A Storm Brewing

A False Calm

Emma should have felt relieved.

Victoria was gone.

Alexander had handled it.

But instead of peace, unease settled deep in her chest.

Something didn't feel right.

And she couldn't shake the feeling that this wasn't over.

—

Alexander's Walls

Alexander had been different since that night.

More protective.

More possessive.

And yet—

More distant.

Emma saw it in the way he held her at night but didn't speak.

In the way he kissed her hungrily but avoided her eyes.

She wasn't stupid.

She knew something was wrong.

But Alexander wasn't the type to talk about his problems.

He was the type to bury them.

And Emma was starting to wonder—

How long before they exploded?

—

A Whisper of Danger

It started with a phone call.

Late at night.

Alexander was in his office when his phone rang.

Emma, half-asleep, barely noticed—

Until she heard his tone.

Low. Sharp. Deadly.

She couldn't make out the words.

But she could feel it.

Something was wrong.

—

Secrets in the Dark

Emma waited.

When Alexander finally came to bed, she turned to him.

"Who was that?"

Alexander hesitated.

Then—

"No one important."

Emma's stomach twisted.

"Don't lie to me."

Alexander sighed.

"It's nothing you need to worry about."

Emma sat up.

"Alexander."

He looked at her.

And for the first time in weeks—

She saw something in his eyes.

Something he was trying to hide.

Fear.

Her chest tightened.

"Tell me the truth."

Alexander ran a hand through his hair.

"It's business."

Emma frowned.

"Business doesn't make you look like this."

Alexander's jaw clenched.

"Emma—"

"Please."

Silence.

Then—

"It's about Victoria."

Emma's heart stopped.

—

A Dangerous Obsession

"She's back?"

Alexander exhaled.

"Not exactly."

Emma's pulse spiked.

"Then what?"

Alexander hesitated.

Then—

"She's missing."

Emma's breath hitched.

"What?"

Alexander's eyes darkened.

"She disappeared last night. No one can find her."

Emma swallowed.

"And you think—"

"I don't think."

Alexander's voice was cold.

"I know."

Emma shivered.

"What did you do?"

Alexander didn't answer.

And that silence told her everything.

—

A Web of Lies

The next morning, Alexander left early.

No explanation.

No details.

Just another command.

"Stay inside."

Emma wasn't an idiot.

Something was happening.

And Alexander wasn't telling her anything.

She hated it.

She hated feeling helpless.

So she did something reckless.

She called Ethan.

—

A Friend in the Shadows

Ethan answered on the first ring.

"Emma?"

Emma exhaled.

"I need to know the truth."

Ethan was silent for a long time.

Then—

"You won't like it."

Emma's stomach twisted.

"Tell me anyway."

Ethan sighed.

"Victoria was working with someone."

Emma's blood ran cold.

"What?"

Ethan's voice was grim.

"She wasn't acting alone. And whoever she was dealing with—"

He hesitated.

"They're dangerous, Emma."

Emma's pulse spiked.

"Dangerous how?"

Ethan's tone turned sharp.

"The kind of dangerous that doesn't let people just walk away."

—

A Name That Meant Fear

Emma sat down, gripping her phone.

"Who is it?"

Ethan exhaled.

"A man named Luca Moretti."

Emma's breath caught.

She had heard that name before.

Moretti wasn't just a businessman.

He was a kingmaker.

A man who thrived in the shadows.

And if Victoria had been working with him—

Then her disappearance wasn't a coincidence.

It was a warning.

—

A Deadly Game

Emma hung up and sat in silence.

Her mind raced.

Her hands shook.

Alexander had known.

He had known exactly what was happening.

And he had kept it from her.

She had to do something.

She had to find him.

—

A Dangerous Confrontation

Emma didn't wait.

She grabbed her coat and left the penthouse.

She had a feeling she knew where Alexander was.

And she was right.

He was at a private club.

But not just any club.

Moretti's club.

Her stomach twisted.

She knew she shouldn't go in.

She knew it was dangerous.

But she didn't care.

She had to see him.

She had to know the truth.

—

The Price of Power

Inside, the air was thick with smoke and tension.

She spotted Alexander immediately.

He was sitting across from a man she didn't recognize.

Tall. Sharp. Deadly.

Luca Moretti.

Her chest tightened.

She moved closer, trying to listen.

But before she could—

"Well, well."

A voice whispered behind her.

Emma froze.

She turned—

And found herself staring at a stranger.

A man with cold eyes.

"You shouldn't be here," he murmured.

Emma's pulse spiked.

But before she could move—

A hand grabbed her wrist.

"She's with me."

Emma whipped around.

Alexander.

His grip was tight.

His expression?

Furious.

—

A Dangerous Truth

Alexander pulled her aside, eyes burning.

"What the hell are you doing here?"

Emma swallowed.

"I had to know."

Alexander exhaled.

"You don't belong in this world."

Emma met his gaze.

"Then why did you bring me into it?"

Silence.

Thick. Unforgiving.

Then—

Alexander reached out, brushing his fingers against her cheek.

"I wanted to protect you."

Emma's chest ached.

"Then stop lying to me."

Alexander's jaw clenched.

Then—

"Moretti killed Victoria."

Emma's breath stopped.

Her heart pounded.

And in that moment, she realized—

She was in far more danger than she ever imagined.