Possessive Vows

Chapter 3

Lila gulped the lump in her throat and reluctantly moved her feet closer.

She stopped just outside the reach of the car door,crossing her arms over her chest. “What do you want? Why are you here?”

“You called me,” he said simply.That made her scoff. “I didn’t call You”

“Oh, you did,” he cut in, leaning his elbow on the window ledge. “Standing out here in the dark, waiting for me? That’s as good as dialing my number.” His arrogance made her want to scream and laugh all at once.

“Fine,” she admitted through gritted teeth. “I need… help.”

A small smirk tugged at the corner of his mouth. “That wasn’t so hard, was it?”

“Don’t,” she snapped, heat rising in her cheeks. “Don’t make this any harder. Someone broke into my apartment and trashed the place. They… they scared my brother,and left me a note,a threat.”

Alex smirk vanished, his expression hardening into something colder. “What did it say?”

“stay out of what isn't yours.”

His eyes darkened at that. For a bit,he didn’t speak. Then he opened the car door and stepped out, straightening to his full height. Up close, he was taller than she’d remembered, the tailored lines of his suit doing nothing to soften the dangerous energy he carried with him.

“Show me,” he said quietly.

Without waiting for her agreement, he brushed past her toward the building,she scurried after him, muttering under her breath.

“You can’t just...fine. Whatever. This way.”

Jamie was still curled up on the couch when they walked in, his wide eyes darting nervously to Alex.

“It’s okay,” Lila murmured, crouching beside him. “He’s… he’s going to help.”

“Who is he?” Jamie whispered.

“Someone who owes me a favor,” she lied.

Alex scanned the room, his gaze sweeping over the overturned furniture, the broken lamp, the note still crumpled on the bed. His jaw flexed as he picked up the paper and read it.Then he turned to her.

“This wasn’t random,” he said. “This was a warning.”

“You don’t say,” Lila shot back.

His mouth curved faintly, but there was no humor in it. “You’re lucky they didn’t wait here for you,” he continued. “This could’ve been much worse.”

Her stomach twisted. “How much worse?”

They don’t leave notes when they intend to kill you,he said flatly.Those words kept her mute.He folded the note neatly and tucked it into his jacket pocket.

“You can’t stay here,” he announced. She blinked. “Excuse me?”

“You heard me,you and your brother pack a bag,you’re coming with me.”

“No, we’re not,” she said automatically, straightening to glare at him.His brows lifted ever so slightly.

“You think you have a choice?” he asked softly.

“Yes,” she snapped, though her voice wavered. “You don’t get to just… order me around. This is my life. My home.”

Alex’s lips parted like he was about to argue, but then he tilted his head slightly, his eyes narrowing.

“You’re stubborn,” he murmured. “Damn right i am.”

That earned her a faint, almost invisible grin before it vanished again. “Fine,” he said finally. “Stay,but they’ll be back, and next time? I won't be there to run to or to stop them.”

They won’t just leave you a note.”

Her throat felt dry as sandpaper.She hated how much his words made her shiver. Jamie looked between them, his small voice breaking the silence. “I… I don’t want to stay here, Lila.” She immediately felt heart broken. Lila crouched beside him again, brushing his hair back from his forehead. “Okay,” she whispered. “Okay. We’ll go.”

Alex’s expression didn’t change, but she thought she saw something flicker in his eyes,a flash of satisfaction, maybe.

The ride was quiet. Jamie had fallen asleep in the backseat within minutes, his head resting on her shoulder. She watched the city blur by outside the tinted windows, biting the inside of her cheek to keep her from saying something she might regret.She finally glanced at Alex.

“So who are you, really?” she asked.He didn’t look at her, just kept his eyes on the road.

“Someone who owes you a debt,” he replied evenly. “That’s not an answer.”It’s the only one you’re getting tonight. She narrowed her eyes at him but let it drop.They pulled up in front of a towering glass building that glowed against the dark sky. A valet ran to open the car door,murmuring something Alex ignored as he stepped out. Lila climbed out more slowly, clutching Jamie’s hand.The lobby was so pristine it felt unreal,marble floors that shone like ice, gold accents gleaming on every surface.

“You live here?” she muttered, trying not to gape. “Yes,” he said simply, already striding toward the private elevator.She scrambled after him.Inside the elevator, she caught his reflection in the mirrored walls. His tie was slightly loosened now, his jacket open, but nothing about him seemed casual.

“What happens now?” she asked finally.

Alex’s dark eyes met hers in the mirror. “Now?” His voice was quiet, but there was steel beneath it. “Now we make sure no one ever dares to touch you again.” The doors slid open onto a vast penthouse that took her breath away.

Floor to ceiling windows revealed the glittering skyline beyond. Plush white furniture filled the open space, and an expensive looking chandelier hung over a marble dining table.

Jamie’s eyes went wide as he whispered, “Whoa.” For a brief second, Lila almost smiled,but then Alex turned to her, his expression hard again.

“This is just the beginning,” he said, his tone making it sound less like reassurance and more like a warning,and for the first time since she met him, she wondered if she’d traded one kind of danger for another. But for some reasons she couldn't understand yet,a part of her wanted to feel safe around him,not minding the danger she perceived around him.