Chapter 2

• ALEXANDRA
• I'M FURIOUS.
• How dare he speak to me like this?
• “I just told you I organized this event!” I spit in anger.
• “The organizer of this event is Mia Cash. So, unless you have two names I suggest you turn and leave!”
• Mia Cash?
• I blink. The name feels like a stab in the chest. When did that bitch organize this event when she was abroad? It feels like someone is pouring ice water down my back.
• “No… no, that’s not possible, there has to be a mistake” I try to explain. “I booked the venue. I paid the deposit. I signed every-”
• “Ma’am, I don’t care what fantasies you’re living in. Mia Cash is the one listed on every document and she’s already inside. You’re not on the guest list. If you don’t have an invitation, leave.” He cuts me off.
• My ears start to ring and my skin feels too tight. My pulse pounds in my throat as my eyes dart across the entryway, past the doorman, past the velvet ropes and notice Jack is standing inside, still surrounded by cameras and people, sipping champagne like he didn’t just ignore me.
• His wife!
• He promised he’d pick me. He swore I’d finally be introduced tonight as his wife, his partner and the one who built this with him.
• And instead…
• He gave everything to her.
• To the woman who left him when he had nothing.
• To the woman who didn’t lift a damn finger.
• But I refuse to be sidelined. So I try to push past the man when he stands to block the door,
• “Ma’am,” the man says in an irritated tone. “You’re making a scene.”
• “I'm making a scene?” I fail to believe what I'm hearing.
• I'm barely shouting and yet my presence alone is a scene? This feels like someone doesn't want me here. Which is even more reason why I need to go in!
• Ignoring him, I try to side step him but before I even take two steps forward, two guards hold me on each arm, ready to drag me out like I’m some fraud trying to sneak into a high-profile event.
• My pride burns hotter than my heartbreak. My jaw clenches. My heels dig into the ground as I try to yank myself free but they're too strong. Cameras flash as tears threaten to spill.
• I'll probably make the cover of a gossip magazine tomorrow.
• All the strength to fight leaves me as I'm dragged out when a deep voice stops us cold,
• “Release her this instant.” The man says.
• His deep voice is so authoritative and cold that he doesn't even need to raise it for everyone to stop.
• The guards freeze instantly, their posture stiffening like statues.
• “Are you deaf or just dumb?” the voice adds, “I said release her.”
• The two men release me so fast like I just burned them.
• “Mr. Voss.”
• I turn slowly, to meet my saviour when my eyes land on a tailored black suit. Clean lines and expensive fabric, the kind that doesn’t wrinkle even under pressure.
• My eyes that happen to be staring at his chest because his so tall move up fighting not to linger on his broad chest that looks like it was sculpted under that shirt. I have to tilt my chin to meet his face, and the moment I do, my breath catches.
• He’s beautiful.
• No..wait..dangerously handsome fits him more.
• Blonde hair, perfectly styled with just the right amount of arrogance. Green eyes, that are cold and calculating, like we are all annoying him and he would rather be doing something else than waste his time looking at any of us.
• His jawline is razor-sharp, and his cologne hits me before he even takes a step forward. It’s rich, bold, and intoxicating, screaming wealth. Power. Filth and luxury all tangled into one.
• He slides an arm around my waist without asking in a firm and possessive way,
• “She’s with me,” he tells the guard. “Now get out of our way.”
• The man stammers, clearly shaken. “I-I didn’t know, sir. She said she-”
• “I don’t give a damn what she said. You put your hands on her,” the stranger interrupts, his tone a quiet threat. “If I see you touch her again, you’ll be out of a job… and out of a future.”
• The guard steps aside, pale and trembling.
• I stand frozen, lips parted, still not fully processing what’s happening. The stranger leans in just enough for only me to hear.
• "Are you a statue that won't move?”
• My cheeks flush. I open my mouth to speak, but nothing comes out.
• Who is this man?