“He is,” Alessio says, and eyes me. “If you’re wondering if I did it, I didn’t.”
“I wasn’t,” I lie. “But I know what needs to be done is done.”
“It is, and it’s part of my life. I’m used to it. Don’t act like you aren’t,” he snips at me. Clearly picking up on some of the tension in the room.
I shake my head. “Killing isn’t against my nature, Alessio, but it’s not what I’m signed up for,” I explain. “I’m here to protect you, and yeah, if that means putting a bullet in some bastard’s head, I will. First and foremost, if I have the choice, I’ll get you out before I lift my gun.”
Alessio’s expression softens. “I don’t exactly enjoy killing, not like some people,” he looks to the side. “There’s a rush, but it’s messy and I hate replacing my clothing. I’d rather figure out what can benefit both sides. Still…I’m used to death; but I’m nota simple soldier. I don’t kill on command or for no reason but the ego of another man.”
“Good,” I reply simply. “It’s good to know you’ll be able to handle it if it comes down to it.”
“I can handle anything,” Alessio steps closer to me. “If you think what happened the other night means otherwise…”
I blink at him. It takes me a second to realize what he means. “No,” I insist. “I don’t think that.”
Heat crawls up my body and my hands ball into fists.
“Good,” he repeats my word and steps even closer.
He doesn’t say anything else. I don’t say anything else. Alessio just gets closer and closer until his fingers brush mine. His eyes pour into mine like crisp clear water. It’s electric, and my heart drums in my chest. My dick throbs in my pants. I can’t stand being so close to him and not kissing him, I realize.
It’s a scary thought.
I almost expect him to move in closer. Remove the distance between us. Instead, he slips his fingers around the coffee mug in my hand and then eases it out. “I’ll take this,” he says in a hush. “Do you want more?”
Before I can answer, my phone vibrates violently in my pocket. I pull it out and see that Eivor Fiorelli is calling.
I sigh, shooting Alessio a sideways glance before I answer the phone.
“Mr. Fiorelli,” I say slowly. “We made it to the hotel about an hour ago, everything is safe and secure.” I sent him a text message with said information forty-five minutes before, but perhaps he didn’t look at it.
Alessio walks away from me and into the nearby kitchen. I find myself colder in his absence.
“I’m well aware, thank you for the update,” Eivor tells me. “I need you to come back to the estate, we need to have a conversation.”
I pause. “All of us?”
“No, just you. I’m arranging for several guards to take your place at the hotel,” he explains. “It won’t take long.”
“Has something happened?” I ask.
“We’ll discuss it when you arrive. The guards will be there in fifteen minutes,” Eivor insists.
“Yes, Sir,” I say simply. I look in Alessio’s direction and see that he’s pouring himself the remaining coffee and not looking in my direction. That doesn’t mean he isn’t listening though. “I’ll be there.”
I hang up the phone and walk over to grab my jacket from the hook nearby the door.
“What’s going on?” Alessio asks.
“Eivor needs me back at the Fiorelli estate for some reason. He won’t tell me over the phone. My guess is he wants to talk about the Tulos,” I tell him. It’s partially a lie. I have a better idea of what he wants to talk about, but I’m not sure. I can’t tell Alessio, that I know.
Guilt flickers up my spine and I ignore it.
This is a job. Nothing more. I need to remember that.
“You’re leaving me…us?”
I nod. “He’s sending back-up to keep watch while I’m gone. I shouldn’t be gone for long,” I tell him, my voice lowering to an almost comforting pitch.
