Chapter 5: Beneath the Surface

The message in the envelope was simple, yet the weight it carried sent a shiver down Sophie’s spine. You’ve been warned. Who had sent it? And more importantly, how had they gotten into her apartment? Panic bubbled up inside her as she scanned the room, her eyes darting from the windows to the front door. Everything was locked, just as she had left it. Yet somehow, someone had been here, right under her nose, leaving behind a chilling reminder that she was now in their sights.

She fumbled for her phone, her fingers trembling as she dialed Alexander’s number. He had told her to follow his instructions, and right now, he was the only one who could offer any semblance of protection. The phone rang twice before his familiar cold voice answered.

"Miss Matthews," Alexander said, his tone sharp. "What is it?"

Sophie swallowed hard, her voice unsteady as she replied. "There was an envelope in my apartment… It said, 'You’ve been warned.' Someone was in my home, Mr. Steele."

There was a brief pause, and when Alexander spoke again, his voice had taken on a harder edge. "Stay where you are. I’m coming to you."

He hung up without waiting for a response. Sophie lowered the phone, her heart pounding in her chest. The reality of the situation was sinking in now, and it was terrifying. She was no longer just an innocent bystander; she had been thrust into the middle of something far more dangerous than she could have ever anticipated.

Fifteen minutes later, there was a knock at her door. Sophie peeked through the peephole, her breath catching when she saw Alexander standing on the other side. She quickly unlocked the door, and he stepped inside, his presence filling the small apartment with an intensity that made her heart race.

"Show me the note," Alexander said, his voice low and controlled.

Sophie handed him the envelope, watching as his eyes scanned the short message. His expression darkened, the cold mask slipping ever so slightly to reveal a flicker of anger. He crumpled the paper in his hand, tossing it onto the coffee table as he turned to face her.

"You’re being watched," he said bluntly, his eyes locking onto hers. "Whoever sent this is trying to scare you. They want you to back off, to stop asking questions."

"But I haven’t been asking any questions," Sophie protested, her voice trembling. "I’ve barely done anything! I don’t even know what’s going on!"

Alexander’s gaze softened just a fraction, though his expression remained as unreadable as ever. "You don’t have to ask questions to be a threat, Miss Matthews. You’re close to me, which makes you a target. They think you know more than you do."

Sophie’s mind was spinning, trying to process everything. "Who are 'they'? What do they want?"

Alexander hesitated for a moment, as if weighing how much to reveal. Then, with a sigh, he spoke. "There are… competitors in this city. People who don’t play by the rules. They’re after something I have—something that could give them power, control over a vast network of assets. They’ve been circling for years, but now they’re growing bolder. And they see you as a weakness they can exploit."

Sophie’s stomach churned. "Why me?"

"Because you’re new. You’re close to me but not fully integrated into the business. They see you as a vulnerable link in the chain." Alexander’s voice was calm, but there was a dangerous edge to it that sent a shiver down her spine. "That’s why they’re trying to scare you. They think they can intimidate you into turning on me, or at the very least, backing off."

"I would never—" Sophie began, but Alexander cut her off.

"I know," he said firmly, stepping closer to her. "Which is why I need you to be strong. You’re in danger now, Sophie, whether you like it or not. They won’t stop until they get what they want."

Sophie met his gaze, her heart pounding in her chest. She could feel the intensity of his presence, the way his eyes seemed to pierce right through her. There was something between them—something unspoken but undeniable. Despite the fear gnawing at her insides, she felt a strange pull toward him, a connection that was growing stronger with every passing moment.

"What do we do?" Sophie asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Alexander took a deep breath, his jaw tightening as he considered her question. "For now, you do exactly what I say. You’re going to move into a safe house, somewhere they can’t get to you. I’ll assign security to watch over you. And under no circumstances are you to go anywhere alone."

Sophie’s heart sank at the thought of leaving her apartment, but she knew he was right. She wasn’t safe here—not anymore.

"Okay," she agreed, her voice steady. "I’ll do whatever it takes."

The next few hours were a whirlwind. Alexander made arrangements for Sophie to be moved into a high-security penthouse in one of his private properties, far away from prying eyes. A team of discreet but highly trained security personnel was assigned to her, and Alexander himself oversaw every detail, his icy control never wavering.

As the evening wore on, Sophie found herself sitting on the plush sofa of her new living room, staring out at the glittering city skyline. The events of the past week felt surreal, like something out of a thriller movie, but this was her reality now. She was caught in the middle of a dangerous game, and Alexander Steele was the only one who could protect her.

There was a knock at the door, and Sophie’s heart leapt into her throat. But when she opened it, she found Alexander standing there, his sharp blue eyes watching her carefully. He stepped inside, closing the door behind him.

"How are you holding up?" he asked, his voice quieter than usual.

Sophie shrugged, her nerves still raw. "I’m not sure how to answer that. It’s… a lot to take in."

Alexander nodded, his expression softening ever so slightly. "It is. But you’re handling it better than most would."

Sophie let out a small, humorless laugh. "I don’t feel like I’m handling it. I feel like I’m barely holding on."

Alexander stepped closer, his eyes never leaving hers. "You’re stronger than you think, Sophie."

There was something different in his tone—something almost gentle. The distance between them seemed to shrink, and Sophie felt her breath catch in her throat as he stood mere inches away. His presence was overwhelming, the magnetic pull between them impossible to ignore.

"Why are you doing this?" Sophie asked, her voice soft. "Why are you going through so much trouble to protect me?"

For a moment, Alexander said nothing. His gaze searched hers, as if he were weighing his next words carefully. Then, finally, he spoke, his voice low and almost vulnerable.

"Because you matter to me," he said simply.

Sophie’s heart skipped a beat, her mind racing. She had always sensed that there was something more between them, something deeper than the cold, professional façade Alexander presented to the world. But hearing him admit it was something else entirely.

Before she could respond, Alexander reached out, gently cupping her face in his hand. His touch was surprisingly warm, and Sophie’s pulse quickened as she felt the intensity of his gaze.

"You’re in this now, whether you want to be or not," Alexander murmured, his thumb brushing softly against her cheek. "But I promise you, I will protect you. No matter what."

Sophie’s breath hitched, her heart pounding as the space between them seemed to disappear entirely. The tension that had been building between them for days—weeks, even—finally reached its breaking point, and in that moment, Sophie made a decision.

She closed the distance between them, pressing her lips to his in a kiss that was both tender and desperate. Alexander responded instantly, his arms wrapping around her as he deepened the kiss, pulling her closer.

For a few blissful moments, everything else melted away. The danger, the fear, the uncertainty—all of it disappeared as they lost themselves in each other.

When they finally pulled apart, both of them were breathless, their foreheads resting together as they stood in the dimly lit room.

"I don’t know what’s happening between us," Sophie whispered, her voice shaky. "But I do know that I trust you."

Alexander’s grip on her tightened slightly, his voice low and filled with promise. "That’s all I need."

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