Chapter 53: Doll not Alexa

I ended the call and leaned back in my seat, the phone still in my hand.

Alex and the driver were in front, quiet as usual. But I couldn’t hide the small smile that tugged at my lips.

“Maria’s got something.” I said quietly.

Alex turned a little in his seat. “Sir?”

“Maria. She’s finally decided. She wants to start a bar.”

Alex nodded. “That’s good news.”

But he looked again through the mirror. Then asked, “Why are you smiling about it, if you don’t mind me asking?”

I stared out the window.

“She wants to be involved, Alex. She’s not like Alexa.”

Alex stayed quiet, but I knew he was listening.

“She’s not asking for money or gifts. She wants to help. Be part of something,” I added. “Alexa never wanted that. All she wanted was pleasure. To try things in bed, to play with new partners, and enjoy the money.”

Alex gave a short nod like he understood, and I knew he did.

I looked back out the window. Everything outside looked normal. Cars driving by, people walking, streetlights coming on.

And then, just like that, a car came out of nowhere.

It rammed into us really hard.

The whole SUV jerked sideways.

The driver gripped the wheel, but it was too late. We had already been hit.

Before I could react, a person jumped out of the other car.

Gunshots.

I ducked fast, so did Alex and the driver. A loud crack hit the glass by my side. The bullet didn’t get through, but it left a deep spider-like crack on the window.

More shots. Then silence.

I raised my head slowly.

The shooter was already getting back into the car.

But I saw her.

A young woman.

And I recognized her.

“She’s trying to drive off!” the driver shouted.

He tried to start the car, but the front glass was too damaged to see through.

“I can’t drive, boss. The windshield is gone.”

Alex was already on the phone. “Shots fired! We’ve been hit. Sending our location now.”

The security team would track us in seconds. I knew that. Still, I wasn’t going to just sit here.

“We should wait here, sir,” Alex said from the front. “They’ll be here any moment.”

“No,” I said, opening the door.

“Boss, wait!” Alex shouted, but I had already stepped out.

People were standing around, staring at the car, at us. Some held their phones, recording.

I didn’t care.

I turned and walked toward the nearest building.

It was a hotel.

A fancy one.

I walked in. Alex and the driver followed close behind.

“We need a room,” Alex told the receptionist. “The most secure one.”

She looked shocked but didn’t waste time. She typed something quickly and requested a card to check in. Alex gave her a card and within a minute, we were given a keycard.

Some hotel security men who had seen the scene outside approached and asked if we were okay. I believed he could tell from my car that I was a very important person and so he offered to help.

“We saw what happened, sir,” one of them said. “If you allow us, we can move your vehicle inside and begin checking it for details. Even help your security team when they arrive.”

Alex tried to respond. “That wouldn't be nevertheless, our team is on their…”

But I stopped him. “Let them.”

Alex looked at me but said nothing. He gave a nod to the driver who handed the car keys to the head of security who gave it to another of his team.

The head of security led us upstairs and walked us to the room.

“This is one of our secure suites,” he said. “There’s a phone here. Dial zero if you need direct help. We’ll post guards at the door.”

I gave a small nod.

“Thank you,” Alex said as the man left.

Once the door shut, Alex turned to me quickly. “Boss, do you know who that was?”

I didn’t say anything at first.

I walked toward the window, looking outside even though there was nothing there.

“Yes.”

Alex stepped closer. “Who is she?”

I paused again, the name already on my lips.

“I don’t know her well,” I said. “ But I can remember her name.”

Alex waited.

“Stephanie,” I said.