Mikael’s POV:I huffed, raising my hand to cup my chin while still staring at the Madden Don.“What kind of a question is that, Madden?” I asked him. “Do you not trust my judgement?”His hands were clasped together and he gazed at me in silence before I sighed heavily and I crossed my legs, standing to walk towards the bar. Now that Castro had gone, I felt more relaxed, which meant a little drink.“Castro used to be one of my father’s most important men,” I began to explain, pouring some bourbon into the crystal cup I had picked out. “He handled more than anyone knew. Though he didn’t have many men to begin with in his faction, he was one of the few who knew my father closely. And that…”“That is what you’re afraid of,” Acker’s words reminded me of the memories of the last. Castro had firmly been against my father pushing Cross away, just like I had been at one point. I used to care for my half-brother as if we had no reason to compete. We were the same age, and even though my father
Alicia’s POV I let out a small sigh as I shifted, putting on the black heeled sandals I had worn before. My wet clothes had already been handed off to the staff here and I reckoned I might not see it again for a while.I sighed again as I tugged at the side hems of the dress which looked quite expensive. Was it Sasha’s or some dress that Mikael somehow had on hand to give to me? I didn’t want to know.Thinking about that girl made something unpleasant pool in my belly.The black dress fit a little snugly around my middle and I chanced a glance at my reflection once I adjusted the straps, which criss-crossed over my bust and emphasized the cleavage I always liked to cover up.I looked gorgeous… and a complete opposite from the way I had looked only a month back.My blue eyes shone under the lighting of the bathroom, and my hair was up in a stylish bun compared to the messy way I used to keep it earlier. I had gotten used to movi about without the glasses; even though it wasn’t medicat
Alicia’s POV“Alicia.”I inhaled sharply as I returned to reality, and whipped my head around to gaze at Acker. He was staring at me with a raised brow and I wondered why.“We’re here.”What? My brows furrowed in confusion, and I blinked slowly with the air of someone who had been dreaming deeply and had just been jerked awake. I had been so deep in my thoughts; i had sought to think of anything, something to keep me away from addressing the tense silence that I surely felt on my end with him. Then I realized, slower than I would have wanted to admit, that the car had stopped.“Oh,” I blurted out, and heat rushed to my face as I nodded rapidly. Making to get up, i opened the car door on the other side and I put one feet out to stand, only to have my breath caught as I stumbled, tripping over thin air.Am arm steadied me and I breathed shallowly for a few seconds before raising my gaze to see Acker’s eyes on me.How had he gotten out so fast? Dazedly I noticed that I was leaning on
Acker’s POVShe was smiling now.I didn’t notice it before but I liked it when she smiled.The dinner had been a planned event, one which I had been able to pull off without that bastard Serrano coming along. The restaurant was owned by a connection who was able to give me the best in the building without hesitation.“I can’t believe it!” She was laughing now, her head thrown back. “You really did that?”I hummed in agreement and signaled the host that was on standby close to the table for the bill.Alicia didn’t notice the interaction much between the host and I, for she was still chuckling over one of my stories, one which I never meant to tell her, but chose to. It was supposed to ease the strange tension I had noticed in her expression and body language.Reaching my arm out for her to take, I wondered what it was that made me so interested in her. Women weren’t a vice i usually indulged in, unlike Serrano. I was more prone to getting my frustrations out with the use of violence.J
Alicia’s POV In an instant everything went awry.I barely remembered the car stopping me; my heart was pounding too much to understand much of anything as the gunshots went on.“Alicia.”I closed my eyes and grit my teeth to the point that it became painful, thinking about e words that I had said to Daya about involving myself with men that were in this sort of business. I had warned her so why had I still…“Alicia.”I felt fingers wrapped around my chin and tug my face up to meet grey eyes.I was only faintly aware of Acker’s concern which showed in his expression, and yet.Behind those eyes were steel, one I had never seen before.“Listen to me,” He said, as gunshots poured in. “Nothing is going to happen to you. You’re safe. Stay in the car and don’t move unless you hear my voice.”I nodded rapidly as those words washed over me. I couldn’t say anything back, as my tongue was like lead in my mouth.Then there was a lull. The entire place went silent for a couple of seconds and it s
Mikael’s POVI was restless, and I was sure my body was thrumming with adrenaline still pumping through my veins.The doctor that Madden had brought to Alicia’s apartment cleared his throat and bowed towards the two of us before he replied in a soft, wavering voice.“Miss Stevens is perfectly alright. Her vitals show that she sustained a little shock but nothing else. Her blood pressure is a little raised… but not enough to warrant any concern,” Doctor Wayne finished.I felt something I click within me and my jaw relaxed instantaneously.Had I been that concerned for her?I glanced at her, seeing her expression blank and her eyes in our direction. She still had signs of shock and I for one didn’t blame her.I remembered the first time I had been in a gunfight, when I was 6, returning from Germany with my father. The car had been riddled with bullets from top to bottom and yet none had touched me. It took me by surprise even then, knowing what my family was involved in, and what I wou
Alicia’s POV:Bang!My heart skipped and I whipped around, wide eyed, to stare at the door.“Sorry Miss,” Farrah at least looked a little remorseful. She carried in the basket of freshly laundered sheets and towels and entered my bathroom, while I tried to calm my pounding heart down.It wasn’t my fault, I tried to console myself.I was just a little bit startled is all…The blurry, terrifying memories of last night flashes in my head and played over and over like a movie, and I couldn’t let it go no matter what.Knock, knock, knock.I looked up and saw to my surprise, a certain platinum blonde man standing by the open door.When had Farrah left? I was unsure of myself; had I somehow dreamed it happening, or had I lost track of time?“Mikael,” i said his name, filled with desire to know. I needed to know this was a dream, or something.His green eyes gaze was intense as he s ts red back at me and I could have sworn the corners of his lips tilted upward before I heard a chuckle.“Wow,
Alicia’s POV:And then came the words I didn’t expect to hear from Acker.“I will be leaving the country for a while, and so will Serrano,” he said as though he were concluding some business meeting.I blinked… slowly while my brain processed his words. As it did, there came a vastly unpleasant feeling crawling up my throat and threatening to choke me.“What?” I asked aloud as if it would change what I had just heard.Acker must have not heard me, because he continued, “In the meantime, our men will look after you. They are under orders to follow your commands-““No, wait wait.” I raised my two hands and he instantly quietened, but not before giving me a warning glare which I didn’t pay any attention to, of course. “You’re leaving?” My voice softened.Mikael stepped forward, still holding my picture frame in his hand. “There are some things that have to be done, marina. And they can’t be done here.”I could see the agreement in their postures, and knew that they had jointly decided th