Chapter 26 ۵ Secrets

YARA'S POV

The house was shrouded in silence, but the tension hung in the air like a storm waiting to break. Alejandro's low, commanding voice rumbled through the living room as I descended the stairs, ignoring the part where I probably should've stayed in the room.

His back was to me, his posture impossibly straight, one hand holding a glass of amber liquor while the other rested at his side. Across from him sat two men who radiated danger. One was wiry, with sharp, darting eyes and a grin that screamed trouble. The other was broader, his face lined and cruel, his hands resting on his thighs like he was ready to pounce.

"I need full details" Alejandro said, his voice like a blade cutting through the air. "Locations, routes, the names of everyone in Edwardo's circle"

The wiry man chuckled, leaning back. "And you'll get it. But we're not in the business of charity. You know that"

"I don't barter" Alejandro replied smoothly, taking a slow sip of his drink. "You have what I want. Give it to me"

The grizzled man smirked, his gaze flickering lazily around the room before settling just beyond Alejandro. I attempted to quickly hide behind the wall. My chest tightened when his cold eyes landed on me, and I knew I'd been spotted.

"Got company?" the wiry man asked, his grin sharpening.

Alejandro turned slightly, his dark gaze cutting to where I stood halfway hidden in the shadows. His expression hardened, but he didn't acknowledge me directly. "Nothing that concerns you" he said flatly.

The grizzled man tilted his head, his smirk deepening. "Doesn't look like nothing to me"

Before Alejandro could stop him, the wiry man stood and moved toward me. I considered running, but the thought of showing fear to these men, or Alejandro, made me plant my feet.

"Well, well" the wiry man said, stopping a few steps from me. His eyes roamed over me in a way that made my skin crawl. "She's got a fire about her, doesn't she?"

"She does " Alejandro replied, his jaw tense.

I crossed my arms, glaring at the wiry man. "Do I look li-"

"Don't" Alejandro's sharp voice cut me off.

The man raised an eyebrow, clearly amused. "She's got a mouth on her too" He glanced over his shoulder at Alejandro.

"You sure you've got her under control?" The man spoke nearing me, his calloused fingers reaching out to touch my face.

Alejandro set his drink down with deliberate precision, his every movement simmering with restrained fury. He stepped between us, his presence instantly commanding.

"Don't touch her" he said, his voice low and dangerous.

The grizzled man leaned forward in his chair, a smug grin spreading across his face. "Relax, jefe (boss). We're just making observations"

Alejandro's glare didn't waver, but his hand shot out, gripping my arm and pulling me possessively to his side. "You aren't meant to be down here" he said, his voice a growl meant for me alone.

I yanked my arm free, my glare matching his. "Well it's not my fault you have so much shady business going on" I hissed.

The wiry man whistled low, lightly laughing at my comment.

Alejandro's patience snapped. He grabbed my chin, forcing me to meet his gaze. His grip wasn't painful, but it was firm enough to make my pulse race. "Keep talking caring" he murmured, his voice dark and intimate. "But remember, there are consequences"

"What, for talking?" I scoffed.

The grizzled man barked out a laugh. "She's got you on a leash"

Alejandro released me, his expression unreadable as he turned to face the men. "Enough" he said sharply.

But the grizzled man wasn't done. "Tell you what" he said, his tone casual but laced with malice. "We'll give you everything you need on Edwardo. But the girl? She comes with us"

Alejandro's body went impossibly still, his head tilting slightly as if he hadn't heard them correctly.

"She's not part of this deal" he said finally, his voice cold and measured.

The wiry man smirked. "She's not a part of this deal.....yet. Think about it jefe. A girl like that? A perfect bargaining chip. Edwardo would crumble if we dangled her in front of him"

My blood ran cold, but I refused to let them see my fear. "Over my dead body-" I snarled. Alejandro's grip on my arm tightening, warning me to not say another word.

The grizzled man chuckled. "That can be arranged"

"I'm giving you one minute to get the fuck out of my house" the two men just stared at Alejandro, an annoying smirk forming on thier faces.

"We had a deal, you give the girl. We give you information on Edwardo" who was this Edwardo guy they were going on about?

"Deal's over"

"Just give us the girl, what do you want with a useless whore like that anyways?"

Alejandro's jaw tightened "I said deal's fucking over. Leave" then men stayed put the wiry one opened his mouth to object when suddenly, in one fluid motion, Alejandro pulled his gun from his waistband and fired precisely into the middle of the man's forehead. It was as if he'd had some practice.

The wiry man crumpled instantly, blood blooming across the carpet as he fell harshly to the floor.

The grizzled man barely had time to react before Alejandro turned the gun on him, shooting him cleanly in the leg. He let out a guttural scream, collapsing to the floor.

I stumbled back, my heart pounding as I stared at the carnage.

Alejandro crouched beside the injured man, his tone calm and deadly. "You'll give me everything I want. No terms. No conditions. Or the next bullet finishes the job"

"What the fuck Alejandro!" I shouted, my voice trembling.

His head snapped toward me, his eyes blazing with fury.

"Upstairs. Now Yara"

"You can't just- you just shot.....w-what the fuck" I could barely form sentences. Hot tears stung my eyes as I looked at the bloody man lying limp on the floor.

"Now" he growled, cutting me off. But I couldn't move, the shock had glued my feet to the ground.

Camilla appeared, her face calm but her steps brisk. "Miss Malik" she said firmly, gripping my arm. This was the first time I'd seen Camilla since her and Elena had come back from Spain.

I tried to pull away, my voice shaking. "What are you going up to do to him?" I asked, watching him pick up the other man who was in complete pain from being shot in the leg by the collar.

"Yara" Alejandro's voice was like ice, his focus back on the bleeding who he was carelessly putting down on a chair. "If you don't leave, I'll make you leave"

Camilla's grip tightened, and she began to guide me up the stairs. My heart raced as I looked back at him, his expression cold and unrelenting.

The last thing I saw before Camilla shut the door was Alejandro tying the man to a chair, his movements precise and terrifyingly calm.

I sat on the edge of the bed, my hands clenched in the fabric of the comforter, as if holding on to it might steady the chaos inside me. The house had gone eerily quiet, no yelling, no groans of pain, no sound at all. That made it worse. The silence stretched, every second an agonizing reminder of what I'd witnessed downstairs.

My mind raced. Alejandro had shot a man in cold blood. I'd known he was dangerous, but this? This was something else entirely.

The door creaked open, and I flinched, half expecting him to stride in and put a bullet through my head too, but it was only Camilla.

She stepped inside, her expression calm but her eyes sharp, taking in the state I was in without a word. She carried a tray with a glass of water and a damp cloth, setting it on the nightstand.

"Miss Yara" she said softly, her voice soothing. "Please you need to calm down. Whatever you saw it-"

"Calm down?" I shot back, my voice sharp and brittle. "Are you serious? I just saw him kill someone, Camilla. And tie another man to a chair like,like it was nothing"

Her gaze didn't waver. "It's not my place to explain his actions. But I can tell you that getting yourself worked up won't help" she spoke m sitting down next to me.

I stared at her, incredulous. "How can you act like this is normal? This isn't, this isn't normal! None of this is! I'm fucking scared Camilla" I spoke my voice shaky.

She sighed, picking up the cloth and pressing it into my hand, cleaning off the little splatter of blood on me "It's not normal for you" she said carefully "but it's normal for him. There's a lot you still to know about Mr Moreno. He's a complicated man"

"This isn't fair" I said firmly, shaking my head. "I don't want to be part of this. I didn't sign up for-"

"For what?" a low, familiar voice interrupted from the doorway. I watched as Camilla hurried out of the room.

My head snapped up, and there he was. Alejandro leaned casually against the doorframe, his shirt still unbuttoned at the collar, his sleeves rolled up. There was no blood on him, of course there wasn't. He was too meticulous for that. But his presence was suffocating, his dark eyes fixed on me like a predator stalking prey.

"You didn't sign up for what, cariño?" he asked, stepping into the room and closing the door behind him.

I stood abruptly, clutching the damp cloth in my hand like it could somehow protect me. "For this" I snapped, gesturing wildly. "For murder and whatever the hell you're doing down there!"

He tilted his head, his expression unreadable as he approached me. "And what exactly did you think you signed up for?" he asked, his voice deceptively calm. "You knew who I was, Yara"

"Not like this" I said, my voice trembling but defiant. "I didn't know you were-"

"Capable of killing?" he finished for me, a bitter smirk tugging at his lips. "You're more naive than I thought"

I bristled, my hands balling into fists. "You can't just dismiss this like it's nothing, Alejandro. You can't act like I'm supposed to be okay with you executing people in your living room!"

His smirk vanished, replaced by a cold, dangerous look that made my stomach drop. "I can act however I damn well please" he said, his voice low and menacing. "And you'll do as you're fucking told"

I took a step back, but he followed, closing the distance between us with terrifying ease. "I told you to go upstairs" he continued, his tone sharper now. "But instead, you disobeyed me. You put yourself in danger. Do you have any idea what could've happened if those men had realized who you were? What you mean to me?"

I froze, his words sinking in. What I mean to him?

"You don't get to turn this around on me" I said, my voice shaking but defiant. "I- I don't get it. Who are you?......." My voice was trembling.

"You don't get to question me" he said, his voice dangerously soft.

"You said your father used to be in the Spanish mafia. Is this something to do with that? Are you a part of the mafia?"

The tension between us crackled, thick and suffocating.

"Stay here" he ordered, his voice cold and final. "And don't make me repeat myself"

"You can't just leave-"

With that, he strode to the door, his movements sharp and controlled. He paused briefly, his hand on the doorknob, but he didn't look back.

"Camilla will keep an eye on you" he said. "Don't try to test her"

And then he was gone, leaving the room heavy with the weight of everything unsaid.

🎀🎀🎀

My mind was pacing, I was pacing. Confused as to what I had just witnessed. It was like the more I got to know Alejandro the more secrets about him would unravel.

A few hours went by before he returned again. He closed the door behind him. He didn't move right away, just leaned against the wooden door, his hand resting on the handle as if deciding whether to stay or leave. His face was shadowed, the dim light catching on the hard lines of his jaw and the dark intensity of his eyes.

"You're not going to stop pacing, are you?" His voice was low, dark, a mix of frustration and something......heavier.

I stopped mid step, glaring at him. "What do you expect me to do, Alejandro? Sit here like nothing happened? Like you didn't just murder someone?"

He tilted his head, a dangerous smirk curving his lips. "That wasn't murder, cariño. That was a necessary correction"

I stared at him, incredulous. "A necessary correction? You killed him like it was nothing. And the other one, he's downstairs, probably bleeding out as we speak. What the hell is wrong with you?"

His smirk vanished, replaced by a sharp, unyielding expression that made my stomach twist. He pushed off the door, his movements slow, deliberate, as he crossed the room toward me.

"You think I wanted to do that?"

"I don't know what you want, Alejandro" I snapped, taking a step back as he advanced.

"I don't even know who you are because clearly you aren't just some ordinary university professor"

"Then what am I Yara?"

I huffed "I don't fucking know but what I do know is that a professor can't shoot a gun that precisely. Clearly there's more to all of this"

He stopped inches from me, his dark gaze locking onto mine. His hand shot out, his fingers curling around my wrist, not painfully, but firmly, holding me in place.

"Listen to me" he said, his tone softer now but no less commanding. "What you saw tonight wasn't for you. You weren't supposed to be there. Don't make things more complicated"

I jerked my wrist free, glaring at him. "You want this to be less complicated? Then explain, explain all of this"

For a moment, he just stared at me, his jaw clenching and unclenching like he was debating whether to tell me anything at all. Then he exhaled sharply, running a hand through his hair as he stepped back.

"You want to know why I killed those men?" he asked, his voice cold and bitter. "It's because I couldn't risk them going back to Edwardo and telling him about you"

I froze, my pulse quickening. "Who the hell is this Edwardo?"

His eyes darkened further, something dangerous flickering in their depths. "The head of the Spanish mafia, the man in charge after my father gave up his position. He made it his mission to destroy me and my family"

My breath caught, and I took an involuntary step back. "He's the reason Emiliano's-"

He cut me off "yes, Yara. And if I'm not careful, that could be Elena next, my mother, you"

His gaze held mine, unflinching "he's already taken my brother. My uncle. He won't stop until I'm gone too. And now that you're here....." His voice trailed off, and his jaw tightened.

"You think he'd come after me?" I whispered, my voice trembling.

"I know he would" Alejandro said, his tone grim. "If he finds out about you, what you mean to me, you'll be his next target. I won't let that happen"

My heart pounded in my chest as I tried to process what he was saying. "So what? You killed those men because you thought they'd tell him about me?"

"I know they would've" he snapped, his frustration bubbling to the surface. "Those men would sell their own mothers for the right price. I couldn't take that chance all for some pointless information"

I shook my head, trying to wrap my mind around it. "You killed them for me?"

His expression softened, just slightly, as he stepped closer. "I killed them to protect you" he said, his voice low and intimate. "Because if Edwardo even suspects you exist, he'll use you against me. And I won't lose you, Yara" I swallowed hard, my heart hammering as his words sank in. There was something terrifyingly sincere in his tone, something that made it impossible to look away.

"You can't just decide that" I said, my voice shaky but defiant. "I'm not a part of this. I didn't choose to be dragged into your world, Alejandro. If you let me leave, he won't come after me"

He reached out, his hand brushing against my cheek, his touch surprisingly gentle. "You're a part of it now" he said, his voice unyielding. "Whether you want to be or not"

I wanted to pull away, to yell at him, to make him understand how insane all of this was. But instead, I found myself frozen under his gaze, my pulse racing as his thumb traced a line along my jaw.

"Have you killed people before?" I waited for his reply.

"Yes" the one answer I didn't want.

"Why?"

"When my father was the mafia boss, he'd send me and my brother out on missions. I killed numerous men" he spoke his jaw clenching as if he didn't want to admit it to me.

I swallowed hard, my throat tightening. "You're insane" I whispered, but my voice lacked the venom I wanted it to have.

He chuckled softly, the sound dark and knowing. "Maybe, but I'm going all of this to protect the people I love" I still couldn't process every bit of information given to me.

Before I could respond, his hand dropped, and he stepped back, his expression hardening once more as he took in my terrified state.

"You're afraid?"

"What do you think?" I spoke sarcasm lacing my shaky voice.

A small amused smirk fell on his lips before he left the room.

🎀🎀🎀

The rain outside was relentless, drumming against the windows with a fury that matched the storm raging inside me. My mind was consumed with one thing, and one thing only.

Alejandro. I hadn't seen him for a week, not a single glimpse of him.

I stood by the window, looking out at the grey sky, my fingers curling into fists. I felt like I was walking on a tightrope, just one misstep away from plummeting into whatever hell he had in store for me.

"Yara"

His voice broke through the storm of thoughts in my head, sending a jolt through my body. I turned, expecting his usual stoic expression, but today, something was different. His jaw was tight, his eyes dark with something unreadable. He was standing just inside the door, his posture as rigid as ever.

"Come here" he ordered, his tone calm, but there was an edge to it.

I hesitated, unwilling to step into his command. "What?" I shot, not bothering to hide the sharpness in my voice.

He didn't answer immediately. Instead, he studied me for a moment, his gaze heavy and knowing. "We're leaving" he said flatly, as though it was already decided.

"Leaving?" I repeated, narrowing my eyes in confusion.

"Where? I'm not going anywhere with you, Alejandro. Not again"

"Spain" he replied, his tone cold, like it was the most natural thing in the world.

"We're moving to Spain. You'll be safer there."

The words hit me like a punch. My breath caught, and for a moment, I thought I might choke on my own shock.

"What the hell are you talking about?" I spat, taking a step back from him, my heart pounding in my chest. "I'm not going anywhere with you! You can't just decide where I'm going, when I'm going-"

"I just did" His voice was firm.

I clenched my fists, fighting to control the rush of panic threatening to overwhelm me. "You're insane if you think I'm just going to pack up and leave everything behind. I have a life here, Alejandro! A family"

"You won't have a life here much longer if you stay" he said coldly, his eyes boring into mine with such intensity that it was almost suffocating. "Edwardo's people are closing in. Either you stay and die or leave with me to Spain"

My mind was racing, trying to process the gravity of what he was saying. "Edwardo? You're bringing him into this again?"

His jaw tightened, and he took a step closer, his presence looming over me like an immovable force. "You think this is a game? You think I'm doing this for my own pleasure?"

I recoiled at his proximity, but his gaze never wavered. "I don't care if you like it or not. We're going to Spain, and you'll be safe there"

I opened my mouth to protest, but no words came out. The truth of what he was saying settled in my chest, heavy and suffocating.

"You can't do this. I'm only in this fucking mess because of you!" I spat, my chest tight with the weight of my resistance.

"I'm not doing this for me" Alejandro said, his voice low, his tone hardening, "I'm doing it for you. You're not safe here. They know I'm not living alone in this house" He took a slow step forward, reaching out to take my arm. His fingers were warm, possessive, and there was no escaping his grip as he gently pulled me closer.

"I don't need you to protect me. Just let me go back to my family, I can protect myself" I said defiantly, shaking my head, trying to pull away, but he didn't let go.

"Yes, you do Yara. Don't be stupid. You won't stand a chance again him. Neither will your parents or Jasmine" he said softly, but the words carried a weight, like a promise or a threat, I wasn't sure which.

"Why Spain?" I asked, my voice cracking just a little, a mix of fear and frustration seeping through. "Why there? What's so special about Spain? Shouldn't we be going to some unknown island?"

Alejandro didn't answer immediately. He looked away for a moment, his jaw ticking, as if he was calculating something in his mind. Then his eyes met mine again, colder than before.

"Because that's where my power is" he said, his voice thick with an unspoken history. "That's where I'm untouchable"

"What do you mean untouchable? Aren't you just an ex mafia member who ended up being a professor" he looked at me amusement filling his eyes.

A breathless chuckle escaped from his mouth "you'll find out soon enough who I am Yara" my brows furrowed. I stood frozen, the words sinking in like a stone in water.

"You'll be safe with me" he repeated, his voice low and dangerous. "That's all that matters"

"Really? I find that hard to believe because the only person in my life that's ever hurt me is you Alejandro"

"That's just my way of showing love" I scoffed.

"Fuck you! You're incapable of love and I'm not going with you" I stormed out of the room before he even had time to say anything.

"Yes you are Yara, you don't have a fucking choice"

"Yes I do"

"No you bloody don't. If Edwardo finds you he'll do far worse to you than what I've done. So, yes, you are fucking coming"

"N-"

"Not another word" he seethed before leaving the room.

I wasn't ready to leave my life behind. To go to a country where I knew little to nothing about the language, the people. And what did Alejandro mean by he was untouchable in Spain? Who was he? The questions piled on and one throughout the day, leading into the night. I couldn't sleep, not knowing what was going to happen, was this going to be my last day in the England? Everything felt off, wrong. Alejandro said he wanted to protect me, but I was in this mess because of him in the first place.

A/n

Enjoy! Please comment and vote. I've corrected a few things in previous chapters like Alejandro's age because I kept on accidentally changing it throughout chapters.

Also sorry for the late update I have a few assignments to catch up on so updating might take longer x