Elena crouched in Julian's Hamptons bedroom, her bare feet silent on the hardwood, one of his dress shirts; crisp, cedar scented swallowing her frame. The moonlight sliced through the curtains, catching Julian's sleeping form on the bed, his chiseled chest rising slow, lips parted, oblivious to her betrayal. Her body still buzzed from his touch hours ago. Her fingers rifled through his nightstand, heart hammering, every creak spiking her nerves.
Julian's phone glowed, abandoned on the dresser. She grabbed it, pulse racing, and swiped. A text from Elias: Phoenix logs vanished and Reed's circling. We're screwed. Her stomach dropped, missing logs? Elias texting Julian at 3 a.m.? They're burying Mateo's truth. Her chest burned, betrayal cutting deep, Elias with his warm kiss and soft eyes was as dirty as Julian. She snatched her jeans and blouse, slipping out, leaving Julian's shirt crumpled on the floor. The mansion's silence chased her to the car, her vow clear: No more half-answers.
Morning hit Cross Enterprises like a blade, the glass tower cold and unyielding, Elena stormed Elias's office, curls wild, her eyes blazing. He leaned against his desk, hair tied back, open collared shirt teasing the chest she'd clawed nights ago. His brown eyes flicked up, warm but wary, like he sensed the storm, her core clenched, his kiss flashing—hungry, electric, then gone. He's a liar.
"Elena", Elias said, voice smooth, a strategist's calm. "You're early, trouble sleeping?" His tone teased, but his fingers tapped the desk, betraying a flicker of nerves.
"Save the charm, Elias", she snapped, slamming the door, stepping close, voice sharp. "I saw your text to Julian. Phoenix logs gone? What the hell are you two hiding?" Her eyes locked on his, fury blazing, but heat stirred, his ocean and leather scent hitting her.
Elias's chest tightened, her words a punch. She was with Julian last night, wasn't she? His mind flashed to her in Julian's house, his hands on her, and jealousy clawed him, raw and sharp. I kissed her, felt her, but she is his. His jaw clenched, loyalty to Julian warring with want, but her fire held him.
"You were with Julian, at that hour?" he said, voice low and probing, a flicker of defeat in his eyes. "What's that about, Elena?"
She laughed, sharp, brushing him off, stepping closer, their shoes touching. "Don't dodge my question, Elias. Phoenix logs, Mateo's death, spill it". Her voice was steel, but her heart raced, his jealousy stirring something reckless. He's hurt.
Elias swallowed, her deflection stinging, but her eyes pinned him, fierce and unyielding. She's not mine, but I can't let her go. He straightened, brow raised, grin sly. "You're playing dirty, snooping phones". His voice stayed light, but his gaze sharpened, probing her resolve. "Logs are IT's mess, not your mess".
"Don't play me", she said, voice fierce, their breaths mingling. "My brother died in your lab, Mateo Marquez. You know his name, don't you?" She hurled the truth, praying she was wrong.
Elias froze, eye widening, guilt flashing before he looked away. "Mateo", he said, voice cracked, low. "Yeah, I knew him. Coder with big dreams, always pushing". His jaw tightened, fingers flexing. "We hired you because of him, Elena".
Her breath caught, betrayal slamming her. Hired because of Mateo? Not my work? Her chest burned, eyes stinging, but she held his gaze, rage, and want colliding. "You used me", she said, voice trembling, stepping closer, their chests brushing. "You and Julian dangled me to fix your guilt, and you didn't tell me?" I trusted him
His hand twitched, aching to touch her, but he held back. "It wasn't like that", he said, voice rough, eyes pleading. "Mateo was my friend and we have no idea what happened", his tone broke, unlike Julian's icy control. "I pushed to hire you because you're fire, like him and you deserved the chance".
Her heart twisted, his confession a knife, she wanted to scream, shove him, but his eyes held her; raw, open, begging her to stay. Why does his pain hook me? her hand brushed hid on the desk, a spark jolting her, his warmth tempting her to lean in. "You should have told me", she said, voice fierce. "I'm not your tool, Elias".
"You're not", he said fast, hand grazing hers, lingering. "You are a damn fire; Elena and you burn so bright that I can't take my eyes off you. I see you, always did". His voice was velvet, thick with want, but his eyes flickered with fear, like she'd slip away. "I hid it because I couldn't lose you to this".
Her core tightened, his touch igniting her, desire clashing with rage. He sees me, but he lied. "Lose me?" she laughed, sharp, pulling her hand back, but her body ached for his. "You never had me, Elias and you burned that with your secrets". Her words cut, but her eyes lingered on his lips, that kiss haunting her.
Elias's clenched his jaw, his voice dropping. "I'm trying to keep you safe, Elena. Phoenix is a graveyard; Julian's orders, not mine, and if you dig too deep, you'll get hurt". His tone was urgent, a plea, not Julian's commands, his hand hovering near her cheek, trembling.
Her skin burned, his warning sinking in. Julian's orders? He's trapped too. She leaned closer, their breaths mingling, defiance blazing. "I don't need saving", she said, voice sensual, testing him. "I need the truth, Elias. Step up, or step aside". Her fingers grazed his wrist, deliberate, heat surging, guilt clawing her.
His breath hitched, eyes darkening, want and conflict warring. "You're trouble", he murmured, voice husky, leaning in, lips inches from hers. "I want to step up, but Julian's my chain. Push me and I'll snap it". His hand slid to her waist, light, waiting for her move, his warmth a lifeline she craved.
Her pulse raced, his touch unraveling her. Snap it? For me? She wanted to kiss him, taste that fire, but betrayal stung too deep. "Then snap it", she whispered, voice fierce, stepping back, breaking the contact. "Or I'll do it myself". Her body screamed to stay, but her resolve hardened.
His eyes helplessly searched for warmth in hers. "Elena…", he said in a calm voice as he turned accepting defeat.
Her phone buzzed—an unknown caller. Her heart jumped, another tip? "I'll take my chances", she said, voice cool, turning to leave.
The door swung open. Julian strode in, bespoke suit carved to his frame, his eyes blazing. "what's this about chances, Ms. Marquez?" his voice was low, a predator's growl, eyes flicking between her and Elias, jealousy sharp. "You running from me already?"