Mafia Lord's Mute Sweetheart

Chapter 73: Chapter 73 I am not stubborn

Finally, Alessio spoke again.

"Who was following you?" he asked.

Daisy’s hands trembled. She typed slowly, her fingers fumbling over the cracked screen. The words came out shaky and uneven.

I don’t know. A dark car. It followed me this morning too. I ran away, but it came back.

Alessio’s grip tightened on the steering wheel. His knuckles turned white. The leather creaked under his fingers. He stared straight ahead, but his jaw was tight, his shoulders rigid.

"Do you have any enemies?" he asked.

Daisy shook her head. She typed again, her thumbs moving carefully.

I don’t think so.

"Then who would want to follow you?"

Daisy was silent for a long moment. She looked down at her phone, then out the window, then back at her phone. Finally, she typed.

I don’t know. But I am scared.

Alessio looked at her. Her eyes were fixed on the road, her hands clasped tightly in her lap. She looked so small, so fragile, so vulnerable. Her caramel hair fell across her face, and her lower lip was caught between her teeth. She was trying so hard to be brave, but he could see the hint of fear in her eyes.

Daisy was taken aback when the car stopped in front of a small clinic.

The building was modest, with white walls and a bright red cross sign above the door. Soft light spilled from the windows, warm and welcoming. A small garden of flowers grew along the path, their petals soft and colorful in the dim glow.

She looked at Alessio in shock. Her eyes were wide, her mouth slightly open. She pointed at the clinic, then at herself, then shook her head.

Why are we here? I am fine. I do not need a doctor.

Alessio’s expression did not change. He turned off the engine and opened his door. The night air drifted in, cool and fresh. He walked around to her side and opened her door.

"Get out," he said. His voice was firm but not unkind.

Daisy shook her head. She pointed at her scraped palms, then at her bleeding knees, then made a dismissive gesture with her hand.

It is nothing. Just scratches. I will be fine. I can clean them at home.

Alessio looked at her. His green eyes were deep and dark as a void, fixed on her face with an intensity that made her breath catch.

"You are bleeding," he said. "You need to get those cleaned. They could get infected."

Daisy opened her mouth to argue, but no sound came out. She could not argue. She could only gesture, and her gestures were not convincing enough to change his mind.

She sighed and stepped out of the car.

Her legs buckled beneath her.

The adrenaline that had been keeping her going was gone now, replaced by a dull, throbbing pain in her knees. She stumbled forward, her hands reaching out to catch herself.

Alessio caught her.

His hands gripped her arms, steadying her. She could feel his warmth through the fabric of his suit, the strength in his fingers. He looked down at her, his eyes scanning her face, her scraped palms, her bleeding knees. He noticed the way she was breathing, shallow and quick. He noticed the way her hands were still trembling.

She was in worse shape than she had let on.

He made a quick decision mentally.

Without a word, he bent down and scooped her into his arms.

Daisy’s eyes widened. Her breath caught in her throat. Her hands flew to his shoulders, gripping the fabric of his suit. She looked up at him, her face flushed with shock and embarrassment. Her heart was pounding so loud she was sure he could hear it.

What are you doing? Put me down. I can walk.

She gestured frantically, her hands moving in quick, panicked motions. Her fingers were shaking so badly that her signs were almost illegible.

Alessio did not put her down.

"Don’t wiggle," he said, his voice flat but not unkind. "I am not letting you go. Your knees are injured. You cannot walk properly."

I can walk. I am fine. Please put me down.

She gestured again, her cheeks turning pink. The warmth spread from her cheeks down her neck.

Alessio ignored her.

He walked toward the clinic, carrying her like she weighed nothing. His arms were strong and steady, holding her against his chest. She could feel the warmth of his body through his suit, the steady rhythm of his heartbeat beneath her ear. She could feel the hard planes of his chest against her side.

Daisy stopped struggling.

She looked up at him. His jaw was set, his eyes fixed on the door ahead. He was not looking at her. He was focused on getting her inside, getting her help. The sharp lines of his face were softened by the dim light.

You are very stubborn, she gestured.

Alessio glanced down at her. "You are one to talk."

Daisy blinked. She pointed at herself, then at him, then made a gesture that said me?

"Yes, you. You are the most stubborn person I have ever met."

Daisy’s eyes widened. She shook her head and gestured quickly.

I am not stubborn. I am just... independent.

Alessio raised an eyebrow. "Independent."

Yes. Independent. I can take care of myself.

"You are bleeding on my suit."

Daisy looked down. There were small spots of blood on his jacket, transferred from her knees. Her face turned even redder. She wanted to disappear into the ground.

I am sorry. I will clean it.

Alessio said nothing. He pushed open the clinic door with his shoulder and carried her inside.

❀┈┈┈┈❀

The clinic was small and clean, with white walls and a few plastic chairs in the waiting area. A young woman stood behind the reception desk. She was around Daisy’s age, with bright eyes and a cheerful smile. Her name tag read "Dr. Penelope."

Her eyes widened when she saw Alessio carrying Daisy.

Dr. Penelope exclaimed, rushing around the desk. "Oh my god! What happened?"