizing Nick isn’t going to get you anywhere. Be nice and that will make this situation much easier.”
Straightening my spine, I resolved to heed my own words and headed back to the kitchen to make some lunch.