Chapter 48
HOTEL
1:32 AM
I come out of a hot bath. I dry off and wrap a towel around my waist. I walk to the bedroom.
When I enter, towel wrapped around me, Alexander is still in the same spot as when we got back. He’s sitting on the bed, holding his ring, staring at it blankly.
I walk closer and look at him. He doesn’t bother looking up but says:
“If you’re about to tell me ‘you almost got us killed over a ring,‘ you can go fuck yourself.”
“I wasn’t going to say that.”
He looks up, puts the ring back on, unbuttons his shirt to reveal his chest, and stands.
I grab his wrist.
“I at least deserve an explanation, right? What was that earlier?”
He looks at my hand.
“Let go.”
“Answer my question.”
“I don’t have to justify myself.”
I struggle to stay calm–it’s pointless to push him too hard. I keep a level tone:`
“You put my life in danger earlier. I have a right to an answer.”
He frowns.
“Mind your own damn business.”
“I’d love to, but your little outbursts affect me, since I’m stuck in this country with you.”
He jerks his wrist from my grip, grabs me violently by the neck, and slams me against the hotel room wall. My towel nearly slips, but I catch it just in time.
He’s so furious he wouldn’t have even noticed.
He looks at me with hatred. It feels like he’s fighting the urge to choke me out.
“It wasn’t a moment of weakness! If you tell anyone, I swear I’ll gouge your eyes out!”
He lets go after those words. I quickly fix my towel and try to calm my heartbeat.
He goes into the bathroom and slams the door to intimidate me.
He nearly got us killed over that damn ring and still dares threaten me when I ask for an explanation.
I hear him shout behind the door:
“Tomorrow’s a big day. So shut the hell up and go to sleep!”
1/5
Chapter 18.
He could’ve opened the door to talk, but he’s way too proud, idiot.
I will find out what that ring means with or without his permission.
The Next Day
HOTEL
4:17 p.m.
I’ve been pacing for at least ten minutes.
I’m in a beautiful country with an exceptional landscape.
But I’ve been stuck in this room for hours.
Because now, Mr. Alexander has decided we need to lay low while
retrieves whatever it is he came for.
lay… bed
We showed our faces last night–now we have to disappear…
While I’m acting like a claustrophobic, Alexander is lounging on the bed, glued to his laptop since this morning.
He’s so focused, he’s forgotten I exist.
The sound of his fingers tapping on the keyboard has been driving me
“Let me out of here! I have to get some air!”
He lifts his eyes from the screen and shakes his head.
“Go out the window. And if you’re bored, play with your lighter.”
mad for hours.
Since he found out I carry that thing around, he acts like it’s just some toy to keep me entertained.
I just like watching the flames–it relaxes me.
I’ve tried to sneak out of the room multiple times, but he didn’t agree with me.
Last time I attempted it, he pointed his gun at my thigh and threatened to shoot me if I tried to leave again.
“I’ll blend in with the crowd! No one will suspect a thing! I just need to get out!”
“Stop acting like a spoiled little brat.”
glare at him.
“I should’ve never followed you on this shitty trip.”
Just as I’m about to open my mouth again, someone knocks at the door.
“Who is it?” Alexander asks suspiciously.
No answer.
Alexander looks up from his laptop and gives me a look like “Are you expecting someone?”
“I don’t know anyone here. It’s not for me.”
He gets up quickly, hides his laptop under the pillow, checks that it’s well concealed, and puts his hand on the gun tucked into the back of his pants
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Chapter 48
Go open the door, if you get a bad vibe, duck,” he whispers
“What? Why?”
“It be a shame if a bullet hit your skull because you didn’t duck fast enough “
He shrugs while I curse him silently.
Hurry up and open it.”
I walk to the door with slow, heavy steps.
I feel a wave of anxiety.
I don’t have a weapon on me. If my reflexes aren’t fast enough, I could die.
I take a deep breath, then turn the doorknob.
My face falls in surprise when I saw who was standing in front of me.
A white man in his thirties, with almond–shaped blue eyes, chestnut hair, and delicate features.
I don’t know him, and even though he’s smiling, flashing perfect white teeth, he doesn’t inspire trust.
He stays still while I make a little cross sign with my fingers behind my back–only Alexander can see it.
This guy is shady.
“Hello, what can I do for you?”
I ask, putting on my best fake smile.
“My name is Dante.”
“That doesn’t answer my question.”
He shrugs.
“Would it be possible to come inside your room so I can explain?“/
“Sorry. That’s not happening.”
He looks me over, condescending.
His eyes lock onto Alexander’s like I’ve suddenly become invisible.
“Would you mind telling your prostitute to shut up and stay out of our business?”
Prostitute!..
Is this a joke?
“Did you just call me a prostitute, or am I dreaming? You piece of shit!”
I look at him with disgust and flash him a broad smile to show off my teeth, which are just as good as his.
His fake smile vanishes and is replaced by a dark stare and clenched jaw.
He grabs me violently by the throat and lifts me off the ground with one hand.
2/5
મને રાહ (lila vel the tes
My artis flail, trying to brest free, but here too strong
Istant coughing from the lack of at
He’s going to kill ine with his bare hands, and he’s about to seeNA
Just when I think I’m going to pass out, I feel other hands yanking me out of Dante’s
Alexander pulls me against him as I catch my breath.
I glance at Alexander, who’s glaring at Dante without letting go of me, as if to protect me.
“Don’t bother with formalities or fake politeness! You and I already know each other.”
But how?
“Didn’t think you’d set foot on this soil again, Alexander.”
“Are you fucking kidding me?”
“What? I came to say hi to my old boss. Just because we’re not on the same side anymore doesn’t mean I stopped respecting you
This mercenary used to work for Alexander.
But which side is he on now–right or left?
None of this makes sense.
“Still not inviting me into this fancy hotel room?”
“Stop pretending to be someone you’re not and just speak French already.”
“So the little bastard knows French.”
1 blurted that last line because I’m still in shock.
I’m slowly regaining composure.
“What, that little beating wasn’t enough for you? That was nothing compared to what I can do,” Dante spits.
Mercenaries are people who operate in the shadows.
They’re discreet, precise, and often their existence goes
unnoticed.
They don’t belong to the gangs that hire them, and they’re usually lone wolves–no ties, no backup in gang wars.
They don’t understand loyalty or emotion.
He fits the type. And if that’s true, I don’t like our odds.
He’s probably as strong as Alexander.
