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Chapter 28 - Chapter 28 – Dangerous Business Deal

Lila Hart's thoughts wouldn't settle.

Alexander Knight's rare tenderness—his soft voice, his whispered "I need you"—still echoed through her mind, battling the question that refused to fade.

Does he love me… or just want to own me?

The answer vanished the moment Veronica's name flashed on his phone.

The warmth in his eyes had turned to steel, and by morning, that fragile softness was gone—buried beneath the ruthless CEO the world feared.

Two years ago, she'd saved his life, dragging him from a burning wreck.

Now she lived inside the empire that moment had built… and inside the cage it had become.

The penthouse buzzed with tension. Phones rang. Security teams murmured updates. Knight Industries was under siege—a hostile takeover led by Marcus Kane, a corporate predator who devoured companies for sport.

The leaked gala photo, the scandal, the whispers about Alexander's mystery fiancée—all of it had weakened him. And Kane was circling like blood in the water.

From the study doorway, Lila watched him.

Alexander's voice was a blade over the phone. "Secure the deal or they'll regret crossing me."

He stood tall and cold, the morning light cutting sharp lines across his face. Gone was the man who'd brushed her hair from her eyes. This was the version the world saw: ruthless, commanding, untouchable.

But even now, she saw the tension in his shoulders—the kind born of exhaustion, fear, and pride.

When he ended the call, his gaze found hers instantly.

"Stay inside today," he said, crossing to her. His tone was clipped but laced with something she couldn't name. "Kane's people are watching. It's not safe."

His hand brushed her arm, brief but electric. The warmth of his skin spread through her before she could step back.

"I'm not your prisoner," she snapped.

But her voice shook. Her body betrayed her. She could still feel the ghost of his lips from the night before.

His jaw tightened. "You'll do as I say, Lila. For your own safety."

It wasn't just a command—it was fear, disguised as control. His fingers lingered a moment longer before he turned away, already lost to another call, another war.

By afternoon, the walls of the penthouse were closing in.

Lila slipped on her coat, ignoring the security team's wary looks. She needed air. Freedom. Anything that wasn't marble and glass and his shadow over her every move.

The city streets were brisk, the noise grounding her.

But every step only brought more questions. Alexander's gentleness. Veronica's call. Ethan's confession—I'm falling for you.

Each memory tangled inside her until she couldn't tell what was real.

She didn't notice the black SUV until it was too late.

It screeched to a halt beside her, tires skidding on wet asphalt.

Two men in dark suits spilled out, faces half-masked.

"Grab her!" one barked.

Lila's heart lurched. She twisted, kicked, clawed—pure panic and adrenaline—but one man's grip clamped around her arm, dragging her toward the open door.

"Let me go!" she screamed, her voice echoing off brick.

A blaring horn cut through the chaos.

A delivery truck swerved into the alley, tires squealing. The men scattered, one shouting curses as the SUV screeched away.

Lila stumbled back, chest heaving.

"Hey, you okay, lady?" the driver called out, leaning from the truck window.

She nodded numbly, every nerve shaking. Kane's men. They'd come for her.

To hurt Alexander—through her.

By the time she reached the penthouse, her hands were still trembling.

The elevator doors opened to reveal Alexander waiting, his posture rigid, his face carved from fury and fear.

"You disobeyed me," he said, voice low, dangerous.

Before she could speak, he was in front of her, grabbing her shoulders, his touch searing. "Do you have any idea what could've happened?"

His anger cracked on the last word, revealing something raw beneath it—panic.

Lila's breath caught. "I—"

He didn't let her finish. He pulled her closer, his lips crashing onto hers, fierce and desperate. The kiss burned—punishment and relief tangled together.

When he broke away, his breath was ragged against her skin. "You're mine to protect," he whispered, voice hoarse. "I won't lose you."

His forehead pressed to hers, eyes closing for a fleeting second. The walls between them trembled—but outside, the storm was already gathering.

Because Marcus Kane had made his move.

And Lila was no longer just Alexander's weakness—

she was his greatest liability.

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