Marcus's Underground LairMarcus paced the dimly lit room, his anger simmering just below the surface. The hearing bud lay silent, its connection severed. His attempts to reach Alexa had failed, and the silence gnawed at him. With a sharp motion, he swept the bottles off the table, sending them crashing to the floor. "You conniving idiot," he snarled, his voice venomous. "Is this what you’ve been plotting all along?" Turning sharply, he barked, "Nelson! Disconnect the hearing bud and any other links to the lair. Now." Nelson sprang into action, his fingers flying over the keyboard. "Yes, sir. Cutting off all connections. The device will be useless now—just a shell with no traceable records." Satisfied, Marcus stormed into another room. Inside, monitors glowed in the darkness as one of his men worked diligently. "I’ve tracked his movements, sir," the man reported without looking up. "No suspicious activity yet, but we’re keeping close tabs." Marcus's lips curled into a grim
Alexa's eyes widened in surprise at Julian’s unexpected words. Can he really be her friend? She hadn’t expected kindness from him, especially after everything that had just happened. Her cheeks flushed as she nodded, her voice barely a whisper. "Y-yes."A genuine smile spread across Julian's face, and he gently squeezed her hands. "I'm glad," he said, his eyes crinkling with warmth, softening the intensity she had always associated with him.They both stood up, and Julian led her out of the room. With every step, a surprising sense of ease washed over Alexa. She couldn’t believe it—this was Julian, the man who had once intimidated her, now offering his kindness so effortlessly.As they entered the living room, Miss Yvonne looked up from her book, a surprised expression crossing her face. "Alexa, dear, how are you feeling?" Her voice was filled with concern.A grateful smile tugged at Alexa's lips. "I’m feeling better, thank you, Miss Yvonne," she replied, her voice steadier than befor
Theo's jaw tightened as he observed Julian and Alexa from a distance. His boss, usually aloof and exacting, was suddenly warm and accommodating to the new maid. It didn’t make sense. Something about the way Julian looked at her, spoke to her—it unsettled Theo in ways he couldn’t explain.His fingers brushed the edge of his earpiece, his voice sharp and low. "Derrick, meet me in the east corridor. Now."Moments later, Derrick appeared, his expression calm but curious. "Yes, sir?"Theo leaned in slightly, his voice dropping further. "Keep an eye on Alexa," he ordered. "Discreetly. And make sure Julian doesn’t catch wind of it."Derrick’s eyebrows lifted, a flicker of surprise breaking through his composed demeanor. "The maid?" he asked, though he quickly schooled his features and nodded. "Understood."Without another word, Derrick turned on his heel and strode away, leaving Theo alone. His eyes darkened as they tracked back to Julian and Alexa. Who are you really, Alexa? he thought. The
Julian adjusted the crisp collar of his tailored navy suit, the sheen of the Italian fabric catching the morning light streaming through the villa windows. A pristine white shirt complemented the ensemble, with a deep crimson tie adding a bold accent. His polished black Oxford shoes clicked softly on the marble floor as he crossed the room. Theo entered without knocking, as was his custom, holding a leather-bound planner. "Your schedule for today, sir," he began. "You'll be meeting with the investigator again. This time, not here but at a private location, as arranged." Julian nodded, his sharp eyes focused on Theo, though his thoughts were elsewhere. He was replaying fragments of the cryptic words Dr. Patel had shared with him the day before: "The answers you’re looking for aren’t just hers—they might be yours, too." A knock at the door pulled him from his reverie, and Alexa entered, a delicate tray balanced in her hands. Her smile was hesitant, her movements precise as she appr
Alexa walked through the villa hallways, her thoughts swirling as she headed to Miss Yvonne’s room. She still couldn’t wrap her mind around Julian’s recent kindness. He had been cold and distant at first, a man with walls so high she doubted anyone could climb them. But lately, he had surprised her—not just with his words, but with his actions. Why is he being so kind? she wondered. A small, unfamiliar warmth stirred in her chest. It was strange, almost unsettling, to be treated with such consideration. Her thoughts shifted to Marcus, and the warmth quickly dissipated. She shuddered as memories of his cruel words and punishing threats surfaced. Marcus had always used her like a pawn, reminding her that she was expendable, dispensable. The bruises he left weren’t always physical, but they hurt just the same. Alexa clenched her fists. Marcus will find out I’ve failed him. Her chest tightened at the thought. The stolen jewelry hidden in her room and the misplaced hearing aid loomed
The door to Dr. Patel’s office opened, and Alexa walked in with the nurse, her face pale but resolute. She sat down across from the doctor, glancing nervously at Julian. The air felt heavy with anticipation, and her hands clenched tightly in her lap. Dr. Patel cleared his throat, holding a clipboard with her test results. “Alexa, the results are ready. I can explain them here with Julian present, or we can discuss them privately if you prefer.” Alexa hesitated, her pulse quickening. A part of her wanted privacy, but another part sought the stability Julian’s presence brought. “No,” she said, her voice steady but soft. “You can tell me here.” Julian didn’t say a word, but when Alexa’s nerves began to show in the slight tremble of her hands, he reached over and clasped her hand in his. He didn’t even realize he’d done it until she looked down at their entwined fingers. Her wide eyes met his, but neither pulled away. Dr. Patel raised an eyebrow, a faint smile crossing his lips befo
Chapter sixteen.The drive was enveloped in a tense silence, broken only by the hum of the car’s engine. Alexa sat with her hands folded neatly in her lap, her eyes fixed on the window. Her thoughts were a whirlwind—Dr. Patel’s revelations, Julian’s oddly comforting presence, and the lingering sense of unease that seemed to shadow her every move.Julian sat beside her, equally pensive. His fingers tapped lightly on his thigh, his mind replaying Dr. Patel’s words. Finally, he leaned forward and spoke, his deep voice cutting through the quiet. “Stop by Bella Terra,” he instructed the driver.The car slowed, pulling into a gated lot with soft glowing lights. Alexa glanced out, her eyes widening. The eatery’s name, etched in gold above the entrance, radiated elegance. It wasn’t just a restaurant—it was an experience.Julian stepped out first, walking around to open her door. Alexa blinked in surprise. She’d never had anyone treat her like this before. As his hand extended toward her, she
The car rolled to a gentle stop in front of the villa. Julian stepped out first, his movements fluid and unhurried as he walked around to open Alexa’s door. His hand extended toward her—a silent offering. For a moment, Alexa hesitated, the weight of her secrets pressing heavy on her chest. But after a pause, she slid her hand into his. His fingers wrapped around hers, warm and steady, and for reasons she couldn’t explain, the small gesture offered a strange sense of calm. Inside, the villa felt cavernous and silent, their footsteps echoing faintly off the marble floors. From the hallway, Miss Yvonne appeared, as though she’d been waiting. Her sharp eyes swept over them, lingering on their interlocked hands before curling into a knowing smile. “Well, well,” she teased, crossing her arms in amusement. “Look who’s back from their *date*.” Alexa’s cheeks flamed as she hastily pulled her hand away. “It wasn’t a date,” she blurted, her voice sharper than she intended. Miss Yvonne ra
On a secluded island surrounded by the calm, endless sea, Marcus sat in his lavish yet foreboding hideout. A messenger handed him a file detailing Dante’s frantic search for Mia. His lips curled into a devious smile.“So, he’s distracted,” Marcus muttered to himself, fingers tapping rhythmically on the desk. “And it’s not just a casual search. Whatever he’s hiding must be tied to her.”He leaned forward, his mind already weaving a plan. If Dante’s occupied, now’s the perfect time to act.Turning to his trusted aide, Marcus ordered, “Make contact with the gunmen we used in Milan. I want a team ready to infiltrate the Salvatore villa.”The aide hesitated. “Sir, Julian Salvatore’s security is nearly impenetrable.”Marcus&rsq
Madame Melissa sat in the car, her legs elegantly crossed, her gaze fixed on the rearview mirror. The driver remained unconscious, his head tilted to the side. She smiled faintly as her phone buzzed. It was a text from Dante:Keep her intact and secure. She must not return to that villa.Her fingers glided across the screen as she typed back:Dante, Alexa is contained. She won’t be a problem. Come quickly before anyone gets suspicious.”She leaned back against the seat, a sense of satisfaction washing over her. Alexa’s confinement at the mall ensured the girl wouldn’t interfere with Dante’s plans. But she couldn’t help but wonder what Dante was so desperate to hide.---Roberto veered sharply onto a side street, tires screeching as he braked in front of an old, a
Julian leaned back in his chair, gripping the phone tightly. Mr. Lee’s voice was calm, but what he said sent a wave of shock through him. "I’m with Mia right now," Mr. Lee began. "I’ve been tracking Dante. He went to a private residence, and as I waited for him to leave, I saw a woman. She was terrified, running for her life. It was Mia." Julian sat upright, his heart racing. "Mia? As in Alexa’s mother?" "Yes. She’s safe, for now. We’re at the Crystal Cove Hotel." Julian exhaled slowly, his mind spinning. "Stay there. Don’t let her leave. I’m coming." He ended the call, grabbing his jacket and heading out of his office. ---Meanwhile, Madame Melissa adjusted her wide-brimmed hat in front of the mirror, her fingers trembling slightly. Dante’s text played in her mind like a sinister echo. Make sure Alexa leaves the villa immediately. Don’t raise suspicion.”She composed herself, smoothing her dress, and forced a serene smile. There was no room for error. Moments later, she f
The air was thick with tension as Roberto stood in Dante’s path, his stance firm and unyielding. Dante’s sneer deepened as he sized up the man in front of him. "Move, young man," Dante growled, his voice dripping with menace. "You don’t want to test me." Roberto tightened his fists, his body instinctively shifting into a defensive position. "You’re not getting near Mia, not while I’m here." Dante didn’t waste another second. He lunged at Roberto, his fists flying with brute force. Roberto dodged, his years of martial arts training kicking in as he blocked and countered. The sound of their clash echoed through the house—grunts, the dull thud of fists, and the shattering of furniture. Dante was relentless, his strength fueled by fury, but Roberto was quick and strategic, his movements calculated. However, the fight was wearing on him. He was already bleeding from a cut above his eye, and his side throbbed from a hard blow. As they fought, outside, Mia paced nervously by the wind
The morning sunlight streamed through the tall windows of the grand dining room, casting soft hues on the polished tableware. Julian sat at the head of the table, impeccably dressed in a tailored suit, his features sharp with a focus that belied his inner turmoil.Miss Yvonne was busy setting down a tray of freshly baked croissants, her frail hands moving with practiced ease. Julian’s eyes narrowed as he watched her, the frown on his face betraying his concern.“Miss Yvonne,” he began, his voice low but firm, “why are you up so early again? You need rest.”She gave him a soft smile, brushing off his worry. “I’m perfectly fine, Julian. Taking care of this house gives me purpose. Besides, I like to keep busy.”Julian sighed, leaning back in his chair. “What about Alexa? Is she—&rdqu
The moonlight filtered through the heavy drapes of Julian’s bedroom, casting silvery shadows across the floor. He lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, Dr. Patel’s words looping in his mind."She’s a key, Julian. Stop fighting it. Let the answers come to you."His jaw clenched. If Alexa truly held the missing pieces of his past, then he couldn’t afford to let his anger or mistrust cloud his judgment. Perhaps through her, he could find the truth about his parents’ murder—and unravel the secrets that had haunted him since childhood.The weight of those thoughts dragged him from the bed. His throat felt parched, so he decided to head to the kitchen for a drink. As he descended the grand staircase, the faint sound of muffled sobs caught his attention.Julian paused, his sharp ears picking up the source. He follow
The hum of muted voices filled the conference room as Julian sat at the head of the table, his sharp suit doing little to hide the storm brewing within him. The stakeholders before him discussed figures and projections, but their words felt distant, muffled by the memories that consumed his mind.The kiss. Why are the memories coming again?He had tried to shove it away, bury it under the weight of his responsibilities, but the memory clawed its way back every time he blinked. The warmth of Alexa’s lips, the softness of her touch, the way she looked at him afterward—it all left a trail of heat and confusion in its wake.But then came the betrayal. Her lies. Her ties to Marcus and Dante.His fists clenched under the table as anger surged. 'How could she make me feel this way after everything she’s done?'&n
Alexa stood frozen in the dark room where Julian had dragged her into, Julian’s words were echoing in her mind. The intensity of his gaze, the frustration laced in his voice—it all left her reeling. “You’ve turned my life upside down.” How?Her fingers brushed against her temple as if to ease the whirlwind of emotions swirling within her. “What did he mean by ‘buried somewhere in his past’? How am I connected to that?” she whispered to herself. Her chest tightened as the weight of her double life pressed down on her. Somehow, she also felt the same. She felt that Julian is connected to her childhood. **Was there no end to this chaos?**Sighing deeply, she left the room, stepping into the hallway. As she descended the stairs, her eyes caught Julian near the entrance, facing Madame Melissa.Melissa was all smiles, her voice sm
Julian paced his room like a caged animal, his fists clenched so tightly his knuckles turned white. The memory of Alexa’s lips on his, the softness of her skin under his hands, replayed in his mind with maddening clarity. He struck his thigh hard, the dull pain barely cutting through the chaos in his head. “What the hell is wrong with me?” he hissed, raking his hands through his hair. He’d kissed her. The one woman he swore to keep at arm’s length, the one he didn’t know whether to trust or hate. And yet, in that moment, he hadn’t cared about betrayal or lies—only about her. The way she’d looked at him after—the surprise in her eyes, the way her lips parted as though she wanted to say something but couldn’t—it haunted him. He could still hear the faint sound of her soft gasp, feel the warmth of her breath against his skin. He sat on the edge of his bed, gripping his head as if he could stop the flood of emotions and memories crashing over him. Then, like a flash of light cut