Chapter 20: Leverage

The rooftop went silent.

Wind swept across the concrete, carrying dust and the faint hum of the city below — but Lena only heard the pounding of her own heart.

Dylan stepped forward, his smirk widening.

He looked at them like he had just caught something valuable.

Something he could use.

Alexander moved subtly, shifting his body so he stood between Lena and Dylan. His voice was cold, controlled — but beneath it, a dangerous edge simmered.

“What exactly do you think you saw?” Alexander asked.

Dylan chuckled. “Relax, Mr. Knight. I didn’t say anything… yet.”

Lena’s stomach twisted. “Dylan, please—”

He held up a hand. “No need to panic, sweetheart. I’m not here to blow whistles.” His gaze flicked to Alexander. “But I know an opportunity when I see one.”

Alexander’s fingers curled into fists.

“What do you want?” he asked quietly.

Dylan shrugged, pretending to look innocent. “Oh, nothing big. Maybe a recommendation? A transfer upstairs? A little help snagging that promotion I’ve been waiting for.”

Lena sucked in a breath. Blackmail.

Dylan tilted his head, pretending to think. “Or… maybe I just keep my mouth shut. That’s valuable too, isn’t it?”

Alexander took one slow, lethal step forward. “Are you blackmailing me?”

Dylan didn’t back down — but his voice trembled slightly. “I’m asking for… mutually beneficial cooperation.”

Lena could feel the tension in Alexander’s body — the way he was fighting the urge to snap.

This wasn’t like him.

This wasn’t controlled, polished Alexander Knight.

This was a man protecting something —
someone —

he cared about.

“Dylan,” Lena said softly, trying to redirect him. “We weren’t doing anything. You’re assuming the worst.”

“Oh, please,” Dylan snorted. “I saw the way he looked at you. The way you came running the second he texted.” He smirked. “Trust me, I know chemistry when I see it.”

Alexander’s eyes darkened. “You know nothing about us.”

Dylan grinned. “I know enough.”

The wind whipped stronger. Lena shivered.

Dylan crossed his arms. “Anyway, think about my offer. I’ll give you until Friday. After that… who knows what I might let slip?”

Alexander took another step — this time with no attempt to hide his rage.

But Dylan backed away quickly, hands raised. “Easy, Mr. Knight. You wouldn’t want an… incident. Cameras, witnesses — you know the drill.”

He retreated toward the door, smiling like a man who believed he had won something.

Before leaving, he looked back at Lena.

“You’re on the wrong floor, sweetheart. And definitely with the wrong man.”

Then he disappeared inside.

The rooftop door slammed behind him.

Silence fell again — heavier than before.

Lena pressed a trembling hand against her forehead. “Alex… what do we do?”

Alexander didn’t answer immediately. He took a long breath, trying to rein in the fury burning behind his eyes.

Finally, he turned to her.

“I’m going to bury him,” he said quietly.

Lena’s breath caught. “Alex—”

“No.” He shook his head. “He thinks he can blackmail me? Threaten you?” His jaw tightened. “I won’t tolerate it.”

“Please don’t make this worse,” she whispered. “If you explode at him, he’ll use it against you.”

Alexander stepped closer, his anger giving way to something softer — fear.

For her.

“This isn’t just about me anymore,” he said. “Someone is trying to pull you into this mess. Someone wrote those threats. Someone sent the Board after you. And now him…” His voice broke slightly. “I can’t protect you if you’re surrounded on all sides.”

Lena’s chest tightened.

She wanted to tell him she wasn’t afraid.

But she was.

“Maybe…” she said shakily, “maybe we should take some space, just until—”

“No.” His voice cracked like a whip.

She flinched.

Alexander caught her hand gently.

“No,” he repeated, softer. “You are not walking away from me because of them.”

Lena blinked back tears. “I’m scared.”

“I know.” He cupped her cheek, his thumb brushing her skin. “But I promise you — Dylan won’t get what he wants.”

“And if he tells HR? The Board?”

Alexander leaned closer until their foreheads touched.

“Then I’ll burn the whole Board down before I let them touch you.”

Her breath hitched — a mix of fear and fierce warmth.

“I mean it,” he whispered. “They want a fight? I’ll give them one.”

Before she could respond, the rooftop door creaked open again.

This time, it wasn’t Dylan.

It was Jamie, eyes wide, face pale.

“Lena… Alexander… I think you both need to come downstairs,” she said breathlessly.

“Why?” Alexander demanded.

Jamie swallowed.

“There’s been… an incident.”

Lena’s heart dropped. “What kind of incident?”

Jamie hesitated, then whispered:

“A security breach. Someone broke into your office, Lena.”