The Avalon Resort was everything Alex had paid for, secluded, elegant, and drowning in luxury. He hadn't even blinked at the cost. Money wasn't the issue. Keeping his employees satisfied, giving the board members something to praise, and more importantly, keeping Karen close and under his watchful eyes...that was the real investment.
From his suite, high above the central courtyard, Alex stood by the glass railing, one hand in his pocket, the other holding a tumbler of scotch. His eyes scanned the growing crowd of employees arriving at the lobby below. Laughter echoed through the courtyard. Everyone looked eager and carefree.
Except him.
He wasn't here to relax. He was here to control the chaos before it could start.
His jaw tensed as he spotted her.
Karen.
Dressed in a soft cream blouse and tan pants that hugged her in all the right places, her hair fell in gentle waves, catching the sun like silk. She looked... unreal. A breath of calm in his storm. But then she smiled at someone else. Luca.
Alex's fingers clenched tighter around the glass. Luca stood too close, his presence, though subtle, was like a silent dare. Alex knew what he'd asked Luca to do..."watch her, protect her, Keep her safe from whatever dangers may arise".
But he didn't ask him to enjoy it.
"Enjoying the view?" Luca's voice cut through the silence as he walked in through the suite door.
Of course no knock no hesitation, luca was the only one who crossed his lines.
Alex didn't turn. "She's not a toy."
"I never said she was," Luca said, walking toward the minibar. He poured himself a drink and leaned against the edge of the table, raising a brow. "But you're treating her like one."
Alex's voice dropped lower. "Don't push me, Luca."
Luca raised both hands in mock surrender. "Relax, boss. I'm not the enemy. You're the one who asked me to keep an eye on her."
"I asked you to protect her, not flirt with her."
Luca tilted his head. "Is there a difference?"
Alex turned sharply. "There is when it's her."
There was silence between them now. The weight of that confession hung in the air. Luca studied him for a long second, something unreadable in his eyes.
"So... it's real, then," he said quietly.
Alex didn't answer. He didn't need to cause it was always real. From the moment she barged into his office, eyes wide and fearless, standing in front of him like she didn't already belong there.
The sound of laughter again this time drifting from the courtyard.
Karen's laugh.
Soft, light, effortless.
And again, it wasn't because of him.
Alex turned away from the window.
"She's going to get eaten alive," he muttered.
Luca raised a brow. "By who? You?"
"No," Alex said darkly. "By the women down there, they already hate her."
He had seen the glares. The fake smiles. The way their eyes followed Karen's every move. She didn't even notice yet, too caught up in adjusting to the resort, too innocent to understand the games already in play.
But he noticed.
And Alex was already building walls around her. Whether she wanted them or not.
A knock came at the door, then Dami's voice filtered through. "Mr. Knight, the welcome dinner begins in an hour."
Alex didn't answer.
He wasn't ready to be surrounded by smiles and fake compliments. He wasn't ready to share the same air as the vultures circling Karen.
But he would be there.
Because she would be.
And this retreat... it was only beginning.