Chapter 3 – Twenty-Four Hours
994 Words
Elena barely remembered the quiet ride down the elevator. Her mind was still full of his voice, the way his eyes had softened when he told her to eat… the way he seemed almost human for a moment.
Almost.
The doors opened and she stepped out, inhaling deeply as if the air outside his office was finally safe to breathe. But the truth was simple—
Nothing about Dominic Castellanos was safe.
She headed out of the building, thinking she could clear her mind with a short walk. But the moment she stepped onto the sidewalk, her phone buzzed.
Unknown number.
Her heart skipped.
Against her better judgment, she answered.
“Elena Hayes,” a woman’s cool voice said, “you have twenty-four hours. Use them wisely.”
Elena froze. “Who is this?”
The call ended immediately.
Fear prickled along her skin. This… this was what being tied to Dominic meant. Enemies she didn’t know, people watching her every movement, invisible threats.
She hurried back toward the street when a familiar black car pulled up beside her. The back door opened.
“Miss Hayes,” Dominic’s driver said politely. “Sir asked me to bring you home.”
“Home?” she echoed.
“Yes. The Castellanos estate.”
Elena blinked. “I—I didn’t agree yet.”
The driver gave a small, apologetic bow. “Sir said to tell you: ‘It’s not a demand. It’s for her safety.’”
Her chest tightened again—annoyance mixed with something warmer.
Dominic wasn’t giving her orders.
He was trying to protect her, in his own controlling, infuriating way.
After a moment, she sighed and got into the car.
***
The Castellanos estate was breathtaking—wide gardens, marble pillars, high iron gates. Everything screamed old wealth, power, and danger hidden under beauty.
As she stepped out of the car, Dominic’s grandmother was walking toward her with a cane.
“My child,” the old woman smiled, taking Elena’s hand gently. “Thank you for coming.”
Elena softened instantly. “I didn’t want you to worry.”
The old woman squeezed her hand. “Dominic worries more than I do.”
Elena looked away. “He has a funny way of showing it.”
A soft chuckle escaped the grandmother. “My grandson isn’t cruel, Elena. He is guarded. There’s a difference.” She paused. “Stay with us tonight. I don’t want you out there alone.”
Elena opened her mouth to refuse—then remembered the strange warning call.
Maybe staying was safer.
“Alright,” she agreed quietly.
The grandmother gave her a warm nod. “Good. Dominic is in the study. He won't say it, but he’s been pacing since you left.”
Elena blinked. “He… has?”
“Yes. He doesn’t pace. Ever. That boy has been stone-cold since he was twelve.” She shook her head lovingly. “You rattled him.”
Elena’s cheeks warmed unexpectedly.
***
She found Dominic exactly where his grandmother said—standing by the tall windows of his study, jacket off, sleeves rolled up, his muscles tense as though holding back a storm.
He turned the moment she stepped inside.
“You came.”
“You sent your driver,” she said, crossing her arms.
“I sent him to check on you,” Dominic corrected. “You didn’t have to get in the car.”
“Your grandmother insisted I stay here.”
His jaw relaxed slightly. “Good.”
She walked further in, her voice stronger than she felt. “Why did someone call me today? A woman. She didn’t say her name.”
Dominic’s expression darkened immediately.
“What did she say?”
“She told me I have twenty-four hours.” Elena swallowed. “How did she know?”
Dominic stepped closer, his eyes blazing with restrained fury.
“Elena,” he said quietly, “you’re officially involved with me now. My enemies pay attention.”
“That’s exactly why I shouldn’t sign the contract.”
He exhaled sharply, frustration and fear mixed.
“You’d rather face them alone?”
“No,” she admitted softly. “I just don’t want to become the reason someone dies.” Her eyes lifted to meet his. “Including you.”
For the first time, Dominic’s façade cracked. He reached out slowly, cautiously, as if touching her might break something fragile.
“Elena,” he murmured, “nothing that happens to me would ever be your fault. I’ve lived in danger my entire life. But you… you’re the first thing I want to keep safe.”
Her breath caught.
Dominic stepped even closer, enough that she could hear his heartbeat.
“You have twenty-four hours,” he repeated gently. “Not to choose a contract. To choose whether you trust me.”
Elena didn’t move. She couldn’t.
“Trust isn’t easy for me,” she whispered.
“I know.” His voice was low and sincere. “It isn’t easy for me either.”
They stood there, the silence between them alive—warm, electric, dangerous in a beautiful way.
Finally Dominic stepped back.
“There’s a guest room prepared for you,” he said softly. “Stay there tonight. Rest.”
Elena hesitated. “Where will you be?”
His lips twitched. “Two doors across. Close enough if you need anything.”
Her cheeks heated.
“I don’t—”
“I know,” he cut in with a small smirk. “You don’t need anything. You’re strong. Independent. Fierce.” His voice softened. “But you’re allowed to need safety too, Elena.”
Her heart trembled.
Dominic moved toward the door, pausing only for a moment before looking back at her.
“You’re not alone tonight,” he said quietly. “Not while I’m here.”
Then he walked away, leaving her breathless… and confused by how much she suddenly didn’t want him to leave.
- Writer
