Page 79 of Filthy Dirty Dom
Bit by bit, their conversation unwrapped layers of common ground, drawing Bella out of her shell.
“Who's your favorite designer, Bella? If you had to choose, I mean."
The teenager gave a slight, almost shy shrug. "I don't know much about designers... but I saw a runway show on YouTube once. The designer was... Elie Saab, I think. His gowns were beautiful. Flowy and embellished with lots of intricate beadwork."
Leslie’s eyes lit up at the mention of the renowned designer. "Oh, Elie Saab is a master of detailing. His work is the epitome of elegance and sophistication. He has a unique way of making each piece feel like a fairy tale. Would you like to wear one of his gowns one day?"
A faint blush crept onto Bella's cheeks as she looked away. "Maybe... I mean, who wouldn't?"
"I bet you would look stunning in one of his creations," Leslie said warmly.
A shy smile played at the corners of Bella's lips. "Thank you," she said quietly. "That would be...nice."
As they continued to share and laugh over outrageous fashion faux pas, Leslie saw the same special spark in Bella’s eyes that she’d seen in the pictures of her Aunt Mia.
How did the woman die?
And had Alex known her?
Alex still hadn’t returned when Renee suddenly appeared at the library doors, her face tight with worry. She launched into rapid-fire Italian, her words tumbling over one another in a rush. The girl shot Leslie a fleeting, apologetic glance before getting up. “Bye, Leslie,” she said before saying something to her grandmother and leaving.
“I’m sorry if she bothered you,” Renee said.
“Oh she was no bother at all. She was keeping me company and we were having a wonderful conversation about fashion.”
Renee nodded just as Alex appeared. They spoke in Italian. Alex looked over at Leslie then winked. “If Leslie said she and Bella were having fun, she really means it. Don’t worry.”
Renee sighed, smiled again at Leslie, then said, “Oh! I almost forgot. The things you ordered are here, Alex. Let me get them for you.”
When Renee left, Leslie asked, “Is everything okay with your friend. Luca?”
Alex’s expression didn’t stiffen so much as go blank. “He’s digging into the men who attacked us. He has some information but he’s pursuing more.”
“Can you share what he knows? Are they enemies of Branden?”
Slowly, Alex came to sit beside Leslie. “I was hoping to have more information before I shared this with you, but you deserve to know. Leslie, the men who attacked us were with the Russian mob and they were hired by Lucy’s stepfather, Judge Ed Pearson, and his cohort, Stephen Anderson.”
At Alex’s shocking words, Leslie’s heart galloped.
“The Russian mob?”
Her mind raced, trying to reconcile the image of what she imagined the Russian mob would entail—shadowy figures, relentless pursuits, and unforgiving brutality—with the pictures she’d seen of Pearson and Anderson in the news. The distinguished looking men looked like your average politicians, so it had been hard enough imagining Pearson doing what he did to Lucy. Now she was trying to picture the man exchanging cash with members of the mob.
“Why send them for me?” Then understanding spread through her. The Russians had referred to her as Alex’s girlfriend. Alex had been the one to rescue Lucy from Pearson’s clutches. “This is payback? Revenge on you through me? He was going to kill me because he thought it would destroy you?”
Alex took her hands. “It would kill me, Sunshine. But we don’t know for sure he wanted to kill you. He might have wanted to use you as leverage. Make me or Logan work the system from inside, lose evidence, discredit Lucy, that type of thing. But regardless of what his motives were, he failed to hurt you, and I’m so fucking thankful for that.”
Leslie took in a deep shuddering breath. “He only failed because you were on your way to me. If you hadn’t shown up…”
“But I did show up. And now we’re here together. You’re safe. And soon this will be over.”
Leslie frowned. “Is that what your friend told you? That this will be over soon?”
With a final squeeze, Alex dropped her hands and sat back. “He said he’s in talks the people involved.”
“The…people…?” Leslie shook her head. “Wait a second. This Luca. He’s in talks with Pearson?”
“No.”