Chapter 22

Alison.

“What’s a pretty rider girl like you doing out here all alone?” Rodrigo asked moving closer to me.

I tried to regain myself flashing him a warm smile.

“Don’t call me that,” I said in a low tone and he laughed.

The sound was loud, and it seemed to be never-ending.

“Are trying to find humans to ride is that why you’re out here?” Rodrigo asked after his laughter subsided.

“I don’t find that funny,” I said, crossing my hand above the other.

“I’m just messing with you, darling.” He said in a mocking tone. “But tell me, what are you really doing here?”

I hesitated, my mind thinking of an answer that wouldn’t incriminate me—or Damien. After several thoughts, an idea finally popped up in my head.

“My friend ditched me,” I lied, shrugging. “She’s not answering my calls, and I have no idea how I’m getting back to the hotel.”

Rodrigo studied me, his dark eyes unreadable. Then, to my surprise, he smiled. “I could take you to your hotel.”

I blinked, caught off guard. “Don’t you need to get home to your wife?”

He laughed again, louder this time. “My wife?” He shook his head. “I only said that to scare you off earlier. It worked, didn’t it?”

“That’s not very nice,” I said, folding my arms.

“I’m not a very nice man,” he replied with a smirk.

“Maybe it’s time to change,” I suggested, though as soon as those words left my mouth, I regretted them.

How could I have forgotten that this man was part of the mafia, and from Damien’s findings he happened to be brutal?

I imagined him pulling out a gun from his pocket and shooting multiple bullets into my head.

When I peered at him, his eyes narrowed in a way that made my heart pound even faster.

I was dead meat. I could feel it and soon my lifeless boy would end up on the floor.

Where was Damien? This was the perfect time for him to show up.

I began to regret agreeing to this mission. I should have just let that blonde handle it.

As my eyes returned to him. To my surprise I watched as the look on his face changed. The hardened look was replaced with a softened expression.

“Come on,” he said, gesturing for me to follow. “I would take you to your hotel.”

I swallowed hard, as I trailed behind him. We reached his car I slid into the passenger seat. I tried to control my breathing as I shut the door, and surprisingly he seemed to notice.

“Are you alright?” He asked as he got behind the wheel.

“I’m just a bit disappointed,” I replied, masking my fear. “I didn’t expect my friend to actually do this to me.”

“Well, that’s life.” He said matter of factly. “People are full of disappointment that’s why I don’t trust anyone.”

I wanted to speak up but he beat me to it.

“So what hotel am I taking you to?” he asked, starting the engine.

“The Hilltop Hotel,” I replied, my voice steadier than I felt.

Rodrigo raised an eyebrow. “That’s close to where I live.”

I forced a smile. “Small world.”

The drive was quiet at first, the sound of the engine seemed to be the only thing resonating within the car. I couldn’t let the silence drag on. This was the perfect time to bond with him.

“I’ve never really understood horse races,” I said, glancing at him.

Rodrigo turned his head slightly, his eyes flicking to me before returning to the road. “Most women don’t,” he said.

I couldn’t help but challenge him. “I guess it’s not so exciting that’s why we don’t seem to understand it.”

He smirked, drawing a cigarette from his jacket.

“You definitely have no idea how exciting it is,” he said, lighting it with a practiced motion. “There’s this adrenaline that comes with horse racing and, there’s also this thrill of controlling something so powerful. It’s a rush like no other.”

“I’ve never ridden a horse before,” I admitted.

He turned to look at me, genuinely surprised. “You’re joking.”

“I’m not,” I said, shaking my head.

Rodrigo muttered something in Spanish, the words too fast for me to catch.

“What was that?” I asked.

He smiled a hint of nostalgia in his expression. “An old saying my mama used to tell me.”

“Translate it for me,” I said, curious.

He raised an eyebrow. “Only if you agree to try horse riding tomorrow.”

I laughed, pleased that I had finally found a way to snuggle my way into his life.

“You’d blackmail me with my own curiosity?” I said.

“Always,” he said with a smirk.

“Fine,” I agreed. “Because I’m curious, I’ll give it a shot.”

The car pulled up in front of the Hilltop Hotel, and Rodrigo leaned back in his seat, looking at me.

“Come by the ranch tomorrow,” he said, in a casual.

I raised an eyebrow. “Is the married man asking me out?”

He scoffed, shaking his head. “Anything you say, rider girl.”

As I opened the door to get out, he added, “By the way, I never got your name.”

I hesitated for a split second before lying. “Aria.”

He nodded. “Rafael Rodrigo. Nice to meet you, Aria.”

“Nice to meet you too, Rafael,” I said, stepping out of the car.

“Goodbye,” he said, slipping into Spanish again before driving off.

I watched the taillights fade into the distance before turning toward the apartment building a block away. It was a good thing I remembered where Damien had rented a place—otherwise, I would’ve been stranded.

When I pushed open the apartment door, the smell of smoke hit me immediately. Damien and Hugh were sprawled on the couch, with lit cigarettes in their hands.

They have made up. I wasn’t surprised though.

Damien’s sharp eyes landed on me as I walked in. “How did it go?”

I brushed past him without answering, heading straight to my room.

“Hey,” he called after me, his voice filled with annoyance. “I’m talking to you.”

I didn’t turn around. I couldn’t. I was so angry at the fact that Damien left me alone on the ranch.