Bound by Secrets

Chapter 8: A Dangerous Game

Emma followed Alexander into his office, her heart pounding as she tried to steady her nerves. She wasn’t sure what she was going to say or how she was going to ask him about what she had found, but the sense of dread growing inside her told her that she needed to be careful.

Alexander closed the door behind them, and the click of the lock made Emma’s breath catch. He walked around his desk, his eyes never leaving her, and gestured for her to sit. She hesitated for a moment before slowly lowering herself into the chair.

“What’s going on, Alexander?” she asked, her voice trembling despite her best efforts to stay calm.

He leaned against his desk, his arms crossed over his chest, studying her. “I was hoping you could tell me,” he said, his tone deceptively casual. “You’ve been acting differently, Emma. I need to know why.”

Emma took a deep breath, her mind racing. This was her chance to confront him, to ask him what was really going on. But before she could speak, Alexander’s phone rang, breaking the tension. He glanced at the screen, his eyes narrowing, and then he answered it.

“What is it?” he barked, his voice cold. Emma couldn’t hear the response, but whatever it was, it made Alexander’s expression darken. He hung up abruptly and turned back to her.

“Emma, I need to take care of something. Wait here,” he ordered, his voice leaving no room for argument.

Before she could respond, Alexander was already out the door, leaving Emma alone in his office. She watched him leave, her heart pounding. Something was very wrong. She could feel it in the air, in the way he had looked at her.

She had to know the truth.

Emma stood up, her eyes darting around the office. She needed to find that box again. She needed answers. She quickly moved to the desk and opened the drawer, her hands trembling as she retrieved the metal box. The key was still there, and she unlocked it, her eyes scanning the contents.

There was something new—a small USB drive that hadn’t been there before. Emma’s brow furrowed as she picked it up, her curiosity piqued. She didn’t have much time. She slipped the USB into her pocket, closed the box, and returned it to its place.

Emma hurried back to her desk, her heart pounding as she inserted the USB drive into her computer. A folder opened, and her eyes widened as she saw what was inside—files upon files of surveillance photos. Not just of Claire, but of other people too. People she didn’t recognize. And then, she saw something that made her stomach drop—a photo of herself, taken just days ago, as she left her apartment.

A cold fear settled in her chest. Alexander had been watching her too.

Before she could react, the office door burst open, and Emma looked up in shock as two men entered—men she had never seen before. They were large, dressed in dark suits, and their expressions were anything but friendly.

“Ms. Collins?” one of them said, his voice gruff.

Emma stood, her heart pounding in her chest. “Who are you?” she demanded, trying to keep her voice steady.

“Mr. Blackwood needs you to come with us,” the man said, stepping closer. His tone left no room for argument, and the look in his eyes made Emma’s blood run cold. She knew she didn’t have a choice.

“Where is he?” she asked, trying to stall, trying to think of a way out.

“That’s not your concern,” the other man said, grabbing her arm roughly. Emma’s breath hitched, and she felt panic rising in her chest. She couldn’t let them take her. She didn’t know where they were going or what they intended to do, but every instinct she had told her it wasn’t good.

“Let go of me!” she shouted, struggling against the man’s grip. But he was too strong, and he began to drag her towards the door.

Suddenly, the sound of a gunshot echoed through the office, and Emma screamed, her eyes squeezing shut. The man holding her stumbled, his grip loosening, and Emma opened her eyes to see Alexander standing in the doorway, a gun in his hand, his face twisted in fury.

“Get away from her!” he shouted, his voice like ice. The second man raised his hands, backing away slowly, his eyes wide with fear.

Emma’s heart raced as she looked at Alexander, her mind struggling to process what had just happened. The man who had grabbed her was on the ground, blood pooling beneath him, and Alexander’s eyes were wild, his chest heaving.

“Emma, come here,” Alexander said, his voice softer now, but there was something in his eyes—something dark and dangerous, something that made Emma hesitate.

She took a step back, her eyes darting to the fallen man, then back to Alexander. “What... what is going on?” she whispered, her voice shaking.

Alexander lowered the gun, his expression softening as he looked at her. “I told you, Emma. There are things about my life that are complicated. Things I’ve tried to protect you from.” He took a step closer, his eyes pleading. “But you have to trust me now. I won’t let anyone hurt you.”

Emma shook her head, her mind reeling. “You’ve been watching me,” she said, her voice breaking. “Why, Alexander? Why were you spying on me?”

His eyes darkened, and he took another step towards her. “I was protecting you,” he said, his voice quiet but intense. “You don’t understand the kind of people we’re dealing with. If they knew how important you are to me...”

Emma’s breath caught, and she felt tears welling in her eyes. “Important to you?” she echoed, her voice trembling. “I don’t even know who you are anymore.”

Alexander reached out, his hand brushing her arm, and she flinched away. The pain in his eyes was evident, but Emma couldn’t bring herself to care. She was terrified, confused, and she didn’t know if she could trust him—not after everything she had seen.

“Emma, please,” Alexander said, his voice breaking. “I need you to come with me. It’s not safe here anymore.”

Emma looked at him, her heart pounding in her chest. She wanted to believe him, wanted to trust that he was doing all of this to protect her. But the fear in her heart was too strong, the doubts too deep.

“I... I need time,” she whispered, her voice barely audible. “I can’t just leave with you. I need to think.”

Alexander’s jaw tightened, and for a moment, she saw the cold, ruthless businessman again—the man who got what he wanted, no matter the cost.

“You don’t have time, Emma,” he said, his voice hardening. “If you stay here, they will come for you. And next time, I might not be there to stop them.”

Emma felt her knees go weak, and she sank into the nearest chair, her mind racing. She didn’t know what to do, who to trust. All she knew was that her life had changed forever, and there was no going back.

Alexander knelt in front of her, his eyes locking onto hers, his voice softening again. “Please, Emma. Let me protect you.”

Emma looked at him, her heart breaking. She wanted to trust him, wanted to believe that he could keep her safe. But deep down, she knew that as long as she was with Alexander, she would never be safe. Not really.

“I’ll go with you,” she said finally, her voice barely a whisper. “But I need answers, Alexander. No more secrets.”

Alexander nodded, a look of relief washing over his face. “I promise,” he said, his voice sincere. “No more secrets.”

But as he helped her to her feet, Emma couldn’t shake the feeling that the worst was yet to come. And as they left the office together, she knew she was stepping into a world of danger—a world where the line between love and fear was blurred, and where trusting Alexander might be the most dangerous decision of all.