Page 10 of Checkmate
“And here I thought you wanted to enjoy a nice meal.”
“I do! It’s just—”
“Sophie,” he said firmly, cutting her off. “Are we getting out of here or am I pressing the button for our floor?”
“We’re leaving,” she whispered. “I want to go for lunch.”
“Very well.” Once again, back in control, he led her towards the exit, nodding at the security guard as they passed.
Flagging down a cab as they reached the street, Alex ushered her into the backseat and situated himself next to her, resting his hand on her knee to stop her pouting further.
“Giovanni’s please, mate,” he said to the cab driver.
“Giovanni’s? Really?” The older gentleman driving the car chuckled, glancing at them in the rearview mirror. “You’re brave.”
Alex smirked and shrugged. “What the lady wants…”
The driver looked between them, clocking Alex’s hand on her knee, and nodded once. “Very well. Giovanni’s it is.”
Pulling onto the street, they soon joined the midafternoon traffic as office workers just like themselves rushed to eat a quick meal before the hours stretched out in front of them until closing time.
With any luck, Alex could have a brief lunch with Sophie, and he would still have time to find a little treat for Erica.
With her in mind, he pulled his phone from his pocket and checked his messages.
Quite right, too. Gentle reminder, I only accept emeralds. Love you.
He chuckled at her message, locking his phone before Sophie could see anything. It wasn’t like he had anything to hide, but frankly, it was none of her business and he could do without the headache.
“What’s funny?” she asked, glancing up at him.
“Oh, nothing,” he replied, squeezing her knee. “Just another woman demanding my attention.”
Sophie laughed, though it didn’t quite meet her eyes. It seemed to be a trend between them. Alex would make a joke of sorts, and Sophie would laugh because she thought she had to. Sometimes, he had to remind himself that she was still quite young.
“Looking forward to lunch?” He asked, simply to change the topic.
“Yes.” This time, her smile lit up her entire face, her eyes shining. “I can’t wait to spend some time with you.”
Alex, very aware of the cab driver listening in, offered her a tight-lipped smile. If she noticed the shift in his mood, she didn’t react to it, moving her arm around his and clinging to him. Her fingers played with his, her eyes doting.
What was she playing at?
He untangled himself from her hold and shot her a warning look as he glanced out of the window. “Ah. Here we are.”
Never had he been so happy to end a cab ride. He paid the driver, offering him a tip and waving him off as he and Sophie stood on the pavement. When he was sure the driver was out of view, he turned to her with a glare.
“What the fuck was that?” he hissed.
“What do you mean?” She shrank back, reaching her hand to steady herself on the wall of the building.
“Grabbing me like that. Suppose someone saw?”
“We were in a cab, Alex,” she whimpered. “No one was going to see.”
“You’re getting careless,” he warned, advancing on her. She bit her lip, barely containing her excitement as he backed her against the wall.
“Wh-what are you doing?” she whispered, turning her head toward him.
