The Mafia Assassin

Chapter Twenty Seven

Nicholas' expression changed to something darker, like anger, irritation, or perhaps something else she couldn't identify before Alison had a chance to grasp what he had spoken. "You just had to go looking, didn’t you?" His speech was calm, but there was no mistaking the rage in his eyes. Alison clutched her arms and swallowed. "I didn’t mean to—"

"Don’t," he interrupted her. "You're not allowed to explain yourself. Asking questions about topics you don't need to understand is not acceptable. She had not anticipated the reaction from him.

This was more than just rage; it was something more profound and seemed a bit personal. She whispered, "You're overreacting," as her annoyance increased. Nicholas laughed bitterly. Are you overreacting? Do you believe this to be a game? You are the one sticking your nose to businesses that don't concern you. Alison's jaw tightened. "No, but I should be informed as to why I'm being hunted”

“ You're acting dumb like you don't know why you are being chased,” he replied, but Alison knew it was more than that.

Nicholas moved so fast she barely saw it coming—he grabbed her wrist, his grip firm but not painful, his face inches from hers. "You have forgotten I kept you alive," he said through clenched teeth. "Your life is mine you have to get that into your thick skull and behave"

“It's because of her, right” Alison dared to ask. “ She is the reason I am still alive”

Nicholas pushed her roughly against the wall. “ Shut up unless I shut you up; you have no right to talk about her, do you understand?” There was something in the way he looked at her that got her a bit scared. He pulled her walking. Alison tried to pull away, but his hold only tightened for a second before he let go. She took a shaky breath, but before she could say anything else, he turned on his heel and strode toward the door. "You're staying in here," he said coldly. Alison's stomach dropped. "Wait—" Before she could protest, Nicholas slammed the door shut and locked it. She rushed forward, grabbing the handle and twisting, but it wouldn't budge. "Nicholas!" she shouted, pounding on the door. "You can’t just—"

She wanted to scream, but instead, she turned and backed away, breathing heavily. "Go to sleep, Alison," he said, his voice coming from the other side, but it was far away as if he was already leaving. He had locked her in, and she wanted to scream, but instead, she turned and backed away, breathing heavily. Nicholas was concealing more than she realized, and now she was trapped.

Hours passed and Alison had finally given up on hitting the door. It was as if Nicholas turned deaf to her pleas. She wondered how close he was to the girl to react that way. Judging from how he was smiling in the photos, they were extremely close. Perhaps in love. Alison couldn't imagine Nicholas in love. The photos shocked her to the core. Seeing him smiling was so strange. He was used to his constant nonchalant attitude. She was aware she struck a chord. She wondered what happened to him to have become this way.

She didn't have the time to tell him about the incident. The man from earlier—the one who had come to the door, the one who had known her name—she hadn't told Nicholas about him, and now… she was afraid of what he'd do if she did. Judging from how he acted, she knew his reaction was going to be dreadful.

Tonight, she had seen something terrifying in Nicholas' eyes, something dangerous.