Choosing Jada [Book 2]

New Trouble

I sat across from a furious Alessio nervously. I managed to get Matteo to sleep as we stood outside on the balcony of his room. Alessio. I felt truly uneasy standing next to him. I had no idea what was going on, but I knew it was something seriously bad. I looked over Alessio's face, trying to read his emotion, but it felt impossible. I felt uncomfortable around him, and I couldn't think of the right words to ask without imagining him blowing a fuse, so we stayed silent for what felt like an eternity.

"My brother, Luca, was murdered," Alessio finally said into the silence. 

I let in a swift breath. Luca could be annoying, but I didn't hate him. Not like this. I could have never imagined someone would hurt him. It was like the flood gates opened, and I began crying. I felt like I had little control over my crying, but I felt like crying. I didn't want people to get hurt or killed. Was it because of me? Was this retaliation for us fighting back?

 
In my spiral, I felt Alessio wrap his arm around me protectively. I cried for Luca, a sentence I never thought would happen, but neither did I think he would have ended up dead. I felt like an idiot, unable to keep myself together while enjoying his comfort and embrace. It had felt so comfortable and at ease, which had me feeling scared and uneasy. I stayed in the hug for a bit longer than I wanted before breaking the hug. I had assumed Alessio would have let me go, but even as I created some space, he kept one hand on my lower back softly.

 
"I'm sorry about Luca. I didn't mean for-"

 
"Don't cry, signoria. I know you didn't mean any of this. I don't blame you," he said.

 
He wiped the tears that fell down my face before gently pulling me closer. I let out a small gasp of surprise. I didn't need to be any closer to him; Alessio was a scary man. The scariest part about me was convincing me to actually love him. My heart beats just a little faster. His eyes scanned my face for a moment, and I felt a wave of familiarity wave over me. It felt like we had it over a year ago, but things were not the same anymore. I was not the same girl. I finally had the courage to move his hand away and take a step back. His face shifted, visibly upset in the moment, before he went into a blank, cold look on his face.

"Have you heard anything else? Are you going to let me know what we are going to do? It is way too dangerous. Matteo is not safe."

His shoulders dropped as he relaxed himself.

"Right now, we are at a disadvantage. Our connection needs to be stronger. My father will be reaching out soon so we can coordinate on his end. We will have to leave here in a few hours. There is a safe hotel where we can stay for now."

"How long do we have to keep running?" I asked him.
"I really wish I knew. This can't go on forever. But I will have this end sooner rather than later."

I let out a sigh, disappointed in having to drag Matteo through something I wished so hard to avoid. And, as if on cue, Matteo began to cry, ending our conversation. I watched as Alessio turned to look in through the sliding glass door. He went first, retrieving our son from the bed, who had somehow woken himself up. Alessio looked a bit unsure, but he held him over his shoulder and gave him soft pats. I couldn't help but admire his attempt to be a dad. He wasn't as angry or rough as my pregnant brain had deluded me into. It might have been better just to stick around. We would have already been safe anyway. Instead, I got caught up in someone else's scheme. I feel like a pawn and still like an idiot.

It didn't take long for a quick dinner to arrive, and then we headed out on another car ride, this time with Alessio. We entered the lobby of the hotel. I held Matteo sprawled against my chest. The light didn't seem to disturb him too much. Alessio had dressed himself in a crisp suit, a dark gray color with a black button. His right arm was not through the suit jacket, as he still had the sling on. His suit fit him perfectly, and I couldn't help but admire his body yet again. He was still fine. I hated it. But I looked like a burned piece of bread next to him. I had to wear a t-shirt I tucked into an oversized pair of sweatpants, courtesy of Alessio. I looked like a messy baby mama. I despised it. I felt stupid next to this overdressed, powerful man and his baby. But there was a "rush" and there was no time to shop, which is not what I asked.

"Hello," the front desk woman said. I stood two steps away from Alessio. The hotel receptionist smiled this almost flirty smile at Alessio. I rolled my eyes. They couldn't help but throw themselves at him.

"Reservation?"

"Yes, a big, large one. Under Bucceri," Alessio told her. He leaned onto the counter and closer to the blonde. I swear, nothing caught him more than a pretty blonde woman. Well, at least he could focus on someone else other than me.

"Oh my! Yes! Please follow me up. We have all our accommodations prepared, sir," she said, quickly moving from behind the counter. I began to step forward, and the woman shot me a dirty look. I knew what she was doing, but I ignored her. I knew the type of judgment given when I didn't fit the part. But she couldn't help herself but show off.

"Excuse me, ma'am, we will be with you in a moment; we have a VIP guest," she told me.

"Typical. Alessio, can you hold your son, please?"

He already has his attention on me. I passed him the sleeping boy.
"You assumed wrong. Go find me your manager, now!" I told her. She looked startled as she looked at Alessio.

"My wife said, Move, you move," Alessio snapped at the shocked woman. She scurried off as Alessio rocked himself.

"Wife?"

He shot me his playful smile. I didn't even respond to him. He was teasing me. He must have thought I was jealous. I don't know what I could be jealous of—just being treated like I didn't exist. Clearly, we came in together, so why wouldn't you assume we were together rather than apart? There was no way he was out dressing me. If I'm stuck with this idiot again, I might as well be able to enjoy the few nice perks. I'm not standing next to him like a bum anymore. The manager came rushing out not too long after our brief exchange.

"I am so sorry for any offense to your beauty. That associate will be dealt with properly. If there is anything I can get you before you settle in your room," the man asked.

"I don't want her working with us. Then we just need a crib for our son; that's all I can think of."

The man nodded quickly before handing us both hotel room keys. He then led us to a special entrance to a private elevator. He opened the elevator and pressed the button for P2.

"The crib will be up shortly; feel free to call us for anything you need; we shall not delay," the manager added before stepping out. I turned to see Alessio holding a still-sleeping Matteo against his chest. I watched the boy's chest rise and fall before my eyes drifted up to Alessio. He looked calmly forward, then turned to see me and let himself smile. He had the biggest ego ever.

"Don't flatter yourself. You looked at me first."

"Sure," he said sarcastically.

I scoffed, and then the elevator went quiet. It didn't take much longer for us to reach our destination. I followed Alessio as we walked down a short hallway. He swiped his hotel key before opening the door. We entered the entrance way; to the left was a huge open space. I followed through that walkway, which opened to a high ceiling and a huge chandelier. I had no clue where I was going, but I kept following the path. I passed a dining room and found myself in a living room with couches and a huge grand piano.

"Alessio?" I called out into the echo room. I soon regretted that as I heard the cries of Matteo, who wasn't too far away. He appeared from around the corner with the crying baby. I let out a short sigh, knowing I messed up.