Chapter 14
I wanted a break badly. Like a drowning woman needs air. Sophia was with Alexander for the weekend. I finally had it. A single, great day to myself.
My friends had asked me to go out for weeks. Their texts were constant. "You need this, Elena!" I had given in. A thrill sparked inside me. I thought of a night free from penthouse rules. And dark shadows.
I stood in front of Mia's bathroom mirror. I tugged at my borrowed black top. It fit tighter than usual. The fabric felt cool. The air smelled of citrus spray and hairspray.
A sharp change from Alexander's clean, fancy world. Mia sat on the counter. Her legs swung. She searched through a velvet jewelry bag.
She pulled out dangling silver earrings. They caught the light. Like tiny chandeliers.
"Here," she said. She pushed them at me with a grin. "These say 'night out.' Not 'nanny on duty.' You are wearing them."
I took them. My fingers touched hers. I forced a smile. I hooked one through my ear. My reflection looked strange. Hair loose. Eyes dark with smoky liner. Mia had insisted on it. A thrill sparked in my chest. But it flickered. Against the unease still bothering me from the island.
"Are you sure it is okay?" Mia asked. Her eyebrows arched. She studied me. Her tone was teasing. But sharper. "I mean, Mr. Tall, Dark, and Brooding. He will not go crazy if he finds out. You are not stuck at the penthouse, right? After that island mess. I bet he has you on a leash."
I laughed. The sound was sharp and shaky. My stomach twisted at the memory. Alexander's growl. His strong grip. The man watching us from the beach.
"It is fine," I said. I brushed it off. Though my voice trembled. "I asked for the day off. And he agreed. Sophia is with him this weekend. I am allowed to have a life. Outside his world, am I not? Even after... that."
Mia tilted her head. Her grin faltered. She noticed the pause in my words. "Even after he freaked out over a beach trip? Elena, come on. He got mad after you told him a creep stared too long. Are you sure this is okay? He seems like a control freak."
I swallowed. I turned to the mirror. To adjust the second earring.
Avoiding her gaze. "He was mad, yes. Said I put Sophia in danger.
That his enemies are always watching. But I am not working tonight.
This is my time. He cannot control every second of my life.
" My voice hardened. Defiance flared. I met my own eyes in the glass. Wishing the doubt away.
Mia hopped off the counter. Landing with a soft thud.
She leaned closer. Her mischief returned.
"Okay, tough girl. I am just saying. After that, I would be double-checking the rules.
With a guy like him. But forget it. You need this.
Let us make it a night. He would hate to miss. Show him you are not his puppet."
I smirked. The tension eased. Just enough for the thrill to take over. "Deal. No rules. No shadows. Just us. And whatever trouble we find."
She laughed. Tossing her hair. She grabbed her clutch. "That is my girl. Let us light up the city."
????
The club was a loud beast. Neon lights cut through the dark. Bass thumped so hard. It shook my bones.
Bodies twisted on the dance floor. A sea of sweat and glitter. The air smelled of tequila. And wild freedom.
I had not let loose like this in months. Maybe years. It felt good. Like shedding an old skin. Mia dragged me into the chaos.
Our laughter mixed with the music. We danced. My hair stuck to my neck. My worries disappeared into the beat.
For once, I was not the nanny. The confidante. The woman near Alexander Sterling. I was just Elena. Alive and free.
But as the night went on, a prickle crawled up my spine.
Sharp and steady. I scanned the crowd. Mid-spin.
My eyes darted past flashing lights. And shadowed faces.
Searching for the cause of that feeling.
Nothing stood out. No familiar shape. No threat I could name.
Just worry, I told myself. Shaking it off.
I dove back into the rhythm. Determined to get back my stolen joy.
I was wrong.
Hours later, I leaned against the bar. Breathless and flushed. Ordering a gin and tonic. To cool the fire in my veins.
The bartender slid the glass over. Lime fizzing in the drink. When a shadow loomed behind me. Close. Too close. Before I could turn. A voice cut through the noise. Low and cold. "Having fun?"
My heart stopped. Then slammed against my ribs.
I spun around. And there he was. Alexander.
Towering over me. His black suit stood out.
Against the club's bright mess. His arms were crossed.
His jaw tight. His gray eyes burned. With something dark.
Anger, yes. But mixed with something deeper. Something that twisted my stomach.
"Alexander," I managed. My voice was swallowed by the music's roar. "What are you doing here?"
He stepped closer. His presence was a wall. Cutting me off from the crowd. "I could ask you the same thing," he said. His tone was cold enough to freeze the air. "You said you were 'spending the day with friends.' You did not say it would be in a place like this."
Anger flared. Hot and bright. "I am not working, Alexander. I do not need your permission to go out."
His eyes narrowed. He leaned in. His breath brushed my ear. As he spoke over the noise. "Do you know how dangerous this is? This is not some cozy little bubble, Elena. There are people. Enemies. Who would love to spot you here. Alone. Unprotected. And use you to get to me."
I crossed my arms. Defiance surged. "I am not a child. And I am not your property. I can handle myself."
His jaw clenched. A muscle twitched under his stubble. Then his hand shot out. Closing around my arm. Firm. Unyielding. His grip was like steel. "We are leaving. Now."
I pulled back. Fury ignited. "Let go of me!" My voice rose. Sharp enough to draw looks from the bar.
He did not flinch. His hold tightened. He leaned closer. His voice was a low, dangerous growl. "Watch me."
He pulled me toward the exit. His strides were long and steady.
My protests were lost in the music. Mia.
Through the crowd. Anger flashed in her eyes.
"Hey, let her go!" Mia shouted. But one glare from Alexander.
Cold. Piercing. A predator's warning. Silenced her.
Her steps faltered. As he dragged me past.
The bouncers at the door did not move. Two huge men in black. They moved aside. Like the Red Sea. Their nods to Alexander.
Silent proof of his power. Outside, the night air hit me. Like a slap. Crisp and cold. After the club's warm haze.
His Bentley idled at the curb. Engine purring. A sleek beast in the neon light. He pulled the door open. And almost shoved me inside. Sliding in after me. With a predator's grace.
The driver. A stone-faced man. I had seen him with Alexander before. Pulled away without a word. The city blurred into streaks of light. Beyond the tinted glass.
The tension in the car was alive. Thick and stifling. Crackling like a storm. I glared at him. My chest heaved. With barely held fury. "You had no right to do that!" I spat. My voice trembled with anger. "I am not your prisoner, Alexander!"
He turned to me. His face was cold. His eyes locked onto mine. With a fierceness that held me still. "You do not understand, do you?" he said. His voice was a blade.
Low and firm. Cutting through my defiance.
"This is not about rights. It is about keeping you safe.
You step into a place like that. Alone. Unprotected.
And you become a target. My enemies do not ask questions.
They attack. If they took you. If they hurt you.
To get to me. Do you think I would forgive myself? Do you think I would let that happen?"
"Then maybe you should have thought twice. Before dragging me into your messed-up world!" I shot back. My voice cracked. Raw with anger. And a hurt I could not name.
He froze. His gaze bore into me. A silent storm behind those gray eyes. Then he leaned forward. His hand slammed down on the armrest. His presence was huge.
As he loomed closer. "You are in it now, Elena," he said.
His tone dropped to a rough command. Each word a rule.
"Whether you like it or not. You are mine to protect.
Mine to command. My rules are not suggestions.
They are law. Defy me again. And you will never see the streets again. Try me if you dare."
I did not answer. Could not. My throat burned with unsaid words. I turned. I slammed the door shut. The click echoed. Like a gunshot.
My room. Simple. Cozy. A fragile safe place. Felt strange now. I sank onto the bed. My dress still clung to my damp skin. The night's brief freedom was ashes.
My mind spun. Replaying his grip. His commands. The flicker of fear under his anger. The club had been a taste of freedom. But Alexander's world was a cage.
Made of iron. And I was still clawing at its bars. Unsure if I would ever break free.