I stood between Ethan and Xavier, my pulse drumming in my ears as their eyes burned into mine-each man demanding a choice.
It felt like standing on a knife’s edge, knowing no matter which side I fell to, I’d bleed. I was tired of being pushed and pulled. Tired of feeling like I was drowning in secrets.
Enough. I needed answers. Now.
“Both of you,” I snapped, clenching my fists. “No more games. No more lies. I want the truth-everything. Or I walk out that door and never look back.”
Ethan’s jaw tightened, a muscle twitching beneath his perfectly sculpted cheekbone. “Alyssa-”
“No.” I cut him off. “I’m serious. I’m done being dragged around like I’m some prize for you to fight over.” My eyes flicked to Xavier. “Both of you owe me answers.”
Xavier smirked, his arms folding over his broad chest. “Finally,” he drawled. “I was wondering when you’d grow tired of the fairytale Ethan was feeding you.”
Ethan shot him a murderous look. “Don’t push me, Xavier.”
“Or what?” Xavier taunted, stepping closer. “You’ll lie your way out of this too?”
“I said, enough!” My voice cracked, but I didn’t care. They both shut up, their gazes locking in a silent battle, the tension in the room thick and electric.
I crossed my arms and glared at them both. “Start talking. What’s really going on between you two?”
Ethan ran a hand through his dark hair, looking like he wanted to punch a wall. “It’s complicated.”
Xavier gave a dark laugh. “Isn’t it always with you?”
I turned to Xavier, my patience hanging by a thread. “Fine. Then you go first. What’s your connection to my father? And don’t leave anything out.”
Xavier’s smile vanished, replaced by something colder, more calculating. “Your father was my mentor,” he said quietly. “He taught me everything I know about running the business-both legal and otherwise. We were close. Closer than you’d think.”
My heart twisted. “And you expect me to believe you just… forgot to mention that?”
“I didn’t forget,” Xavier said, his voice soft but edged with steel. “I didn’t think it was safe for you to know. Until now.”
Ethan scoffed. “Don’t pretend like you’re some noble protector.” He turned to me, his gaze sharp and filled with frustration. “Alyssa, he’s using you. Just like he used your father.”
“Because you’re so much better?” I shot back, the frustration bubbling in my chest. “You’re both using me. Just admit it.”
Ethan flinched as if I’d slapped him, and for a second, I thought I saw regret in his eyes. But he quickly masked it. “I’m trying to protect you,” he insisted.
“From what?” I demanded. “From him?” I pointed to Xavier. “Or from whatever secrets you’re keeping from me?”
Ethan opened his mouth to respond, but Xavier cut him off with a low chuckle.
“You can’t even tell her the truth, can you?” Xavier’s smile was all teeth. “Go on, Ethan. Tell her what you’re really planning. Or should I?”
“Enough!” Ethan roared, and for a second, the mask of calm he always wore shattered. His rage filled the room like a thunderstorm, but I was too angry to care.
“I’ve had it with both of you,” I said, my voice low and dangerous. “I’m not taking another step until I know exactly what I’m walking into.”
For a moment, silence hung between us, thick and suffocating. And then Ethan took a deep breath, his shoulders sagging under the weight of whatever secret he was carrying.
“Alyssa,” he began carefully, “Xavier and I…we’ve been tangled up in this for years. It started as business. But it’s become something much more dangerous.”
Xavier snorted. “That’s one way to put it.”
Ethan shot him a glare. “The point is, this isn’t just about you. It’s about power, leverage, and survival. And if you don’t let me help you, you’re going to get crushed in the middle.”
Xavier stepped closer, his gaze heavy with meaning. “And you think staying with him is the answer, Alyssa? He’ll say anything to keep you under his thumb. Trust me-he doesn’t care about you the way I do.”
My heart stuttered at those words, but I shoved the feeling down. I couldn’t afford to be swayed by sweet promises-especially not from men like them.
“I don’t trust either of you,” I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper. “But I need to know the truth. No more half-truths or manipulations.”
Ethan’s eyes softened. “I’ll tell you everything, Alyssa. But we need to leave this place first. You’re not safe here.”
Xavier sneered. “There it is. His favorite line.”
Ethan’s expression darkened. “You want her in your world, Xavier? Fine. But it’s not the life she deserves.”
I backed away from both of them, needing space to think. My head felt like it was about to explode from all the unanswered questions swirling inside it. But before I could respond, Ethan’s phone buzzed in his pocket.
He glanced at the screen, his expression shifting in an instant. “I need to take this,” he muttered, stepping toward the door.
I watched him leave, my mind spinning with everything that had just unfolded. My gut told me there was more going on-something they weren’t telling me.
Curiosity gnawed at me, and before I could stop myself, I crept toward the door and pressed my ear against it. Ethan’s voice was low and urgent, making it difficult to catch every word. But what I did hear sent a chill down my spine.
“She’s starting to figure things out. We need to move fast,” Ethan said. There was a pause, and then, “No, she won’t be a problem. I’ll make sure of it.”
My heart stopped.
What the hell was Ethan planning?
The cold weight of betrayal settled in my chest, and I fought to keep my breathing steady. I stepped away from the door just as Ethan finished the call, slipping the phone back into his pocket with a sigh.
He turned and saw me standing there, his expression unreadable. But I knew what I’d heard.
And now, more than ever, I knew I couldn’t trust him.
My mind raced as Ethan gave me a tight smile, his eyes flickering with something I couldn’t place. “Everything okay?” he asked casually.
But I knew better.
Something was coming. And I had to figure it out before it was too late.