Chapter 14: Caught in the Crossfire

Chapter 14: Caught in the Crossfire

Elena's pulse hammered in her ears, her body pressed hard against the wall. His words echoed in her head, tangling with every chaotic thought spinning inside her. "You're mine, Elena." The way he said it—so full of conviction, of certainty—made her stomach clench, a confusing mixture of anger, fear, and something darker, something she didn't want to name.

No. No, this was insane. This wasn't her life. It couldn't be.

"Let go of me," she hissed, shoving at his chest again, but it was like trying to push a mountain. Alexander's hands tightened on her wrists, holding her in place with effortless strength. The heat of his body was everywhere, searing her skin, overwhelming her senses. Every nerve ending felt like it was on fire, screaming with the need to move, to escape.

But she couldn't. Not with him so close, not with his eyes—those damn, burning eyes—boring into hers.

"Elena," he murmured, his voice dropping to a rough, almost pleading whisper. "Just... stop fighting me, okay? I'm trying to protect you."

"By stalking me? By threatening me?" she shot back, struggling against the wild surge of emotions clawing at her chest. She should be furious. She was furious. But beneath the anger was a raw, aching confusion she didn't know what to do with. "You don't own me, Alexander. You don't get to make decisions for me."

His gaze darkened, something dangerous flickering behind his eyes. "I'm not making decisions for you," he growled, leaning in closer, until his breath was hot against her ear, sending a shiver racing down her spine. "I'm keeping you safe. And if that means playing the possessive asshole, then so fucking be it."

"Why?" she demanded, heart pounding. "Why do you care so much?"

His grip loosened—just a fraction—but it was enough for her to see the shift in his expression, the flash of something raw and unguarded. For a split second, the ruthless, controlling man holding her against the wall vanished, replaced by someone... lost. Someone desperate.

"Because I can't lose you," he whispered, the words so soft she almost didn't hear them. "Not again."

Her breath caught, the fury draining out of her in a rush of confusion and something dangerously close to sympathy. What was he talking about? Why was he looking at her like that—like she was the only thing holding him together? Like if she slipped through his fingers, he'd fall apart.

"Alexander..." she began, unsure of what to say, unsure of anything anymore.

But then his face hardened, his jaw clenching. Whatever vulnerability she'd glimpsed vanished in an instant, replaced by the unyielding, implacable force of will she'd come to expect from him.

"I'm not asking for your permission, Elena," he said coldly. "I'm telling you how it is. You're mine. And that means I'll protect you—whether you want me to or not."

Her chest tightened, the words hitting her like a physical blow. She shook her head, a laugh—sharp, bitter, shocked—escaping her lips. "You're insane," she whispered. "This whole... thing is insane."

"Maybe," he agreed softly, his thumb brushing over her pulse in a gentle caress that sent unwanted heat pooling in her belly. "But it doesn't change anything."

She stared up at him, searching his face for some hint of what he was really thinking, what he really wanted. But all she saw was resolve, a fierce, unrelenting determination that terrified her almost as much as it intrigued her.

Because part of her—a dark, traitorous part—wanted to believe him. Wanted to trust that he could keep her safe, that he would. Even when everything about him screamed danger, screamed trap. Even when she knew that getting closer to him would only drag her deeper into this twisted, chaotic mess.

But what choice did she have?

"Okay," she breathed finally, the word barely audible.

Alexander froze, his eyes narrowing. "What?"

"Okay," she repeated, forcing herself to hold his gaze, to meet the storm brewing in those dark, unforgiving depths. "If you're so determined to protect me, then fine. Do it. But I'm not going to be your prisoner, Alexander. I'm not going to let you lock me away and control my life."

His jaw tightened, a muscle ticking beneath the rough line of his beard. For a moment, she thought he might argue, might demand more—take more.

But then he nodded, his expression unreadable. "Agreed."

Relief washed over her, so intense it almost made her knees buckle. She took a shaky breath, her heart still racing, every muscle still coiled tight with tension. But at least he was backing down. At least he was—

"But don't think for one second," he added quietly, his voice soft, almost tender, "that this changes anything. You are mine, Elena. And I'll prove it to you."

Her heart skipped a beat, a cold chill trickling down her spine. There was no compromise in his gaze, no hint of surrender. Just that same, unyielding possession, that same need.

A need that terrified her as much as it thrilled her.

"Fine," she whispered, the word a lie on her lips. Because nothing about this—about him—was fine. It was dangerous, deadly. And the deeper she got, the harder it was going to be to pull herself out.

But for now... for now, she'd play along. She'd let him think he was winning, let him think he had her right where he wanted her.

And when the time came, when she found a way to break free...

She'd make damn sure he never saw it coming.