Collared by the CEO

The Ex Appears

Amelia

The morning sun streamed through the penthouse windows, casting golden light across the tangled sheets. I lay wrapped in Alexander's arms, my body still humming from the night before, when my phone buzzed on the nightstand.

I reached for it lazily, expecting a notification from the hospital about Jamie's progress. What I saw made my blood run cold.

I heard about your brother. I heard about your situation. I need to see you. Please. Just once.

The number was unknown. But I knew who it was immediately.

Ethan.

My ex-boyfriend. The man I'd loved for two years. The man who'd held me while I cried after my father's death. The man who'd promised forever and then walked away three weeks later, telling me I was too broken to love.

I deleted the text. My hands were shaking.

"What is it?"

Alexander's voice was sharp, alert. He'd propped himself up on one elbow, his gray eyes studying my face.

"Nothing. Just the hospital. Jamie's fine."

He didn't believe me. I could see it in the way his jaw tightened, the way his eyes narrowed. But he didn't push. He simply pulled me closer, pressing a kiss to my forehead.

"Whatever it is," he murmured, "you're mine. Nothing changes that."

That night, he took me harder than usual.

He f****d me against the wall, his hand around my throat, his c**k buried deep inside me. Each thrust was possessive, punishing, claiming. He whispered against my ear that I belonged to him, that no one else could have me, that he would destroy anyone who tried to take me away.

I came undone around him, crying out his name. He didn't stop until I was a trembling, satisfied mess, my legs barely able to hold me.

"You're mine," he repeated, carrying me to bed. "Only mine."

I nodded, too exhausted to speak. But Ethan's text echoed in my mind like a warning bell.

***

The next morning, Ethan texted again.

I'm outside the hospital. I know you visit your brother on Tuesdays. Please, Amelia. Five minutes. That's all I'm asking.

I stared at the screen, my heart pounding. I should ignore him. I should block his number. I should tell Alexander.

But Jamie was expecting me. And I couldn't risk Alexander finding out about Ethan not when he'd been so possessive, so dangerous.

I went to the hospital. Jamie was sleeping when I arrived, his small body pale against the white sheets. The machines beeped their steady rhythm, a constant reminder of how fragile he was. I kissed his forehead and whispered that I loved him.

When I stepped outside for air, Ethan was waiting. He looked the same tall and lean, with sandy hair and kind blue eyes. But there were shadows beneath those eyes now, and his smile was hesitant, uncertain.

"Amelia."

"Leave, Ethan."

"I can't." He stepped closer, and I stepped back. "I know about the contract. I know what he's doing to you."

"You don't know anything."

"I know you're not okay." His voice cracked. "I know you're doing this for Jamie. But there are other ways. I can help you. I can protect you."

"I don't need protection."

"Alexander Knight is dangerous. Everyone knows it. He's destroyed people, Amelia. He'll destroy you too."

I thought of Alexander's hands on my body, his lips on my skin, the way he held me after. The way he'd saved Jamie's life without hesitation. The way he looked at me like I was something precious.

"He won't hurt me," I said quietly.

"You don't believe that."

"I believe what I choose to believe." I turned away. "Don't contact me again."

"Amelia—"

"Goodbye, Ethan."

I walked away without looking back. I didn't see Alexander watching from across the street, his gray eyes dark with fury.

***

That night, Alexander cornered me in the bedroom.

His hand caught my wrist, spinning me around to face him. His expression was cold, controlled but beneath it, I could feel the rage simmering.

"Who is he?"

My heart stopped. "I don't—"

"Don't lie to me." His grip tightened. "I saw you with him. I saw the way he looked at you. The way you looked at him. Tell me. Now."

I tried to speak, but the words stuck in my throat. His hand moved to my chin, tilting my face up, forcing me to meet his eyes.

"He's my ex," I whispered. "Ethan. He wants me back."

Something shifted in Alexander's expression, something dark and dangerous. He said nothing.

Then he pushed me against the wall. His mouth claimed mine, rough and demanding. He tore at my clothes, ripping the silk blouse, popping buttons. I gasped, but he swallowed the sound, his tongue plunging into my mouth.

He took me without gentleness.

Hard. Deep. Punishing. Each thrust drove the breath from my lungs, pinned me against the wall, made me forget my own name. He f****d me like he was trying to erase every memory of anyone else, like he was branding me from the inside out.

I came twice, sobbing his name. He didn't stop.

When he finally pulled out, leaving me empty and aching, his lips brushed my ear.

"I will find him. I will destroy him." His voice was a growl, low and lethal. "You are mine. Do you understand?"

I nodded, shaking. "Yes."

"Say it."

"I'm yours."

He pulled back, his eyes searching my face. Then he kissed me softer this time, almost tender and carried me to bed.

I should have been terrified. His possessiveness, his fury, his willingness to destroy it should have sent me running.

Instead, I wanted more. I wanted him to consume me. To claim every part of me until there was nothing left but him. I wanted to belong to him so completely that no one else could ever touch me.

I was lost.

And I didn't want to be found.