Shadows Of Disire

ioning gaze on him, and he knew that whatever happened next, he couldn't hide i

tonight," he said, his voice low. "I want you to sta

t want you to protect me by keeping me in the dark, Al

s on his own terms. But Sophie wasn't just anyone. She had become someone he couldn't imagine

hardening. "You're ri

fice was eerily quiet, the only light coming from Marcus's office at the far end

?" Alex asked, h

yn's made her move. She's filed a lawsuit against the compa

she looked at Alex in shock

trying to frame me, to destabilize everything

ier on Sophie's past-on David, on the debts he left behind, on the rumor

pale. "How did she even find out about all

ldly. "He's been feed

ht so hard to escape was now being dragged into the li

close. "We won't let her do this.

tecting his reputation or even Sophie's-it was about confr

ace a mask of controlled fury. Evelyn was seated at he

leaning back in her chai

ex spat, slamming his hands on her desk. "This lawsui

interested in working things out with me, Alex. So I decided to get your atte

is isn't about me, and it isn't even about Sophie. T

ng for a brief moment. "You have no idea what it's like to

like," he shot back. "And that's

ou think your money, your power, will be enough to save her fro

eaned in close, his voice a low growl. "If you go through

eaving Evelyn staring after him, her smi

and let Alex fight her battles. She knew David better than anyone-knew how manipulati

t was a message fro

warehouse on 5th.

had no choice. She grabbed her coat and left, ignoring

for her, leaning casually against the wall, his arm

ie demanded, her voice shaking

I've always wanted, Sophie. Control. Power. And right n

"You're using me to get t

ng her close. "Don't forget, Sophie. I know all your secre

meeting his gaze with defiance. "Go ahead, David

k. "You should be. Because

d away, leaving her standing alone in the dimly

to counter Evelyn's lawsuit. He had built Carlisle Enterprises from the ground up, pouring h

uietly. "David has more than just dirt on Sophie. He's been involved in some s

me everything you can find, Marcus

at a half-finished painting. He walked up behind her, w

er eyes. "I met with David," she co

ed. "I should have

. "This is my past, Alex. I need to face it

ching at the pain he saw in her eye

playing at her lips. "Th

e pulled him down to her, their lips meeting in a heated kiss. Alex's han

d as Alex's lips trailed down her neck, his hands worshiping every inch of her skin. She

moaned, her

left them both gasping. As they moved together, all thoughts of David, of Evelyn, of the w

together, Sophie pressed a kiss to hi

been afraid to say finally bubbling to

Alex's bedside table buzzed. He pic

proof that can take down Ev

nding. This could be their chance to e

ping peacefully in his arms. He

ge still burning in his mind. Whoever had sent it was offering him the one thing he needed

he middle of the night, especially after everything they'd been through. But if this tip was legitimate, it c

s. Stay safe. I'll

d left the penthouse, his mind r

illicit deals and underworld exchanges were common. The area was shrouded in darkness, the only

face. He scanned the area, his senses on high alert. He didn't se

oice called out, ech

emerged from the shadows, and as they stepped int

as M

ent. "What the hell are you doi

. He hesitated, his hand hovering over his

ps behind him. He spun around just in time to see Davi

o this one, Alex," Da

ke a physical blow. He turned back to Marc

They threatened my family, Alex.

what people will do when they're afraid. Isn't

his sides. "You won't g

time the sun rises, the press will have eve

should have chosen me, Alex. But you

g Alex by the arms and pinning him to the ground. He struggled, but they we

not going to kill you. That would be

hind his eyes as the world spun. He felt a sharp, stinging pain in his side a

voice laced with irritation. "

hed through blurred vision as they walked away, his heart pounding

over. Not by

r a stark reminder that Alex was gone. Panic surged thr

ers. Stay safe. I

something was wrong. The unease she felt wasn't just the residue of a bad dr

several times before going to voicemail. She cursed under her breath

message had to have been a trap, and if Alex w

s. The road was a blur as she pushed the car faster, the city lights

a lone figure slumped against a lamppost. Her heart

haking as she gently touched his face. Blood smeared her fingers, and s

He winced at the pain but managed a weak

g down her face. "I couldn't just sit

n shot through his side. "It was a set

in shock. "Marcus? No,

strained. "They threatened h

tion. "They think they've won, but they don't know us. We

d. Despite the pain, his eyes softened as he lo

lips to his in a gentle kiss. "

resolve hardening

heir wounds both physical and emotional. Marcus had betrayed them

bing to despair, they

ngs," Sophie said firmly. "If we can expose

ve some contacts in the city. People who owe me favors

the table, taking his hand in hers. "We've

smile playing at his lips desp

iercing the quiet of the room. Alex picked i

ophie asked, he

Marcus. He wants to meet. He says

widened. "Do y

betrayal still fresh. "No.

passing between them. Whatever was waiting