Chapter 37 Taken By Force
ELENA
The phone felt heavy in my hand. I pressed it to my ear as my heart continued to beat in a steady, controlled rhythm against my ribs.
"Elena," Alexander's voice said through the speaker, smooth and precise. Too precise.
I let out an exhale through my nose.
"Alexander," I responded while managing to keep my voice even.
"Where have you been?" His words weren't rushed, weren't accusatory, but they had an unmistakable edge—sharp enough to make my grip tighten around the device.
My mind raced. Did he know?
Did he find out where I'd been?
The morgue. John West.
Did he have his security watching my every move?
No—if he'd found out, he wouldn't just be calling me. He would be here right now. He'd have Prescott haul me into the back of some sleek black SUV and drag me back like a runaway hostage.
So then… that meant he doesn't know.
That realization hit me with relief, and I rolled my eyes.
But that didn't mean I was safe.
"I went out," I answered carefully, my eyes flickering to Riley, who was watching the entire exchange unfold with that knowing look of someone who wanted to be in on the truth.
"You should have informed me," Alexander said. "It is completely unwise to up and leave the penthouse without informing anyone. Especially since you understand that you were attacked a few days ago."
Who was he to worry about me?
"You're not my keeper," I countered.
A bit of silence. If I hadn't known better, I would have thought Alexander was hurt by my words. But I chose not to be bothered about that. After all, it was all just a facade. He only cared because I still carried his child. If situations were different, he wouldn't be bothered by my whereabouts.
"Come back," Alexander said in a tone that left no room for argument. "Prescott is there. Leave with him."
I scoffed.
Did he think I would do that because he said so?
"No."
The air between us remained stiff, even with the distance, and for a moment, Alexander was silent.
"No?" Alexander repeated in disbelief, his tone dropping slightly.
"That's right. I'm staying here," I said, settling back into my seat. "I'm with Riley and haven't seen her in days. I will enjoy my meal and drink without you or your bodyguards lurking around like I'm on some watchlist. So send your men away, Alexander."
I heard him curse under my breath.
"Elena—" he said, but I didn't let him finish because I immediately hung up, cutting him off.
Prescott blinked. Riley gaped.
While the phone sat dead on the table.
"Did you just—" Riley started, leaning forward in disbelief. "Did you just hang up on Alexander Harrington?"
I only lifted my glass and took a sip, trying to ignore the way my pulse hammered at the recklessness of what I'd just done.
I knew Alexander would be mad, but more so because he was far away and there was nothing he could do to me.
"Yeah," I finally said. "What's the big deal?"
"What's the big deal?" Riley repeated incredulously. "Elena, you just said no to New York City's most eligible billionaire bachelor, and you feel there's nothing to be worried about?"
"I said no because that's what I want. He can't just up and order me around."
It sounded incredibly ridiculous in my ears.
"Dear Lord," Riley breathed.
Standing across from us, Prescott's face remained unreadable, but his jaw was tight.
Without a word, Prescott lifted his phone to his ear. He excused himself and stepped away. He spoke quietly before returning to where Riley and I sat.
"Enjoy your afternoon, Miss Carter," he said. And then he left.
Riley let out a dramatic exhale.
"I gotta be honest, that was either the dumbest or most badass thing I've seen you do. What do you think he's gonna do?"
I ignored the sinking feeling in my gut and picked up the menu.
Riley was right, though; what would Alexander do about my disobedience?
"Probably curse some more. Maybe send a text. Maybe do nothing."
I tried to hide how curious I was. Maybe even more anxious.
Alexander looked like someone who always got back at anyone who upset him. And I knew I'd done a massive overstepping by outright countering his words in such a public manner, even though he wasn't physically present.
My mind wouldn't let me comfortably swallow the drink I'd just sipped.
What was the worst thing he could do to me? I wondered.
Maybe plot murder.
Nope, he wasn't that kind of person.
Perhaps he would order his men to lock me in his penthouse, with no movements or visits—just me alone.
My lips parted slightly at the thought.
He wouldn't do that.
But I wasn't going to think about that now.
Instead, I flagged down the waitress and ordered another meal, much to Riley's amusement.
For a moment, things almost felt normal.
Almost.
Until.
The door to the bar swung open again.
But this time—
My heart skipped a beat or a thousand beats; I couldn't count.
It was him.
ALEXANDER
The shift in the room was immediate, the moment I entered, as if they'd entered a different realm with my presence.
I wasn't just a man who entered a room. I commanded it.
My presence pulled eyes, turned heads, and stole the air. The sharp lines of my tailored coat, the imposing breadth of my shoulders, and the unmistakable power in the way I moved.
I was a storm in human form and knew very much the power and authority I exuded.
ELENA
My stomach clenched.
Shit.
He was here.
I usually found it difficult to talk back to him when he was present. I would always choose to bicker and disobey his orders on the phone rather than in person.
Riley straightened up, her eyebrows shooting up.
"Holy hell."
Riley wasn't the only one who was jealous of me.
The bar was stunned into silence the moment he stepped in.
All eyes were on Alexander, and if I dared to look around, I would find that a whole lot of people, women especially, were already undressing him with their eyes. Suddenly, no one remembered the reason they were in the cafe. They were too occupied with the handsome piece of cake that was Alexander Harrington.
Should I say I was jealous at the moment?
Alexander's eyes locked onto mine, his gaze piercing and intense. He looked like he was going to smother me with just his look.
And before I could move—before I could even think—
He was at my side.
He grabbed my wrist—not painfully, but firm enough that I felt it all the way to my bones.
"Let's go," he said commandingly, leaving no room for argument.
"Alexander—" I protested, but he didn't let me speak because I'd barely gotten the word out before he pulled me to my feet with a tight grip and practically dragged me toward the exit while everyone else watched.
The air crackled.
The last thing I heard was Riley's astonished voice.
"Oh, shit," Riley muttered breathlessly just before the door slammed behind us.