Taste of it

Chapter 18: A Dangerous Confrontation

We walk back to the kitchen island where I perch on one of the stools and Gabriel laps up the breakfast that Harriet has prepared, Jace already helping himself to the left overs on the stove.

"So what's going on back home, Lex?" He asks, shovelling in a rasher of bacon into his mouth.

I shrug. "Same old s**t," I murmur. "That's why I'm here of course."

Jace frowns as he turns back to me. "Gabriel said."

"One of their missions didn't really go to plan and they targeted the wrong person," I admit. "They were given misleading information and they f****d up. Now they've got targets on their heads and said that I have to come live here because they can't guarantee my safety anymore."

He winces. "Well that's f*****g shit." "They're getting too old for this stuff now," I grumble, winding my dark hair up into a bun with a clip. "I think they need to leave their youth behind and learn how to live a normal and safe retirement."

Gabriel chuckles and shakes his head. "Yeah right," he scoffs. "Dad would rather die than live a boring life."

I close my eyes and glance out of the window. "But they're not as agile as they once were. Sometimes you need to give up these things."

"Go tell that to them then," he gives me the side eye. "Tell me how it works out."

My finger raises to flip him off across the counter.

"Where's Lonzo?" Jace asks.

Gabriel shrugs. "Yesterday was a bit of a stressful day. Wouldn't put it past him to have a bit of some time in. Pretty sure he brought some girl back last night."

I find myself sucking in a silent breath and glance down at the counter. "s**t, yesterday that bad?"

My eyes float to Gabriel who then looks at me. He shakes his head. "Not here, later."

I resist the urge to roll my eyes but I glance away and stand from the stool, clearing away my plate and cup. "Speak of the devil," Jace says from behind me and I already know Lonzo has made an appearance without having to turn around.

"You're early," Lonzo grumbles. "That makes a change."

"Came to see Alexia," Jace admits and I finally turn away from the dishwasher to face Lonzo.

His dark eyes are already boring into mine as I twist to face the group again. "Charming of you to pay this brat a visit," he spits in my direction. "But each to their own."

"Lonzo," Gabriel practically growls.

I find my teeth grinding into my jaw. "I'm surprised you have anyone willing to work for you with that range of vocabulary. Brat... really? I sometimes wonder if you ever went to school to get a proper education."

As soon as the words leave my mouth, Jace stifles a laugh from beside me and then fails altogether. I don't dare look away from him as his eyes narrow and his chest tightens with irritation, even his fists begin to tighten.

Two can play that game.

"Right," Gabriel rasps through the tension. "Let's head to your office and get this sorted before the whole house is brought down."

Gabriel nudges Jace to follow them upstairs but Lonzo is staring back at me like he wants to put a bullet in my brain. I find myself smirking to myself, don't give what you can't take--in which Lonzo can take nothing because he is so far up his own ass.

"Lonzo," my brother snaps in his direction and I watch as he stalks away, jaw clenched with frustration.

I smile to myself and turn to Harriet who is clearing up Gabriel's mess. "Is he always such an asshole?" I ask.

Her bright blue eyes flick to me and she shrugs. "I'd rather not comment on Mr Mattia. I just work for him."

"Fair enough," I sigh and grab my university work from the living room. They will most likely be gone for the rest of the day and I will have to keep myself busy, despite knowing I've got another test coming up.

It's late into the evening and I've been tucked away in the dining room where no one appears to visit. It's quiet and peaceful and it gives me the most perfect view of the shimmering lake that looks so beautiful but I know it will be absolutely freezing at this time of year.

When my eyes begin to burn, I pack my things away and head for my bedroom. Before I even get a chance to exit the dining room, something grabs me by the throat and shoves me into the window.

I drop all of my books and pens, papers flying across the floor. My heart thrashes in my chest as I glance up at Lonzo in a black shirt rolled up to his sleeves and the top buttons undone.

His hand takes my throat tightly and holds me firmly against the wall, not allowing me to move. His eyes look vicious, deadly but I don't let him get a reaction. He deserves nothing from me, not even a flinch.

I stare back into those pitch black eyes and keep my head held high. Despite how his aftershave suffocates me and his large hand makes me quiver at the knees. I hate myself for thinking this way.

"You dare speak to me like that in front of Gabriel or Jace again and I will f*****g destroy you."

My lips quirk and I shake my head in his tight grip. "You'll destroy me?"