The office buzzed with rumors. Deals were slipping through fingers, investors whispering about Knight International's decline. Elena worked harder, designing, presenting, defending Alexander's vision.
But when she entered the boardroom one morning, she froze. Russo was there. Smiling. Sitting across from Alexander as if he belonged.
"Why is he here?" she demanded.
Alexander's tone was clipped. "Temporary alliance."
Her heart dropped. Russo—the man who had openly tried to recruit her—was now inside Alexander's walls.
That night, Russo cornered her in the parking lot. "He'll burn you, Elena. Men like him always do. When that happens… remember, I offered you a way out."
She slapped the card he tried to hand her. But as she drove home, Alexander's words from weeks ago echoed in her head: I don't ask. I protect what's mine.
And suddenly, she wondered if she was his partner… or his possession.