Chapter 31 — The Feeling That Hurt

In The Quiet Hours
His phone buzzed relentlessly on the nightstand, but he didn’t stir, unwilling to open his eyes, savoring the last few minutes of stolen sleep. When the caller persisted, he groaned and cracked one eye open, snatching the phone to check the caller ID.

Muting the ringtone, he sat up abruptly, rubbing his forehead, and with a glance at the clock realized it was nine o’clock. A few curses slipped from his lips, sharp in the quiet of the room.

He swung his legs off the bed, moving toward the bathroom, but his attention landed on her. She lay motionless, hair fanned across the pillow, a few strands curling around her neck. For a heartbeat, he allowed himself a small, almost predatory smirk.

The calm she brought him was fleeting, fragile, and he lingered, hands on his hips, taking in the rare stillness she offered before finally stepping away.

Slowly, she stirred in the cool morning air. When her eyes opened, she spotted him standing by the nightstand, adjusting his Rolex with the same quiet precision he always carried. Her eyes widened.

“Oh my god, I’m too late today!” she exclaimed, jerking upright, but he spoke before she could take another step.

“Calm down, Jenna. Don’t worry,” he said, his voice low and steady, and she turned toward him, her pulse quickening under his gaze.

“But I’m late, Evan! Just five minutes—I’ll make something quick for you!” Her sleepy voice carried urgency as she slipped on her slippers and rushed toward the door, but he stepped forward and halted her progress, his movements smooth and unhurried.

“No need. I’ll have breakfast in the office today. Go back,” he said evenly, his composed tone leaving no room for argument while easing her panic.

Her half-open eyes softened as she looked at him, torn between concern and affection. “Are you sure?” she asked out of habit, needing reassurance.

He gave a small nod and hummed softly before reaching for his wallet with effortless precision. Glancing at her once more, the faint smirk on his lips carried a quiet authority that made her pause again.

“Sleep,” he added simply. “We’ll meet later.”

She watched him leave, the warmth of his presence lingering in the room, and despite the morning rush, she let out a quiet, contented smile.



He sat on the king-sized chair, the leather groaning under his weight. His eyes locked onto Alexander, who stood rigid, hands folded, head bowed in submission.

“Why did you talk to him without my permission?” His voice was low, but sharp enough to make Alexander flinch. “When you’re my man, every word you speak carries consequences. You don’t just interact with anyone, especially those poking around my world.”

Alexander swallowed, his throat dry.

“Boss… he just asked what I do, what my job is, because he’s looking for an agent for his office work. I told him I already have a job, but that I’d try to reach you. I didn’t reveal anything else. I—”

Evan slammed his palm against the armrest, making Alexander jump.

“That’s exactly the problem!” he barked. “You think that because you didn’t give him my secrets, you’re safe? Do you understand the kind of people we’re dealing with? He was testing you, probing for weaknesses. Even a small slip, your willingness to engage, can be enough for them to uncover more about me!”

He leaned forward, his voice dropping to ice.

“This is your first and last warning. One more lapse like this, and it won’t just be a job you lose, you’ll disappear from the world I allow. And you know what happens to those I let go.”

Alexander lowered his gaze further, his heart hammering. He had made no conscious mistake, yet in this world, naivety itself was dangerous.

Evan waved him off.

“Now go. Hide your face. And think carefully about the kind of man I need you to be.”

Some of Evan’s enemies had already tried to use Alexander to uncover his next move, though Alexander himself had no idea.

During a mission to intercept a man who had attempted to redirect one of Evan’s ships, one enemy, suspecting they were Evan’s men, approached Alexander under the guise of friendliness.

Evan observed the entire encounter live through the team’s hidden cameras and microphones, watching as the enemy cornered Alexander with seemingly innocent questions while he stood separated and exposed.

The man eventually left, but Evan’s mind raced through the fragments he had been piecing together. His enemies were clever, and one careless moment, however harmless it seemed, could cost them everything. In their line of work, vigilance was not optional.

Pouring a drink into his glass, he drained it in one swallow. Then another. And another, until the edge dulled just enough.

A notification flashed across his screen.

He caught it from the corner of his eye, unlocked his phone, and opened the attached documents. His brows drew together into a sharp frown as he read through the details.

Without hesitation, he dialed the number. The call was answered almost instantly.

“How did you get this information about the intruder?” he asked, releasing a measured breath.

“Boss, we checked every courier company and service in the area. They told us a man worked with them for about a week before disappearing. They gave us his name and operational details, that’s the information I sent you.”

“Good. Where is he now?”

“He’s in the dungeon. We restrained him there.”

“Keep him blindfolded and apply minimal pressure for now. I’ll come later today.”

“Understood, Boss.”

The line went dead, leaving Evan alone with the weight of the information and the tightening tension that filled the room.

Slowly, he got up from the chair, settled his blazer, and looked around keenly, as if something hidden within the walls could become a problem if left unchecked.

So many plans and paths to follow. Yet… my mind keeps drifting toward you.

He ran a hand over his jaw, pausing as the thought struck him. When did you start taking up this much space in my thoughts, kitten?

His eyes flicked to the window, then back to the empty room. For a fleeting moment, it felt as if Jenna were standing right behind him, that familiar smile teasing her lips.

He shook his head slowly, pressing a thumb against his temple. Huh! I’m not a man who can simply let this be.

A deep breath escaped him. He straightened his shoulders, fingers brushing the edge of the desk, feeling the solidity beneath his touch, then stepped out of the office with deliberate, measured steps.