Chapter 26: The Man Behind the Threat

The sound of Marcus Hale’s voice through the intercom felt like ice sliding down Lena’s spine.

Alexander froze completely. Not breathing. Not blinking.

Just… frozen.

Lena had never seen him like this.

Not afraid — but something close. Something that made the hairs on her arms rise.

“Alex?” she whispered.

He snapped back into motion and hit the speaker button again.

“How did you find my address, Marcus?”

A low, amused chuckle drifted through the intercom.
“Alexander… you forget who taught you how to hide.”

Lena’s heart hammered.

This wasn’t just a rival.

This was someone who knew him. Knew his secrets.

Knew his weaknesses.

Alexander’s voice hardened. “You’re not coming inside.”

“Relax,” Marcus said smoothly. “If I wanted in, I’d already be standing in your living room.”

Lena’s breath caught.

Alexander moved in front of her, blocking her from the door like he expected Marcus to burst through it.

“State your business and leave,” Alexander said.

“You know why I’m here,” Marcus replied. “You made a mistake. And now… you’re paying for it.”

Lena’s hands trembled. She couldn’t help but move closer to Alexander. He reached behind him and found her hand, squeezing gently — a silent reassurance that she wasn’t alone.

Marcus continued, his tone dripping with satisfaction.

“Though I must admit, using the girl was… clever.”

Alexander’s grip tightened painfully. “If you touch her—”

“I haven’t touched her,” Marcus cut in. “Not yet.”

Lena felt her stomach twist violently.

Alexander’s voice dropped into something lethal. “Get. Out.”

A light buzz sounded — Marcus pressing the intercom button again, amused.
“Oh, Alex… Still so predictable. You were always good at threats, but terrible at humility.”

Lena stepped forward despite her fear. “Why are you doing this? What do you want from me?”

A pause.

When Marcus spoke again, his voice was colder.

“Nothing from you, Miss Carter. You’re just leverage.”

“Against Alexander,” she whispered.

“Exactly.”

She felt sick.

Alexander slammed his palm against the wall next to the intercom. “This is between you and me. Leave her out of it.”

“But where’s the fun in that?” Marcus replied. “Besides… she’s the first thing you’ve cared about in years. And I always destroy what you care about.”

Lena gasped. Alexander’s jaw clenched until a vein pulsed at his temple.

“Marcus,” Alexander said, “you’re playing a dangerous game.”

Marcus laughed lightly. “You started the game, Alex. I’m just finishing it.”

Alexander reached for the panel and disconnected the intercom violently.

The sudden silence felt suffocating.

Lena grabbed his arm. “Alex… what does he mean? What game?”

Alexander breathed out slowly, his chest rising and falling like he’d run a marathon.

“I should have told you sooner,” he said.

Her voice softened. “Tell me now.”

He sat down heavily on the couch, elbows on his knees, hands clasped tightly. After a long moment, he looked up.

“Marcus Hale was my mentor,” Alexander began quietly. “We built Knight Enterprises together. He was brilliant. Ruthless. Unstoppable.”

Lena sat next to him, barely breathing.

“He believed in a world where power meant control,” Alex continued. “Where people were… disposable. He made decisions that almost destroyed the company. Decisions that destroyed lives.”

“What decisions?” Lena asked.

Alexander swallowed. “Illegal deals. Fraud. Manipulation. Blackmail. He used fear to control the Board — and everyone around him.”

Lena’s eyes widened. “You mean like what he’s doing to me?”

“Yes,” Alexander said, voice heavy with regret. “Exactly like that.”

She felt cold.

“I confronted him,” Alexander said. “I gathered evidence. I forced him out. I saved the company. And he swore he’d make me regret it.”

Lena shook her head. “So this is revenge.”

“It’s revenge,” Alex confirmed. “He waited. He watched. He kept his distance… until he found something I cared about.”

She looked down at their intertwined hands.

“Me,” she whispered.

Alexander nodded slowly. “I didn’t realize how badly he wanted to hurt me… until he targeted you.”

Lena’s chest tightened painfully. “Alex, what if he doesn’t stop? What if he—”

Alexander pulled her into his arms before she could finish.

His voice was soft but fierce. “Lena. I won’t let him near you. I swear it.”

She sank against him, trembling. His arms wrapped around her, holding her like she was something breakable.

But for the first time, she wondered:

Was Alexander strong enough to protect her from a man who knew all his weaknesses?

Before she could ask, her phone buzzed again.

Another unknown number.

Another message.

Her hands shook as she opened it.

“He’s lying to you.”

Lena felt everything freeze.

Alexander looked at her face and his expression darkened.

“What is it?”

She showed him the screen.

His face went pale.

Because whoever was texting her…

wasn’t Marcus.

There was someone else in the dark.

Someone watching.

Listening.

Waiting.

And they wanted Lena to question the only man keeping her safe.