Chapter 8

• ALESSA
• Alessa scrambled off the bed, and pulled a dress off from her closet, changing out of the one she'd been wearing.
• She wasn't going to wear a dress picked by Gideon’s mistress, but she also knew better than to antagonize him.
• She brushed her hair, then pulled it into a ponytail. Alessa cheeks were still red where Tyra had slapped her.
• She couldn't believe Gideon had believed her. She straightened her shoulders and stepped back from the mirror, wincing. First Beth had refused to help her, now, Gideon has threatened to spank her on top of everything else.
• She finished dressing and waited patiently by the door, listening for any sign of Gideon.
• Her heart thudded in her chest, but she forced her hands to stay loose at her sides.
• When the door finally opened, he barely gave her a glance as he stepped out, freshly dressed, his belt back in place like he hadn't just threatened her with it.
• Alessa lowered her eyes, keeping her face neutral. She wanted to scream at him, wanted to rip the smugness off his face, but she swallowed it down.
• Later. She would deal with him later.
• "Let's go," he said, his tone even, almost bored.
• She nodded and fell in step beside him, her hands folded behind her. The hallway was silent except for the sound of their footsteps, but her mind was anything but rested.
• She had to get out of here. Not now—she wasn't stupid enough to run without a plan—but soon. She'd wait for the right moment, and when it came, she'd be gone.
• The dining room was already set when they arrived. Two men were seated at the long table, sipping coffee like they owned the place.
• Tyra sat next to the older one, twirling a spoon between her fingers. She looked up when Alessa walked in.
• She smiled savagely. "Oh look, she can clean up after all."
• Alessa smiled, moving to the chair Gideon pulled out for her.
• She wouldn’t rise to it. Tyra wanted her to snap, to fight her, but Alessa wouldn’t give her the satisfaction.
• "Of course she can," Gideon said smoothly, throwing an arm over the back of Alessa’s chair once she was seated. "She’s my wife, after all."
• Alessa reached for a glass of water, taking a slow sip to hide the way her stomach twisted at his words.
• He was playing a part, just like she was. Pretending she belonged here.
• Pretending she was his. But if he thought she was going to let him keep playing this game, he was mistaken.
• He pressed a kiss to her forehead and she smiled up at him like a woman absolutely in love.
• She wanted to stick a knife in his guts.
• And she wanted to know why his mistress had to be at the table with them.
• Breakfast was served, but Alessa had no appetite. She picked at her food, listening as the men spoke in low voices about business.
• Things she didn't understand, things she didn’t care to understand.
• She didn't look at Gideon, and she tried not to notice the way his hand brushed against hers as if they were a loving couple.
• Tyra made another comment, something about how lucky Alessa was to be married to a man like Gideon, but Alessa just smiled. She wouldn't let them get under her skin.
• When breakfast was over, she pushed her chair back and stood. She folded her hands in front of her and gave the men a polite smile.
• "I hope your business deals are successful," she said sweetly, then turned and walked out of the room, her heart thudding.
• She would wait. And when the time was right, she would leave.
• She was walking back to her room when she heard people whispering by her door. She came around the corner and found two men standing by her door.
• She stopped and stared. They were both dressed head to toe in black. Black shirts, black pants and black shoes.
• Alessa cleared her throat. “You're both in front of my door.”
• They both nodded at the same time like clones then moved away from her door.
• The taller of the two introduced himself. “I'm Matthew.” He nodded at the other beside him. “He's Rick. We're your bodyguards.”
• Alessa didn't understand what they meant for a moment. Bodyguard? What for?
• She frowned at both of them. “I don't have bodyguards, nor do I need them.”
• “Actually, Mr. Falco decided this morning that you do. His world is dangerous and you are his wife.”
• She twisted her lips. His wife? And he had treated her less than he would treat his servant? “Stay away from me. I don't need bodyguards.” She repeated, opening her door and walking into the room.
• Alessa tried closing the door but it wouldn't close. She looked down to find that Matthew had placed his leg between the door.
• He looked serious. “Mrs. Falco. I would advise that you don't try leaving the property without us. That could be very dangerous indeed.”
• Alessa was getting angry. She glared at him right back. “I would advise that you go back to who sent you and tell him I'm very uninterested in having someone following me around all day.”
• Alessa slammed the door and he barely jerked back fast enough to avoid it smashing into his face.
• She rolled her eyes. She was worried. Had Gideon found out she planned on running away? Was that why he was assigning her guards? And two of them at once?
• She fell onto her bed and groaned into it. But how had he found out? She had only thought of running away. Or had he spoken to Beth? Or maybe he had spoken to her father?
• There were so many questions and very little answers.
• She curled into herself, remembering what it had been like in Montenegro. She had been free there.
• Free from being her father's daughter, and free from being the daughter of a Mafia lord.
• None of her friends there knew who her family were.
• Her door opened without a knock and she bolted upright on the bed.
• Gideon stood in the doorway, behind him were Rick and Mathew. Had they gone to report her to him?