Chapter 17
Sophia wanted to see Alexander's office for days.
Her voice was a constant, excited sound.
"I want to see Daddy at his office today!
" she insisted. Her hazel eyes were wide.
She tugged my sleeve. "Please, Elena? Can we go?
I will be so good!" Her excitement was strong.
A whirlwind I could not resist. Though going to Alexander's office.
Uninvited. It made me uneasy. His rules were strict.
No surprises. No disruptions. Yet her hopeful grin weakened my will.
"Okay," I said. Forcing a smile. I wiped syrup from her chin.
"But we will call first. To make sure it is all right. "
I dialed him with shaky fingers. Expecting a quick refusal.
But his voice crackled through the line.
Quick yet surprisingly helpful. "Bring her by around noon," he said.
The faint sound of keys in the background.
Showed his words. "I will clear my schedule.
" The agreement surprised me. A rare break in his control.
I quickly agreed. Before hanging up. My pulse already faster.
The Sterling Corporation building stood tall.
Like a huge stone. In the city's center.
A towering skyscraper. Of glass and steel.
It gleamed under the noon sun. Its edges sharp against the sky.
Sophia clutched my hand. As we stepped into the lobby.
Her sneakers squeaked. Against the polished marble.
My boots clicked a steady beat. Sophia's eyes widened.
Taking it all in. "This is where I first met you," she said.
She tilted her head back. To smile at me. "Remember?"
I smiled. The memory unfolded. "I remember. You were on the roof." I had been very nervous that day. Palms sweaty. Facing Alexander's questioning stare.
She nodded. Her curls bounced. "Yeah! And then I told Daddy to hire you. Because you were nice. And did not yell." Her trust in me. Even then. Warmed my chest. A quiet anchor. Amidst her father's storm.
A receptionist with neat hair. And a headset. Waved us toward the elevators. Her polished nails tapped a code.
That sent us flying to the top floor. Sophia bounced on her toes beside me. Her excitement was alive. As the numbers rose. "I am going to see Daddy's office again," she said. Gripping my hand tighter. "He has a big desk. And a special chair. That spins. Like a king's throne!"
I chuckled. Smoothing her hair. "That sounds like fun. Maybe he will let you spin in it."
The doors slid open. To a clean hallway. All glass walls. And muted grays.
Where Marcus waited. One of Alexander's guards. Always present. He was a huge man. Broad-shouldered and tall. But his easy smile. Softened his black suit. "Hi again, Sophia," he said. He crouched down. To her eye-level. His deep voice was playful. "Your dad is waiting for you, princess."
Sophia giggled. Ducking behind my leg. With a shy grin. "Hi, Marcus," she mumbled. Peeking out.
He straightened. Turning that grin on me. His brown eyes warm. "And you must be Elena. Nice to finally meet you. I have heard plenty about the woman. Keeping this little menace in line." He winked at Sophia. Who stuck her tongue out at him.
I smiled back. Relaxing into his easy charm. "Nice to meet you too, Marcus. She is a handful. But I manage."
Marcus led us down the hall. Sophia skipped ahead. As he swung open the heavy double doors. To Alexander's office.
The room was a strong place of power. Floor-to-ceiling windows. Framing the city skyline. A huge oak desk. Filled the center. Shelves lined with books. And strange art.
Alexander sat behind that desk. A king on his throne. His dark suit was perfect. Against the leather chair. Sophia squealed, "Daddy!" And ran across the room. Her sneakers left light marks. On the polished floor.
He rose. With a rare, true smile. One that softened his hard face. He scooped her up in a hug. That enveloped her small body. "Hey, kiddo," he said. His voice was low and warm. A tone only for her. "Glad you are here. Want to see the view?"
While Sophia dragged him to the windows. Talking about helicopters and bird spies.
I stayed near the reception area. With Marcus. He leaned against the wall. Hands in his pockets. He tilted his head toward me. "So, how do you like working for Mr. Sterling?" he asked. Curiosity in his eyes.
I shrugged. A sly smile tugged at my lips. As I crossed my arms. "It is... an adventure," I said. Choosing my words carefully. "He is not easy. But Sophia makes it worth it. She is the best part of this job."
Marcus chuckled. A deep, rolling sound. That sent an unexpected shiver down my spine. "Yeah, he has a name. Ruthless in business, they say. But he is a good guy. Deep down. Very loyal. And Sophia is sweet. Keeps us all alert."
Our talk flowed easily. A gentle stream. Carrying us from Sophia's antics. To Marcus's stories. Of managing Alexander's security team. His easygoing nature was a comfort. Making me laugh. I had not felt like that in days. Light. Open. Free.
---
That freedom broke. When Alexander came out of his office. His presence was a sudden shadow. His sharp gaze cut through the air. Like a blade. Narrowing as it landed on me. Then flicked to Marcus.
With cold precision. His jaw was like granite. His body stiff. With barely held anger. "Elena," he said. His voice was a low, threatening rumble. That vibrated through the room. "A word."
My stomach dropped. But I followed him. Into a nearby conference room. The glass walls offered no shield.
From the storm in his eyes. The door clicked shut behind us. A soft sound. That felt like a guillotine dropping. He turned on me.
His gaze fixed on me. With a hunter's intensity. "Do you like him?" he demanded. His voice was a growl. That held me in place. Demanding an answer.
I faltered. My breath caught. As I searched for words. "I... I was just talking to him," I said. My voice trembled. Under his stare.
He stepped closer. His tall body filled the space between us. His eyes blazed. With a possessive fire. That made my knees weak. "Do not play dumb with me, Elena," he snapped. His tone was sharp. "I saw you laughing. Smiling. Almost glowing. Do you think I am blind?"
I stumbled back a step. My hands shook. As I gripped the edge of the conference table. For balance. "Alexander, I-"
"Do not," he snarled. Cutting me off. With a single, harsh word.
His hand shot out. Not to touch me. But to brace against the table beside me.
Caging me in. As his voice dropped. To a dangerous whisper.
"You are mine, Elena. Mine to protect. Mine to command.
I will not have you flirting. With my men.
Or anyone else. Under my roof. Under my watch.
Do you understand what is at risk here?"
Fear surged through me. Sharp and cold. Mixed with a desperate need to calm him. To douse the anger. Radiating from him. "I am sorry, Alexander," I whispered. My voice barely heard. My eyes dropped to the floor. In submission. "I did not mean to make you think I was flirting. I promise."
His jaw clenched tighter. A muscle twitched. As he stood over me. His presence was huge. Overwhelming. "You did not make me think anything," he said. His voice was a low, controlled growl.
That allowed no argument. "You made me see. See you forgetting your place. Forgetting the risks. I shield you from. I am not jealous, Elena. I am furious. That you would be so careless. With what is mine."
I swallowed hard. My throat was dry. As I forced myself to meet his gaze.
His eyes were a storm of anger. And something darker. Possession. Raw and firm. "I understand," I said. My voice soft but firm. A plea woven into it. "I will be more careful. I promise. For you. For Sophia."
He studied me. His silence was heavy. His breath steady. But tight with control. Then, slowly, his expression changed. Not softening. But easing from rage. To something sternly approving.
He reached out. His fingers brushed a strand of hair.
From my face. With a clear, commanding touch.
His thumb grazed my cheek. As if marking me.
"Good," he said. His voice was low and deep.
A velvet glove. Over an iron fist. "I expect nothing less from you.
You will learn to move within my limits, Elena. Because I will not bend them."
The tension crackled. A live wire. Sparking between us. Charged with his power. And my surrender. I nodded. Holding his gaze. My pulse racing. Under his scrutiny. "I will," I murmured. The words were a surrender. I felt in my bones. "I will do better."
He stayed a moment longer. His hand dropped. But his presence still pressed against me. Then he stepped back. With a sharp nod. "See that you do," he said. His tone was final. Before turning. And walking out. Leaving the air thick. With unresolved feelings.
I stood there. Steadying my breath. The echo of his command lingered. Like a brand. When I joined Sophia in his office. She was spinning in his chair. Giggling.
As Marcus watched from the doorway. With a shy grin. Alexander shot me a final, sharp look. A warning. A claim. Before turning his attention back to his daughter.
---
That evening, I tucked Sophia into bed. Her room was soft. With pastel walls. And stuffed animals. She looked up at me. With those wide, trusting eyes. Her bunny clutched tight. "Did you have fun today, Elena?" she asked. Her voice was sleepy. But hopeful.
I smiled. I brushed a curl from her forehead. My fingers lingered. As I steadied myself. Against the day's whirlwind. "I did, sweetheart," I said. My voice was warm. Despite the storm still inside me. "Did you?"
She nodded. Her face lit up. Like a star. "I love Daddy's office. And I love you, Elena."
My chest swelled. A fierce, protective ache. As I pulled her into a hug. Her small arms wrapped around my neck. "I love you too, baby," I whispered. My voice was thick with emotion. "Always."
As she drifted off. Her breathing soft and even. I sat there. The weight of Alexander's power. Pressed against the fragile peace. Sophia gave me.
I had stepped into his world today. His place. His rules. And felt the full force of his claim. For her, I would adapt. For her, I would move through his shadowed empire. Even if it meant giving parts of myself. To the man who held us both. In his strong grip.