Beneath His Shadows

Elena couldn't shake off the feeling that she had just walked into something far bigger than herself. She sat at her desk, staring at the blank screen in front of her, but her mind was still trapped in last night's events.

The bracelet. Celeste's cryptic words. Xavier's smirk when she told him.

What had she just done?

Her fingers hovered over the keyboard when a message popped up on her office phone.

Xavier Kane: My office. Now.

Her stomach clenched. Again?

Taking a deep breath, she stood and walked through the hushed corridors. Whispers followed her—she knew people were talking. Ever since Xavier Kane had taken an interest in her, she had become an enigma to the office.

---

Face to Face

When she stepped inside, Xavier was leaning against his desk, arms crossed, watching her.

"You're late," he said, his voice low.

Elena swallowed. "It's only been two minutes."

His gaze flickered to the clock. "One minute and thirty-eight seconds."

She bit her lip. He was impossible.

Xavier gestured to the seat in front of him. "Sit."

She hesitated but obeyed, her heart racing.

"You did well last night," he said, his sharp gaze studying her reaction. "Celeste took the bracelet, and now the real game begins."

Elena frowned. "What game?"

Xavier smirked, leaning forward. "You just put me in a war, Elena."

Her breath hitched.

"A war?" she echoed.

He nodded. "Celeste isn't just a business partner. She's an enemy with a fragile alliance. That bracelet? It wasn't just jewelry. It was a message to let her know I'm coming for her."

Elena's pulse pounded in her ears. "And you used me to deliver it?"

Xavier's smirk didn't fade. "You're useful, Elena. I intend to keep using you."

Her fingers curled into fists. "I'm not your pawn."

Xavier leaned closer, his intense gaze locking onto hers. "You already are."

---

Lines Are Crossed

Elena shot up from her chair, her pulse racing. "I didn't sign up for this. I'm just an office worker—"

Xavier was suddenly in front of her, towering over her, his aura suffocating.

"Then quit."

Her breath caught.

"You want to leave?" His voice was dangerously soft. "Walk out that door, Elena."

She opened her mouth, but no words came.

Did she really want to leave?

Everything about Xavier was dangerous, controlling, cold—but there was something else. Something that made her pulse race and her skin heat whenever he looked at her like this.

Like she was his.

---

The Warning

"Elena," Xavier's voice softened, just slightly. "You saw something you weren't supposed to see. And now, you're in it, whether you like it or not."

Her throat tightened. She had witnessed something dangerous that night. The gun. The blood. Xavier standing over the man like it was nothing.

He tilted his head. "You have two choices. Stay, and I'll protect you. Leave, and I can't promise you'll be safe."

Elena sucked in a breath. "Is that a threat?"

Xavier's lips curved slightly. "No. It's a fact."

A knock at the door broke the tension.

Xavier didn't move, his eyes still locked on her. "We're not done."

He stepped back and called, "Enter."

The door opened, and a tall man with sharp blue eyes walked in. His best friend.

Elena had heard whispers about him—Damian Wolfe. Ruthless. Xavier's right-hand man.

Damian's gaze flickered to Elena before settling on Xavier. "We have a problem."

Xavier sighed, rubbing his temple. "Of course, we do."

Damian's expression was serious. "Celeste made a move."

Elena's stomach dropped.

Xavier's expression darkened. "What kind of move?"

Damian hesitated. Then he said three words that changed everything.

"She took Elena."

Elena's blood ran cold. Took?

Before she could react, two arms wrapped around her from behind, a cloth pressed against her nose.

The last thing she saw was Xavier's eyes flashing with fury before everything went black.

---