Page 6 of Pretty Girl

Chapter Six

It was difficult to see the man who had been such a gentleman and kind to her as a cold-hearted criminal. At this point, man in green tie—which Sophie still doesn’t know the name of—was scarier than the alleged crime boss.

“He doesn’t care about you,” he hissed, face twisted in pity. “Lafayette isn’t some prince charming ready to swoop in and carry you off into the sunset. You’ve been here for two hours and he isn’t here to get you out.”

Green tie man wasn’t even looking at her anymore, he cast a nonchalant side glance to the wall behind her.

“Goes to show you’re only a pawn in whatever game he’s playing.”

Her shoulders pulled back to protect and distance herself from the vicious man. Something about this man felt different, as if he was trying to drive a wedge between Alec and her through doubts and deception.

FBI interrogation tactic?

Probably.

“It’s not safe for you to be with him,” his tone turned soft, and red flags raised in the back of her mind.

Her lips pressed tightly as she refused to make eye contact with him. This might have been a good time to ask for a lawyer if he hadn’t said what he said.

“Your apartment was set on fire.”

Oh dear, she just had to jinx herself earlier.

“What?”

“Three hours ago, we got a call that someone set fire to your apartment with kerosene accelerant. An explosion was caused, and it means that someone wanted to make sure you’re dead.”

A loud buzzing sound rung in her ears as she stared into thin air because everything was just happening too fast.

First, she was arrested for whatever vague charges the man had thrown at her, interrogated for what felt like hours in sore muscles and fatigue, and now he’s telling her that her home was set on fire because someone wanted to kill her for being a waitress to a mafia boss.

Nightmare, she chanted in her mind. This had to be a nightmare.

“He’s not worth protecting, Miss Hayes—”

The door snapped open to reveal a furious Alec and a man with a briefcase, along with two muscular bodyguards. Tension in the air was so thick that Sophie wished the floor would open and swallow her whole.

“Do not say another word, Miss Hayes.” the man with lean muscles set the briefcase on the table and turned to the agent with green tie.

“What are you charging my client with?”

The lawyer bantered back and forth the agent while Alec drowned out the noise with his mind set on looking for injuries on Sophie.

She felt a callous hand turn her to face Alec, blue eyes held anger and softness. Odd combination, but he was able to convey his feelings silently.

“We’re leaving,” he took her hand and use the slightest pull to get her to stand on her tender ankles.

The warmth of his palm trailed down her cool skin as she shivered. His coat draped over her shoulders protectively, engulfing her smaller one in a manner that spoke volume to how much he treasured her.

She can smell the clean and soothing scent from him, it made her want to bury her face in his neck and curl into his large body. Sophie squeezed his hands, searching for comfort, anything to ground her to reality.

Alec tightened his grip and pulled her to his chest, his other hand came up to her neck and rubbed soothing circles on her pulse.

Sophie felt safe in his arms even if his hands were soaked in blood.

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