Chapter 4

Aiden 

She was three people in front of me. Her blonde ponytail bobbing as she walked with her coffee in her hand and a smile on her face. I knew about the smile because I had already circled around her twice without her realising. It was easy to do on the busy street and she wasn’t really paying attention anyway. 

Allesia was lost in her own thoughts. Was she thinking about the flowers I had sent her. I had been going to send her red spider lilies but that had just seemed too to the point. I didn’t want her scared and running to her family. I needed her charmed. It would make it easier for me.

“Are you following me?”

I started , my head snapped up to find her standing right in front of me. Surprised, I schooled my face into a confused smile.

“Excuse me?”

Standing there with her coffee in one hand and her other hand on her hip she continued to stare at me. “You’re following me.” She kept her voice low. Trying not to draw attention to us but failed miserably. People who looked like her drew attention everywhere she went and when she was standing and glaring at me, people couldn’t help but stare. 

We looked good together. 

Any person with eyes could see that and I had eyes. I let those eyes travel down her body before landing on her face again.

“I am not following you love.”

Her pretty blue eyes widened at my accent. “I’ve seen you at least twice.”

I smiled before I could help myself. She was a sharp one. I thought she hadn’t noticed me. 

“I mean.” Reaching up , I ran my hand through my thick hair. “You’re pretty and all but I’m just trying to find-“ pulling my phone out of my pocket, I made a show of staring down at it. “Damn thing is dead.” I thrust it back into my pocket. “I guess it doesn’t matter. There was meant to be a book shop somewhere around here and I wanted to explore it. But you don’t really care about that, do you?” A theatrical sigh. If I kept acting like this, someone would give me an Oscar. “But I’m honestly not following you. I’m sorry if I made you uncomfortable.” Stepping forward I went to move around her.

Allesia reached out and stopped me. “If it’s Mcquinns you are looking for , I can show you where it is.”

Slowly I turned to her. “You know it?”

She nodded, and this time it was her eyes that travelled up and down my body and she liked what she saw. I could tell because two pink dots appeared high on her cheeks as she blushed.

“I work there.” She shrugged like it was nothing at all. 

“Seriously?” I whistled through my teeth. “What are the odds?”

Pretty good as it happened because I already knew she worked there. I knew everything about her that was worth knowing.

How gorgeous she looked when she blushed was a pleasant surprise though.

 “Are you looking for a present for someone special?”

“No.” I shrugged. “It’s probably not cool at all but I just like books. Especially old special editions. Don’t judge an old man for his hobbies.”

Her eyes widened. “You’re not old and anyway I can’t laugh. I love books as well. Come on, I'll happily show you the way.” She led the way forward, her jaunty ponytail swinging between her shoulder blades.

Without meaning to, I let my eyes wander down to her ass.

“I’m not working until later but-“ she turned to me with a smile. “Am I going to fast for you old man?” 

My eyebrows shot up. “Are you teasing me already?” Hurrying to catch up with her, I grinned down at her. 

“Sorry I couldn’t resist and you really aren’t that old. What are you twenty five?” 

“Twenty six and you’re-“

“Nineteen.” Stopping dead she thrust out her hand. Warm because of the coffee she had been holding in it. “I’m Allesia Moretti.”

Closing my hand around hers. I squeezed it just enough to make her eyes widen. “Aiden. It’s nice to meet you Allesia.”

Something flickered into her eyes. Her head cocked to the side. “Have we met before? You’re face is so familiar to me.”

“I don’t think so. I know I would remember.”

My words were rewarded with a blush. “It’s probably because I saw you wandering around. Are you new or just visiting?”

“A bit of both.” I admitted as I fell into step with her. “I might stay yet. Depends what I find here.” I side eyed her. “So what are you studying-“

“How did you know?”

I motioned to the book bag with a waggle of my eyebrows and she laughed. “Of course.” she shook her head. “I’m honestly not usually so paranoid.”

Someone rushed up from behind us, moving so fast that I didn’t even have time to get between him and Allesia. He launched himself at her, grabbing her by the backpack and swinging her around.

“Bitch.” Her assailant swung back his hand to smash his fist into her face. “Tell me where-“

She winced back, her eyes wide.

I stepped in just in time. Grabbing the man’s fist in my hand and twisting it so sharply that he cried out and loosened his grip on her backpack.

Not hesitating I swung my own fist back and knocked him straight out. He landed on his back , his eyes closed.

Turning to Allesia , I took her elbow. “Are you ok?” I asked in a whisper. “I can’t believe he just tried to mug you in broad daylight. What a tosser.”

Her eyes were so wide that she looked like a deer in headlights.  

“Are you ok ?love?” Reaching out I pushed a wayward strand of her silky hair behind her ear. 

“Yeah.” Her voice shook. “Is he dead?”

Loosening my grip on her, I knelt down. Pushing my fingers into the man’s throat until his eyes flew open. I knew it only looked like I was checking for a pulse to the people who were watching.

“He’s alive.” I said loudly and then turning my eyes to him I grinned and shook my head. A silent message that this girl wasn’t to be touched. 

Allesia was protected. 

Not by her father , not by the Italian Mafia or the Russian bratva but by me and I was worse than both. 

“I don’t know what would have happened if you hadn’t been here, Aiden.” 

There were tears in her voice. Jumping to my feet, I wrapped my arm around her and I held her to my chest. “It’s ok love. I’ve got you. Let’s get you somewhere warm  so you can settle your nerves.”

“I dropped my coffee.”

“I’ll get you another one.” Looping my arm around her shoulders. “Although coffee might not be the best idea after what you have just been through. Maybe -“ I trailed off. “Are you sure you’re ok?”

“Yeah.” She forced a smile. “I just don’t know what would have happened if you hadn’t been here to save me. You’re my hero.” Reaching up she pressed her lips to my cheek.

And just like that I had her. I was her hero. 

I would also be the man who would destroy her but she didn’t need to know that yet.