Chapter 69- The Ghosts of the Past

Emma's hands tightened on Alex's shirt as if he was the only thing keeping her grounded.

But the past had already started seeping in, pulling her back into memories she had fought so hard to bury.

Daniel wasn't supposed to be part of her life anymore. She had locked that door and thrown away the key.

Yet here he was.

A ghost she could never seem to outrun.

Alex pulled back just enough to look at her, his breath uneven, his forehead resting against hers. "Talk to me, Carter."

She closed her eyes, her fingers still curled into his shirt. "I thought I was done with him."

"You are," Alex said immediately, his grip tightening around her waist. "He doesn't get to have a place in your life anymore."

Emma exhaled shakily. "You don't understand, Alex. Daniel—he doesn't just walk away."

Alex's jaw clenched. "He's going to have to."

Emma forced herself to meet his gaze. "He's manipulative. Dangerous. And if he's back… it's not just to haunt me. He wants something."

Alex studied her, his dark eyes filled with something unreadable. "Then we find out what it is."

She shook her head. "I don't want you involved in this."

"Tough," Alex said, his voice hard. "I already am."

Emma swallowed. "This isn't your fight, Alex."

"Bullshit." He reached for her hand, lacing their fingers together. "You're mine, Carter. That means your fights are my fights."

A lump formed in Emma's throat.

She had spent so long fighting her battles alone, convincing herself that letting someone in would only lead to more pain.

But Alex was different.

He didn't just want her when things were easy.

He wanted all of her—even the broken, messy parts she was terrified to share.

Her fingers tightened around his. "I don't know how to do this," she admitted softly.

Alex exhaled, his free hand coming up to cup her cheek. "We figure it out together."

Emma searched his face, letting herself believe, just for a second, that maybe… just maybe, she didn't have to do this alone anymore.

But then—

Her phone vibrated again.

She stiffened, her pulse spiking.

Alex grabbed it before she could.

Unknown Number.

His expression darkened.

Before Emma could react, he answered. "Listen to me, you piece of shit—"

But whoever was on the other end cut him off.

"Careful, Alex," Daniel's voice was smooth, amused. "You don't want to start a war you can't win."

Alex's grip on the phone tightened. "You have no idea who the hell you're messing with."

Daniel laughed softly. "Oh, but I do. You see, you're playing a game you don't even know the rules to."

Alex's jaw clenched. "Then tell me."

A pause. Then—

"Let's just say… Emma and I have unfinished business."

Emma's stomach twisted.

Alex's voice was dangerously low. "She's not yours to mess with anymore."

Daniel hummed in mock sympathy. "You really think you can protect her from me?"

Alex's entire body coiled like a spring, ready to snap. "Try me."

Another chuckle. "Oh, Alex. I will."

Then the line went dead.

The silence that followed was suffocating.

Alex lowered the phone, his fists clenched so tightly his knuckles were white.

Emma's hands were shaking.

Alex turned to her, his eyes burning with something lethal. "He's not getting near you, Carter. I don't care what it takes."

Emma swallowed hard.

Because deep down—she knew this wasn't just about her anymore.

Daniel was playing a game.

And Alex had just become his newest pawn.

To be continued…