Sold To the Grizzly Don (Alcee and Bruno) novel Chapter 121

Chapter 121

Alcee was surprised to see the number of cars waiting for them as they exited the condominium complex. It was a small army of Hummers and guards.

“What is all this?”

“When nobody knew my face, I could travel with a smaller crew. However, after tonight there will be a face to the title of Don Lozano and more importantly, you and Antero will both be identified. We’ve already taken all kinds of extra precautions for Antero in school. The office building has now been reinforced for your safety. This building behind us is a damn fortress. When we buy our house it’ll be the equivalent of a military compound in disguise. I will keep you safe but to do that, I need to be out in the open, so people know who they are fucking with.”

“Why couldn’t you simply stay hidden?”

“Because my family, you, Antero, Lorita, Raniero, all deserve to live in the sun, not the shadows. I don’t want you constantly worried and looking over your shoulders trying to figure out if you just outed me to the public. It is time.”

He held his hand out to her, and she took it and then looked down to Antero who ran up behind her and slipped his hand in hers, despite his grandmother hissing at him to come back.

“He’s fine,” Torq called over his shoulder to his parents. “He can come with us in our car.”

They stepped towards the vehicle waiting for them and Alcee didn’t miss the glint of metal under the cost of the man opening the door for them. Armed to the teeth, the guards were more like soldiers.

Tito immediately moved to flank them. “Paparazzi got wind of your coming out party.”

“Funny,” Torq said with a grim face.

“Bastiano and Raniero have already left with Cianna. They will meet us there.”

“Where is Amal?” Torq questioned as he stood behind Alcee protectively while she buckled Antero into his booster seat.

“Mr. Lozano. Is it true you killed your own father?”“”“ a paparazzi shouted from across the street

His face didn’t change a fraction as he ignored the comment.

alk in on my arm.”

“Amal will be arriving with Susana at the venue in a few minutes, but she is instructed to wait for me. She will walk

Torq helped Alcee into the seat opposite Antero in the vehicle and then slid in beside her.

“Dad, this is cool. There are two seats that face each other in here.”

“You like it, Antero?”

“It’s better than the town car you take me to school in.”

“I’m sure it is. For the next while we’ll be traveling in cars like this to keep us all safer.”

“Mom said you don’t like having your picture taken and now people are taking your picture. Are you mad?”

“No

“You look mad.”

Alcee bit her lips together to try to stop from laughing at Antero’s comment. Torq did indeed look pissed off, but she knew it was more a comfort thing. He was wildly uncomfortable in a situation with a slew of unknown outcomes. In a situation like this Antero would shut down or roll on the floor in a rage. This seemed likely to be a reflection of what a grown version of Antero would be in a situation where he lacked control.

She was unsure whether to hold Torq’s hand or give him space. She squeezed her own hands together as Antero pressed Torg.

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Chapter 121

“Why does the little thing right there,” he pointed at Torq’s jaw, “move so much.”

“Antero, perhaps you could sit quietly.” Alcee commented. “Your dad is not happy to know there are so many people out there trying to take his picture.”

“Then why didn’t we stay home? I like it home better.”

“I’m sure you do.”

Torq was staring out the window, listening to the quiet murmurs of Tito in the front seat with the other guard, not really paying attention to his woman and son but then the boy’s next comment made him frown.

“I wish Avalanche were here. She makes me feel better.”

“Are you not feeling well?” Torq asked him reaching across the bench to touch the back of his hand to Antero’s forehead

Antero shrugged, “I don’t know.”

“How does your belly feel?” Alcee asked him.

“Not good.”

“Are you feeling sick? Do you need to be sick?” She was ready to unbutton her seatbelt.

“No. I think,” he made a face, “I think I’m scared.”

“Oh. What are you scared of?”

“What if someone goes in our house when we aren’t there and hurts Avalanche?”

“Nobody can get in our house, Antero. It is as safe as a castle filled with knights.” She used the analogy of the story they were currently reading

“But what if bad guys come and get her?”

“They would need to be able

et past your dad’s security system and his men who are guarding our home.”

“What if they shoot them and then take Avalanche?”

“Antero, you’re fixating on Avalanche, but I promise you she is fine.”

“But I love her.”

Alcer left Torq’s side to go sit with Antero and wrapped her arm over his shoulder as best she could with the fancy booster seat he was in. “Look at me, my sweet boy. I promise you Avalanche is safe. Here,” she pulled out her phone and opened the security feed to their front door. “Look. This is our home. There is nobody able to get in or out of our house.” She switched the camera angle, “and look, this is where she is in your room. You left your bedroom door open, and this camera looks into your room. You can see her right there, in the corner laying in her crate. She is fine.”

“Okay.”

e you still scared?”

“Are you

“Dad still looks really mad.”

“I’m not mad Ant.”

“your eyebrows are touching.” Antero rubbed the space over his own nose. “Right here.”