Elara woke up to the soft hum of the city far below.
She opened her eyes, instantly registering the heavy weight of a muscular arm draped over her waist. She froze. Alexander was still asleep, his chest rising and falling in a steady, calming rhythm. In the harsh daylight, without the terrifying aura he projected to the world, he looked almost peaceful.
Almost.
Even in his sleep, his grip on her was possessive, anchoring her to his side of the massive bed.
Careful not to wake him, Elara slowly slid out from under his arm. She grabbed her silk robe, tied it tightly, and walked out to the living room.
The forty-million-dollar Crimson Abyss necklace was resting carelessly on the kitchen island, right next to a tablet.
Elara picked up the tablet and tapped the screen.
The internet was practically on fire. Every major news outlet, every social media platform, and every financial blog was screaming her name.
"THE FALL OF THE GOLDEN BOY: Julian Cross Humiliated on Live TV!" "Vance Corporation Stock Surges 30% After Alexander Cross Announces Takeover." "The Wedding of the Century? Inside the Secret Cross-Vance Alliance."
Elara scrolled through the articles, a deep, settling warmth spreading through her chest. There were videos of Julian running off the stage, his face pale and terrified. There were leaked photos of Chloe being physically dragged out the back door of the hotel by Liam's security team.
In less than twenty-four hours, she had completely dismantled the life Julian had spent three years building in her past life. He was bankrupt, publicly disgraced, and entirely powerless.
"You're smiling."
Elara jumped slightly, nearly dropping the tablet.
Alexander was leaning against the doorframe of the hallway. He was wearing nothing but a pair of dark sweatpants that hung low on his hips, his broad, scarred chest fully exposed. His dark hair was messy from sleep, and his eyes were locked onto her with a heavy, morning-rough intensity.
"I'm just reading the news," Elara said, setting the tablet down, trying very hard to keep her eyes above his collarbone. "Julian's remaining investors pulled out at 6:00 AM. He's officially ruined."
Alexander walked into the kitchen. He didn't look at the tablet. He didn't care about Julian. He walked straight into Elara's personal space, trapping her against the marble island.
He reached out, his knuckles brushing a stray lock of hair behind her ear.
"The board is secured. Your enemies are bleeding," Alexander stated, his morning voice a deep, gravelly rumble that sent a shiver straight down to her toes. "Which means your business in this city is temporarily concluded."
Elara blinked, her pulse kicking up a notch. "Concluded? I still have to restructure the executive team, and—"
"Liam is handling the restructuring," Alexander interrupted smoothly. He leaned in, resting his hands on the marble counter on either side of her hips. "Did you forget the promise I made you in the car last night, Mrs. Cross?"
Tomorrow, I'm collecting my payment.
The memory of his mouth devouring hers in the back of the Maybach flashed in her mind, hot and vivid. Elara swallowed hard.
"I remember," she breathed.
"Good." Alexander stepped back, the intense heat of his body lingering. He pointed to a sleek black folder sitting next to the espresso machine. "Open it."
Elara reached for the folder and flipped it open. Inside were two sleek, black passports, and a set of flight itineraries.
She stared at the destination. "The Maldives?"
"My private island, to be exact," Alexander corrected, turning to start the coffee machine. "We leave in two hours."
Elara's jaw dropped. "Alexander, I can't just leave! The company—"
"The company just gained the backing of the most powerful financial group on the continent. It will survive a week without you," he said, turning back to face her. His eyes darkened, the playful morning atmosphere instantly evaporating into something much more intense.
"You used my name to start a war, Elara. You wore my diamonds and told the entire world that you belong to me. But you and I both know that right now, this marriage is just a piece of paper and a shared enemy."
He closed the distance between them again, his hand coming up to cup her jaw. His thumb traced her lower lip, his gaze dropping to her mouth.
"My payment," Alexander whispered roughly, "is a week. Seven days. No cell phones. No Julian. No Vance Corporation. Just you and me on that island. I am going to strip away every distraction you have, and we are going to find out exactly what kind of wife you really are."
Elara's breath hitched. She was a woman who had died and crawled back from hell. She wasn't afraid of business rivals or cheating exes.
But staring up into Alexander's predatory, burning eyes, she realized the most dangerous thing in her new life wasn't Julian. It was the man standing right in front of her.
"And if I refuse?" she challenged softly, her heart hammering.
A slow, wicked smile spread across Alexander's face.
"You won't," he murmured, leaning down until his lips barely brushed against hers. "Because you want to know what happens when we're alone just as much as I do. Now go pack your bags, little bird. The jet is waiting."
Question to guide Chapter 12: They are heading to the private island! When they arrive, do you want Elara to discover that there is only one bed in the master villa, pushing them into forced physical proximity, or should the tension build around a steamy swimming pool/beach scene first?