Chapter 1 ~ Alexander
The ride in the elevator is tension-filled as my father keeps giving side glances my way and slightly turning his head to look at Carlos, who has stuffed himself in the corner staring at the floor. My father readjusts his shoulders and folds his hands in front of him, staring at the door.
I clear my throat, adjusting my tie once again, dropping my hand by my side, giving it a shake, and trying to relieve the tension in it.
“You need to keep better control of your tell’s son.” In his mocking tone.
Carlos lets out a chuckle, lifting his head slightly to look at me under his eyebrows.
The elevator finally dings, and I rush out, barely giving Carlos time to click the locks open on the car. I open the passenger door, take my bags out, and close it. As I pass by, staring at him, Carlos presses the fob on the door, locking it with a smug grin on his face.
My father’s driver, James, is already at the back of the town car, trunk open, heading towards me, grabbing my duffle bag and putting it in the car. I glare over at Carlos silently saying, ‘This is what a driver is supposed to do.’
“Thanks, man,” I say as I walk around the trunk and get into the backseat with my father. Carlos gets into the front passenger seat. I unbutton my suit jacket, adjust my pants, andsettle into my seat, getting comfortable.
My father watches me with a critical eye, pressing the button to raise the divider separating us from the front of the car.
Fuck.
“Your affairs are your affairs, Alexander. But for the duration of this trip, they have now become mine. Why is Carlos angry with you and why is Isabella crying? Again.” He pinches his lip as he looks out the window.
I breathed deeply out of my nose, “She is under my care and, for now, she’s remaining in the house till our wedding. I’ve called Mom. She’s already agreed to help Isabella with all the upcoming appointments.”
My father lifts one eyebrow waiting for more information. He knows am sidestepping the truth.
I clear my throat, “Isabella acted foolishly and to protect her, she needs to remain in my house till this meeting is finished.”
“I see. How foolish?” His hand drops from his lip, but he still hasn’t looked at me.
“She ran away. There was a misunderstanding. I found her last night and brought her home.”
I could actually hear his breathing stop and then speed up. If I wasn’t sitting right beside him, I would never have caught the change. He doesn’t flinch or move a muscle; his face remains passive as he continues to look out the window.
“I warned you about your temper, Alexander. Control it.” He looks at me now and my insides drop. “Now.”
He turns back to the window and says, “Your mother has already informed me about her plans while I’m away. I, however, will not inform her of Isabella’s... confinement. But make no mistake, I am watching.”
“Understood.” Jesus, I seem to be saying that a lot to him lately.
I turn to the window once again. At this point, I’d prefer the silence to his subdued judgment. He might change his viewpoint once he reads the file Sebastian and I put together. But I can’t help feeling that if he were in my shoes, he would do the same thing.
There is no room for mistakes in our way of life. And Isabella needs to grow up quickly if she plans to survive in our world.
I take out my phone, intending to check the security feed to her room, but there is a text from Danny.
Panic jolts through my chest, and I dial him.
“What’s wrong?” I bark.
“There is this little blond pixie chick freaking out at the front gate. She tried to climb over it three times already. HEY!” He screams so loud and I hold the phone away from my ear, drawing my father’s attention.
“GET DOWN RIGHT NOW! YOU CRAZY...” The phone goes silent as if he’s pressing it against his chest. In my head, I snicker a little. I don’t think I’ve ever heard Danny so animated; he barely speaks.
He’s growling on the phone now.
“For fuck's sake, boss, she’s screaming at the top of her lungs, calling you an asshole and a dick. She claims you kidnapped her girlfriend, and she wants to see her.” His voice echoes as he holds the phone away from his mouth.
Danny screams, “GET THE FUCK OFF THE GATE!” Then he whispers low into the phone, “I can take care of her if you know what I mean. Please say yes.”
