Chapter 18
I stood in the penthouse kitchen. The cold marble pressed into my palms. My hands trembled.
My father's name shone on the phone screen. Like a warning light. It brought a storm of feelings. Fear pricked my skin.
Guilt stung me. I had not spoken to him in months. Not since our last big fight. When I said I was done. Bailing him out of his troubles. His life was a cycle of bad choices. Borrowing money he could not repay. Getting involved with bad people. Leaving me to fix things.
Until I learned to keep my distance. But now, staring at that name. Old wounds opened. Raw and bleeding.
I paused. My thumb hovered over the answer button. Then I swiped it. With a shaky breath. "Dad?" My voice came out small. Fragile. Betraying me.
"Elena," he rasped. His words tumbled out. In a panicked rush. Rough with desperation. "Thank God you picked up. I am in trouble. Real trouble. I need your help, kiddo."
My stomach dropped. Cold dread filled me. "What kind of trouble?" I asked. Already knowing I would not like the answer.
"I... I borrowed some money," he stammered. His voice cracked. "From the wrong people. They are after me, Elena. They said if I do not pay them back. By tonight, they will..." He choked on the words. A sob broke through. "They will kill me."
I closed my eyes. Pinching the bridge of my nose. A headache grew behind my temples. "How much, Dad?" I forced the question out. My tone sharp. Despite the tremble in my chest.
"Fifty thousand," he whispered. The number hit me hard. "I know it is a lot. But you are the only one I can turn to. Please, Elena. I am scared."
Fifty thousand dollars. The number echoed in my head. Mocking me. I barely had enough for myself. Every penny went to needs. Nothing left to spare. Fifty thousand was a dream. Impossible.
But he was my father. The man who taught me to ride a bike. Who once carried me on his shoulders. Through summer fairs. Despite years of letdowns. I could not let him drown.
"I will see what I can do," I said finally. My voice tight. Edged with steel. "But this is the last time, Dad. Do you hear me? The last time."
"Thank you," he gasped. Relief flooded his voice. "Thank you, Elena. I will make it up to you, I swear."
I hung up. The phone slipped from my grip. It clattered onto the counter. My hands shook harder. Fifty thousand dollars. I had no idea where to start. But I had to try. For him. For the ghost of the dad he used to be.
---
Later that morning, I dropped Sophia off at school. Her chatter about finger-painting. Was a distraction I barely noticed. I returned to the penthouse. My resolve grew stronger. With each step.
Alexander was in his office. A holy place of dark wood and power. He sat behind his huge desk. Like a king on a throne. His suit was perfect. Charcoal gray. Hugging his broad body.
His focus was sharp. As he scrolled on his laptop. The screen's blue glow. Cast shadows. Across his defined face. Papers were neatly stacked. A glass of scotch. Glimmered amber. Despite the early hour.
I knocked on the open door. My knuckles tapped lightly. His head snapped up. Those gray eyes fixed on me. With a hunter's gaze. "Elena," he said. His voice was a low, controlled rumble. Neutral. But with an edge. That made my pulse jump. "What is it?"
I stepped inside. I shut the door behind me. With a soft thud. It felt final. My heart pounded. "I need to ask you for something," I said. My voice trembled. Despite my effort to steady it. "It is a lot. And I would not come to you. If I had any other choice."
His gaze narrowed. But he leaned back in his chair. He put his fingers together. He gestured to the seat across from him. With a flick of his wrist. An order. I obeyed without thinking. "Sit," he commanded. His tone allowed no argument. "What is wrong?"
I sank into the leather chair. The smell of polish and his cologne. Cedar and steel. Filled my senses. I took a deep breath. "My dad is in trouble," I began.
My hands twisted in my lap. "He borrowed money. From some dangerous people. Fifty thousand dollars. And they are threatening to kill him. If he does not pay. By tonight. I do not have that kind of money, Alexander. I do not even know where to start. But he is my father. I cannot just let him die."
His face darkened. A shadow passed over him. As he heard my words. His silence was heavy. Pressing down on me. For a moment. I braced for rejection. For the cold dismissal.
I had feared. But then he breathed out sharply. A jagged sound. And ran a hand through his dark hair. Messing it up.
A rare sign of worry. "Fifty thousand," he repeated. His tone low and thoughtful. Rolling the number over. Like a chess move he was planning. "That is no small sum."
My cheeks burned with shame. But I nodded. Forcing myself to meet his gaze. "I know," I said. My voice cracked. "I would not ask. If it was not life-or-death. He is my dad, Alexander. I cannot abandon him. No matter how much he has messed up."
He studied me. His eyes bore into mine. With an intensity that exposed me. His silence stretched. Until it felt like a force.
Then he rose. His chair scraped back. With a quiet sound. He leaned forward. Bracing his hands on the desk. As he stood over me. "I will handle it," he said. His voice was a deep, firm growl. That left no room for talk. "But there is a condition. One you will follow, Elena. Or this ends now."
I swallowed. My throat dry. As I nodded. Caught in his powerful pull. "What condition?" I asked. Barely a whisper.
His eyes flashed. A storm of control and ownership.
"You let me deal with it," he said. His tone was hard.
Commanding. Each word a hammer strike. "These are not small-time crooks.
They are dangerous. And you do not have the strength to face them.
Go into this alone. And you will be badly hurt.
Before you even know it. I will fix this.
But you stay out of it completely. Do you understand me? "
I nodded again. Relief washed over me. Like a wave. Though it was mixed. With the weight of his power. "Okay," I said. My voice steadier now. "Just... please help him. That is all I am asking."
He straightened. His body showed power. As he walked around the desk. Stopping inches from me.
His hand shot out. Gripping my chin. With firm, strong fingers.
Tilting my face up. To meet his gaze. "I will take care of it," he said.
His voice dropped to a dangerous whisper.
His thumb brushed my jaw. With a possessive touch.
"But you do not move a muscle in this, Elena.
You do not call him. You do not ask questions.
You leave it to me. Disobey. And I will lock you down.
So tight. You will not see daylight. Without my word. "
My breath hitched. Gratitude mixed with the shiver. Of his control. As I nodded against his grip. "Thank you, Alexander," I said. My voice soft. Sincere. "I do not know how to repay you for this."
His lips twitched. Into a faint, almost hungry smile. His hand lingered a moment longer. Before letting go of me. "Take care of Sophia," he said. His tone softened slightly. To hint at something. Beneath the steel. "That is all I need for now."
I nodded. A fragile peace settled over me. As he stepped back. His power still strong. In the room. "I will," I promised. Rising on shaky legs. As he waved me out. With a short gesture. Already reaching for his phone. To start his plan.
---
That evening, I tucked Sophia into bed. Her room was a safe place. With pastel walls. And stuffed animals. She looked up at me. With those wide, trusting eyes. Her bunny clutched tight. "Are you okay, Elena?" she asked. Her voice was small. But sharp. "You seem sad."
I smiled. I brushed a curl from her forehead. My fingers trembled slightly. As I steadied myself. Against the day's burden. "I am okay, sweetheart," I said. My voice was warm. Despite the storm still inside me. "Just thinking about some grown-up things. Nothing for you to worry about."
She nodded. Her face solemn. Then she reached up. To pat my cheek. With her tiny hand. "I love you, Elena," she said. Her words were a lifeline. Pulling me back from the edge.
My heart swelled. A fierce, protective ache. As I pulled her into a hug. Her small body warm against mine. "Me too, baby," I whispered. My voice thick with feeling. Holding her tight. As if she could hold me steady. Through the chaos. I had just given to Alexander's strong will.
As she drifted off. Her breathing soft and even. I stayed there. Watching her sleep. My father's plea. Had brought me to the edge.
But Alexander's control. Had pulled me back. His power was a double-edged sword. I both hated and depended on it.