Lexi

Okay, so maybe climbing out of a second-floor window using bed sheets wasn’t my brightest idea. But in my defense, I had watched a lot of action movies, and this seemed like the perfect escape plan.

But it wasn’t.

First of all, bedsheets are not as sturdy as they looked in movies. Mine made an ominous rrriiiip sound halfway down, and I ended up dropping the last few feet like a sack of potatoes. My butt was definitely going to be bruised tomorrow.

Secondly, the woods around the cabin were not the magical, sunlit forest I imagined. Nope. It was dark, creepy, and full of suspicious rustling noises. Every twig snap made me jump like a startled cat.

“Great, Lexi. Now you’re gonna get eaten by a bear before Victor Kane even gets the chance to murder you.” I muttered to myself.

I stumbled through the trees with my bare feet because of course I didn’t remember to pick my shoes.

“Ow. Ow. OW.” I whimpered as I stepped on every sharp rock and thorn.

“Next time I want to escape a hot billionaire’s safe house, wear sneakers.” I said to myself.

After what seemed like years of walking, I reached a road. A real road! With cars and everything! I waved my arms like a maniac at the first passing car.

A beat-up pickup truck screeched to a stop. The window rolled down, and a guy with a bushy beard and a suspicious squint looked me up and down.

“You alright, miss?” He asked, eyeing my torn dress and wild hair.

“Oh, totally!” I said, flashing my best I’m-not-a-crazy-person smile. “Where exactly are we?” I asked, because on my way here, Lucian made sure the car was tinted inside and outside.

The driver chuckled. “We are far away from the city, ma’am. You look like you need help.”

I frowned. “Just, uh… lost. Yeah. Lost. Can you give me a ride to the nearest town?”

He hesitated for a minute. “You runnin’ from someone?”

“What? No! Pfft. Why would you think that?” I laughed way too loudly. “I just love walking barefoot in the woods at night. Super relaxing.” I said sarcastically.

He didn’t look convinced.

“Look,” I sighed, dropping the act. “I might have escaped from a super intense, brooding billionaire who thinks he’s Batman, and now I really need to find my best friend before he sends his giant bodyguard after me.”

The guy blinked. “...That’s the weirdest thing I’ve heard all week. Get in.”

“Best. Stranger. Ever.” I whispered and he smiled.

Twenty minutes later, I was in a diner, stuffing my face with pancakes like my life depended on it. Which, honestly, it might. I was very famished. Damn Lucian!

My phone was still back at the cabin all thanks to Marcus, so I borrowed the truck guy’s phone and dialed the one number I knew by heart.

“Hello?” My best friend, Mia, answered on the first ring.

And I felt a wave of emotions wash over me. I thought i would never see her again.

“MIA. IT’S ME.” I yelled, drawing attention.

“LEXI?! Where the hell are you?! Lucian Cross’s security team called me freaking out, asking if I’d seen you!”

“Yeah, about that…” I took a deep breath. “So, I might have gotten myself into a tiny bit of trouble and now Lucian is being all weirdly protective, and I may have escaped his safe house using bedsheets…”

“YOU WHAT?!” She cut me off.

Relax girl.

“...and now I need you to come pick me up before his giant bodyguard finds me and drags me back.” I pleaded.

There was a long pause. Then Mia groaned. “Lexi, I swear to God, only you could turn a simple journalism assignment into a Jason Bourne movie.”

“I know,” I said proudly. “So… you’ll come get me?”

“Text me the address. And do not move.” She ordered like she was my mother.

I slumped back into my chair.

“My phone, woman.” The truck guy announced.

“Oh…you're still here.” I smiled.

“Hell, yeah.” He rolled his eyes. “When your friend comes, tell her to pay for your meal.” He stood up.

“What?!” I held his shirt.

“I have done my best. “ He shoved my hands off and walked out.

“Tsk. Cheap ass.” I smirked.

I was halfway through my third pancake when the diner door slammed open.

My fork froze mid-air.

Standing in the doorway, looking like an extremely pissed-off Greek god, was Lucian Cross. His eyes were locked onto me like a predator spotting its prey.

“Oh. Crap.” I whispered.

I let out a tiny squeak and ducked under the table.

“Really, Lexi?” Lucian’s voice was pure, unamused thunder. “You’re hiding under a diner table? What are you, five?”

“I’m not hiding!” I lied, my voice muffled by the tablecloth. “I just… dropped my fork!”

There was a long, long silence. Then I heard him sigh.

“Get out from under there.” He ordered.

“No.” I said, my cheek burning with embarrassment.

“Lexi.” He called, his voice gentle.

“Lucian.” I replied.

He sighed. Then, he crouched down, lifting the tablecloth to glare at me. His dark eyes were not happy.

“Oh, no.” I whispered.

“You,” he growled, “are infuriating.”

“I know.” I nodded.

He looked like he wanted to strangle me. Or kiss me. Or both.

Either way, I was so dead.

“You're no longer under any threats now.” He drew closer, staring at me, my heart hammered against my cheat. And as if on cue, the door slammed open to reveal a frantic Mía.

“Lexi!” She called.

Lucian quickly pulled away, standing to his feet. He coughed slightly, adjusting his suit.

I smiled, seeing his cheeks burn with embarrassment.

Mia stared at both of us like we were a tennis match.

“You…” she opened her mouth but I cut her off.

“Let go.” I said, dragging her out. I looked back at Lucian who had an angry look on hia face.

“I will see you at the office.” I mouthed. And he shook his head.

We got into a taxi and it pulled up outside Mia’s building, and I realized I didn't pay for the meal.

Oh shit. I'm going to have my ears bursted with words tomorrow.

We stepped out of the car and walked into her apartment.

Mia eyed me, head to toe. “Don't tell me you lost that expensive purse.” Her eyes were wide.

“Yeah, I did.” I replied.

She shook her head. “I hate that I'm your friend.”

I pulled her close. “I know you love me as hell.”

We both laughed slumping on the chair.

She served me coffee which i took in ome gulp. The hot liquid burnt my throat.

Mia apartment was tiny but cozy, filled with plants, books, and the smell of whatever exotic tea she was currently obsessed with. It felt like a sanctuary after the opulent but cold cabin.

“Okay, start talking,” Mia demanded, pushing me onto her couch and wrapping a blanket around my shoulders. “And don't leave out any details about Mr. Mysterious Billionaire.”

So I told her everything. The dangerous Victor Kane. How he was threatened. Maya listened with growing amazement, occasionally interrupting with exclamations of disbelief.

“Holy shit, Lex,” she breathed when I finished. “You're living in a freaking thriller novel.”

“I know. And the worst part is…” I hesitated, not sure I was ready to say it out loud.

“The worst part is you might be falling for him,” Mia finished, reading me like she always could.