Collateral Damage

chapter 25

Alexis clutched my hand and fast-walked to his car. He opened my door and literally pushed me inside before slamming the door.

'Ah okaaay,' I said.

I watched him with furrowed eyebrows as passed the front of the car to the driver's side.

'You know, I'm fully capable of getting inside a car,' I said when he got in.

He turned to look at me and my expression turned concerned.

'What happened?' I asked.

He turned to face the front and slammed his hand on the steering wheel, letting out a curse.

'Alexis,' I started. 'You're scaring me now,' I said.

He gripped the steering wheel so hard, his knuckles turned white.

I tentatively touched his arm. 'Talk to me,' I whispered.

He turned to me again, his eyes frantic. 'He's found you,' he whispered.

'Who's found me?' I asked, even though, I was certain I knew.

'One of my men found a guy who fits the description scouting the complex,' he said, slamming the steering wheel again.

'Calm down. We don't know for sure it's him,' I said. We both knew it was a lie.

'We can't go back,' he muttered, shaking his head.

I was strangely calm, knowing a serial killer from my past was back to finish his job and that he'd found me.

He started driving in the direction that was opposite to the way of the penthouse. I kept silent, not wanting to make things worse when he was already so dense.

I sat back in the seat, trying to stop my mind from picturing all the morbid scenarios that this could end in.

A little over fifteen minutes of silence, Alexis grabbed my hand and intertwined our fingers together. I hadn't realized I was wringing my fingers.

'Don't worry, I won't let him near you,' he said quickly glancing at me before focusing back on the road.

'I know,' I said squeezing his hand.

We entered a huge estate with a manor sitting in the middle of it and I got a feeling of déjà vu. I looked around and it triggered some of my memories to surface. Not much though, just flashes of the place.

'I know this place,' I whispered when we climbed up the stairs.

Alexis gave me a sidelong look but didn't say anything.

An old woman welcomed us. Alexis introduced her as Sarah, the housekeeper. She had been taking care of the manor as long as he remembered.

'You never come around anymore,' she gave Alexis a chastising look.

Then she looked at me and her eyes widened a little.

'Are... Is she...' she looked at Alexis, her lips trembling.

'Yes, Sarah. She is Piera. She's here. I told you I'd find her one day,' he said to her. I looked at Alexis with a new feeling. He did find me.

I felt a hand touch mine and I looked back towards Sarah. Her eyes were filled with tears.

'I can't believe it,' she touched my face with trembling fingers. 'I thought I'd never see you again,' she said. Then she pulled me into a hug I wasn't expecting. I didn't remember who she was, but her embrace filled me with warmth and I returned it. Feelings clogging my throat.