On Her Daddy's Bed (Adeline and Luciano) novel Chapter 55

Author’s POV.

Alex placed a call to Tracy, his phone pressed firmly to his ear as he waited for her response. As he’d anticipated, Tracy picked up on the first ring.

He had never been one for predictions, but something inside him told him this would be the one thing he would get right. A part of him knew she had been holding back from calling, hesitant after the way he had treated her, but she wouldn’t hesitate now. She was waiting for this—waiting for the assurance that everything would be okay, that the distance between them could be bridged.

He had left her with nothing but questions, a silent apology, and the weight of his own mess to carry. Now, as he heard her voice, he wished he could take back everything that led to this moment.

“Hello.” Her calm, melodious voice greeted him instantly, the simple word sending a jolt through his chest. Alex paused, his heart unexpectedly skipping a beat. He couldn’t remember the last time something so small made him feel so alive.

Love. It could make you feel crazy without a single ounce of pressure. His heart had leaped for the first time in years, and it was because of her—the daughter of the man he would soon be killing. The thought twisted inside him, but for now, he couldn’t focus on anything else but her.

He cleared his throat, the weight of his words almost suffocating him, before finally responding.

“Hello, Tracy.”

“Are you home now?” she asked softly, and Alex nodded, despite knowing she couldn’t see him.

“Yes… I am. I called to apologize for how I acted earlier. I got an urgent message that ruined my mood. It wasn’t about you.”

He had already screwed up any chance of keeping her at a distance, but this was the only explanation he could give. He couldn’t bring himself to walk away from her—not without at least explaining himself. He couldn’t betray her, not after everything she had come to mean to him.

Her voice softened, and Alex could almost feel the relief in her tone.

“You sound really tired, Alex. You should rest now.”

“You too,” he replied, his words coming out more tender than he had intended, but it felt right.

“Goodbye for now,” she said quietly, and there was a sadness behind the words that he couldn’t ignore.

“Goodbye for now.”

The call ended, and Alex exhaled deeply, feeling a mixture of guilt and regret settle into his chest. He had betrayed her, in more ways than one, and it was only now, hearing her soothing voice, that he realized just how much it had affected him. The weight of the guilt was heavy in his heart, and he collapsed onto the bed, letting his thoughts run wild.

Alex sighed, the familiar sting of pain gnawing at him as he held his chest. He needed to focus, to clear his mind, but the image of Tracy, the sound of her voice, lingered in his thoughts.

He walked into the bathroom, splashing cold water on his face, but it didn’t help. When he stepped out, he dressed quickly, something casual but neat. The world outside wasn’t waiting for him to sort out his emotions, but for a fleeting moment, he allowed himself to feel the warmth of the bed, the comfort of solitude.

The next day, as he woke up to yet another weight pressing on his chest, he knew it was time to act. Axel had called, asking him to meet at his house, and Alex knew it wasn’t going to be easy.

As he walked to the bathroom, he set his mind on one thing: he was going to restrain himself. He couldn’t let the feelings in his heart distract him. He owed it to the man who had made him who he was. He owed it to Axel, and he would follow through. But deep down, something inside him longed to call Tracy again, to fix everything that had been broken between them.

But not yet. Not now.

***********

Alex walked into the dimly lit room, his hands tucked into the pockets of his coat.

The moment he stepped closer to Axel, seated in the Golden chair, he bowed. Axel’s gaze remained fixed on the ceiling. He knew, the moment the familiar scent of cologne drew closer, that Alex had entered. Axel was still as a statue, his dark aura enveloping the space around him like a cloak.

“Good morning, boss,” Alex greeted, lifting his head from the bow, and Axel finally spared him a glance.

Axel’s eyes swept over him, noting the shift in Alex’s usual demeanor. In the dark room, Alex seemed far from himself. Normally, Alex exuded a cheerful aura, a man who never seemed weighed down by the world, but now, he appeared troubled, burdened by unseen weight.

“How do you feel?” Axel’s voice cut through the silence. Alex bowed again.

“Pretty great, my lord. You called for me,” Alex replied, attempting to mask the heaviness within him.

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