Crimson Roses

Chapter 37-Part One

Sofia's POV

I sat across Alekso in a nearby bar and leaned back against the chair and crossed my arms over my chest and leg over the other. I refused to show any emotion that could give away my position. Is he the reason why I heard rustling in the bushes when I was talking to Jin? Or did he figure it out earlier? Did he even tell Kayla or...Romano?

"Relax, I didn't tell anyone.", Alekso stated, breaking the ice between us and giving my mind peace. For now only.

I internally sighed. It's no use hiding it.

"How did you figure it out?", I asked him.

"There were some idiots...they followed Kayla.", Alekso answered.

Romano did tell me that this happened as we were on our way back to the hotel. He also told me that Kayla and Alekso are okay. But I needed to hear it for myself.

"I heard of that already. Is...she okay?", I asked him.

"She is.", Alekso answered.

There was a moment of uncomfortable silence and I glanced back down at the ground.

"I want...no...I need your help.", Alekso said, causing me to frown and to raise my head up to lock eyes with his.

"What...?", My voice trailed off.

"I want in on what you're planning.", Alekso said.

I narrowed my eyes. Is he a smartass or has he just been keeping tabs on me? Either way...I can't let anymore people get involved and get hurt.

"I'm not sure what you're talking about. We already have everything sorted out and I'll be leaving soon.", I said.

"Come on!", Alekso exclaimed as he abruptly leaned forward, I could see the desperation in his eyes. He didn't care about the attention he ended up drawing to himself.

But why?

"Please...I...I really really like Kayla and I really want to protect her.", Alekso confessed.

My jaw slowly dropped and my arms slowly uncrossed as I put my hands on the table and leaned forward.

"Why are you telling me this? What about Kai?", I asked.

"Kai...after you 'died'...he's been on his own. Kayla has no family to hold on to.", Alekso said. "The only family she had truly was Reigna and Romano. Gosh...I've never seen a mafia boss like Romano drop everything aside along with the most important meetings, rushing just because a little girl had a nightmare about her sister dying."

My eyes soften.

"He did...?", My voice softened.

"Almost every night until she got so attached to him that she had to stay at his family's house for the weekends. He never allowed anyone to ever stay in his office whenever they wanted to. They're just there to get business going and to get out.", Alekso said.

Did he....really care for her...or did he do it out of obligation.

"Why didn't you confess your feelings to her?", I asked him.

"Because her mind has been set on finding you.", Alekso lied to me.

"You're lying to me. What's the real reason?", I asked and narrowed my eyes.

"She likes Ryker.", he answered, earning a slight frown from me.

"That's odd.", I commented.

I was unaware that Alekso didn't continue the conversation about Ryker liking me because he didn't want me to feel bad.