Yesterday’s Betrayal Today's Scars: Alice

9 THE CONFRONTATION

Alice POV

While I drink my morning coffee, I read through the information that Davina sent me. Then I look at the lists of locations he frequents and when.

It seems he disappears on Thursdays and sometimes on Fridays. So I tap into several security feeds in the areas he likes to visit and return to last Thursday at 6 pm.

It’s best to start it early. Once I set a few of those to record until 3 am and download to me, I move on to tracking money.

Sliding my chair to another computer, I boot ‘mirror’ on it and go on the dark web. Searching for any of his information.

Thirty minutes of that, and I came up with nothing. It's not surprising him being an attorney. He would want to beat the law, not break it outright.

So, a more legal route. I locate all his local accounts and print out all transactions and wires.

Some large withdrawals and even bigger transfers started happening around three years ago. Bingo now to track him. I set the computer to follow the money trail and lean back in my chair. I will find it.

My phone chimes with a message. “I will be at the drop point in 20 minutes. We need to talk.” s**t, it's from Hector.

I’m going to make things clear to him once and for all. I don’t know what he is playing at by chasing me. But after what I saw on that video, I would never have anything to do with him.

I go to my room and put on socks and my favorite high-heeled boots. Grabbing my gun off the nightstand and tucking it in my waist before going back downstairs.

I jump on my Ducati, leaving my helmet behind since I’m only going down the tunnel.

Once I arrive in the garage, I see Alex changing the oil on a Hummer and Tim sitting beside him talking.

They both stand when they see me. I smile and dismount my bike. Walking over and hugging them both. I know they are close by, but I still miss them.

”What’s up?” Alex says. I groan. “Hector messaged me, demanding to talk. Said he will be here in 20 minutes.”

I watch as Alex’s face turns red, including the tips of his ears. “I’ll f*****g feed him to the jewels,” he says. Making me and Tim laugh.

”Can you let me handle it, and you bring him in like usual?” He eyes me carefully. I know he doesn’t like what I’m asking of him.

”Yes, but he better f*****g watch himself,” he says. I smile at his protectiveness, then pull my phone out, texting Star, letting her know what's happening but telling her we had it under control and to keep relaxing.

She is getting close to delivering, and I don’t want her upset.

”Be right down.” her reply reads. f**k she doesn't need this s**t.

”She’s coming down, isn’t she?” Tim grins. “Yes,” I say, displeased.

I walk up to the observation deck into the security room, watching the monitors.

It isn’t long before Tony, Max, and Star come in. I grin at them. “Damn, you get more beautiful every day,” I say, hugging her.

She hugs me back and grunts, placing her hands on her belly. “Are they kicking?” I ask.

”Yes, constantly,” her eyes sparkle. I know she is excited for them to come so she can finally hold them.

I place my hands beside hers and feel little thuds against my palms. My eyes jerk up to hers.

”They know their favorite aunt is here,” I say, smirking.

”He’s here,” Tony says, looking at the monitor. “I’ll get him, but I refuse to be civil,” Alex says, leaving the room with determined strides.

”I will make it clear to him that all future communication is to be business only. I am not interested in anything more,” I state with my nose scrunched up.

”Let me handle him,” I look each person in the eye. Star crosses her arms in disapproval but doesn't say anything. Max wraps his arms around her. “Relax, Bella, this isn’t good for the babies,” he coos in her ear, and I see the tension leave her shoulders.

It’s only a few minutes when I see the golf cart enter the habitat below. I square my shoulders and walk out of the security room and down the stairs. I want to be face-to-face so he understands what I say clearly.

When I am at the bottom, he and his right-hand man are out of the cart. I walk up to him, stopping three feet away.

His eyes look me over from head to toe apprasingly. That once would have aroused me. But now, all I feel is disgusted.

”You said you wanted to talk, Mr. Hernandez,” I say in an indifferent tone. I plan to be direct but civil unless he gets out of line.

”Your stubbornness and pushing me away has to stop. You are meant to be mine, beautiful. It’s time we got to know each other better,” he says with a grin that I assume is supposed to be alluring. It’s not. He steps forward, and I hold my hand up to stop him where he is.

”I have said from the beginning that I was not interested in going out with you, Mr. Hernandez. That has not changed. In fact, I am even more adamant about it now,” I say with determination.

”I will change your mind, beautiful,” he says with a smirk like he is a gift to all womankind. “There is no changing my mind, just like I know you haven’t changed your playboy ways.” I retort, pulling my cell phone from my pocket and forwarding it to his phone.

As soon as I hit send, I let a smirk take over my face. When he hits play, and the man with him looks over his shoulder to watch it, I grin.

”You're not exactly the poster boy for a man looking for a relationship, are you?” I ask, tilting my head to the side.

His face has a scowl, and his eyes are full of rage when he looks from the phone to me. “This was a one-time mistake,” he says, angry. He knows damn well that's a lie, and he is pissed he was caught. I hate liars.

I point to the phone. “I’d give you points for creativity on last Saturday’s events,” I say, shaking my head in disdain. “However, only lasting six minutes, according to the clock on the bottom of the video, is sad.” I raise an eyebrow.

He is now physically shaking with anger. “All future communications between us will be business-related. All future drops will be just that, drop-offs only,” I say matter of fact.

I watch as he looks up on the observation deck to see Star, Tony, Max, and Tim, who surprises me by smiling at him. He looks over at Alex. Is he evaluating the odds? He wouldn’t be that stupid.

I clear my throat. “Do you accept these terms, Mr. Hernandez?” I say firmly. “Yes, for now,” he says with an upturned lip, then looks me over again before getting into the cart, ready to leave.

I stay rooted to the spot, watching Alex drive them down the tunnel. I turn, looking up at my family. “He isn’t going to let this go,” the words flow from my mouth without conscious thought. But I know they are true.

”It’s time we put my men back on you,” Tony says. I shake my head.

”I’m picking Bear up today,” I say with a smile. “We will handle ourselves. Any sign of trouble, I will call.” I look over to Alex, who is just exiting the gulf cart.

He walks to me and embraces me in a hug. “You handled his lying ass like a pro,” he says with a grin.

“I need to pick up some things for Bear before I bring him home. Thank you for having my back,” I say, looking around at each of them. I love my family.

“Six minutes, really?” Tim says, chuckling. That makes us all laugh. Out of everything that was said, he picked up on that.

After going home and switching vehicles, I drive into Vegas to a high-end pet shop. “Nothing but the best for my baby,” I murmur as I shut the engine off.

After walking around looking at all the collars and leashes, I find what I want. A black leather 3-inch wide collar, the stitching is in red. It’s simple but will look handsome on him. I got the matching leash since we have leash laws while in public.

Next stop, the butcher, I think to myself.

Once at the butcher’s, I ordered 35 ribeye, 10 lbs bacon, 10 lbs boneless skinless chicken breast, and three beef roasts.

The older gentleman behind the counter looks at me hesitantly. I grin at him. “This will be a standard monthly order for me going forward. Will it be ready by 3 pm, or will you need longer?” I ask.

After he wipes the stunned look off his face, he answers. “Yes, mam, it will be ready by 3 pm.

Now, to get Bear. On the drive there, I go over everything in my head. I already have dog food for breakfast, and he will eat like a king at night with me.

I have food and water bowls, a leash, and a collar. I know I’m forgetting something. A vet, I need to find a vet for his checkups or if he gets sick. Maybe Maveric will recommend one, I think.

I arrive, and we pass for graduation. Once Maveric gives us the I.D. card I will carry, I put Bear’s collar and leash on him.

”Can you recommend a vet you trust for me to use?” I ask Maveric. He nods firmly. “We keep a Veterinarian on staff. Bear is up to date on all his shots currently. You are welcome to continue bringing him here.”

I stroke Bear's head, which is at my waist, then look back to Maveric. “Thank you for everything,” I say sincerely. “You two looking out for each other is all the thanks I need.”

I walk to the parking lot, stopping to open the door to the Hummer. I look to Bear, “Time to go home, boy.” He immediately jumps in and goes over to the passenger seat.

We go back to the butchers to pick up our order, and we are certainly getting a lot of looks. When I make it up to the counter and stop, Bear is alert, taking in our surroundings.

”We don’t allow pets in here,” The same older gentleman from earlier says. I grin, slide our ESD card out, and hold it up for him to see.

He smiles and nods, saying nothing as he gets our order together. I need to get used to showing our card the first time we enter a business.

After we get everything loaded, we drive home. I plan on spending quality time with Bear tonight and him getting used to his surroundings. His new home.