ching her the instant the door closed behind her. The high-rise windows overlooked the city, a sprawli

around the room. Board members sat at the big table, th

d it, dreaded being back in this world, but she had no option. She hadn't come here to play t

had learnt how to get around in this world a long time ago. She had to,

r Bennett

s presence filled the room as readily as the weight of his reputation. His sleek, f

could still take her breath away. Her eyes met his, and for a brief

her heart race, but now made her stomach churn. "Did you miss it,

." Her heart raced, but sh

ont of these parasites. As Alexander walked to the head of the table, the

he had come here to do business, but it was impossible to ignore the past. It was always there, hove

his posture comfortable but his g

s pressing against her skin. "So, Evelyn," he began, his voice

true reason y

her ground. "I'm here for business, Alexander. Nothing mor

. It was sharp and ma

eft years ago and now you're back all of a sudden. After all that. His eyes narrowed, the intensity of his gaz

the truth?" he asked, his voice

ack into my life like nothing happ

had been through, but she didn't. Instead, she looked him in

sharp, and each one was a harsh reminder of what they had lost. Evelyn opened her mouth to

emember why she had l

ost her everything. His eyes pierced her, and s

eeting had been going on for hours, but the main talk didn't start until now. She could feel the weight of his gaze,

manipulations and the games that had shattered their love. But Ale

how to get things done." She shook her head to attempt to stop it. "Alexander, I'm not here to take

u have a choice in this?" His eyes never left hers. "You think I'll let you go agai

k at him, her p

too. She couldn't deny the draw of it, the way it had once consumed her, a

xander," and her voice was calm,

have my own life now." He rose up and walked aroun

been. His words sank into her like a heavy stone. She had attempted to make a life for he

power he held over everything sh

k to face her, his voice low and menacing. "

n's chest felt tight as she tried to keep her cool. She hadn't come back for a

rs had left, and the room felt smaller, like the walls were closing in on her. Alexander stood i

ice," he said, his voice c

don't." No

g her what to do and how to live her life. She had lived without him for years, and she had tried to build out a life of

asked, her voice colder than she in

He moved closer and kept his eyes on hers. The air between them

in the way you imagine. She squin

lky, menacing voice. "You're a part of this world now, whether you want to be or not.

e seriousness of the situation crushing down on her. He was using her again,

gasped when she saw the message. "You don't know everyt

her like a pun

was

meone attemptin

words were scary, like a cold warning that made the hair on the

ander's world once again? She tried to calm her b

lt too real to ignore. The message was clear: she was go

her face changed all of a sudden and how her eyes got bigger as she read the sentences. Evelyn could see the delight

exander's voice was smooth

ention?" She didn't answer

ieces yet. But she knew one thing, it was a warning, and

ce wavering just slightly as she t

about that." "You're here now. You are in this wo

the walls of his world closing in on her, and the air was full of da

nder using

ne else takin

rson came in with a folder and gave it to Evelyn right away. She took it, her fingers

n inside. She scanned through them quickly, her eyes widening as she read the contents. These weren't just pape

ced at Alexander, who watche

nning out of control, and the tr