other end had promised to help, but the fear still clawed at her chest.

ouldn't be

had a reputation for handling the impossible. His office was sleek, all glass and pol

ve found yourself in a dangerous game. Evelyn Carrington is power

That's why I need protect

ase-and-desist letter. It won't stop her entirely, but it will warn her that her actions ar

nd if she goes

ke it to court. But you need to be

tightened.

urage is good, but be careful not

r. The streets outside seemed louder, busier-a world

buzzed wit

ed to see

Was he reaching out to protect her? Or was

trembled before Evelyn. Her fingers tig

Tell m

ss she recognized-a quiet park on the

ening light casting long shadows. She saw Alex waiting by a

lash of relief cross

er voice steady. "Y

ing to fix it. I didn't mean for any of this to h

han she expected. "You lied to me. You told me you loved m

s a raw, choked whisper. "But I'

keep her life intact?" Maya crossed her arms.

forward, but she stepped back

ice broke. "I thought I knew you, Alex. I thought

, ple

Don't ask me to keep beli

e trees above. Finally, Maya turned, forcing he

oice was a faint, de

didn't l

ind, and the fear of losing her clawed at his chest. He barely noticed the rain beginnin

outed, sprint

dn't turn around,

, ple

x!" Her voice was ti

ng her arm, gently but firml

s touch softened, becoming a p

ern apartment-one of Alex's properties. As

s the point, Alex? So you can

you, I l

that why your wife is threatening to destro

ng to pro

eyes blazing. "Then stand up for

keep this from

trying to keep everyone happy. Bu

ay

her eyes. "I gave you everything. And

word, his mouth crashed against hers. It was fury, passion, fear-all mingled into

ds sweeping her up as he carried her to the bedroom. Clothes fell away, words became gasps and whisper

ths heavy, Maya lay against his chest, t

Alex," she whispered, b

He pulled back slightly, st

e'll issue a cease-and-desist. If sh

oice was a

"What do yo

allow i

ose. "Evelyn is threatening me, a

eed to know your place. Stirring a public f

my place? Is that all I am to

t," he sighed, running

se it feels like I'm just a problem

lly, Alex reached for her, his voice

?" she whispered

ya.

d her. After a tense moment, he slipped back beside her, wrap

ension, neither o

red her vision, but beneath them burned a quiet, fierce decision she dared not speak aloud. She left a note