The afternoon light filtered into the living room in thin golden lines, striping the hardwood floor like prison bars. Jesse sat on the couch, a steaming mug of untouched coffee in his hands, his gaze unfocused. He hadn't moved in over twenty minutes.
In front of him, the TV was on mute. Some news anchor waved their arms dramatically, lips moving, unaware that no one was listening.
His mind wasn't here.
It was back in that small, cramped office behind the old bar his father used to use for "business." Back in that cold visiting room at the correctional facility. Back to the words that had haunted him for years:
"A man takes what he wants, Jesse. That's what power is."
He could still hear the way his father said it-like it was scripture, like Jesse was born to inherit it. But Jesse had spent his entire life running in the opposite direction. He didn't want that kind of power. He didn't want anything *from* the man who had nearly ruined him.
But now... he was back. And working with Victor.
Jesse flinched at the memory of Victor's smirk the last time they'd seen each other. Cold. Calculated. And now backed by his father's vicious cunning.
He took a deep breath, setting the coffee down, and stood up-just as Alina passed the hallway in her white silk blouse and navy skirt, phone pressed to her ear, reading notes on her tablet.
"No, I want the pitch deck shortened by at least three slides. Vantage executives hate fluff," she said as she walked toward her office.
Jesse blinked.
Wait.
Vantage.
The meeting was *today*?
"Alina?" he called.
She didn't hear him.
He walked to her office door just as she ended the call. Her laptop was open, cameras already testing lighting for the video call. She was focused. Driven. Calm.
Too calm.
"You're really doing it?" he asked from the doorway.
Alina didn't look up. "The meeting's in less than two hours. I can't afford to not do it."
Jesse stepped inside. "We just found out Victor's involved. That your *uncle* may be feeding him intel. And you think this is the time to smile on camera and pretend you've got it all under control?"
She paused. "Yes. Because someone has to act like the world isn't ending."
He folded his arms. "So you're pretending? Is that it? Just keep smiling and bluff your way through a hostile takeover?"
She turned slowly. "Jesse, what do you want me to do? Cancel? Hide?"
"No! I want you to *acknowledge* that we're under attack."
Alina's jaw tensed. "I am *well* aware, thank you. But I can't let them see me flinch. If I lose this deal, I lose leverage. If I lose leverage, I lose the company."
"And if you collapse in the process, what do *we* have left?" he shot back.
Alina blinked, clearly hurt. "You think I'm collapsing?"
"I think you're pretending like none of this matters to you."
"That's rich coming from you," she snapped. "You've barely spoken a word since last night. You disappear into your thoughts and expect me to guess how to fix you."
Jesse stepped closer. "I'm trying to remember what it was like the last time my father tried to destroy someone's life. You want me to smile and make coffee while he creeps back in through the cracks?"
"No, I want you to *fight* with me. Not *against* me!"
They were both standing now, too close, both too proud to look away.
"You think I don't want to help you?" Jesse said, voice low. "I'd burn down the damn city if it meant keeping you safe. But you won't even let me in."
"I *hired* you into my life, Jesse. You signed up for the role. Not the chaos."
Jesse froze.
There it was.
Alina's face softened instantly. "I didn't mean-"
But it was too late.
Jesse stepped back like he'd been slapped. "Wow."
"Jesse-"
"I know what I signed up for," he said quietly. "I just didn't think you still saw me as a contract."
She reached out. "I don't."
But he turned and walked out.
In the hallway, Diana-Jesse's mother-had heard everything. She stood frozen, arms crossed, worry etched deep into her features.
"Jesse," she said gently as he passed her.
"I need air."
"Talk to her."
He didn't respond.
Diana walked slowly into the office. Alina had sat down, elbows on the desk, eyes closed like she was praying for the floor to open up.
Diana sat across from her. "He's scared."
"I know," Alina whispered. "So am I."
"He grew up with that man's shadow over him. And now he sees it reaching into your world too."
Alina looked up. "I thought I could compartmentalize. Keep business here, emotions there. But it's all bleeding together."
Diana smiled faintly. "That's love. It's messy. Especially when it's real."
Alina exhaled. "I didn't mean to say that. About the contract."
Diana nodded. "But you did. Because part of you still clings to the walls you built to protect yourself."
Alina nodded slowly. "I'm not used to being protected."
"He's not perfect," Diana said. "God knows, he's still figuring himself out. But Jesse? He'd take a bullet for you."
Alina's eyes stung. "I know."
Diana rose. "I'll try to talk to him. But when you go into that meeting tonight-just remember, you don't have to do it alone."
Alina watched her go, the door clicking softly shut behind her.
She sat in silence for a few moments, the glow of the screen casting her face in cold blue light. She looked around at the empire she had built-alone. And wondered if she'd be brave enough to stop pushing people away before it was too late.
But one thing for sure Alina grasped from the conversation with Diana;
" You are not alone anymore."