The note felt heavier than paper had any right to be.
I'm not done.
Alina stared at the elegant handwriting, her heart thudding unevenly. She read it once. Twice. A third time. Like maybe the meaning would change if she blinked hard enough. It didn't.
Lucian Hale had slipped a note into her house.
Or near enough.
That was bold. Too bold. Bold in the way only a man with power, money, and nerves of steel could manage without flinching.
She dropped onto her bed, curling her fingers around the note. I'm not done. The words burned into her mind, sending a thrill through her equal parts excitement and fear.
Why couldn't he be normal?
Why couldn't she stop thinking about him?
Why did one man feel like gravity and the other like wildfire?
She lay there staring at the ceiling for a long time long enough for dusk to darken into night and for her mother to call her three times for dinner.
She ignored all three.
By the time morning light crawled through her curtains, Alina had only slept in pieces. Every thought splintered back to Lucian's eyes, his voice, the way he said her name like it mattered.
She dragged herself out of bed and glanced at her phone.
Two missed calls.
Both from Kade.
Her stomach twisted.
She wasn't ready for that conversation not when her brain was still tangled in Lucian's shadow.
She shoved her phone into her pocket and stepped outside for air.
The day was cool and bright. Birds chattered noisily. Kids biked down the street. Normal life continued like her own wasn't becoming a novel.
She was halfway down the sidewalk when she noticed something parked by the curb.
A sleek black car.
Not Lucian's Obsidian V-12.
But close.
A mirror-polished luxury SUV with tinted windows and a familiar quiet, deadly elegance.
Her pulse jumped.
Oh no.
Oh no, no, no—
Before she could turn around, the car door opened.
And Lucian Hale stepped out.
He wore a white shirt crisp, perfectly fitted and dark slacks. Simple, but somehow more devastating than his suit yesterday. His sleeves were rolled up, revealing the faintest hint of forearms, and the sun caught in his hair in a way that should've been illegal.
Alina stopped breathing.
Lucian shut the door behind him, his expression unreadable. Controlled. Dangerous.
Good morning, he said, voice low and smooth.
She gaped. You… you're here again.
You sound surprised.
I am surprised! You can't just show up whenever you
Alina.
He said her name like a command. Like a soft touch that silenced every objection.
You didn't answer my note.
That's because I didn't know how.
You still don't, he said simply. So I'll make it easier.
He took a step closer, invading her space in that quiet, dominant way he carried himself never forcing, but always unavoidable.
I want you to come with me today.
Her breath hitched. Where?
A charity benefit I'm sponsoring. It's public. Safe. And you'll be back before dinner, if that's what you're worried about.
Im not— I mean— My parents
I spoke to your father," Lucian said.
Alina's soul left her body.
You WHAT?
Lucian blinked, unbothered. He asked my intentions. I told him the truth.
What truth?
That I find you compelling.
The world stopped moving.
You did not use that exact word, she whispered.
I did. He paused. He didn't like it.
Oh my God.
He asked my age, Lucian added calmly. I said it. He didn't like that either.
I can imagine!
Lucian inclined his head slightly. Your mother was more composed. She said I have 'mysterious eyes'.
Alina nearly wheezed. I'm going to die.
You're not going to die, Lucian said. "You're going to come with me.
He offered his hand.
Not forcefully.
Not arrogantly.
Just… inevitably.
Alina stared at it, her heart thumping painfully. This wasn't normal. People didn't live like this. Teen girls didn't get picked up by billionaires with intimidating cheekbones.
This is crazy, she whispered.
Yes, Lucian agreed. Come anyway.
She laughed ervous, breathless, overwhelmed. You're unbelievable.
His eyes softened just enough to be dangerous.
Only with you.
That line. That tone. That man.
How am I supposed to explain this to anyone? she asked.
You don't.
And what if I get overwhelmed?
You won't.
And what if I do?
Then I'll take you home. His gaze deepened. I don't push you where you can't go. Only where you want to go.
Alina's knees nearly forgot how to function.
For a long moment, she stood frozen caught between fear and desire, between the good girl she'd always been and the braver girl she was becoming.
Finally, she inhaled.
Okay, she whispered. I'll come.
Lucian didn't smile.
But something in his eyes lit.
Good, he said quietly. Very good.
The ride was… surreal.
Lucian drove smoothly, confidently, one hand on the wheel, the other resting casually on the console. Everything inside the car was sleek, expensive, understated. He didn't fill the silence with unnecessary conversationhe let her breathe.
You okay? he asked eventually, glancing over.
I'm trying to be.
That's honest, he said. I prefer that.
She swallowed. You're being very… intense.
That's also honest.
Are you always like this?
No.
She blinked.
Because you don't run.
Four words that sent her pulse spiraling.
You think I should? she whispered.
Yes, he said. But you won't.
He wasn't wrong.
She hated that he wasn't wrong.
They pulled up to a modern glass building overlooking the coast. People in expensive clothing streamed inside senators, CEOs, influencers. Alina froze.
Lucian, she said, panic rising, I don't fit in here.
You fit anywhere you choose to stand.
That's not helpful!
It's true.
He stepped out, walked around the car, and opened her door with a grace that made her chest tighten.
Take my hand, he said.
Lucian
I won't let you fall.
She hesitated.
Then placed her hand in his.
His grip was warm, steady, grounding.
The moment they walked inside, heads turned.
People stared.
Whispered.
Women glanced at Lucian with poorly hidden interest.
Men assessed him with wary respect.
But every pair of eyes went to Alina next confused, curious, judging.
She felt her throat tighten.
Lucian leaned down slightly.
Look at me, he murmured.
She did.
Good. He held her gaze. Now stay with me. Every room I walk into becomes mine. And anyone standing with me doesn't need to fear the noise.
Her heart fluttered violently.
I don't want to embarrass you, she breathed.
You won't. And if someone embarrasses you? His jaw sharpened. I end them.
She choked. That's not funny.
It wasn't a joke.
Her stomach flipped.
He guided her through the crowd with a hand gently but firmly on her back. People greeted him respectfully, cautiously. Lucian replied in short, clipped exchanges, never taking his eyes off her for long.
It was overwhelming.
But he made it feel… safer.
Not safe.
Just safer.
Halfway through the event, they stepped onto a balcony overlooking the ocean. Alina exhaled finally, the air crisp against her skin.
I shouldn't be here, she said softly.
Then why do you feel right here? Lucian countered.
She stared at him. Stop doing that.
Doing what?
Reading me.
He stepped closer. I can't help that.
Lucian…
He brushed a strand of hair from her cheek. The touch was barely there but it burned.
You're shaking, he murmured.
I'm not used to this.
You will be.
What if I don't want
You do.
Her breath caught.
You want to run, he said softly, but you want to stay more.
She looked down at the ocean waves crashing against the rocks.
You shouldn't want me involved with your world, he whispered.
I shouldn't, he agreed.
So why?
Because something about you quiets everything else. His voice was low, honest. And I don't get quiet.
Her heart hammered.
Then—
A voice cut through the air like a blade.
Alina?
Her blood froze.
She turned.
Kade.
Standing in the open balcony doorway, staring at them like he'd walked in on a crime.
Lucian's expression cooled instantly something dangerous flickering beneath the surface.
Kade's jaw clenched. I've been looking for you
Lucian straightened with a calm that was more frightening than fury.
You have ten seconds, he said, "to explain why you're interrupting.
Kade stepped forward. I wasn't talking to you.
Lucian's eyes chilled. That was one second.
Alina shoved herself between them quickly.
Kade what are you doing here?
Kade's nostrils flared. Trying to save you.
From what? she asked.
He gestured at Lucian. From him.
Lucian's jaw flexed. You don't know me.
And you don't know her.
They stared at each other like two storms preparing to collide again.
Alina felt her pulse spike panic, anger, confusion mixing into something volatile.
Both of you, stop, she said.
Neither stopped.
Kade pointed at her. He's using you, Lina. Guys like him don't do charity events and morning visits. They do control.
Lucian's voice dropped to something dark. You're projecting.
Kade sneered. And you're a predator in a suit.
Lucian took one step forward slow, deliberate, dangerous.
Kade mirrored it.
Alina felt the air stiffen like lightning was about to strike.
STOP! she snapped.
Both froze.
Breathing hard, she backed away from them.
I'm done, she said. If you two want to glare each other into early graves, do it without using me as the battlefield.
Kade looked wounded.
Lucian looked calculating.
I need air, she whispered, turning away.
She expected one of them to follow.
Neither did.
But as she walked down the steps toward the gardens, she heard one final thing:
Lucian's voice, Quiet, Firm, Certain.
She chose to walk away. Not toward you.
And Kade's answer low, dangerous:
Don't bet on that.
Alina didn't know which of them she feared was right.
Or which one she feared was wrong.
All she knew was that the world was shifting again and she was at the center of a storm she never asked for.