Chapter 23: Followed

The drive back from the police station should have felt safer.

It didn’t.

Lena sat rigid in the passenger seat, her eyes constantly flicking to the side mirror. The same dark car followed them through every turn, every light, keeping the exact same distance.

Alexander saw it too.

“I know,” he said quietly when she opened her mouth. “Don’t look back again. They want you to panic.”

Her heart thudded. “Alex… who is it?”

“I don’t know,” he said, tightening his grip on the wheel. “But they’re not subtle.”

The car stayed behind them the entire time until Alexander turned suddenly at the last intersection. A sharp left, then right. Fast.

The dark car turned too.

“It’s definitely following us,” Lena whispered.

Alexander’s jaw clenched. “Then they’re going to regret it.”

“Alex, don’t—”

But he accelerated.

Lena held the side grip as the speed increased. The traffic thinned as they reached a quieter part of the city. The dark car stayed close — too close.

Alexander made another sudden turn.

The car matched it.

“Alex—”

“Hold on.”

One more sharp turn, and then Alexander abruptly slowed, swerving behind a tall delivery truck pulling out of an alley. They ducked behind it, hidden from view, and waited.

The dark car sped past, unaware.

They sat in silence, hearts pounding.

After a long thirty seconds, Alexander exhaled slowly. “They’re gone.”

But Lena still felt watched. Her hands wouldn’t stop shaking.

“Do you want to go home?” Alexander asked softly.

She hesitated.

Home should have felt like safety.

But right now, it felt like a target.

Alexander seemed to read her fear. “I’m not dropping you off alone.”

“Alex,” she whispered, “you can’t stay with me. That will only make things worse.”

“Worse for who?” he asked. “You? Or the reputation they think I care about more than your safety?”

She looked away, fighting the sting in her eyes.

“It’s not just reputation,” she murmured. “It’s your job. Your power. Everything you’ve worked for.”

“And you think any of that means more to me than you?”

Her breath caught.

He reached out slowly, lightly brushing her hand.

“You’re shaking,” he said softly.

“I’m scared.”

“I know.” His voice broke slightly. “And I hate it.”

Lena stared out the window. “Who would do this? Why follow me? Why break into my office? Why threaten me?”

Alexander inhaled deeply. “Because someone wants to scare you into quitting. Or to turn on me.”

“I would never turn on you.”

He closed his eyes for a moment, as though those words both relieved and tortured him.

Then he spoke quietly: “Let me take you home. And I’ll stay outside until you’re safe inside.”

She didn’t argue.

Her apartment felt different when they arrived. The hallway seemed darker, the lights buzzing overhead, the air colder than usual.

Alexander walked her to the door, refusing to leave until she unlocked it.

“Text me the moment you’re inside,” he said.

She nodded.

But when she opened the door…

Her blood froze.

There, lying in the center of her living room floor, was another black envelope.

Lena gasped and staggered back, slamming into Alexander’s chest.

He was inside the apartment in seconds, eyes scanning the room like a predator.

“Stay behind me,” he growled.

The apartment was silent — too silent. No signs of forced entry. No open windows. No broken locks.

Just the envelope.

Perfectly placed.

Perfectly timed.

As if the person had known she’d be back right now.

Her hands shook violently. “They… they got inside my home.”

Alexander knelt and picked up the envelope with shaking hands.

Inside was a single piece of paper.

No threats this time.

Just one sentence:

“You can’t hide her.”

Alexander’s jaw locked so tightly she thought he might break.

He looked up at her — and in that moment, Lena saw something she’d never seen in him before.

Fear.

And fury so deep it bordered on violence.

“Pack your things,” he said quietly.

Lena blinked. “What?”

“You’re not staying here another night.”

“Alex—”

“I’m not negotiating,” he snapped, then softened instantly. “I’m not letting them take you from me.”

Her chest tightened. “Where will I go?”

“Somewhere they can’t reach you.”

“And you?” she whispered.

He stepped closer, eyes burning.

“I’ll be right beside you.”

Before she could respond, her phone buzzed.

Unknown number.

One new message.

Her heart nearly stopped when she opened it.

“You shouldn’t have gone to the police.

This is only the beginning.”

Alexander read it over her shoulder. His entire body went rigid.

“Lena,” he whispered, voice shaking with rage, “you’re coming with me. Now.”

And for the first time since the nightmare started…

She didn’t argue.