Steven’s POV
“All done, happy now?!” I groaned, falling into the couch with a sigh of frustration.
“Not really,” she responded nonchalantly, without even looking up. “I need water.”
I blinked incredulously. “What?!”
She looked up and gave me an innocent shrug. “Well, it is your fault. You brought me food, but not drink, and the jug is empty.”
I leaned back and pinched the bridge of my nose. “So now it’s my fault? You’re blaming me while I’m solving your problems for you?”
She smiled slyly. “Only because we made a deal. I save your company’s image, and you spare Maya’s life.”
“You seriously think I brought you food because of that deal?” I shot back. “Don’t flatter yourself. Maya sent assassins after you, and I hate her just as much as you do.”
“Then why don’t you want her dead?”
Her face softened, and for a moment, she almost looked vulnerable. “It’s not that I don’t want her dead. I just don’t want you to be the one to kill her. I hate it when you kill people, Steven. It changes you-makes you colder, harsher. So I’m doing this to stop you from adding her to your already extensive murder list.”
I stared at her, the weight of her words sinking in. She didn’t care about Maya. She cared about me.
“And since you love spouting rules about strength,” she continued, “here’s one for you: being strong isn’t about solving every problem alone. It’s knowing when to ask for help. So I’m asking, will you get me a glass of water?”
For a moment, I did not answer. I just gazed at her-this fiery, defiant lady who appeared to have no fear of me, no matter how much I attempted to frighten her.
“Fine,” I said, pushing from the couch. “But I’m only doing this because you’re working on my company’s project.”
“Thank you, Steven!” She called after me. “Oh, and bring some cookies too!”
I froze in my tracks and clinched my hands. Cookies?! What precisely does she think I am, an errand boy?
I stormed into the kitchen to get a glass of water. One of the employees noticed me and came over. “Alpha, do you need anything else?”
I paused, then growled, “Cookies.” “Do we have any?
She nodded swiftly, retrieving a platter of cookies and presenting it to me.
“Good.”
When I got back to the room, I placed the glass and plate on the table in front of her.
“Aren’t you the perfect doting husband,” she joked, a teasing look on her face.
“Don’t push your luck,” I yelled. “The only reason I tolerate this is because I need your help.”
She raised a brow. “Oh, so you finally admit you need me?”
“Just focus on your work,” I shot back, moving toward the bed.
“Are you seriously going to sleep?” she inquired, amazed.
“Do you have a problem with that?”
“Yes!” she exclaimed angrily. “How can you leave me to work while you sleep?” This is YOUR company, not MINE!”
I sighed in frustration. “What do you expect me to do?” “Will you stay up all night with me?”
“Yes!”
“You’ve got to be kidding me.”
“It’s your company, Steven!” she argued, crossing her arms.
“Fine!” I gave in, pulling my fingers through my hair. “But you must deliver something extraordinary. I assure you that if you do not, you will be sorry. Killing is not the only way to cause someone pain.”
“Did you just threaten me?” she asked, eyes wide.
“Call it whatever you like,” I said dismissively.
“Threat or not, I’m still not afraid of you.”
“Afraid or not, get back to work,” I said, sitting alongside her on the couch.
“Fine,” she said, returning to her laptop. “But don’t you dare fall asleep before I do.”
I sighed again. Who would have guessed I’d go through this only to save my company?
I watched her work as the laptop’s illumination reflected off her face. Despite her untidy hair and tired eyes, she captivated me with her persistence and fire.
Then her earlier word echoed in my head.
“I just don’t want you to kill her. I hate it when you kill people.”
She didn’t understand. In my world, killing wasn’t a choice-it was survival. Kill or be killed. And I had chosen not to die.
I noticed her head drooping, her eyelids growing heavier.
“Just stop and go to bed,” I said quietly.
“No,” she murmured, her voice heavy with exhaustion. “I need to finish this part first.”
Stubborn woman.
Her head suddenly fell onto my shoulder, and I froze. She was fast asleep, her soft breath brushing against my neck.
I should push her away. I needed to push her away.
But I couldn’t.
Instead, I found myself staring at her face. Despite the exhaustion etched into her features, she looked peaceful. For the first time, she looked beautiful to me.