KICKED LIKE A DOG, RETURNED LIKE A HIDDEN HEIR

The Aftermath and Growing Suspicion

Chapter Eight: 

The cool night air felt like salvation against Alexander's champagne-soaked skin as he stood on the mansion's front steps, trying to process what had just happened. The sounds of the party continued behind him—laughter, music, and the inevitable gossip about his humiliation spreading like wildfire through social media.

"Alexander! Wait!"

He turned to see Selena hurrying after him, her silver dress shimmering under the estate's elegant lighting. Her face was flushed with anger and what looked like genuine concern.

"Selena, you don't need to—"

"Yes, I do," she interrupted firmly, stopping just in front of him. "What happened in there was disgusting. Absolutely disgusting."

"It's fine," Alexander said quietly, trying to wipe champagne from his hair. "I'm used to it."

"Well, you shouldn't be!" Selena's voice rose with indignation. "Paxton had no right to do that to you. And Tommy's accusations were completely ridiculous."

"How do you know I didn't steal it?" Alexander asked, genuinely curious.

Selena looked at him like he'd asked if the sky was purple. "Because I know you, Alexander. You're not a thief. You're one of the most honest people I've ever met."

"Tommy seemed pretty convinced—"

"Tommy is a lying snake," Selena said fiercely. "He's been jealous of you ever since I stood up for you on the practice field. This was just his pathetic attempt at revenge."

Alexander felt warmth spreading through his chest despite his soggy clothes. "You really believe I'm innocent?"

"Of course I do," Selena said without hesitation. "And you know what? I want to make this up to you."

"You don't need to make anything up—"

"Yes, I do," she insisted. "Listen, a group of us are going on a weekend trip tomorrow. Lake House getaway, very exclusive, very fun. I want you to come."

Alexander blinked in surprise. "Me? At a lake house with your friends?"

"With our friends," Selena corrected gently. "Look, I know they can be... challenging sometimes. But once they get to know the real you, they'll see what I see."

"I don't know, Selena. After tonight—"

"Especially after tonight," she interrupted. "You showed incredible grace under pressure in there. Most people would have completely lost it."

"Or fought back," Alexander said quietly.

"Some fights aren't worth fighting," Selena replied wisely. "Sometimes the strongest thing you can do is walk away with your dignity intact."

If only she knew how close he had come to fighting back, Alexander thought. How easily he could have destroyed both Paxton and Tommy with a single phone call.

"I insist you come," Selena continued, her voice taking on that tone he remembered from when she'd defended him against Paxton. "We leave at ten AM tomorrow. I'll text you the address."

"Selena, I really don't think—"

"Alexander Morello," she said with mock sternness, "you are coming on this trip if I have to drag you there myself. After what you've been through tonight, you deserve some fun."

Despite everything, Alexander found himself smiling. "When you put it like that..."

"Good!" Selena beamed. "It'll be perfect. Swimming, boating, good food, and hopefully some people acting like decent human beings for once."

"Okay," Alexander said, surprising himself. "I'll come."

"Excellent!" Selena hugged him quickly, not caring about the champagne stains. "Now go home, get cleaned up, and try not to let those idiots rent space in your head. They're not worth it."

She turned and headed back toward the mansion, pausing at the door to wave. "Ten AM sharp! Don't make me come find you!"

As the door closed behind her, Alexander stood alone in the circular driveway, feeling oddly hopeful despite the evening's events. A weekend trip with Selena's crowd would be challenging, but maybe it was time to step out of his comfort zone.

He was about to start the long walk home when the purr of an expensive engine made him look up. A sleek black sedan glided up the driveway, its tinted windows reflecting the mansion's lights. The car came to a stop directly in front of him, and Alexander instinctively took a step back.

The driver's door opened, and a young woman emerged. She appeared to be around his age, with sharp, intelligent eyes and an athletic build that suggested serious physical training. Her movements were fluid and precise, like a dancer or martial artist. Despite her youth, she carried herself with the confidence of someone much older.

"Young Master," she said, offering a respectful bow that looked strangely formal in the suburban setting.

"Excuse me?" Alexander looked around, certain she must be talking to someone else.

"Young Master Morello," she repeated, her voice carrying a slight accent he couldn't place. "I am here to protect you."

"Protect me?" Alexander's voice cracked with confusion. "From what? Who are you?"

"My name is Aria Blackwood," she said, stepping closer. "My father served your father as his personal guardian for many years. Now it is my duty to serve you."

"Your father..." Alexander's mind raced back to his conversation with Langston. "You said enemies were still out there."

"They are," Aria confirmed grimly. "More than you know. Your display of wealth today at Elite Athletic has already reached the wrong ears. Word spreads fast in certain circles."

Alexander felt ice forming in his stomach. "What kind of circles?"

"The kind where your name carries a death sentence," Aria said bluntly. "The Castellano family, the Torrino syndicate, corrupt politicians who owe your father's estate millions—they all have reasons to want you dead."

"Dead?" Alexander's voice came out as a whisper.

"A eighteen-year-old boy with access to hundreds of millions of dollars?" Aria raised an eyebrow. "You're either an asset to be controlled or a threat to be eliminated. There's no middle ground."

"But Langston said I was safe as long as I stayed hidden—"

"You were hidden," Aria interrupted. "Until this afternoon. That viral video of you at Elite Athletic? It's already been analyzed by facial recognition software. By tomorrow, every criminal organization on the East Coast will know Michael Morello's son is alive and wealthy."

Alexander sank onto the mansion's front steps, the weight of realization crushing down on him.

"So what happens now?" he asked quietly.

"Now, I become your shadow," Aria said, sitting beside him on the steps. "I've already enrolled at Winston College under a false identity. As far as anyone knows, I'm just another transfer student. But my real job is keeping you breathing."

"You're going to follow me around school?"

"Everywhere," Aria confirmed. "Classes, meals, that lake house trip your friend just invited you to—I'll be there."

"How do you know about the trip?"

Aria tapped her ear, and Alexander noticed a tiny device he hadn't seen before. "I've been monitoring your conversations since you left the bank this afternoon. Part of the job."

"You've been spying on me?"

"Protecting you," Aria corrected. "There's a difference. Spying is gathering information for hostile purposes. Protection is gathering information to keep you safe."

"This is insane," Alexander muttered, running his hands through his sticky hair. "This morning I was nobody. Tonight I'm apparently a walking target."

"Welcome to the life of Michael Morello's heir," Aria said with something that might have been sympathy. "It's not going to get easier."

"What if I just gave the money away?" Alexander asked desperately. "Donated it all to charity or something?"

"The money isn't the only issue," Aria said gently. "You have your father's blood, his DNA, his potential to rebuild his empire. As long as you're alive, you represent a threat to people who profited from his supposed death."

Alexander stared at the mansion's glowing windows, where his classmates were probably still talking about his humiliation.

"So I can never have a normal life?"

"Define normal," Aria said pragmatically. "You'll never be poor again. You'll never be powerless again. But you'll also never be completely safe again."

She stood up, offering him her hand. "Come on. Let me drive you home. We have a lot to discuss, and tomorrow we start your new life as someone worth protecting."