Lila Hart's heart slammed against her ribs.
Ethan Caldwell's words—"I'm falling for you"—hung between them, sharp and bright, like a spark dropped into a room filled with gasoline.
The penthouse—once polished, silent, and suffocating—felt ready to explode.
Alexander Knight stood across from her, blue eyes blazing with fury and jealousy so fierce it almost seemed to burn.
Two years ago, she had dragged this same man from a burning wreck, saving his life with shaking hands and rain-soaked tears.
That single act had forged a chain—his obsession, his contract, his control.
Now that chain pulled tight, threatening to strangle her between two men: one who wanted to save her, and one who refused to let her go.
Alexander took a step forward. His voice came out low and lethal.
"You think you can take her?"
Every muscle in his body tensed beneath the crisp fabric of his shirt.
The air around him smelled of sandalwood and danger—a scent that once meant safety, now nothing but warning.
"She's mine, Caldwell. By contract, by choice, by fate."
Ethan didn't flinch.
He stood his ground, jaw tight, eyes calm but filled with fire.
"She's not your property, Knight," he said evenly. "Lila deserves better than this. Better than you."
Then he turned to her, voice softening.
"Come with me, Lila. I'll protect you—your family, your future. You don't have to live like this anymore."
Her breath hitched.
Her heart warred between Ethan's gentleness and the dark gravity of Alexander's gaze.
She opened her mouth to speak—but Alexander moved first.
In a flash, he crossed the space, his hand gripping Ethan's collar.
He slammed him against the wall so hard the framed art trembled.
"Touch her," Alexander snarled, "and you're dead."
"Alexander, stop!"
Lila rushed forward, grabbing his arm. His muscles flexed under her touch—hard, unyielding, burning.
For a heartbeat, she felt his pulse racing through his skin, the same rhythm pounding in her own veins.
"Let him go!"
His head snapped toward her.
His eyes were wild—blue fire laced with something raw and broken.
"You defend him?" he whispered, voice trembling with betrayal.
He released Ethan with a violent shove, and before she could move, he seized her wrist, yanking her against him.
Her breath caught as her body collided with his—his chest solid, his heat undeniable.
His hand slid to her waist, his breath rough against her ear.
"You're mine, Lila," he murmured, voice dark and shaking. "Don't forget it."
"Enough."
Ethan's tone cut through the air. He straightened, fury flashing in his hazel eyes.
"She's not yours if she chooses to leave," he said, stepping closer. "I have proof. Your contract, Knight—it's illegal. Every clause. I'll destroy you in court."
Alexander's laugh was sharp and cold. "Try it," he said, tightening his grip on Lila's wrist. "But she stays with me."
Without another word, he pulled her toward the hallway.
His steps were long, fast, commanding.
Behind them, Ethan shouted her name, but the guards were already blocking his path.
The bedroom door slammed shut.
Lila stumbled as Alexander spun her, his control fraying at the edges.
He pressed her onto the bed, the silk sheets cool against her skin.
His body loomed over hers, shadows flickering across his face.
"Do you think you can want him?" he growled, pinning her wrists above her head. His thigh pressed between hers, stealing her breath.
"I'll remind you who owns you."
Her body arched despite herself, the betrayal of desire colliding with the scream in her mind to stop.
His lips brushed her throat, teeth grazing the bruises he'd left before, and she gasped—half fear, half forbidden hunger.
Then—
A crash.
A shout.
Glass shattering from the other room.
"Lila!"
Ethan's voice, raw and furious, echoed through the penthouse.
He'd fought past the guards.
And this time, Alexander's control might finally break.