Alex

"Be quick," Nick grunts, rolling his eyes as we stop in front of a store.

I need new clothes. I've lost weight since I started training and gained muscles. I don't want to borrow the tiny dresses of some other girls. I prefer jeans and shirts, but they barely fit anymore.

Cole asked Nick to come with me and here we are, even if it bothers me to be followed by him. He doesn't trust me. I need to work on that.

Remember why you do what you do.

Right. I'm here for a reason. I can do this.

Forcing a smile, I take my sunglasses off. "You coming in as well?"

He narrows his eyes on me. With short blonde hair, he could totally be my type if he wasn't always so serious and glaring at me. "Keep your sunglasses on."

"Nobody is searching for me, Nick. I know you still don't trust me, but I'm hoping we can make it work. You know, be friends..."

He scoffs and leans against the wall, taking out a cigarette to light up. "Yeah, right." He shakes his head and mumbles under his breath, "Fucking Cole. Don't know what he sees in you."

"I'm wounded." I frown.

He meets my eyes, and with suspicion, glances behind me. He puts the cigarette between his lips and gives me a blank look. "Not coming. Be quick, or else I'm finding you."

I shrug and smile. "All right. You have nothing to worry about."

"Right," he mutters under his breath, turning away from me.

If Cole happens to know he doesn't follow me inside, he will probably get pissed and ask someone else to 'protect' and look out for me. But I need Nick to trust me, to not be suspicious of me or my motives. I'm not gonna tell Cole anything. It actually pleases me to be able to do something without being followed.

I enter the store and look around. It feels good to be in another environment, to be surrounded by normal people shopping and smiling instead of people dealing with drugs, fighting or killing each other when they're furious.

Yikes.

I can't help thinking that the old Alex would have never been able to survive this long in such an environment.

I search around for a while before deciding to just buy a few things comfortable and not necessarily pretty. Nobody will ever see me wear any of these in public.

That thought makes me frown. When will I ever be able to...leave?

Will I ever do so?

Will I ever go back to that old life Cole was talking about?

I don't know what I have left. My apartment, my job, my friends...

I disappeared and probably lost everything, including myself, and for what?

My heart squeezes in a painful way, and I close my eyes. I'm not failing. I'm doing this for a reason. I'm here, and that alone protects the people I love.

That's right. I need to remember that. I can't fuck this up.

My eyes stop on a pretty black dress with a simple V neck, and I make my way toward it. Today is December 22nd, and my birthday was a week ago. I guess I can treat myself. I could wear this for Christmas.

The fabric is soft under my fingertips, and I find myself thinking about someone I shouldn't think about. I don't know why. I've been pretty good at not thinking about anyone I've left behind.

But not him.

I let go of the dress and step back. I should hurry up before Nick comes for me.

No time to treat myself. I don't deserve it. And it's not like I'm actually going to celebrate Christmas.

I pay for my clothes, then turn around to leave. That's when I see her.

Sasha.

She sees me as well, and her eyes widen in surprise. Her short brown hair got longer over the past few months, and it's perfectly straight. She wears high heels and a pretty white dress, her slim figure well highlighted.

Shit. This can't be happening. What the hell is she doing in Los Angeles?

"Alex?" she says, her red-tainted lips forming a smile as she steps closer to me. I force a small smile, my heartbeat quickening.

If Nick comes in and notices her...

"So, that's where you're hiding, huh? You completely disappeared! I was worried, girl!" She takes me in her arms, and I inhale her expensive perfume. It smells like roses.

Clearing my throat, I step back forcefully and glance around me. "Hi, Sasha. It's good to see you, too."

"What have you been up to? Why are you here?" She sounds genuinely happy to see me, but I stay on my guard.

"Why are you?" I retort, not answering her question. I keep glancing anxiously at the exit door.

She giggles, bringing my gaze back to hers. "I was tired of the cold in Chicago. It's not good for my skin, you know?"

I frown. She continues, more excited this time. "Anyway! I'm going to celebrate Christmas here with some celebrities. You could join me. We're gonna drink and have so much fun—"

"Listen, Sasha, I need to go," I cut her off and try to walk around her. She grabs my arm, and I stop myself just in time before I hurt her.

"What's wrong with you?" she almost spits, narrowing her eyes on me. I grit my teeth. "You're so...different. Cold. I thought we were friends."

Were we? I look at her and slowly shake my head to myself. She was never my friend. In some way, I used her to fill the loneliness in my life, and I suppose I was the only real person in her group of friends. Who knows if she really has real friends.

I see her. She's here right before Christmas to party with celebrities when she could be at home with her friends and family. She's not fooling me. She feels alone, too.

We're similar when it comes to that. But for the rest? We're completely two different people.

I feel sorry because maybe she actually believes we are friends. That no matter what she did, how she acted with me, how she treated me sometimes and how she forced me to do things I didn't want to do, we are friends. But it's not her fault. I acted along.

In some ways, I was my worst nightmare. And today, I'm living one.

Ignoring the sick feeling in the pit of my stomach, I take a step toward her. "Sasha, I'm—"

"What's going on, Alex?" a deep voice exclaims behind us, and I tense.

Shit. Nick.

I turn around with a scowl. He joins us in fast strides, his eyes zooming in on Sasha. Suspicion covers his face, and I try to remain calm.

"Nothing is going on," I retort in an annoyed tone, throwing my bags at him. He catches them, glaring at me. "I thought you were waiting outside."

Without warning, he grabs my arm painfully and leads me a few meters away from Sasha, who remains frozen, her eyes watching us in confusion.

"Let go of my arm, Nick," I mutter harshly, looking up at him.

He stares into my eyes, and I almost panic because it feels like he's seeing right through me. However, I remain calm and keep my eyes narrowed at him.

"Is she your friend?" he questions, watching me closely, his grip on my arm tightening. I accidentally let him see my pain, and instead of letting go of my arm, he smirks.

Fucking asshole. You'll regret it when I use that to destroy your relationship with Cole.

I bite my lip not to smile. I'm going to win this.

"No," I reply coldly, pulling my arm. He doesn't loosen his grip. "Are you kidding me?"

"Who is she?" He gets closer to my face, trying his best to scare me.

"Nobody! Will you let go?"

Finally, he does. I step away and resist the urge to massage my arm. I keep my eyes on him, waiting for his next move.

It doesn't reassure me when he smiles. Not a smirk—an actual smile. It seems kind and...

Oh hell no.

He turns toward Sasha and mutters, "Let's see about that."

I bite back a scream of frustration. There are too many people around us for me to knock him out.

He walks over to Sasha, who smiles at him, throwing me a quick glance.

"Sorry about that. I should introduce myself properly. I'm Nicolas, Alex's boyfriend."

Excuse me, Nicolas?

I clench my fists and breathe in slowly. Sasha's eyes widen, and she turns to look at me. "Oh. I didn't know Alex had a boyfriend."

Giggling, she extends her hand to Nick. "I'm Sasha Queen," she declares smoothly, tilting her head with a smile.

Will he fucking bow? I hope not.

Thankfully, he only smiles and shakes her hand. His fake, friendly smile is credible.

"Want to go out for lunch with us? Alex and I would love for you to come. Right, baby?"

I'm going to kill him. I smile, nodding once. "Yeah, sure."

Sasha gasps. "Was it why you were so distant? You were trying to hide him from me. Come on." She laughs and grabs my arm. "We're best friends, aren't we?"

Oh God. Nick's smile gets bigger.

"Best friends?" he repeats as we start walking out the store.

Sasha giggles. I'm in hell. I can't believe this is happening. Knowing Nick, he's planning something, and I need to figure out what soon before it's too late.

Instead of leading us to his car, Nick walks down the opposite direction. I glance over my shoulder, wondering if I could make a run for it.

But then there's Sasha, and I can't risk anything.

Goddamnit.

She keeps talking excitedly about something, and Nick nods once in a while, the smile remaining on his face. It must hurt. I stare at him, my shoulders tense. What is he planning?

We soon reach an alley, and before I can react, Nick grabs Sasha's arm and pushes her toward the empty alley. Screaming in surprise, Sasha almost stumbles to the ground, but Nick steadies her and backs her against the wall.

He takes out a gun and points it at her head. That's when I take out mine.

"Drop that gun," I order lowly, taking a step forward.

"What the hell is going on?!" Sasha screams, her wide eyes tearing up.

Nick turns his head in my direction. Glancing at the gun in my hand, he smirks wickedly.

"What do I see here? A gun?" He laughs, shaking his head.

I stare blankly. "Yes, to protect myself. Cole won't be mad about it since he gave it to me."

Nick narrows his eyes.

I smile.

"Why are you pointing that gun at me, Alex? We are on the same team." He's watching me carefully, a hint of amusement in his eyes.

Gritting my teeth, I slowly lower my gun. Sasha is staring at me with her mouth opens in shock, her body trembling. I focus on Nick again, who's still pointing his gun at her head.

"What are you doing? I told you she's not my friend. Let her go," I declare, slowly putting my gun in my waistband. Nick's eyes follow my movements.

His gaze snaps to mine. He takes a step back from Sasha and shrugs. "Then you won't have a problem to kill her."

What the hell?

Confused, I shake my head. "What?"

"Want me to trust you?" He slowly backs up from Sasha and hands me his weapon. Without waiting, he takes out another one, his dark eyes fixed on me. "Kill her."

Swallowing, I glance at Sasha. She's still against the wall, looking confused and scared as she meets my eyes.

I raise the gun.

She screams. "Alex! What...what are you doing?"

I can hear my heartbeat in my ears. My eyes go from her to Nick, who's watching me with boredom, waiting for me to do it.

To pull the trigger.

Want me to trust you? he said. My finger brushes the trigger, and Sasha lets out a cry.

Blinking, I shake my head. I can't do this.

I drop my hands at my sides. Nick's dark eyes turn cold.

"I won't do that. She hasn't done anything. Just...let her go," I articulate, my face blank.

Carefully, I make my way toward Sasha. She crosses her arms over her chest and turns away from me, her eyes filled with fear. Her lips tremble as I stop in front of her.

"Leave Los Angeles," I mutter. "Don't tell anyone about this. You hear me?"

She nods quickly. I turn around and walk past Nick.

"Let's go," I announce coldly.

However, he grabs my arm before I can get any further, and I meet his eyes.

Getting closer, he murmurs, "I know you have a purpose. I'm watching you."

He throws a look at Sasha one last time before turning around. I let out a breath and glance up at Sasha.

Then I follow Nick, his words echoing in my head.

I'm watching you.

This wasn't supposed to happen, and now I have no idea what to expect.

I'll have to watch my back.

*

Hello, my lovely readers!

It's been a while, but I'm finally back with a new chapter! After spending so much time editing Secret Agents: My Bodyguard, I needed a break. I wasn't inspired at all, but now I'm determined to finish this story!

Have you purchased a copy of SAMB? If not, I would love it if you do. ❤️ Available as an eBook and paperback! The link is in my bio. Thank you so much to those who did! My plan is to finish Alex and Enzo's story, and then publish it as well! I think they deserve it. 🥰

There are a few things different in the published version of SAMB, so if in the next few chapters I mention something and you're like whaaat? That's why. 😂 But no worries, the story is the same.

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