21. alessia

21

ALESSIA

As I search for fresh clothes, I notice all of Jack's things are gone.

Good. There's not an ounce of me that wants him to still loiter in my home.

I hold a frame of us together at our college graduation and shove it deep into my nightstand drawer, closing it like I'm closing a book, ending the last chapter as Jack and Alessia.

If I can't have Daegan, I do want to try this thing people call ‘dating.' I've been with the same person since I was in college. I won't let myself sulk in this heartache I didn't ask for. I think it's time for me to evolve and try something new. I won't make any apologies for the way I choose to grow.

I walk outside to check my mail but find my car sitting in the driveway and a mysterious man in an all-black suit. He has aviator sunglasses on, not one facial hair on his chiseled jaw, dark hair gelled perfectly back, no strand out of place, as he sits on the hood of my car, lighting a cigarette.

How? What the hell is going on? Who does he think he is, and how the hell did my car get here?

"Umm? Excuse me? Who are you, and how the hell did you get my car?"

He doesn't acknowledge my presence. Instead, he blows the smoke into the air.

"I'm a friend of Creature's. He asked me to take care of this sorry excuse of a car you have for you."

My mouth gawks open.

"Excuse me?"

He's unbothered by my sudden inability to hold a sentence. He radiates dark and mystery, just like Daegan. He slides his cuff down to view the time on his luxurious Rolex, and I scoff when he doesn't respond.

"I would love to stay and chit-chat with Ravenmore's daughter, but I've got some business to take care of. You can thank Creature for having me fetch your car. I filled the tank up with gas as well and had it deep-cleaned. All your personal belongings are in the trunk."

"Step-daughter," I correct him, doing my best to mask my seething tone. "How do you know him? You expect me to say thank you? You just said my car is trash." I cross my arms over my chest. "You're friends with Daegan?"

Unbothered to hold a conversation or acknowledge me, he replies. "We're brothers. Don't thank me, thank Creature."

He takes out his car keys and presses a button, and a beep follows. I trail the sound, and my eyes bulge when I see a luxurious Pagani sitting just a few feet away.

"By the way, some piece of advice?" The car door lifts open, and he leans in, one boot into the driver's seat. "Pretty girls shouldn't be walking the streets alone at night. You're lucky Daegan came by and snatched you."

He closes the door, the engine roaring, and speeds out of my driveway.

What a rude jerk of a handsome guy.

I finished packing, but there are still four hours before my flight. I still have time to visit my mother before I go. I throw everything in my trunk and close it with a careful slam. A shadow that isn't my own appears on the back window of my car. It's a man behind me.

"Alessia."

I jump, fisting my hands, ready to defend myself.

Oh, no.

If it's my stalker, he's caught me off guard. Blood rushes to my cheeks, and my heart palpates. I turn around with harsh purpose, but then my eyes soften when I realize I'm safe, but it doesn't stop the adrenaline from running through my veins.

I roll my eyes at a very pleased Daegan. He loves to scare me, doesn't he?

I palm my chest as if that'll help my heart rate go back to normal.

"Hannibal!" I screech loudly, brushing the long, dark curls out of my face. He smirks devilishly. "You scared me. What are you doing here?" I snarl.

"I'm driving you to the airport, remember? Per Ravenmore's request." He fiddles with a bullet between his fingers like he's already bored. He's wearing his uniform; his half-mask is back on.

"I can drive myself, Hannibal." I defy him, crossing my arms.

He scoffs, laughing. His eyes darken, and then he licks his lips. "Little Valentine, keep playing games with me, and you'll find out why I have that nickname." He stalks forward, his large boot thudding over the rocks, sending shivers up my neck. He closes the distance, and the scent of cigarettes swirls amongst his cologne into our tensioned bubble. "It isn't just because I've never missed…" He leans in, his forehead resting on the side of my head as he whispers into my ear, sending goosebumps and hairs to erupt all over my skin and a flicker of pulsation between my legs. "I never lose, and I always get what I want." His voice deepens like a hungry snarl. He pushes the button to open the trunk and grabs my bags like feathers. He walks away without another word and heads towards his challenger. "Get in my car, Alessia. I'm driving."

Gathering my emotions again, I shake myself out of his chokehold.

"I need to say bye to my mother first!" I shout after him. There's no way I'm leaving without saying goodbye to her.

"We will, don't worry." He calls back over my shoulder.