Binding Scars

Chapter 19

Allison's gaze was fixed on him, but it wasn't the chill of the wind against her cheeks that unsettled her. It was the reality that Niles had summoned her to a boat at 1 a.m., and his crew had steered them into oblivion. It was the sight of a man, drenched in blood, kneeling before them, absorbing the blows from Niles. It was the presence of a casket nearby; no, it was the revelation that the man was a spy for his father.

The man moaned with each hit, yet Niles posed no questions. He never did. But did he discern the truth from the lies? He had been sifting through his memories for the last quarter-hour. The assault was merciless, primal. Each strike carried a fury, a lack of humanity; Allison's stomach knotted, her breathing shallow, terror clear in her eyes. She trembled, momentarily loathing her amnesia of this aspect of him-a side rumored but never witnessed.

"Throw him in," Niles commanded, and his henchmen hoisted the man into the casket. The man, nearly unconscious moments before, now thrashed and wailed, his screams piercing as they cast the coffin into the sea. Niles cleaned his hands behind her as she observed, feeling trapped in a nightmarish reverie, desperate to awaken.

WAKE UP!

Her own scream roused her; it had all been a dream. She felt the bed's fabric beneath her fingers, her gaze darting around the room until it landed on Neyra.

"Good morning," Neyra greeted, approaching the window.

Allison remained silent, her attention drawn to a glint of silver on her finger-a stunning diamond wedding ring. Her eyes widened as she met Neyra's gaze, then returned to the ring.

"He's back, he arrived last night while you slept," Neyra informed her.

A faint smile graced Allison's lips as she admired the ring, yet her thoughts lingered on the dream. It was a dreadful vision-would he resort to murder if he discovered her secret? The man she dreamed of despised his father, and the notion that she was plotting her escape with his aid.

"Are you okay?" she asked, her gaze fixed on Neyra who was now at her bedside.

"I was in the middle of telling you something, and you seemed distant."

"I'm fine," Neyra replied, shaking her head.

"What were you saying?"

"He's in a meeting in his office; he requested that I drive you somewhere."

"What kind of meeting?"

"I'm not sure, but I overheard the guards. He's kicked out his father from the cartel."

That statement captured her full attention.

"Out?"

The situation was spiraling out of control, far too quickly for her comfort. What did this mean? Was he severing ties with his own father?

She climbed out of bed and headed to the bathroom. After a quick shower, she dressed in black waxed pants, high boots, and a turtleneck. She moved briskly around the room, as if late for a flight, but it was the brewing storm in her mind that had her on edge, ready to explode.

Neyra trailed her as she hastened to his study, despite having been preparing for the last hour. She arrived just in time to interrupt the meeting, slamming the door open. The chill in the air tousled her hair as she entered, feigning ignorance of the disruption she'd caused to the three men's meeting.

She began rummaging through his drawers, the noise drawing the attention of the two men-one familiar, the other a stranger. They watched in bewilderment as she continued her search.

"Neyra," Niles called, and she appeared as if she had been there all along.

"Mr. Alexandre..." she began, her expression pleading to be left out of the situation, but he waited.

Allison was still tossing keys around, searching intently. Her expression was a mix of anger and determination, which didn't go unnoticed by those at the table.

"She's looking for something," Neyra started.

"I can see that," Niles cut in.

He looked from Allison back to Neyra, who shrugged helplessly. He exhaled deeply.

"I mentioned I was in a meeting and didn't want to be disturbed," he reminded Allison.

Allison let out a scoff, as if to say if he really wanted her attention, then he had got it-

"What is this?" she inquired, presenting her wedding ring to him

"A ring," he responded.

She nodded; her gaze fixed intently on him.

"Everyone, leave," she commanded.

Neyra exited first, followed by the two men who glanced at Niles for any objection. Receiving none, they rose and headed for the door.

"We'll wait outside," they announced, departing.

"All-"

"You ousted your father from the family without an explanation. Why?"

"What?"

"Does this ring hold any significance for you?"

"It signifies marriage."

"That wasn't my question."

Silence was his only reply.

"Do as you please, Niles, but consider the consequences of tearing your family apart. Your father may have started it, but the choice to continue is yours. It's a choice between family and the cartel."

With that, she raised her wedding ring for emphasis, crossed the room, grabbed the keys, and left. He immediately grabbed his phone to make a call.

"She's on the bike; keep her in sight," he ordered, his voice tinged with desperation.

He slumped back into his chair, running his hands through his hair, frustrated. Why did he have to conduct these meetings at home? She always disrupted them.

"That was intense, Alexandre. She truly is your equal," the tyrant chuckled, eyeing the vexed Niles and the exit.

"She's stunning. Does she have a sister?" He joked with a smirk seeing how worked up Niles was. She was really important to him. He could tell.

Niles shot him a look, annoyance flickering across his features.

"Enough, Killian," Allon interjected, watching Niles closely.

For Niles, clarity seemed to evade him whenever Allison was involved. To Allon, it wasn't just attraction; there was something more profound about her. Niles once described her as an enchantress, a woman he'd follow into fire, kill for without hesitation, and for whom he'd conquer the world at a mere gesture. She was his dangerous obsession, his heart responding to her mere presence, his body involuntarily reacting.