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No, avoidance was the best course of action. Soon she would be going off to college. Somebody else could guard Bella. And I could finally be free of her.
Luis gripped my shoulder again. “You are a good man, Tristan. One of the best. The fact you have stayed away all this time only proves that.”
“I am not having this conversation.”
“Whatever you say, amico.” He chuckled. “Whatever you say.”
“I’ll be in there if you need me.” I tipped my head to the monitor displaying the main room where the party was being held.
Slipping out into the hall, I inhaled a sharp breath. I felt… restless. It wasn’t just seeing Alessia in that sinful green dress, it was Nicco and Antonio’s strange behavior, Luis’s knowing remarks.
I needed a drink. A strong one. But I couldn’t do that here so it would have to wait until I was home, back in the sanctuary of my apartment.
The party was in full swing when I went back inside. People were already dancing; Bella lapping up the attention as she stood in the middle of the circle. Her smile was big and bright, her eyes twinkling with laughter as she and her friends let loose.
A prickle of unease went through me as I scanned the dancefloor for Alessia. She wasn’t there so I searched the room, half-expecting to find her sitting with Arianne and Nora or Genevieve.
But I couldn’t find her anywhere.
My movements became more insistent, my heart rate kicking up a notch as I tried to remain discreet. “Does anyone have eyes on Alessia?” I asked through my wrist mic.
“Relax, Cap,” Jay answered. “She’s in the bathroom.”
Relief washed over me as I took up a position in the corner of the room.
She was safe.
She was—
“Excuse me,” her voice came from behind me.
I turned slowly to find her gazing up at me, and then I realized. I’d positioned myself right outside the door leading to the bathrooms.
What were the fucking chances?
“Alessia.” I nodded curtly, dragging my eyes away from her face.
She let out a small sigh and moved around me. Her floral perfume hit me like a wrecking ball to the stomach. That smell. It slayed me every single time.
Keep walking, Principessa, just keep walking.
But she stopped, turning to me enough that her profile was illuminated by the disco lights behind her. “Why do you hate me so much, Tristan?” Her voice quivered softly but there was fire in her eyes.
The Marchetti princess was pissed but it wasn’t her demeanor that shocked me, it was her words.
Why do you hate me?
“Alessia, I don’t—”
“Please. I know you didn’t want to be on my security detail. I heard you tell Nicco you wouldn’t do it. But what I can’t work out is why.” Dejection etched in the lines of her face. “I haven’t done anything to warrant your distance. I’ve always been polite, I’ve always—”
“You think I hate you?”
She gave a little shrug. “It’s the only thing that makes sense.”
“Principessa, I don’t—”
“There you are.” Bella flounced over to us, grabbing Alessia’s arm. “You have to come dance with us. It’s our party. Come on.”
