Chapter 77
Alexander is behind me, and so is Diego. I don’t think either of them moved because I don’t hear any noise. Bram and Alessio, on the other hand, are begging me to lower my knife.
“Alexander! Tell her to put her weapon down–she passed the test, it’s fine! She might hurt me!”
What is he talking about? They were testing me? How did I pass when I don’t even know what the test was?
“What test are you talking about?”
“Inara, lower your knife.”
His voice is cold, leaving no room for argument. Of course, he ignores my question.
“Why? You all know something about me, and no one wants to tell me anything… Why should I listen to you?”
Alexander exhales in frustration.
“Either you drop that knife, or I make you drop it. Your choice.”
Am I dreaming, or is he threatening me?
“I don’t take orders from you.”
I was right to refuse to work for him. I couldn’t stand his arrogant tone when giving commands.
“Are you sure you want to make an enemy of the Spanish mafia by attacking their leader? Don’t you think you already have enough problems?”
1 hate him.
1 release Alessio and place my knife on the desk.
“You’re lucky my survival matters more than your face!” /
We glare at each other.
“Inara passed the test perfectly. Now, it’s time for you all to leave.”
Diego calmly rises from the couch, heads to the elevator while nodding at Alexander, and throws me a faint smile. The other two idiots give Alexander a nod and shoot me death glares.
As soon as the elevator doors close behind them, I turn to Alexander, still comfortably seated, wearing an amused smirk.
“What was that about?”
“Long story”
“Perfect, we’ve got all the time in the world.”
He rolls his eyes.
“Those three men are allies I’ve been dealing with for years. We allied our four countries. It has certain rules that must be followed
1/6
162
Ug 50
11
Chapte
-otherwise, it could quickly turn into World War III.”
My eyes widen. I thought he was the lone–wolf type.
“Why have I never heard of this? It should’ve been common knowledge among outside gangs.”
“It’s a secret alliance. No documents, no phones once we enter this room. There are jammers in my office, too. Even our men don’t know–everything is confidential. We’re leaders of powerful networks. We have to make drastic choices to protect our territories. Anyone outside the four of us who learns about this alliance dies within the hour.”
Wait. I’m an outsider. I just found out about this alliance, didn’t I?
“Fuck.”
“Why am I being told if it’s so secret?”
He smirks.
“One of the alliance’s rules is introducing your future wife to the others so they can test her. If she passes, she lives. If she fails, she dies. Honestly, the rule exists to ensure the women we marry can defend themselves and won’t betray us.”
I raise an eyebrow.
“What does that have to do with me?”
He shrugs.
“Those idiots heard you’ve been living with me for a few days and assumed you were my future wife. They called an emergency meeting to meet you and see if you could pass the test.”
This has to be a joke.
“They think you and I are getting married? Are they insane? Why didn’t you tell them the truth?”
“They know you’re often with me. They thought you were aware of the alliance. Even if I’d told them the truth, they wouldn’t have believed me. And you’d have ended up dead in a ‘mysterious accident.“”
I sigh.
“What was the test?”
“You had to stand your ground until one of them lost control and either hit you or tried to kill you, proving you weren’t weak. You surpassed it by holding a knife to that idiot’s throat.”
For once, my big mouth saved me from death.
“Why all the secrecy? You could’ve warned me.”
“I couldn’t. I gave my word. There’d be no point if you were warned. We swore to follow the rules.”
“They’d never have known you told me.”
He studies me intently.
2/6
Chapter 77
“A man’s word defines him. I have principles, and I keep my promises. I knew someone as arrogant as you would push one of them over the edge. You were even faster than I expected.”
I stay silent and sit on the couch across from Alexander, sighing in exhaustion at all the scheming, His expression is unreadable–so frustrating.
My heart races wildly in his presence.
“Who owns this place?”
“It’s one of my buildings.”
“What for?”
“Money laundering.”
“I see.”
His gaze lingers on my cleavage before he abruptly stands.
“Let’s go.”
We head to the elevator and begin descending.
Floor 27.
Mid–descent, the elevator makes a strange noise. The lights flicker, then everything stops.
Alexander looks annoyed. He tries forcing the doors open, but they won’t budge.
“We’re stuck.”
Just what we needed.
“What do you mean ‘we’re stuck‘? Can’t you call a repairman?”
“I told you–no phones during the meeting.”
Stupid alliance! Stupid meeting!
I pull out my phone, but it’s dead–i forgot to charge it before leaving.
“No battery”
I press the emergency button, but nothing happens.
“The staff will notice the elevator’s stuck and call for help.”
“So we’re trapped here until morning?”
He simply nods.
This night keeps getting better! At least the elevator is spacious enough that we can keep our distance.
The lights fade out completely, leaving only Alexander’s silhouette visible
316
Chapter 77
30%
11
16
And I thought things couldn’t get worse.
Alexander stands beside me, barely breathing, as if he’s not even there. I turn to him–he’s staring at me, or rather, at my cleavage again.
“Why are you looking at me like that?”
His gaze drops to my lips.
“I’m fighting the urge to take you right here.”
His raw honesty surprises me–no mockery, no joke.
“Stop it, Inara.”
I raise an eyebrow.
“What?”
“Stop biting your lip like that.”
I hadn’t even realized I was doing it–or maybe I had. Who knows?
“You’re making me uncomfortable. Stop.”
“I’d rather put something else in your mouth, believe me.”
Asmirk tugs at his lips, revealing his dimples.
Asshole.
He steps closer, his muscular chest pressing against mine. I’m trapped against his burning body. My heart pounds in sync with his.
“What the hell are you doing? Back off.”
I’m overheating. I try pushing him away, hiding my discomfort–but he must sense it. The sexual tension in this elevator is consuming me.
He cages me in, arms on either side of my head, forcing me to look at him. His eyes are electric–bold, filled with undisguised
desire.
i try holding his gaze, but my mind blanks.
His hand trails down my back, gripping my ass. My body betrays me, burning under his expert touch.
“Fuck, Inara–stop him before it’s too late!”
“Alexander…”
My voice is a plea for him to stop or continue, I don’t even know.
He leans in, lips grazing my neck before biting down. Pleasure and pain mix into something intoxicating. I stifle a moan.
I’m burning up under his touch. If I keep holding back, I’ll explode. But I don’t want him to know how much I want this.
4/6
Chapter 77
A sharp cry escapes me as his teeth sink in.
He locks eyes with me.
“I want you tonight–even if just once. I need your body, or I’ll lose my mind.”
All my barriers crumble. I want him to take me, to do whatever he pleases. My desire is overwhelming–I need to satisfy it. My core aches under his predatory gaze.
He yanks my dress so hard it tears, leaving me in nothing but a black lace bra.
“You’re incredible, doll.”
He smirks at the sight before pressing against me. I feel his hardness–he’s just as close to breaking.
He cups my breast, teasing through the fabric before biting down.
I arch into him, my head hitting the elevator wall. Pleasure dominates me. I reach for his hair, but he pins my hands back.
Erika’s words echo in my mind.
Alexander is relentless, his movements fueled by lust. I slide my hands to his waist, fumbling with his suit buttons–but he grabs my wrist, slamming me against the wall.
He crashes his lips onto mine, kissing me like his life depends on it. I part my lips, welcoming him despite the pain in my skull.
I pull back, gasping for air. His eyes lock onto my head–something’s wrong.
I touch my scalp and feel wetness. Blood.
“Shit.”
“It’s nothing, don’t worry.”
Alexander steps back, retreating to the far corner.
“Get dressed, Now.”
His tone leaves no room for argument.
“Are you serious? You just–”
I stop myself before admitting I wanted more.
“You tore my dress in your little unfinished frenzy.”
He throws me his suit jacket. I slip it on, sitting in the corner.
“This shouldn’t have happened. Hothing did.”
“Of course nothing happened because you didn’t finish!”
I’m frustrated–an inexplicable feeling
All because of a little blood. He seems genuinely regretful.
5/6
Fri, 22 Aug
Chapter 77
I know he’s rough, but I was so turned on I would’ve let him tie me up.
He won’t try again.
Unless I make him lose control like tonight.
Since when do I want to seduce Alexander?
Mathieu would love hearing about this.
“I’m not going to die from a little blood.”
He doesn’t answer, lost in thought.
6/6
