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Alonzo’s face flashes in my mind, and my fists tighten around the wheel. My knuckles ache from the pressure, but I don’t loosen my grip. I swear I’m gonna rip his fucking head off for this. I would never say he could lay a fucking hand on her or any woman for that matter.

Now here I am, flying through the gate, my pulse hammering. The guard nearly shits his pants, scrambling to open it in time. I blow through the metal before it’s fully open, almost scraping the sides.

Kota’s beside me, gripping the dashboard like we’re about to crash, his knuckles white as he braces against the door.

“You trying to kill us both?” he mutters under his breath.

“Shut the fuck up,” I snap, not sparing him a glance as I slam the car into park right in front of the door. I’m out before the engine settles, not saying a word to him.

Behind me, I hear him sigh. “Yeah, cool, just leave me here. Love that.”

I ignore him, already moving, but he keeps running his mouth. “You know, normal people check on a girl without breaking multiple traffic laws.”

I flip him off over my shoulder as I push through the entrance.

“Nice,” he mutters. “Real mature, bro.”

I damn near jog through the hall before sprinting up the stairs, two at a time. It’s late, probably around 1 A.M., but maybe she’s still awake. I reach Olivia’s door, but of course it’s locked.

Sighing, I jog back to my room, grab the master key, and return. The lock clicks,and I slip inside as quietly as possible. I’m not even two feet through the door before I stop in my tracks. Where the hell did all her new shit go? The room feels empty and bare, just like it did before she got here. Or, like she was never even here at all. My stomach twists, but I push the thought aside fornow.

My eyes go straight to the bed, and there she is, lying on her back with the blankets pulled around her, and she’s fast asleep. Her breathing is soft and steady, little puffs of air escaping her plump cherry lips.

But then I see the left side of her face. Her cheek is swollen, and shades of black and blue circle around her left eye. My jaw clenches hard enough to make my teeth ache when I notice the faint streaks of dried tears trailing down her cheek.

I step closer without thinking, my hand moving on its own. My fingers brush her bruised cheek carefully, not wanting to cause her more pain. Her skin is warm, soft, and fuck… I just stand here like a complete idiot, watching her sleep. Yeah, this is fucking weird.

Her eyes snap open before I can pull away, staring up at me. For a second, neither of us moves. Her breath comes quicker now, like she’s processing if I’m real or some fucked-up dream. Olivia bolts upright, yanking the blankets tight to her chest. She’s wide-eyed, trying to act calm, but her voice is raspy from sleep. “Please, just leave me alone.”

I hold up my hands in surrender, keeping my voice calm. “Relax. I’m not here to hurt you. Just want to see if you’re alright.”

She looks away. “I-I’m fine,” she says, but I know she’s not.

I step closer, leaning in slightly. “Don’t bullshit me. Tell me what happened. I know when you’re not telling the truth, and I can’t fix it if you don’t talk.” I already know the truth, but want to hear it from her. So, I wait, because I’m not going anywhere until she talks.

She bites her bottom lip, staying silent, but I wait. I’m not going anywhere until she gives in. “Fine,” she huffs, rolling her eyes.

I take that as an invitation and sit beside her on the edge of the bed. She spills everything. The comments, the times Alonzo cornered her, every time he crossed the line. This isn’t the first time he’s put his hands on her.

When she’s done, she leans back. “You look mad.”

“Fucking mad? I’m seething!”

“Don’t be,” she says. “I didn’t tell you so you could be my hero and save me from the asshole. Just let it go.”

I shake my head. “I can’t do that, Olivia, and you can’t ask me to. He disobeyed me in my own house. You’re here because of me. This is bigger than just you, and it won’t go unnoticed.”

“Please,” she sighs. “I wouldn’t have told you if I thought you’d go all macho-man and beat him up. Don’t make me regret telling you.”

She doesn’t understand, and I can’t explain it. My mind’s already racing, picturing Alonzo before he boards his flight—grabbing him, ripping his hands off his body, and gluing them to his fucking face.

Her small hands clutch mine, barely covering half my fist, but her grip is tight. “Alessio, please. You’ll just make it worse.”

No, I’ll make it better. That’s what I do. I solve problems.

Before I can pull away, she tugs me closer. “Are you hurt?”

“I’m fine,” I start, but when I look where she’s looking, I notice the blood under my sleeve that I missed and a small gash on my knuckle. It’s small, probably fromwhen I knocked his teeth out.