SAVING GRACE II - HEAD AND HEART

SAVING ALESSANDRA

Two Months Later...

It was late Sunday morning, and Gregory and Julia were seated at the breakfast nook having bacon, eggs and baked beans with toast and orange juice for breakfast. "Oh, this is delicious," Gregory replied. "What would I ever do without you, honey?"

"You're not a bad cook yourself, you know that?" 

"I appreciate the compliment," Gregory replied and took another bite of bacon. 

They were quietly enjoying their food when Gregory's phone suddenly rang. He scowled and looked at the caller ID. It was Alessandra, his colleague. "It's Alessandra," he informed Julia. "Do you mind if I answer?" he asked. 

"No." Julia confirmed. 

Gregory answered the call to find Alessandra in tears on the other side. "Alessandra, are you okay?"

"No..." A brief silence fell on the other side of the phone, making Gregory even more worried. 

"Alessandra..."

"Can you come over to my house?"

Gregory gave a sigh. "I..." He pondered for a moment looking at Julia who also seemed worried. "I'll have to take it up with Julia first." 

"What's wrong?" Julia asked with a scowl. 

"I'll call you back, okay?" Gregory dropped the call and looked at Julia worried. "Alessandra asked me to go over to her house. It sounds like she is in trouble."

"You can go, Gregory. I don't mind."

"Are you sure?" 

"Yes, honey."

"You don't want to come with?"

Julia gently touched his hand. "No, I trust you, honey. Go and talk to her and see what's wrong."

"Is it okay if I take the Volkswagen? I don't want to swap cars now."

"Yes. I'll see you later and make you a nice bacon and egg toasted sandwich if you come home."

Gregory stood up followed by Julia. "I'll see you later, honey." He gave her a kiss. 

"Let me know what's going on." 

*****

Gregory parked the Volkswagen in the driveway of the mansion. He stepped out of the car and walked over to the front door before he rang the bell. Moments later Alessandra opened the door crying. She looked like she had been through a hammer mill. "Oh my God," he remarked shocked. 

"Come inside." 

Gregory stepped into the lobby and Alessandra closed the door behind them. He followed her to the dining room and watched as she sat down slowly and winced, clearly in pain. "What did that asshole do to you?" Alessandra sighed and moved a document that was laying on the table towards Gregory. "What is this?" Gregory asked concerned. 

"It's a contract," Alessandra replied sobbing. "I am not allowed to talk to anyone about my relationship with Luke and whatever he forces down on me."

"That son of a bitch is controlling you, Alessandra. It's not a relationship, he's using you for his own sick, perverted pleasure."

"If I talk to anyone, he'll sue. And he threatened me that he would hurt me if I dare go to anyone." Alessandra shifted in her chair and winced again.

Gregory scowled looking at her worried. "He hurt you, didn't he?" 

Alessandra reached out to the tazer on the table and placed it on the table between her and Gregory. Gregory gave a confused scowl. "You figure it out."