Chapter 14
Courtney
I've finally been able to go back to work with the agreement I always have to have a security detail with me at all times. Sergei is still out there somewhere lurking in the shadows waiting on the moment to take me. I know he is. Of course, Alec volunteered to be that security detail.
Everyone working here at the club hasn't mentioned a word about Nate's disappearance. I think they already know that it had something to do with the boss' orders, but no one dared to ask in fears of what boss would do to them.
Nate's betrayal really did a number on everyone, especially Gio. He took him in and that is how he repays him. I would've never thought Nate was like that, but his true colors came out. He mercilessly raped me thinking that he would never get caught.
He was working for Sergei. I never should have trusted him. Eventually, things like that catch up to a person.
I look up and see Alec walking towards me with his signature smirk as he grabs a bottle of whiskey pouring a shot, "Everything's clear for now. No sign of him."
It's clear for now but what happens when he does come for me and take me again. Sergei isn't the type to give up easily and I just know when he realizes his brother isn't coming back alive he'll retaliate. This time if he takes me I just may not make it out alive. I purse my lips at him.
"Not yet, but eventually he'll show his nasty face."
Alec looks over his shoulder and back to me as if he's fighting an eternal battle. What is going on in your mind you stubborn jerk? He doesn't say anything but eyes tell me a million things going through his head. Taking my hands he pulls me to his body and brushes his lips against mine.
"Listen, I promise you I'm going to try to be better for you. At first, I thought I hated you but in reality, I hated that you made me feel things I never wanted to. Damn... I just... I like you a lot and I don't know if it's love or..."
I raise my finger to his lips to shut him up. "It's alright, you don't have to say it. I know what you mean. Let's just have fun for now and see what happens."
A smile spreads across his face as he holds me. I look up and spot Lucien at one table with a brunette and it's not Caterina either. So that's what Alec was smiling about. I guess that's why she looked like she was crying earlier. Then, I spot Caterina walking in the club with a guy on her arm. No. Please tell me Alec didn't set this up.
Alec walks around the bar and whispers, "Things are about to get interesting. Just sit back and watch the fireworks."
What did you do Alec?
My eyes plead for him to tell me the truth, "Please tell me you didn't set this up."
He grabs the waistband of my skirt and tells me what I want to know, "Lucien had a date first to make her jealous and Caterina asked me to set her up with someone. So I helped a friend out."
I have a really bad feeling Alec's little plan is going to end in disaster and Lucien and Caterina are going to be at each other's throats.
Caterina walks up squealing, "Courtney! This is Tony. Tony this is Courtney."
I look up at the guy and gasp, "You're the one that helped me escape."
He nods to me, "Yeah. I did."
I see Lucien and he's watching Tony as he slips his hand around her waist as he whispers in her ear. Lucien shoots his fiery gaze on Caterina as she giggles to when her date grazes her neck. His fist clenches around his glass and shatters as he begins to see her happy with someone else.
Why is he so angry when he's the one that had a date first?
These men are so confusing around here. One minute they're hot and the next they're cold. I wonder if that's what Alec will do to me? Alec seems to notice my mood and kisses my neck.
"Baby don't think like that. I haven't been with anyone since that night you walked in on me and that, well you know what she is. You ruined me for all other women."
A booming voice and a fist pounding on the bar brings us back to reality, "What do you think you're doing Caterina?"
Caterina looks at him innocently twirling her hair. "What do you think I'm doing, Lucien? Having fun."
Lucien looked like a wild animal ready to pounce on his prey, but he doesn't. He simply walks away from us heading back to his date and looked at her smirking before slamming his lips to his date. I felt so bad for Caterina because I knew what this felt like. I expected her to scream or cry but she didn't. She simply smirked back to Lucien and slammed her lips to Tony taunting Lucien.
She was a strong woman and I admired her for that. She was loving every minute as she pulled Tony to head to the back and that's when Lucien was about to snap. He pushed the woman away leaving her confused about what just happened. I knew what was about to happen. He was going to pull an Alec Vitale move on her.
I silently begged Alec but he shook his head. "I can't interfere. It has to happen this way. Lucien needed a push so I gave him one."
I try to plead some more but Alec shakes his head no.
In the next second, things happened so fast, we could hear a crash then suddenly bullets started flying through the windows. Alec pushed me down to avoid me getting hit but in the process, he got hit in the shoulder. He grabbed his gun shooting left and right gasping in pain before falling to the floor.
God!
Please be alright Alec.
Lucien and his men come blazing in taking out every one of the enemies. I place my fingers to his neck making sure he's still got a pulse and he does but it's faint.
Lucien takes him to the back and they immediately start to work on his wound. I know who's responsible for what just went down minutes ago. It was that damn Sergei. He's never going to let me go just so he has someone to beat senseless when he's angry at his men. All that man has done is beat me my entire life.
Giovanni walks out of the office an hour later and looks my way as he wipes the blood off his hands. "He's alright. We got the bullet out, but he's going to have to rest for about a week. He was whispering someone's name while he was passed out. It was yours."
I sigh in relief as he tells me Alec is okay. If it weren't for him I would've been shot and killed. He actually took a bullet to save my life. For once in his life, he did something selfless and not selfish. Tears begin to well up as I take in what he did for me. Nobody has ever done this except for Gio and his family as he calls them. I can't keep the tears at bay when Giovanni embraces me in a hug trying to calm me down.
"Please don't cry, sweetheart. It breaks my heart to see you this way."
He wipes the tears from my face as I try my best to stop crying. "These aren't sad tears, they're happy ones. I've never had someone save my life till I met you guys. I'm just happy to know someone cares about me."
At this moment we stand there hugging one another as a family would. Like a father would his daughter. Sergei better watch out because he may have an army, but I have a feeling Giovanni Lucchese has a bigger one and more connections than most. He releases me and Lucien touches my shoulder.
"He's awake and wants to see you."
I'm afraid to even see what he looks like right now but also excited to see him at the same time. I need to see him and let him know how thankful I am he saved my life. I admit he was a pain in my ass at first but now things have changed between us.
Even though we don't love each other, it doesn't mean we don't care about each other. We have a deep connection that nobody can take from us. We were both abused and broken souls at one time, but I am ready to move forward in my life just as soon as Sergei is taken care of and out of our lives for good. I need him just like he needs me. We are both each other's weaknesses, but at the same time, we are each other's strength. We're stronger together and this time I'm not afraid to feel these strange emotions I've been feeling.
I push the door open and he's laying down on the couch looking so lost. I instantly wrap my arms around his neck careful not to hurt him.
"Alec, I thought I lost you." I whisper, "I was so scared I'd lost you."
No words need to be said as we lay together just grateful we still have each other. I watch him sleep as I caress his hair. I'm unable to sleep with all the drama that went down today.
First, it was Lucien and Caterina's jealousy for each other. I don't see why they don't just admit to each other they have a feeling for one another. I know I have no room to talk about having done the same thing with Alec, but my situation is a little different from theirs. They are best friends while Alec and I used to be enemies or so we thought. They've been best friends since they were kids and never have either one of them pushed for more than friends. I nudge Alec and he groans in pain.
"Get up Alec, we have to go home now."
Home.
Family.
That's something I thought I would never use together and now I am. A genuine smile spreads across my face as we drive back home. Alec questioned. "What has you smiling?" I bring his face closer to mine as I brush against his lips.
"I finally have somewhere to call home and people to call family."
Since the shooting, Giovanni has become more protective of me. He doesn't want me to go back to work until they've caught him and taken him down. I've been taking care of Alec and spending more time with him in the past week. He's still very protective but has been softer towards me. He still gives other people attitude, but when I'm around I seem to be the only one that can calm him down. I know Sergei is plotting to make a move soon, and I hope to God they catch him soon.
There was only one request I asked Giovanni and that is that I get to watch him suffer and die. It's what I need in order to move on with my life. I need to be there when he takes his last breath. I want my face to be the last thing he sees so it will haunt him when he goes to hell.
The estate has been tense and not just because of Sergei attacking us. It's because of what went down between Lucien and Caterina. Every time Caterina walks in the room, Lucien avoids eye contact then storms out. The same thing happens when Lucien walks into a room.
Now Alec and I know how they felt when we were constantly at each other's throats. I just hope they don't let this distract them when Sergei shows his face. If they do, then someone is bound to get hurt. I'm just afraid that someone is going to be me.