TWENTY SIX_A DANGEROUS PROMISE
The hallway leading to the interrogation room was dimly lit.
Aiden walked beside Alexander, trying to ignore the nervous feeling in his chest.
Guards stood along the walls, their expressions serious.
The mansion felt different tonight.
Tense.
Dangerous.
Alexander stopped in front of a heavy metal door.
Behind it, Aiden could hear someone struggling.
One of Marco’s men.
Alexander turned to Aiden.
“I meant what I said earlier.”
Aiden looked at him.
“You should stay behind me.”
Aiden nodded.
“I will.”
Alexander studied him for a moment, making sure he understood.
Then he pushed the door open.
Inside the room, a man was tied to a chair. His face was bruised, and two guards stood beside him.
The moment the man saw Alexander, fear flashed across his face.
“Alexander DeLuca…”
Alexander walked in slowly.
“You know who I am,” he said calmly.
The man swallowed.
Alexander’s voice was cold.
“Then you also know what happens when someone breaks into my property.”
The man shook his head quickly.
“I wasn’t going to hurt anyone!”
Alexander leaned slightly against the table.
“Then why were you sneaking around my mansion?”
The man hesitated.
Alexander’s patience disappeared.
“Answer me.”
“Marco sent me!” the man blurted out.
The room went silent.
Alexander’s eyes darkened.
“What did he want?”
The man glanced nervously at Aiden.
Alexander noticed.
His voice dropped dangerously.
“You look at him again and you’ll lose that privilege.”
The man immediately looked away.
“He… he wanted information about the boy.”
Aiden felt a chill.
Alexander’s jaw tightened.
“What kind of information?”
“Where he goes… when he’s alone… if he leaves the mansion…”
The guards in the room shifted slightly.
Alexander slowly walked closer to the man.
“You were spying on my husband.”
The man shook his head desperately.
“I didn’t get anything!”
Alexander stopped right in front of him.
“That’s good.”
The man looked hopeful.
But Alexander’s next words destroyed that hope.
“Because if you had…”
His voice became deadly quiet.
“You wouldn’t be breathing right now.”
The man looked terrified.
Alexander turned to the guards.
“Take him away.”
“Yes, boss.”
The guards dragged the man out of the room.
The door closed behind them.
Silence filled the room again.
Aiden let out a slow breath he didn’t realize he was holding.
Alexander ran a hand through his hair, looking irritated.
“This is exactly what I didn’t want.”
Aiden stepped closer.
“You didn’t want me involved.”
Alexander nodded.
“Yes.”
“But I already am,” Aiden said quietly.
Alexander looked at him.
Aiden’s voice softened.
“And you don’t have to handle everything alone.”
For a moment, Alexander didn’t respond.
Then he walked closer to Aiden.
“You don’t understand the kind of world I live in.”
“Then explain it to me,” Aiden replied.
Their eyes met.
The tension between them suddenly felt different.
Not dangerous.
Something else.
Alexander sighed softly.
“You’re too brave for your own good, kitten.”
Aiden smiled a little.
“Or maybe you underestimate me.”
Alexander stared at him for a long moment.
Then he suddenly reached out and gently pulled Aiden closer.
Aiden’s breath caught.
They were standing very close now.
Alexander’s voice became softer.
“You’re not scared of me.”
Aiden shook his head.
“No.”
Alexander studied his face carefully.
“Most people are.”
Aiden looked up at him.
“I’m not most people.”
Something in Alexander’s expression changed.
Slowly, he lifted his hand and brushed his fingers gently against Aiden’s cheek.
Aiden’s heart began racing.
Neither of them moved.
Then Alexander leaned down slightly.
“Aiden…”
The way he said his name made Aiden’s chest tighten.
Before he could think too much about it—
Alexander closed the distance.
Their lips met in a soft, unexpected kiss.
For a second, Aiden froze.
Then he slowly relaxed, his hands lightly gripping Alexander’s shirt.
The kiss wasn’t rushed.
It was gentle.
Careful.
When Alexander finally pulled back, their foreheads almost touched.
Aiden’s face was warm.
Alexander looked at him with a small smile.
“Well…”
Aiden blinked.
“What?”
Alexander chuckled quietly.
“I guess that answers a few questions.”
Aiden tried to act calm.
“You’re very confident.”
Alexander smirked.
“You kissed me back.”
Aiden immediately turned red.
Alexander laughed softly.
Then his expression softened again.
“Stay close to me, kitten.”
Aiden looked up.
Alexander’s voice was calm but serious.
“Because things are about to get much more dangerous.”
And somewhere out there…
Marco Rossi was already preparing his next move. ??