Chapter 9
Alexander carried Sophia out of the ballroom, navigating the long, brightly lit marble corridors of the estate. The cinematic sunlight casting long shadows across the floor seemed to reflect the heavy burden of power he carried. His mind shifted rapidly from the cold executioner back to the desperate, heartbroken father.
He bypassed his private study and took the private elevator directly to his personal suite in the west wing.
The heavy steel doors slid open. The suite was a sanctuary of soft, warm light and plush rugs, a stark contrast to the harsh reality of the ballroom below.
Alexander walked directly into the massive, pristine en-suite bathroom. He gently set Sophia down on the edge of the large marble bathtub. He turned on the warm water, testing the temperature meticulously with his tattooed hand.
"We are going to get you clean, my sweet girl," Alexander murmured, his raspy voice cracking with an uncharacteristic, profound emotion. He reached out with his large hands, carefully untying the dirty, faded sash of her ruined party dress.
He washed her himself. He scrubbed the alleyway dirt from her tiny hands and feet with agonizing gentleness, terrified of causing her any more pain. He rinsed the grease from her soft hair, wrapping her securely in a massive, fluffy white towel when she was clean.
He carried her into his massive bedroom, laying her gently on the plush mattress. He found a soft, clean oversized t-shirt in his drawer and slipped it over her head.
"Daddy?" Sophia mumbled sleepily, opening her bright blue eyes as she snuggled into the heavy comforter.
"I am right here, little bird," Alexander whispered, kneeling beside the bed and pressing a soft kiss to her forehead. "I am right here."
"Did Grandma go away?" the four-year-old asked innocently.
Alexander’s sharply defined jawline tightened, the memory of his mother’s cruelty flashing through his mind. But he kept his face incredibly gentle for his daughter.
"Yes, sweetheart," Alexander promised softly. "Grandma went very far away. And she will never, ever come back."
"I missed Mommy," Sophia sniffled, a single tear slipping down her clean, rosy cheek.
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"I miss her too," Alexander breathed, a sharp, twisting pain in his chest. "But I promise you, I will make sure the people who took her away pay for what they did. You are completely safe now."
Sophia smiled faintly, closing her eyes as exhaustion finally overtook her. Alexander watched her until her breathing evened out and she drifted into a deep, peaceful sleep.
