Chapter four

Kim's eyes adjusted to the ray of light as she peeked them open. She had a pounding headache. Placing her palm against her head, she tried to sit up. Memories of last night flashed through her mind. She had come close to a near-death experience, and someone had saved her—the man from the bar, the mysterious, grumpy guy.

*Where was she?* she thought as her eyes adjusted to the room. This wasn't a hospital. It looked like a five-star hotel room with exquisite taste, and there she was, lying on a queen-sized bed. She had at least expected to wake up in a hospital and reach out to the cops—after all, she had witnessed a crime scene. More memories rushed back. The mystery man who had saved her had shot someone. *He killed someone.* She could still remember how he had walked up to her with a pistol in his hand and crouched down to catch her before she blacked out.

Her thoughts were interrupted when the door to the room opened, and Alessio walked in. She immediately sat up, struggling to maintain her composure. He might have saved her, but she had seen him shoot someone. She had every reason to be afraid of him. And to top it off, he had brought her to what seemed like a hotel instead of a hospital.

"I see you're awake," he commented, leaning against the bedroom shelf.

Kim kept her gaze on him. "Yes," she managed to croak out.

"Can you remember any details from last night?" he asked as he lit a cigarette.

Kim stammered, struggling to find her words. "Not really. I remember witnessing three murder scenes—oh God." She paused, swallowing the hard lump that had formed in her throat before continuing. "I was being chased by one of the men, and then he caught up to me… he tried to kill me. And then you showed up and killed him instead. And then… I just blacked out," she said, her voice breaking into sobs.

Alessio nodded affirmatively, taking the cigarette from his lips and blowing smoke into the air.

"Yeah, that's right," he said.

"Why did you bring me here instead of a hospital?" she demanded.

"Why? You don't find the services rendered to your taste? Or would you have preferred that I left you unconscious in that cold, dreadful alley?"

Kim stammered, nervous. "No! Don't get me wrong. I'm grateful—you saved my life. I just thought I'd be in a hospital by now, giving my statement to the cops and… seeking a therapist."

Alessio laughed out loud—a deep rumble of laughter that revealed his perfect set of teeth. This was the first time Kim had seen him laugh. During their brief encounters, she had seen him chuckle and smirk, but never laugh. *What could be so funny?*

"You really think you could report this to the cops and not be murdered before you even finish writing your statement?" His tone was amused but dark. "This is more serious than you think. Hell, I did you a favor by saving your life. You should be grateful and start thinking about what to do with your second chance. You look like a smart girl. You should know better than to be a telltale—if you cherish your life."

"But they killed two cops and a woman… and you also killed a man."

Alessio interrupted her before she could finish. "Two men, actually," he corrected, his voice void of remorse as he took another drag of his cigarette.

"Oh my God. What is really going on here? Who are these people? Who *are* you?" Her voice was frantic as she pressed her hands against her forehead.

"You walked into business last night—mafia-related business. Wrong place, wrong time for you, dear. The Marchetti family doesn't like to leave loose ends. If I hadn't interfered, you'd be at heaven's doorstep by now."

"Mafia? As in *the* mafia? The big, dangerous mafia?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Alessio muttered in Italian, *"Penso di averlo già detto."* (I think I already made that clear.) "Yes, yes," he added when he noticed Kim staring at him blankly, not understanding what he had said.

"Oh my God. What do I do? I mean… am I safe?" she asked desperately.

"If you follow instructions, then yes. You can stay here for now while I look into it. Let's just hope there isn't already a bounty on your head."

"A bounty?" Kim's breathing quickened. "Why would they care about me? I swear on my mother's name—I won't talk! I won't say a word, I promise." Tears welled up in her eyes.

"Me saving you was both a blessing and a curse. If they find out it was me who killed their men, they'll want revenge. And if they suspect that you mean something to me, a bounty *will* be placed on your head." His tone was casual, almost indifferent. "For your sake, let's hope no one else saw what happened last night. *See no evil, hear no evil,* and you'll be just fine."

Alessio crushed his cigarette in the ashtray.

"Where am I?" she asked.

"One of my houses. You're safe here," he assured her, smoothing out his suit jacket while keeping his gaze on her.

"What about school? Work? My family?" It was too much to process at once. She needed time.

"Work and school will have to be on hold. And your family should be fine for now. Do they live around here?"

"No, they live far away." Kim hesitated, then raised an eyebrow. "So… do you bring every girl you save into your home?"

"I don't save people," Alessio said flatly. "In fact, I do the opposite." His face was stern, his voice devoid of emotion.

"Then why did you save me?" Her eyes locked onto his, searching for an answer.

"I don't like seeing innocents get hurt."

"Thank you." Her voice was softer now, more vulnerable. "I really appreciate what you've done for me." She lowered her gaze, nervously picking at her fingernails.

Before Alessio could respond, a knock at the door interrupted their conversation. An agile-looking man entered the room, dressed in a crisp suit. Kim's eyes immediately caught sight of the gun poking out from his jacket.

"The car is ready," Diego informed Alessio.

Alessio nodded, and Diego left.

"Well, I think that will be all for now. I have to head out. If you need anything, there are men and domestic workers around the house to attend to you. Breakfast is ready. When you feel like it, you can head to the dining room."

"Wait!" Kim interrupted just as Alessio was about to exit with Diego. "What do I do?" She looked completely lost.

"Rest. And pray the Marchetti family hasn't put a bounty on your head yet," he said casually before turning to leave.

"Wait!" she called out again.

Alessio paused, raising an irritated eyebrow. He was growing impatient.

"Who *are* you?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Alessio replied dryly, "I'm Alessio." His tone made it clear that was all she was getting.

Then, he was gone.

Kim collapsed back onto the bed, her mind racing.