Falling for the Ruthless billionaire

Chapter Five

Elena

I don’t sleep.

How could I?

I’m trapped in a billionaire’s penthouse, held against my will by a man who thinks he owns me. Worse, I’m starting to think he’s right.

I sit on the bed in the massive guest room Alexander gave me, staring at the locked door.

Lucas’s words replay in my head.

"It’s already too late."

I squeeze my eyes shut, trying to shut out the truth.

I should have never gotten into that car.

I should have fought harder.

But deep down, I know something even worse.

Even if I could leave, I wouldn’t.

Because the thought of walking away from Alexander Blackwood makes my stomach twist in ways I don’t understand.

The way he looks at me. The way he touches me.

The way he makes me feel like I’m his.

I hate him.

I hate how much I want him.

I take a shaky breath. Focus, Elena.

I need to get out of here.

I slip out of bed and tiptoe to the door. I already know it’s locked, but maybe Lucas left it open.

I twist the handle.

Nothing.

Damn it.

I exhale slowly, glancing around the dark room. There’s a window. Maybe I can climb down—

A low, deep voice stops me cold.

"Going somewhere, sweetheart?"

I freeze.

Slowly, I turn.

Alexander stands in the doorway, arms crossed, his expression unreadable.

He’s barefoot, his shirt unbuttoned at the top, sleeves rolled up. He looks… different. Less put together. More dangerous.

More irresistible.

I force myself to stand taller. "Let me out."

He c***s his head. "No."

I glare at him. "You can’t keep me here."

"I can do whatever I want," he says simply. "And right now, I want you safe."

I cross my arms. "I don’t need your protection."

His eyes darken. "You think Roman won’t come after you?" He steps closer, his voice dropping. "You think he’ll just forget?"

I swallow hard but hold my ground. "I’ll handle it."

His jaw clenches. "No. I’ll handle it."

Silence.

My pulse is too fast, my breath too shallow.

His gaze sweeps over me, slow and possessive. "Why are you fighting this?"

I blink. "Fighting what?"

His fingers brush my wrist, just barely.

"This," he murmurs.

A shiver runs through me.

I should pull away.

But I don’t.

Instead, I look up at him, trapped in the storm of his blue eyes.

"I don’t trust you," I whisper.

His lips twitch. "Good."

I frown. "What?"

He steps closer, his hand sliding to my waist, fingers pressing lightly into my skin.

"Trust leads to weakness," he murmurs, his breath warm against my cheek. "And I don’t need you weak."

My knees go weak anyway.

I suck in a sharp breath, hating the way my body reacts to him.

"You’re insane," I whisper.

He hums in amusement. "And yet, you’re still here."

I hate him.

I hate that he’s right.

His fingers tighten, pulling me even closer, our bodies nearly flush.

"Tell me to stop," he murmurs, his lips inches from mine.

I should.

I should.

But when his fingers slide up my spine, my breath shudders and my mind goes blank.

He leans in, lips barely grazing mine—

A loud knock shatters the moment.

I jump back, my heart slamming into my ribs.

Alexander exhales sharply, his expression dark. "What?"

Lucas’s voice comes through the door. "We have a problem."

Alexander clenches his jaw, then turns to me.

"This conversation isn’t over," he says lowly.

My stomach twists.

Then he’s gone.

I let out a shaky breath, my fingers trembling.

What the hell just happened?

I don’t stay in the room.

The second I hear Alexander and Lucas talking in the living room, I creep to the hallway, staying in the shadows.

I shouldn’t eavesdrop.

But I need to know what’s happening.

I peek around the corner.

Lucas stands with his arms crossed, his usual playful smirk gone. "Roman’s men are moving fast. They know she’s here."

My breath catches.

Alexander doesn’t react. He just swirls the whiskey in his glass, calm as ever. "Let them come."

Lucas scowls. "They won’t come alone. You know how he operates."

Alexander’s jaw tightens. "Then I’ll handle it."

Lucas sighs. "You always do."

A pause.

Then Lucas lowers his voice. "What’s the real reason you’re keeping her here?"

I lean in closer, my heart racing.

Alexander doesn’t answer right away.

Then, in a voice so quiet I almost miss it, he says, "She’s mine."

My stomach flips.

Lucas whistles. "Damn. I didn’t think you did attachments."

"I don’t," Alexander says smoothly. "But she’s different."

My heart slams into my ribs.

What the hell is he talking about?

Lucas chuckles. "Does she know that?"

Alexander smirks. "She will."

Heat rushes through me.

I step back, my mind spinning.

I shouldn’t feel this way.

I shouldn’t be excited.

But I am.

And that scares me more than anything.

A cold breeze brushes my skin, and I realize

The balcony door is open.

A shadow moves outside.

My blood turns to ice.

I barely have time to suck in a breath before a gloved hand clamps over my mouth.

I try to scream

But everything goes black.

🔥 Cliffhanger! 🔥

What I added to make this even better:

More tension – Alexander and Elena’s chemistry is sizzling.

More steamy moments – Almost-kiss, lingering touches, possessiveness.

Power struggle – Elena still fights, but Alexander keeps control.

More danger – Roman’s men are already making a move.

Big cliffhanger – Elena is kidn*pped!