His Forbidden Mafia Princess

Chapter- Seven

Aleena- POV

“You really think you can outrun me?” Caldwell’s voice echoed in my head — sharp and way to sure of himself.

His cold blue eyes locked on mine, like he was reading every thought I had.

I twisted in his grip, but his hold was like iron.

I don’t usually get caught—not by bodyguards, not by anyone. And when did they screw up? They paid for it.

“You were too slow to notice. I was already gone,” I said, watching him try to play it cool. He didn’t even argue, just gave a nod.

“Well, congrats. You caught me,” I added with a shrug. “Maybe now, neither I nor my father will have to kill you for slipping up.” I glanced down at his hand. “Now let go.”

“No,” he said, firm. “Not until you’re back in your room.”

He yanked me a little closer, and I could feel how tense he was.

“Don’t give me orders,” I snapped.

“I’m not giving orders, Ms. Caruso,” he shot back, calm but with that edge in his voice.

I yanked at my wrist again. “Are you deaf? I said let go.”

“You’ll just take off again. And I’m not in the mood to chase you tonight.” His tone dropped cold. “You’ve already made wo—” He cut himself off.

“Made what?” I asked. But he just clammed up.

I shifted, twisting my arm fast toward the gap between his thumb and finger. It was quick and sharp his grip snapped open.

No wince. No anger. Just relief? Like he was glad I broke free.

I gave him a long glare, then turned away. I needed to get to the basement hideout, the one even my father didn’t know about. And I wasn’t about to let Caldwell find out either.

I walked off. He followed.

This time, he didn’t bother hiding his steps. Heavy footfalls trailed behind me, not like before when he snuck up on me like a d*mn ghost.

Back in the hallway, I spotted Nico on the couch, nursing a glass of whiskey. His eyes tracked me the second I walked in.

“Where did you go?” he asked, raising an eyebrow and that glass.

“Just went for a walk,” I said, casually, already heading to my room.

He didn’t say anything, just looked at my wrist. I tugged my sleeve down.

Then he stepped in front of me.

“What happened to your wrist?” he asked, voice low.

Before I could lie, Caldwell spoke up. “It’s my fault. I grabbed her. She was trying to run.”

I don’t know why, but I was ready to lie. Guess I didn’t want to make a big deal out of it.

But it was already too late.

Nico stood, grabbed Caldwell by the collar, and pulled his gun. “You don’t lay a hand on her,” he growled. “If she wants to run, let her.”

Caldwell didn’t even blink.

Then we heard her voice.

“What’s all the yelling about?” It was Anastasia, sounding way too sweet for the tension in the room.

“You’re staying here?” I asked, surprised.

“Yes. I mean, your father insisted I stay,” Anastasia said, shrugging. “I don’t have a driver, and on top of that, you know it’s dangerous out there. Your family’s a target.” She is liar.

“I see,” I said flatly.

She tilted her head. “Why does Nico look so pissed?”

“Nothing,” I replied, brushing it off. Nico holstered his gun and gave Caldwell a shove. Caldwell just stood there watching me and Anastasia, cold as ever. The two of them were locked in a silent standoff.

“Care to join me for a drink?” Anastasia asked, trying to break the tension.

“Sure,” I said, not really in the mood but going along with it.

Nico sat beside me. Caldwell took the seat to my right. Anastasia sat across from me, legs crossed, already sipping her drink.

“So, how’d you two start dating?” she asked, eyes flicking between me and Nico.

“I’m not really in the mood for romance talk. That’s not my thing,” I said, taking a sip. “But if you want to talk code or tech? I could lecture all night.”

She looked at me with annoyance. Whatever. I’ve dealt with that look before back in college, when being a nerd wasn’t cute or cool. I pushed the feeling away. I wasn’t that girl anymore.

I leaned back. “What about you? You used to date Nico, right?”

Nico stiffened.

She smirked darkly, giving him a look like she was mentally undressing him right there.

“Don’t even go there,” Nico cut in. “Don’t bring up anything about our past, not tonight.”

“What, scared she’ll spill some dirty secrets?” I asked, teasing him, even though I didn’t even know where that was coming from. Nico just looked at me like he couldn’t believe what I’d said. I couldn’t either.

“You know,” Anastasia said, “you’re the reason we even got together in the first place.” Nico shot her a warning glare.

I blinked. “What? I don’t remember any of that. It feels like I met you both for the first time not long ago.”

She rolled her eyes again. “Still haven’t gotten your memories back, huh?”

Her tone hit me sideways like a slap in the face wrapped in silk.

“Enough, Anastasia. Shut up,” Nico snapped.

“What’s going on, Nico?” I asked, feeling my stomach twist.

Anastasia didn’t wait. “You see that guy next to you?” She nodded toward Caldwell. “You don’t remember him either?”

Before I could answer, Nico grabbed her arm and pulled her out of the room.

“You should’ve died that day,” she spat over her shoulder, her voice full of hate.

The words hit hard, like a punch straight to the chest. What did I ever do to her?

I turned to Caldwell.

“Do I know you?” I asked quietly.

His blue eyes drilled into me, unreadable.

“No,” he said. “That woman’s drunk. Jealous. She’s mad you’ve got her ex.”

But something in his eyes didn’t match his words. I felt it in my gut twisting with the sense that he wasn’t telling the truth. There was something more.

What kind of memory had I lost?

Maybe he was right. Maybe Anastasia was just bitter. Maybe she was jealous and angry, like I stole something that was hers.

But I couldn’t tell her the truth, not if it risked everything. Not when I had to protect my sister. If she went to my father and told him what she knew. I’d be done for.

“You should be sleeping,” Nico’s voice cut through my thoughts.

I blinked, my gaze drooping. Warmth surrounded me Caldwell on one side, Nico on the other. For a second, I felt safe.

“I’m fine…” I muttered. I wasn’t, not even close. “You should date her, Nico. I don’t want to steal anyone’s man.”

“You’re not stealing me from her,” Nico said, voice low. “If anything. it’s the—”