Dear Ex Wife, Please take me back novel Chapter 42

ATHENA

I follow him.

Every step feels heavier than the last, like the air itself is thick with something unspoken.

My boots click hard against the stone path matching the way my heart is beating hard against my chest, but all I can focus on is the man in front of me, shoulders tense, hands still shoved in his pockets like if he takes them out, he might just break something.

Or someone.

I glance back once. Zayan is still standing there, watching us disappear, a frown on his lips like he’s debating if he should step in.

Don’t, I beg silently. You’ll only make it worse.

Alex doesn’t say a word.

He leads me past rows of horses and stables, out of sight from the others, until we reach a quiet corner surrounded by tall hedges.

Hidden.

Trapped.

He finally stops, but he doesn’t turn around.

This is the point when I feel like running away. But to where? I stay with the man.

The same music from before can be heard again, and I wonder if it was Alex that stopped the parade.

Would he, though?

For me?

“Alex—” I start, my voice softer than I want it to be.

His shoulders rise and fall with a deep breath, and then, slowly, he turns to face me.

His eyes are cold. So cold it feels like they could slice right through me.

“What the hell do you think you’re doing?” he asks quietly, dangerously calm.

I swallow hard, forcing my chin up even though my hands are shaking at my sides.

“Having fun?” I offer weakly, but it comes out more like a question.

He takes a step closer.

I step back.

“Let's talk about this at home.” I announce and turn but halt my steps when I come face to face with Arnold.

Did he follow us?

This man gives me the creeps.

“We need to stop meeting like this. I might take this as a sign that you're meant to be with me.” He says with a cocky grin while He steps closer.

The hairs on my body rise and not in a heartwarming way. I'm still thinking of a comeback when I feel a hard grip on my arm pulling me back.

“Watch yourself, Brown. She's not one of those girls.” Alex growls as he shields me behind him.

Arnold smiles, “My bad. I just couldn't resist those curves and that face.” He goes on.

Alex's body tenses like a predator about to strike.

He doesn’t speak right away, and that’s the worst part. The silence before the storm.

I can’t see his face, but I can feel the shift in the air.

Tangible. Dangerous.

Arnold, either too arrogant or too stupid, chuckles like this is some kind of game.

“Don't.”

One word.

But it's powerful enough to knock me out.

The car comes to a stop and I look around, we're outside a very big house and it's the only one in sight.

“Where are we?” I ask.

Nothing.

Thinking we are waiting for something, or he has come to murder me, I lean back in the seat and wait.

The side of my door swings open, and a pair of brown eyes stare at me.

I turn to face Alex, confusion etched on my face. But he doesn't even look at me when he speaks.

“Stay with Luca, I'll pick you up later.”

“Where are you going?”

“Get out of the car, Athena.”

“Not until you tell me-”

I don't get to finnish my sentence when he opens his door so hard I'm shocked it doesn't fall off.

He walks to my side where Luca steps aside leaving my side open, Alex pulls me out of the car, not roughly but not softly either.

“Don't let her out of your sight.” He says to Luca and drives off.