Page 13 of Casino King

“Why not? I’m fine, and I want to go back to my apartment.”

“You can stay in one of my guest rooms tonight. I want you safe.”

“I’m plenty safe at my apartment. I’m not anticipating another incident as I’m sure you took care of him in the basement when you left before.” Alec’s eyes momentarily dart over to Enzo, giving him a sharp glare at the mention of the basement like I was never supposed to know about it.

“What did you do to him?” I ask softly.

“Don’t ask a question you’re not ready to hear the answer to, bella,” he says, and a chill runs through me. I think he did more than just rough him up.

Darting my eyes away, I try and decide how I feel about that. But Alec doesn’t give me time to, because he places a finger under my chin and lifts my gaze back to his, all thoughts leaving my brain. “Stay tonight. I don’t want you alone.”

“I have work tomorrow.”

“That has nothing to do with tonight.”

His eyes are dark, pulling me in like two black holes until I feel like I’m free-falling into them, not knowing where I’ll end up.

“Okay.” The word is spoken as if he reached inside of me and pulled it out himself.

“Good. Are you hungry?” He leans back in his chair and breaks eye contact, allowing me to blink out of my hypnotized state.

“No. I’m just tired.”

“I’ll show you where you can sleep.” Standing, he takes a sip of his whiskey and then holds his hand out for me. I stare at it for a second too long, contemplating how touching him would feel, before I tentatively place my smaller one in his.

His warmth immediately envelopes me and I feel a current travel up my arm, straight to my chest.

I don’t know this feeling. I’m both scared and excited. Calm and wound up. I’m unsure of everything aside from my desire to stay the night.

Walking down the hallway, we pass a few closed doors before he opens one on the right.

Silently, I step inside before him and look around, clenching my jaw to keep it from dropping to the floor.

It’s amazing.

Floor to ceiling windows line the exterior wall, giving me a view of the opposite side of the city and ocean from the living room’s windows. I have the urge to go over to them to take it all in, but his hand surrounding mine anchors me to where I stand.

“The sun is bright in the morning, so you might want to close the curtains,” he says as I look at the large, king-sized bed that looks like heaven waiting for me.

“Okay,” I say softly, the quiet of the room loud to my ears.

“My sister stays with me when she’s in town, so you should have whatever you need in the closet and bathroom, which is right through there.” He lifts his chin to the door off to the right. “Use whatever you need. Wear whatever you want. She’ll never know it’s gone.”

“Okay,” I repeat. I don’t know what else to say. I’m feeling overwhelmed at being out of my element in a place like this, and my exhaustion isn’t helping either.

“I’m in the next room over, so if you need anything, just knock.” His eyes turn a shade darker, and I have to look away with all the images I’m starting to have of us in this big bed after telling him exactly what I need.

“Okay,” I whisper, feeling like an idiot that that’s all I can come up with to say for the third time.

Releasing my hand, I feel the loss immediately as his eyes slowly roam over me before silently leaving the room. The click of the door closing makes me physically relax now that I’m alone.

Why am I here?

Why did I agree to stay?

Not that I had much say in the matter, but still. I could have had more of a backbone and insisted that I leave. Although I wouldn’t have been able to use the elevator without either him or Enzo anyhow, so I’m essentially imprisoned here until Alec says I can go. Well, imprisoned is a strong word considering I caved rather quickly to his demand that I stay the night by simply looking into his eyes.

I liked the idea of him wanting me to be safe too much to put up much of a fight. I haven’t had that in a very long time – someone looking out for my safety. Not since my brother.

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