Chapter 14 Snitching To Mom #2
He paused, then added calmly, “Alexander can arrange my grave. Or you—if you’re still alive.”
“Magnus Graves!” Camila roared. “Come home right now. We are going to have a very serious talk about your life—and death.”
She turned away from the camera and shouted offscreen, “Thomas? My son wants to die. Bring the knife I bought from the Japanese chef last year. I’ll fulfill his wish today!”
“Hahahahaha!” Alexander burst out laughing, throwing his head back. He slapped the bed once, his body shaking with laughter.
Magnus lunged forward and slammed the red button on the phone.
“Hang up the damn phone, you snitch!” he snarled.
The next second, he whirled on Alexander, fury blazing in his eyes.
“You know what? I don’t care if you die tonight—you’re already in the hospital.” He took a step forward, hand lifting toward Alexander’s throat. “Let’s make sure you stay here for at least a month—”
His phone rang.
Magnus froze mid-step. His hand dropped. Jaw clenched, he pulled the phone out slowly.
Camila’s video call flashed across the screen again.
Alexander laughed even harder.
Grinding his teeth, Magnus stepped back and answered the call.
“Didn’t you hear me?” Camila snapped immediately. “Come home. Now!”
Magnus grimaced, his shoulders sagged a fraction.
Without another word, he ended the call, shot Alexander a murderous glare, turned on his heel, and stormed out of the hospital room, the door slamming shut behind him.
***
Mia stepped out of her office and made her way toward parking, her heels clicking against the pavement. But as soon as she reached the sidewalk, her eyes caught movement on the main road.
Alexander stood there beside his car, hands casually in his pockets, but his gaze locked on her.
She frowned, quickening her pace.
“Mr. Graves,” she said firmly when she reached him, planting her hands on her hips, “I already told you—you don’t have to pick me up every day. I’m going back to my apartment today. We’re on a break. I’m not sleeping at your house from now on.”
“All right,” Alexander replied calmly, his eyes tracking hers.
Before she could blink, he bent down, sliding his arms around her waist, and lifted her off her feet with effortless strength.
“What are you doing—!” she snapped, her hands pressing against his shoulders as she struggled.
“I’ll drop you off,” he said simply, holding her steady as he strode toward the limo.
She shoved at his chest again, her eyes flashing. “You’ve been saying that for three days! And yet every single time, you drag me back to your place. Do you feel no shame lying to me over and over?”
“No,” Alexander said evenly, his grip tightening slightly, the muscles in his arms flexing as he carried her forward.
He strode toward the waiting limo, her body pressed against his in a way that left no room for escape. The city lights reflected off the sleek black exterior, the door already open.
Alexander lifted her slightly, swinging her effortlessly toward the seat. Her back brushed against the leather as he lowered her gently onto the bench, his body still pressing close behind hers. The heat from him radiated against her, the scent of him filling her senses.
Then, with an easy grace, he climbed in after her. His arm immediately went around her waist, drawing her closer onto his lap. She tried to rise, but his arm wrapped firmly around her waist, pulling her closer, the heat of his body radiating against hers.
“Alexander—” she started wriggling, her fingers brushing his chest.
His hand slid to cup the back of her head, tilting her face down toward his. His breath ghosted over her lips.
“Sit still,” he murmured, low and commanding. “I have something to tell you.”
Mia froze, her body stiff as confusion flickered across her face.
“It was Kylie,” Alexander said, jaw tightening. His thumb brushed along her cheek unconsciously as he spoke. “She tampered with your brakes that day.”
Mia’s breath caught, a hand rising to her mouth.
“I’ve already asked the police to look into it,” he continued, his fingers tightening slightly on her waist. “But if you want her to suffer another way—tell me. I’ll arrange it.”
“Mr. Graves…” Mia whispered, shaking her head slightly, her hand moving to his arm. “Do you think—maybe this could be handled differently? She’s related to James. Maybe she acted out of anger because of him—”
“I don’t fucking care,” Alexander snapped, his hand gripping her more firmly. “You are my lifeline,” he said, voice low and deadly, his fingers pressing against her jaw as his thumb brushed her cheek. “If anyone dares to hurt you, I will never let them go.”
Mia’s body went rigid, her eyes remained locked on his, unable to look away.
Alexander leaned closer, his chest brushing hers, his hand sliding behind her head to tilt her face up as he bent toward her lips—
A sharp knock rattled against the car’s window.
They both flinched slightly at the sound, the sudden interruption breaking the charged tension.
Mia turned her head sharply, the sudden movement tugging at her neck, and looked through the black one-sided glass.
From inside the limo, she could clearly see Ellie and Liana standing on the sidewalk, their figures slightly distorted by the tinted window as they leaned forward, peering toward the car.
“Aunt Liana?” Mia whispered, disbelief tightening her chest.
Her gaze snapped back to Alexander. “I need to get out.”
For once, he didn’t stop her.
Alexander’s arm loosened immediately. He shifted back, his hands sliding from her waist as he carefully lifted her off his lap.
She slid into the seat beside him, the leather cool beneath her thighs.
He leaned forward, reached across, and pushed the door open for her.
As she stepped out, he exited from his side as well, moving smoothly around the front of the limo until he came to a stop beside her.
“Aunt Liana? Ellie?” Mia asked, stepping closer, her voice still tinged with surprise. “What are you both doing here?”
“Mia!” Ellie’s face lit up. She hurried forward and wrapped her arms around her in a tight, almost crushing hug. “We came to kidnap you for dinner!”
Mia laughed, the sound soft and startled, and hugged her back, her earlier tension easing as Ellie squeezed her tight.
Liana followed more slowly, her smile warm. She pulled Mia into a gentle embrace, one hand resting briefly on her back before she stepped away.
Alexander straightened slightly and extended his hand in a polite, measured gesture. Ellie and Liana shook his hand one after another, and then Liana spoke.
“I got your office address from Sawyer,” she said, looking at Mia with a grin. “I thought you’d still be working, so I decided to surprise you and take you home for dinner.”
Her eyes shifted between the two of them, lingering just a moment longer than necessary. “Did we interrupt something? Do you already have plans?”
“No, we don’t,” Alexander replied without hesitation.
Mia’s eyes flicked toward him, her brows knitting together in faint surprise.
Alexander smiled, composed and courteous, and gestured lightly toward the limo behind him. “Would you like to ride with us?”
“Oh no,” Liana said at once, shaking her head with a small laugh. “We came in our own car. It’s parked right there.”
She pointed across the road to a sleek black Mercedes. “You and Mia can come together in your car. I wasn’t expecting to see you—I thought only Mia would be here.”
“I came to pick her up,” Alexander said easily. “Is it a problem if I join as well?”
“Of course not,” Ellie said brightly. “The more, the merrier!”
Alexander gave a brief nod. He turned to Mia, placing a light but guiding hand at the small of her back. “Go sit inside. I’ll be back in a minute.”
Then he looked at Ellie and Liana. “Let me escort you to your car.”
“It’s not necessary,” Liana said quickly.
But Alexander was already stepping off the curb. “Let’s go.”
He guided them across the road, positioning himself slightly to the side closest to traffic, his gaze sharp and alert. When they reached the Mercedes, he opened the door for them and waited, hand steady on the frame, until both women were seated safely inside before stepping back.
Mia continued to stare at Alexander’s back, stunned.
The man had always been distant and curt when it came to other people, especially when it involved leaving her alone with them. Yet now, he was escorting Liana and Ellie with calm patience, speaking to them in a polite, gentle tone like a perfect gentleman.
As they reached Liana’s car, Alexander opened the car door for them, one hand steady on the frame, speaking to them with quiet courtesy.
Her heart skipped a beat.
Mia watched him with wide, unblinking eyes, seeing him in a way she never had before. When he finally turned around, she realized she was still standing outside the limo, frozen in place, staring at him.
For a brief moment, their gazes met.
Alexander flashed her a small, quiet smile.
Her heart lurched violently, pounding so hard it made her dizzy. Something trembled deep in her chest, unfamiliar and frightening—something no one had ever stirred before.
And the worst part was that it only happened around him.
Only him.
Somewhere along the way, she had begun to understand exactly what this feeling was—and that realization frightened her more with every passing day.
Mia abruptly turned away and climbed into the car without returning his smile. She sat stiffly on the seat, her fingers clenched tightly together in her lap, her heartbeat spiraling out of control.
A few minutes later, Alexander also stepped inside and shut the door.
Without a word, he reached for her hand and held it firmly in his grasp, before pressing the button that raised the partition.
“Allen,” he said calmly, “I’ve sent you the address. Drive to the Stark mansion.”
The partition slid up, sealing them into silence.
Alexander lifted her hand and pressed a soft kiss against her knuckles.
“Are you tired?” he asked quietly.
Mia shook her head, the movement small and automatic.
His hand moved to the back of her head, fingers gentle as they curved through her hair, guiding her closer to lean on him.
This time, she didn’t pull away.
The car began to move.
His scent surrounded her—clean, familiar, intoxicating. His fingers continued to stroke her hair in slow, absent motions, each one making her heart race faster, her thoughts blur until everything else faded.
Then, she closed her eyes.
***
Dinner at the Stark house was lively and cheerful.
The table was filled with dishes worthy of a five-star hotel.
Ellie, being the loudest among them, barely allowed a single pause in the conversation.
Because of her, Mia almost forgot the heavy silence she had been living with for the past few days.
She found herself smiling genuinely as she ate, her shoulders slowly relaxing.
By the time dinner ended, it was already close to eleven at night. The plates had been cleared, the laughter softened, and the house had settled into a comfortable quiet.
Despite Ellie, Liana, and Sawyer insisting that they stay the night, Mia and Alexander refused and decided to head back home.
Alexander stood near the door, pacing back and forth while waiting for Mia to return from the washroom.
His steps were slow, hands sliding briefly into his pockets before coming back out again.
Outside, the night had grown still, the air cool and calm.
Allen was already waiting in the car parked near the entrance, the headlights dimmed.
Just as Alexander came to a stop, Ellie rushed down the stairs, nearly skidding to a halt in front of him. She shoved a bag straight into his hands.
“These are Mia’s things,” Ellie said brightly. “The last time she stayed at our house, she forgot to take them back. I packed everything for her.”
Alexander accepted the bag, the weight settling into his palm. “Thank you,” he said, a faint smile tugging at his lips.
Ellie suddenly clapped her hands, eyes lighting up. “I’m going to check if there’s anything else I want to give her. I bought some gifts for her too. I’ll grab those as well so you can take them home.”
Before he could respond, she had already turned and rushed off upstairs, her footsteps echoing faintly.
Left alone, Alexander lowered his gaze to the bag in his hands.
He opened it slightly.
Inside were neatly packed skincare products, a folded scarf—
And a thick, leather-bound book.
His brows furrowed.
Curiosity stirred. He hooked the bag over his wrist and pulled the book out, the leather cool beneath his fingers. For a moment, he simply held it, then slowly opened the cover.
His breath stilled.
It wasn’t a book.