Chapter 6

I made my run for it but suddenly I was grabbed by the arm and yanked back. One of Alessandro's men held me as Alessandro walked towards us.

"Going somewhere?" He said with a smile.

"No, I was just trying to stretch my legs," I said sarcastically.

"Subamos al auto."(Let's get in the car.)

 He said to the man behind me. We continued to drive with Alessandro looking at me all the time.

"If you look at me any harder you're gonna burn a hole in my head."

"It appears that I have to keep an eye on you all the time."  I have to admit I like how his accent pops out here and there.

"Come on Alessandro, you and I both know you'd be disappointed in me if I didn't at least try it."

 He smiled at me, he had one of those smiles to the side. Charming I have to admit.

"You think you already know me so well?"

"I don't, but I have a feeling you like to be kept on your toes."

"Depends on the occasion, right now I would like to relax. At least until I'm back in full capacity."

I turned to look out of the window again.

"How much longer?"

I said as the car took a turn and went through big gates. Suddenly I was in front of a big luxurious Spanish-style mansion. I mean the driveway alone was long, letting you admire the gardens.

"Here we are now," Alessandro said, claiming my attention back. We stepped out of the car, and I can't even describe how small I felt next to that enormous house. A few maids and what I assumed was again another butler came outside, suitcases were being brought into the house alongside many shopping bags.

"Nicole?" Alessandro called me. The way my name sounds exotic when it comes out of his mouth with an accent.

"Come on I'll show you your room."

He tried going up the stairs but his leg wouldn't let him. A man appeared next to him carrying a walking cane, but Alessandro obviously didn't want it. I don't know the reason maybe it's just about men's vanity.

"Just take the damn cane, you are hurt and you're just making it worse."

He looked at me before he reductively took it, making his way up the stairs. And boy did this house have many many stairs, It may take us 15 minutes to get to the room. Alessandro opened the door and let me in first, he followed right behind. The room was enormous with a high ceiling, it was filled with light. From what I could see it had a big wardrobe and a bathroom, what made me pause was the fact that the wardrobe had man's clothes in it, and let's not forget the two king-size beds, each on the opposite wall.

"What's with the two beds?"  I pointed out.

"Well, one is mine and the other is yours."

What?

"Why are we sharing a room, I'm sure this big mansion has enough rooms to house an army, not just me."

Alessandro walked towards me, close enough that I could feel his warmth, and smell his cologne but careful enough that he didn't touch me.

"I want to keep you close."

"Well, I would appreciate some privacy."

Feeling uneasy with his closeness, I  backed up from him and moved further into the room.

"Make yourself at home, I have some business to attend to but after that, you will have all my attention."

"Don't worry about me, take all the time you need, and more."

 He understands my sarcasm and leaves me with a smile. Seeing that I was alone I checked out the bathroom and a balcony. I have no idea what time is it, I haven't actually seen a clock since they took my phone away, I might have smashed one. Seeing how the sun wasn't so high on the sky anymore I thought we were past noon. That drive really took forever.

Well, I wasn't just gonna sit in this room and wait for him. I gave myself a door around the house, I looked in some of the rooms but I found a holy Grail when I came into the kitchen. This could easily be a Michelin-star restaurant. I stood next to the island and picked some fruit from the basket. Before I knew what the chair was being brought to me a plate was put in front of me.

The staff might not have talked to me but they feed me so all is good in my book.

 I took a walk to the gardens, which would have been much more pleasant if Alessandro's man hadn't followed me.

It's not like I could escape from this fortress. By nightfall I was going back to my room, or should I say "our" room. When I came inside, Alessandro was already there, lying on his bed, reading a book.  Shirtless.

"How was your tour?" He asked, throwing his book aside.

"It would have been much more enjoyable if it wasn't for your men following me."

 I said as I walked towards the closet seeing my clothes being hung up.

"They were just keeping you company."

"Well, how nice of them."

I pulled out my pajamas from a drawer and went straight to the bathroom.

"There is no key?" I stated.

"I don't need one," Alessandro said as he adjusted himself on the pillows, my eyes went to the bandage on his abdomen.

"Well, I need one."

"I'm not going to enter if that's what you're worried about." 

God the level of frustration this guy gives me, I entered the bathroom and took one of the towels to tie it around the door. I go in for a quick shower, not feeling comfortable enough to take a long bath. While I was drying myself I realized that the pajamas I chose had short bottoms, enough to leave my ass cheeks exposed a little bit, and the top half was a comfortable t-shirt. My hair was hanging down wet while I brushed my teeth.

By the time I returned to the bedroom Alessandro was done reading, instead, he was lying down in his bed ready for sleep But his night lamp was still on. I made my way straight to my bed.

"You can always join me If you get lonely." He said the cocky smile on his face once again.

"In your dreams Alessandro, in your wildest dreams."

I said while covering my legs with a blanket and switching off my lamp.

"If you only knew what was going on in my dreams."

"Buenas noches Alessandro." That much I can master.

"Buenas noches Nicole." And with that, his lamp was off too.

But just because the lights were off doesn't mean I could sleep,  I kept tossing and turning in bad. It was one of those cases where my mind just wouldn't shut off. How did I get here? What was supposed to be a vacation turned into a hostage situation? Was this a hostage situation anymore, I kind of agreed to stay here. With the man who was shot, the man whose life is saved.

The man that was shot.

The

         man

                that

                      was

                            shot.

MAN.....SHOT.

With a freaking man that was freaking shot. All of a sudden I threw the blanket off, jumped off the bed, and rushed to his side smashing my hand on the light switch.

"Why the hell did those men try to kill you?"