<b>Chapter </b><b>7 </b>
Nivera’s heart pounded as she found herself trapped between Alejandro and the rold,
The
espace between them was nonexistent, his towering frame casting a suffocating presence over her. The height difference between them only making her feel smalles
The night before, she had been bold, reckless even–throwing caution to the wind as she faced him head on with fire in her eyes.
But now! Now she had seen him kill a man in cold blood, and that fine had turned into something else entirely
Now, she was terrified that he would do the same to her, as he had even gone as far <b>as </b>pointing the gun at her.
The air was thick with <b>tension</b>, <b>and </b>her breath hitched when he leaned in, his piercing gaze locked onto hers
She took a slow breath, forcing herself to remain calm, though her body betrayed her.
“Back off” she whispered, her voice set, almost pleading
He didn’t move. Instead, his lips curled into something resembling a smirk as he tilted <b>his </b>head, studying her with that unreadable gaze that sent shivers down her spine.
“Who are you?” His tone was deceptively calm, but she wasn’t fooled. There was a dangerous edge beneath it, waiting to cut her to shreds. “And why were you at my clubst night?”
Her mind raced. Telling the truth was out of the question, Alejandro had ties to Nathaniel–and for all she knew, he did–revealing her n would only invite more danger,
She couldn’t afford to get tangled up with another powerful man who could ruin her life. She didn’t know who the man was, but from what she had seen, he was not <b>a </b>man she wanted as an enemy
“Aren’t you, already? The voice in her head said to her, but she ignored it.
“I’m still here,” she heard the man say, and she returned her attention to him.
Nivera clenched her fists. She couldn’t tell him the truth, <b>so </b>she lied,
“You were right about me,” she said, keeping her tone as even as possible. “I was there for Nathaniel I’m an escort”
Alejandro’s gaze <b>darkened</b>, but he said nothing, allowing her to continue.
I was just in the wrong ce at the wrong time.” She forced a small shrug, trying to <b>appear </b><b>nonchnt</b>.
Aflicker of amusement passed through his eyes as he tilted his head slightly. “Is that so? And you just so happened to have an injection <b>that </b>incapacitated me?” he asked, his tone deceptively mild.
“I found it at the club,” she lied once more.
“You’re lying.” The words weren’t a question. They were a statement. Absolute. Certain
Nivera swallowed, a lump forming in her throat as her brain worked overtime, trying toe <b>up </b>with what to say.
“I didn’t mean to use it on you,” she said quickly, trying to regain some control You pulled a gun on me.
Her voice came out sharper than intended, but as soon as she saw the <b>way </b>his expression darkened, she sucked in a breath and softened her tone.
“-I mean… I just panicked. I’m sony. I didn’t mean to yell”
Alejandro chuckled, a low, amused sound that sent a shiver down her spine,
Her pulse quickened. He didn’t believe her. She could tell. His sharp gaze sudied her ton closely, lingering on the way she avoided <b>eye </b>contact, the her fingers fidgeted, and the slight tremor in her voice.
And then, much to her reliel, he stepped back<b>, </b>putting space between them.
“What’s your name?” he asked.
She hesitated for about a second before answering, “Anna,” as giving him her real name would be a mistake.
Alejandro chuckled again, as if she had told him a joke. “Anna,” he repeated, his toneced with amusement. “And yourst name?”
“Anna. Smith
Alejandro hummed in response, then turned his gare towards her purse<b>, </b>after which he began to walk toward it
<b>Nivera’s </b>stomach twisted as he strode toward it.
“No…” She took a step forward, but one sharp <b>look </b>from him <b>had </b>her frozen in ce.
Alejandro grabbed the purse, but instead of opening it, he tossed it to her. She caught it clumsily, confusion flickering across her face.
Then he asked again, “What’s your name?”
Her grip tightened around the purse. Why was he asking again? Had she not been convincing enough? “Anna,<b>” </b>she repeated, firmer this time
Nivera’s heart pounded. He was ying with her, she realized. He knew she was lying
Realizing that if she continued to fidget in front of the asshole, he would keep intimidating her.
“You know, I could report you to the police for killing that man and threatening to kill me.” <b>She </b>pointed out, <b>and </b>as soon as the words were out of her mouth, she berated herself as that was a stupid thing to say.
What if he still had the gun?!
Her heart stopped when she saw him reach into his pocket. However, instead of pulling out a gun, he pulled out his phone and dialed a number. He then held it out to her. “Here,” he <b>said </b>smoothly. “Go ahead and call the police.”
Nivera froze. “What?”
“You were about to threaten me with that, weren’t you?” Alejandro’s smirk deepened. “Go on. Tell them I killed a man and threatened you. I’ll even stay on the <b>line </b>while you do it, and I stay here as theye to get you.<b>” </b>
She didn’t move. She had expected her threat to shake him and make him <b>reconsider </b>whatever he nned to do with her. But instead, he looked<b>…. </b>entertained
“What’s wrong?<b>” </b>he asked mockingly. “Take it”
<b>Nivera’s </b>fingers twitched, but she didn’t reach forthe phone. No <b>sane </b>person would,
“No?” Alejandroughed softly, withdrawing the phone and slipping it back into his pocket “That’s what I thought.”
Then he turned toward the door. <b>She </b>exhaled, barely realizing she had been bolding her breath. But just as she thought she was sale, his voice cut through the silence,
“Nivera<b>” </b>
Without thinking<b>, </b>she answered. “Yes?”
The moment the word left her lips, her eyes widened in horror.
Alejandro’s smirk grew, slow and knowing. The bastard already knew her name, and he had just been waiting for her to confirm it
He had yed her perfectly, and she had fallen right into his trap
Her heartbeat thundered in her ears as he finally walked out, leaving her standing there, rattled <b>and </b>breathless.
The second the door clicked shut behind him, she began <b>pacing</b>, Panic wed at her chest.
As if having Nathandel after her wasn’t bad enough, she had now managed to put herself in the sights of another powerful marl–one who terrified her more than Nathaniel ever had.
The image of Alejandro shooting that man reyed in her head, sending another shudder down her spine.
She needed to leave.
Not just the motel. Not just the city.
The country
Yes. That was the only way she could be safe. If <b>she </b>disappeared, Nathaniel wouldn’t find her.
This <b>man </b>wouldn’t be able to find her. Her father wouldn’t be able to force her into marriage. It was the only <b>way</b>.
Taking a deep breath, she grabbed her things, checked out of the motel, and stepped outside.
Her gaze darted around, searching for any sign of the scary man or of Nathaniel’s men<b>, </b>but <b>there </b>was nothing. No suspicious figures. No ck cars
lucking nearby.
Still, she couldn’t shake the feeling of being watched
She hailed a taxi, got in, and told the driver to take her to the airport.
Unknown to her, at an obscure distance from the motel, Alejandro sat in <b>a </b>sleek ck car, watching as her taxi disappeared down the street. A slow, wicked smile stretched across his lips.
“She’s running,” he mused aloud, amusementcing his tone.
Martin, seated beside him, frowned. “Why’d you let her go?”
Alejandro’s eyes glinted. “Because the fear of what I might do to her is <b>far </b>greater than me actually doing anything.”
Martin exhaled. “Psychological torture, huh?”
Alejandro smirked but said nothing
After a brief silence, Martin shifted. “So<b>…</b>are you actually going to let this slide?”
Alejandro’s expression darkened, the amusement vanishing. “Oh, no, I’m definitely not letting it slide.” His voice was smooth, yet there was something deadly beneath it. She drugged me, Martin. In my own club. <b>That’s </b>not something I forgive
Martin nodded. “Then what’s the n!”
Alejandro leaned back against the seat, his fingers tapping against his knee “Find out everything about her. I want a full report. Who she is, where she’s from, every little secret she’s hiding<b>.</b>”
<b>34 </b>Wed, 23 JUI
He turned his gaze back toward the road where she had disappeared.
“And then,” he murmured, his lips curling into another dark smile, “I’ll decide what to do with her.”
Martins nodded. “I’ll get on it.”
Alejandro leaned back, his mind already whirring.
She thought she could run.
Sh
e thought she could get away with drugging him, making him look like a fool.
She had no idea what wasing.
<i>田 </i>