Lena didn’t realize how serious “stay close to me” was—
Until Ethan didn’t let her out of his sight.
Not once.
Breakfast? Together.
Phone calls? Within earshot.
Meetings? She was there—even when she clearly didn’t belong.
It wasn’t romantic.
It
It was strategy.
And somehow—
That made it more dangerous.
⸻
“Stop hovering,” Lena muttered as Ethan ended yet another call.
“I’m not hovering.”
“You’re tracking me like I’m a target.”
His gaze flicked up.
“You are.”
Her chest tightened.
Not because she was afraid—
But because a part of her understood exactly what he meant.
⸻
By evening, the tension snapped.
“I’m not a pawn, Ethan.”
“You’re not,” he replied calmly.
“Then stop treating me like one.”
“I’m keeping you alive.”
The words hit harder than she expected.
Silence f
