New place
1049 Words
Chapter Three
Alexia POV
I follow Harriet into the house and she takes me through the open-plan living room, one that looks across the view of a beautiful shimmering lake and trees beyond.
I carry my bags up the stairs before Gabriel breathes out a breath and takes my suitcase from me. I smile in success.
"Here will be your room, Alexia." Harriet turns to me before pushing open the door.
"Thanks," I tell her as Gabriel dumps my suitcase behind me.
Harriet is dismissed and I push my things into the room. Even for a spare bedroom it's heavenly. A queen double bed with an oak desk and wardrobe, shutters on the windows which can be opened.
"All good?"
"Better than home," I joke. Then I glance up at the ceiling.
A camera. Facing the bed.
"What—" I cut myself off. "Why is there a camera in my room?"
Gabriel shrugs. "There are cameras in every room in this house. They're needed for security."
I turn my head to him in shock. "But my bedroom. Who has access to it?"
"Lonzo does. But he doesn't access them unless he needs to."
My eyes ping open. "Are you crazy? Gabriel, I don't want some guy watching me get undressed."
He smirks to himself. "It's cute that you think he has time to watch you get undressed, Lex. I'm sure he's seen hundreds of women naked. I don't think watching you is going to do much for him besides bore him."
I'm still blinking rapidly. Of course. Every gang leader is a complete playboy. I wouldn't expect it any other way.
"I don't know if I'm okay with this."
"You're gonna have to be," he shrugs. "It's for your safety. For all of our safety."
Before I can say anything more he takes a step back and glances at me not to press further. Maybe he's right. Lonzo doesn't care about me. He cares about the safety of himself and his house.
Gabriel pats the door and beckons his head over his shoulder. "I'll let you get settled in or whatever. En-suite is just through here." He points to the door on the left side of my room. "Dinner will be ready and served in thirty minutes so be down by then."
"Sweet," I nod and he leaves me to it.
---
Once I have removed my clothes from my suitcase and hung them in my wardrobe and folded them neatly into my drawers, I get changed into something clean. In the corner of the room. Away from the camera.
I glance at my phone and head downstairs exactly thirty minutes later. Gabriel stands in the living room and turns off the TV.
"Sorted your stuff out?" he asks as I reach the last step.
"Most of it," I nod once.
Gabriel glances up at the top of the stairs.
I turn around to look at what he's staring at.
And now I understand.
A dark-haired man walks along the banister and then down the stairs. His head is held high and his shoulders are pushed back. He's wearing a white shirt which is tucked into trousers and his sleeves are rolled up to his elbows. When his body loops around the middle set of stairs he turns in our direction and I notice three of his buttons are undone.
Then my eyes shamelessly float to his face. Admiring all of his features.
Strong jawline. Chiselled cheekbones. Light stubble that covers his cheek and jaw.
I catch a glimpse of the tattoos on his forearms and they're nothing like my brother's. They're spread out across his skin, leaving gaps between them. He even has ink across his hands and I find myself clenching my own at the sight of him.
It's obvious he's the boss by the way his presence dominates the room with a certain type of energy.
He reaches the last step and adjusts his shirt, which is halfway rolled. He is stupidly tall. He almost takes up the whole room. Shoulders broad and spine straight.
Gabriel finally clears his throat to grab his attention and his dark, mysterious eyes find my brother.
"Lonzo." He starts. "This is my sister, Alexia. Alexia, this is Lonzo."
For a moment Lonzo drags his gaze over to my face. He takes one look at me and his expression is already bored.
Inside, my blood begins to heat. But I refuse to let his presence affect the way I am.
"Thank you for allowing me to stay in your humble abode." My tone comes out slightly sarcastic which earns me a jab in the ribs from Gabriel.
I wince internally but I don't react to his action. I just force a smile back at Lonzo who is looking at me like he wants to kill me.
Never have I seen eyes look so fierce and full of hatred in my life.
Lonzo says nothing in return and loops around me like I barely exist.
I turn to Gabriel instantly who raises his eyebrows at me. I shrug.
"Tough crowd," I mumble under my breath and he pushes my shoulder lightly.
"Play nice, I said."
I throw my hands up in defence and follow Gabriel to the kitchen and then the dining room.
---
I've never seen a bigger table in my life, especially considering only two of them actually live here. Food is already prepared and waiting for us at the table.
Lonzo sits at one end.
I purposely sit as far away from him as possible.
Thankfully Gabriel sits beside me so I don't look like a complete i***t.
We plate ourselves up with lasagne and fresh bread. Gabriel spoons his food into his mouth and turns to me.
"Was your flight okay?"
"Yeah, fine," I nod and push my fork through the pasta sheets.
My eyes fall on Lonzo's face as he spoons his food into his mouth. His eyes are firmly down and avoiding our gaze.
I'm relieved in a way. Because Gabriel was right. He is f*****g grumpy. Looks like he could kill at any given second.
But men like him do not scare or intimidate me.
I've met plenty of people like Lonzo. They think they rule the world but they're just deprived of life.
- Writer
