CHAPTER THREE

THE GHOST IN THE ALLEY 

​The neon lights of the city blurred as Katerina ducked into the service entrance of the library. 

Once her father sent for Xavier urgently she sneaked out like she always did before his arrival, bribing and intimidating the security men discreetly until they had no other choice but to reluctantly let her elope. She had timed it perfectly—Xavier was occupied with the Don’s security briefing. Or so she thought.

She refused to take orders from Xavier who was as lowly as a body guard employed by her father, she wouldn't stoop so low on his account.

The least thing she needed was another stuck up person like her father, controlling her life and telling her what to do.

She was tried of feeling so small before the two infuriating men forced into her life.

She would make her decisions herself from now hence forth.

​"Jackson, I’m two blocks away, from you" she whispered into her phone,  

"Just wait for me at the old clock tower. I’ve finally ditched Xavier.”

“ Good, i’ll be waiting, darling” Jackson reply as Katerina hung up the call.

​She slipped into the narrow isolated alleyway behind the University, the smell of damp brick and rain-slicked pavement filling her nostrils. But as she reached the halfway point, the shadows moved. Something felt off.

​Three men stepped out from behind a dumpster. They weren't Romano guards. They were intimidating street thugs, the kind who smelled a princess from a mile away.

​"Lost your way, little Romano?" the leader sneered, a jagged blade catching the dim light.

 "The Don’s daughter carries a heavy ransom. Maybe we’ll keep a piece of you as a souvenir first." He grinned wickedly.

​Katerina backed up, her heart hammering against her ribs as they circled her frame, trapping her.

"My father will have your heads for this, don't come any closer" She threatened trying to sound tough and scare them away But her attempts were a failure 

​"Your Daddy isn't here, sweetheart," the thug laughed, stepping closer.

​"No,"a low, chilling deep voice rumbled from the mouth of the alley. "But i Am."

Xavier stepped out of the fog, his silhouette cutting through the darkness. He didn't pull out a gun. He didn't even look hurried—more relaxed. He just loosened his tie with a calm demeanour.

​"Run along," Xavier said, his eyes darker "Or stay and find out why you should'nt have messed with a Romano and known your place" He said signalling Katerina to find a hiding place to shield herself 

Katerina obeyed this time clearly shakened in utter terror….she ran as far as her leg could carry her away from the alarming fight— away from the trouble she created and caused herself ….she felt so stupid 

Finally sure Katerina was safe; and wasn't anywhere near them Xavier was left with the thugs to deal with, which he had no problem getting rid of-

​The thugs charged violently. What followed wasn't a simple fight—it was a slaughter in action. Xavier moved effortlessly. He didn't just land a punch; he used his palms to strike pressure points and his elbows to shatter bone with a sickening crack. He spun through the air, his movements so fast they were a blur of emerse violence.

​He caught the leader’s wrist, twisted it until he heard bone snapping like a dry twig, and used the man’s own momentum to slam him into the brick wall.

 It wasn't usual security training combat, It was an ancient, rhythmic, and terrifying art form.

​Within sixty seconds, the three men were a heap of broken limbs on the wet concrete groaning in pain and distress 

Xavier stood over them, back to the leader groaning on the ground.

​The leader of the thug looked up at Xavier, his eyes widening in a sudden primal terror that surpassed the pain of his broken arm. He stared at the way Xavier held his hands—the specific, bladed stance of his fingers.

​"That... that movement," the thug leader stammered in fear, wheezing as blood bubbling at the corner of his mouth. 

"The 'Coiling Serpent' strike... Only one family taught that. But….They're all dead!"

​Xavier stepped onto the man’s chest, leaning down until their faces were inches apart. "Then you’re looking at an undead man."

​The thug’s voice turned into a terrified whimper. “ If the Don finds out ......"

​Xavier didn't let him finish. A swift strike to the temple silenced the man once he heard Katerina stepping out her hiding place at the end of the fight.

                      ***************

The private gym at the estate was illuminated only by the dim, blue overhead lights. The air was heavy with thud-thud-thud of a heavy punch bag being hit.

​Katerina stood in the doorway, her breath hitching in her throat, her eyes never drifting away from the sight before her.

 Xavier was there, stripped to a grey, sweat-drenched tank top that clung to the sculpted broad back. Every time he threw a punch, the muscles in his shoulders rippled effortlessly. He looked so hot; strong, and terrifyingly focused.

​She found herself ogling the way the sweat tracked down his neck, disappearing into the dark fabric. The only sound was the violence of his fists against the boxing bag.

​"I don't, like being stared at Katerina, i know your there" Xavier rumbled without breaking his rhythm.

 "Unless you’re here to practice your covert sneaking skills again. We both know how that ended last time."

​Katerina stepped into the light "umm....I came to talk, Xavier." She said fidgety.

​He stopped mid-swing, the heavy bag groaning as he caught it still. He turned slowly, his chest heaving, his eyes raking over her body. He looked sexy, his skin glowing with a fine sheen of olive.

​" Then talk, I don't have all day" he commanded, grabbing a towel and wiping his face, never breaking eye contact.

​"I... I wanted to say I’m sorry," Katerina whispered, the words feeling heavy on her tongue. 

"I was stubborn. I thought I could see Jackson. I didn't think it would lead to... that. Those thugs. You, getting hurt." Katerina mumbled 

​Xavier dropped the towel and stepped toward her, his presence intimidating and invading. Each step he took forced her back until her heels hit the cold metal of a weight rack….she felt so small before his towering figure. He didn't stop until he was inches near her, the heat radiating off his body.

"You're apologizing, Katerina?" he rasped,

 his voice a low, vibrating deep growl that made her toes curl like gellies.

"The princess is finally admitting she’s a spoilt brat?"

​"I'm admitting I was wrong," she defended, her eyes helplessly ogling the way a single bead of sweat rolled down the mountain of his shoulder. He was so hot, and so close she couldn't bear it.

“ Ooh, really?”

​He leaned in slowly intoxicatedly drunk by her presence, his eyes screaming hunger for a desperate touch of her seductive lips

Katerina is consumed by his heavy mint cologne.

The craving in the room was overwhelming as Katerina closed her eyes, in submission, melting into a dangerous surrender awaiting those inviting lips on hers. They've both wanted and craved this moment for a long time now.

All rational thoughts and future consequences flying out the window as they both leaned in closer—ready…….

​Brrrrring. Brrrrring!!!!.

​The shilling, loud ringtone of Katerina’s phone sliced through the tension like a blade.

​Katerina jumped, her heart hammering against her ribs. She scrambled back, nearly tripping over a dumbbell. 

"I—I have to take this, ex…. excuse me" she stammered, her face flushing a deep crimson in embarrassment 

​She turned away from Xavier’s smug, cocky smirk and practically ran toward the exit humiliated.