I nodded, unable to speak.
Alexander’s jaw tightened, his knuckles whitening as he gripped my phone. Without a word, he pulled out his own, tapping a contact. “Dante,” he said as soon as the line connected, his voice sharp. “We have a problem.”
I couldn’t hear what Dante said, but Alexander’s terse reply sent a shiver down my spine. “Find out where he is. Now.”
* * *
By the time we were leaving, I was exhausted, walking out of the security entrance toward the parking garage with Anna while Alexander handled post-race interviews.
That’s when I saw him.
A man in a hoodie stepped out from the shadows, his posture tense and angry. My heart stopped as recognition hit.Josh.
“Well, look who it is.” He sneered, his voice dripping with venom. “Didn’t think you’d get away from me forever, did you? Just followed another man around with more money?”
I froze, fear coursing through me. “What are you doing here?” I managed to choke out.
“What am I doing here?” he spat, his voice rising. “You took my daughter, Lucia. You ran off to play house with some fucking race car driver while I’m left with nothing. Wondering where the hell my family is.”
“She’s not your family,” I shot back, my voice trembling. “You lost that right when you?—”
“Don’t,” he interrupted, stepping closer, his face twisted with rage. “Don’t act like you’re some saint. You’re just a dumb whore, running off the first chance you get. Sending someone to get custody papers signed over to you, having someone threatenme.”
“Hey!” Anna’s voice cut through, sharp and angry. She stepped forward, her petite frame trembling with fury as his words sunk in. “Back off, or I’ll call security.”
Josh’s lip curled. “Oh, the nanny’s got a mouth on her. Cute.”
Then he turned back to me, his voice lowering into a menacing growl. “You think you’re safe with him? That fancy driver of yours won’t keep you for long. And when he’s done, you’ll come crawling back.”
When he raised his hand, I flinched.
But he never got the chance to strike.
Out of nowhere, Alexander was there, his fist connecting with Josh’s jaw with a sickening crack. Josh staggered back, falling to the ground, and Alexander didn’t hesitate, landing another punch.
“You don’t fucking touch her,” Alexander roared, his voice echoing in the parking garage.
“Alex, stop!” I cried, but my voice barely registered.
Josh tried to scramble up, spitting curses, but Alexander was relentless.
“Enough!” Matteo’s voice thundered as he arrived with security. He pulled Alexander off Josh, his grip firm. “He’s not worth it.”
Security swarmed, pinning Josh to the ground. Matteo turned to him, his face cold with fury. “If you ever come near her again, you won’t just deal with him—you’ll deal with me. And trust me, you don’t want that.”
Alex had guided me to a car. I was numb—silent and still. It wasn’t until he slid in next to me. The doors locked and the car began to move. That was when the dam broke, when the walls I had so carefully placed brick by brick crumbled. It was like years of trauma, the shit that awful man had put me through, all crashed into me. Alexander pulled me into him. I was clutching Alexander’s shirt as I sobbed into his chest, the walls had crashed down, the dam was broken. He held me, his arms strong and steady, stroking my hair and murmuring soft reassurances.
“You’re safe,” he whispered, his voice a soothing balm. “I promise you, Lucia. He won’t hurt you again. Ever.”
His words wrapped around me like a shield, but the fear still lingered. The memory of Josh’s sneer, his voice—it clung to me like a shadow I couldn’t shake. I knew he was full of shit. I had full custody of Gianna. He hadn’t even fought me on it; papers just appeared three years ago. Josh’s own words came back to me, “sending someone to get custody papers signed over to you, having someone threaten me”
* * *
When we got back to the hotel, I felt like a hollow shell. But then, the door opened, and Gia’s joyful squeal filled the air.
“Mommy!” she cried, running toward me, her tiny arms outstretched.
I dropped to my knees, pulling her into a tight hug, tears streaming down my face as I held her close.
