Relationship Status: Mafia

Chapter 46

Matsuo POV

Everything has gone to plan with my father's downfall. By now, I'm positive the news has reached him in Japan about his missing cargo that arrived in New York. Finding the cargo was an easy task, but taking care of the men that guarded the cargo had to be dealt with in a less-than-pleasant manner.
Most of the men were picked up by the feds after I moved the shipment, the others well, they're taking a swim.

The shipment is a large hassle to move discretely from the port to my penthouse and costs a great deal of money to get this done without any problems. Once the father's buyer hears of his shortcomings, they'll demand their payment back. This will cripple his business in New York, and the news will spread fast.

A satisfied grin rested on my face as the sun was set on the horizon. My new phone pinged with a message, a message from Anthony. He wants to meet again at the upcoming gala for our final deal. Alice won't be too happy that I'll have to bring her along, but I'm not letting her out of my sight ever again. Zhen entered my office, drawing my attention away from my phone.

"Nice to see you again." Zhen smirked.

I stood up with my phone in hand and began to walk out of my office, but Zhen grabbed my forearm.

"Have you done something about what I said yesterday?"

I look down at his hand, narrowing my eyes into slits, yet I still nod.

"So, have you talked to Alice?"

"This doesn't concern you." I bluntly state.

"Then answer this, you wish to keep the cop close to you?" Zhen watched me nod again. "Why?"

I jerk my arm out of his grasp and hastily exit my office, Zhen is stubborn to keep pressing into the matter further.

"You can't answer, or you don't want to answer. Which one is it?"

I swivel back, matching Zhen's glare. I'm seething with anger that I hit the wall instead of Zhen. He is not the source of my anger, so it would not be right to blame him for my confusion. He's only stating the truth that I'm too stubborn to see or acknowledge.

My answer would mean nothing now, not until I deal with my father. Until he's no longer a problem, I'll do whatever I can to make up the wrong I've done to Alice. Even if it means letting her go, I'll do it.

"Things are complicated." I turn to face him. "I'm keeping her by my side for now and nothing more."

Zhen shrugged, dropping his glare. "So, you only wish to be near the temple and not inside it."

I cringe at his metaphor, giving him a warning look before he backs away with his hands in the air. Zhen leaves the penthouse, and I'm left to face Alice since I've been working all day. Inside my bedroom, I switch on the lights to find my bed empty, and my heart sank. I step towards my bed. However, stop when I hear a groan coming from the couch.

Alice slept there in the most awkward and uncomfortable position imaginable. She still recovered from the injuries, so I decided it's best for her to sleep somewhere better suited for a good night's rest. I dim the lights just before walking around the couch where she lay and carefully lifted her in my arms. Alice nuzzled herself closer to me with her lips a mere centimeter away from my neck. A chill ran down my spine when her tiny breathing brushed against my skin. As quietly as possible, I walk across the floor in the direction of my bed.

Gently, I place her on top, the bed pulling the sheets over up to her chin. I watch as Alice rolled over to her side, snuggling against the pillows with her body like a child. At the window, I peek out of the gap. I steal a glance at the city before heading off to the shower. Eventually, I join Alice in bed, careful not to disturb or wake her because God knows she will freak out. For hours, I listened to her breath slow and steady until I noticed that she began to tremble in her sleep.

The sheets were all the way to her chin, but she still shook uncontrollably. I scoot closer, placing my hand on her forehead to find no abnormality in her temperature. Alice leaned into my touch, so I scooted closer and lay right beside her. My body became rigid when her hands reached out for my body, pressing herself against me.

Alice placed her head on top of my arm and face buried into my neck. Now, I begin to wonder how long this has been going on and how much she's had to endure all on her own. Without thinking, I stroked the back of her head, which seemed to soothe the trembling when she stilled in my arms.

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