CHAPTER 27

The ballroom glittered like perfection.

Crystal chandeliers spilled light over marble floors polished to a mirror sheen. Champagne shimmered in tall flutes. Laughter rose and fell in curated waves. A quartet played something elegant and forgettable near the staircase.

Celebrities moved through the crowd like living currency.

Jamie recognized almost all of them.

A chart-topping pop star surrounded by executives.

An Oscar-winning actress laughing at something she clearly didn’t find funny.

Two global directors arguing softly about distribution rights.

And Alexis Fagan.

International film icon. Magazine covers. Charity ambassador. Known for sincerity, for thoughtful interviews, for advocating “safe creative spaces.”

He looked immaculate and he was looking at him. Jamie looked away sharply.

Matteo looked like he owned the place. He probably did.

Matteo moved through the room effortlessly — shaking hands, commanding attention without even speaking. Investors leaned in when he did speak. Journalists waited for his nod.

It looked legitimate.

Too legitimate.

Jamie felt invisible and exposed at the same time.

Lucas stood beside him, quiet and tense. His eyes moved around the room as if searching for proof — either confirming or disproving everything Jamie had said.

“You okay?” Lucas asked softly.

Jamie forced a small smile. “Just need air.”

He didn’t wait for permission this time.

The balcony doors opened, and cool ocean wind hit his face like relief.

The music dulled behind glass.

Outside, it was dark and honest. Waves crashed below the cliff. The sky stretched endless and indifferent.

Jamie leaned against the railing and inhaled.

For a moment, he could pretend none of it existed.

“Escaping already?” a voice said smoothly.

Jamie turned.

Alexis Fagan stood a few feet away, jacket slightly open, bowtie loosened just enough to look approachable.

Jamie blinked in mild surprise.

“Just needed a break,” he said.

Alexis smiled warmly. “These events are suffocating. But my manager would be pissed if I skipped this.”

That was true.

He talked easily at first. Jamie simply listened.

About press cycles. About how strange the entertainment world could be. About pretending.

Alexis was charming — relaxed in a way that felt real.

Jamie found himself laughing.

Actually laughing.

For five whole minutes, he wasn’t calculating or defending or performing. He was just talking.

It felt dangerously normal.

“You don’t seem like you belong in there,” Alexis said gently.

Jamie shrugged. “I don’t.”

Alexis studied him more closely. “Then why are you here?”

Jamie hesitated. He didn’t have a safe answer.

Alexis stepped a little closer.

The shift was subtle at first.

Alexis placed his hands at either sides of Jamie blocking any means of escape. Jamie looked up at him cautiously. 

"Umm..What are you doing?" He asked. 

"Isn't this what you came here for?" 

Hot anger boiled in Jamie's blood. He took in a deep breath in an attempt to ground himself.

" What the hell are you talking about? What I came here for? Are you insane?" He spat out vehemently.

“You approached me,” Alexis said softly.

Jamie frowned as he counters. “You started the conversation.”

Alexis tilted his head. “On a balcony. Alone. At a private event?”

Jamie’s stomach tightened.

“I was getting air. Please excuse me.”

Jamie attempted to maneover past him but he pressed his body to cage him. He clenched his jaw in anger. 

Alexis’ smile changed — to something more devilish.

Less warm.

More knowing.

“You don’t have to pretend,” he said quietly running his hands over Jamie's back as if trying to pull out his tucked in shirt..

Jamie felt something uncomfortable twist under his ribs.

“Pretend what? You weirdo stop touching me!”

Alexis pressed closer again. Close enough now that Jamie had to lean back slightly against the railing.

“That you didn’t come out here for something,” Alexis murmured.

Jamie’s pulse ticked upward.

“I didn’t.”

Alexis’s hand brushed Jamie’s cheekbone.

Light at first.

Testing.

Jamie stiffened.

“I’m not interested what is wrong with you rich people?,” Jamie said clearly.

Alexis didn’t step back.

Instead, his hand moved back to Jamie’s waist.

Uninvited touch. It made Jamie's skin crawl.

Jamie’s breath caught.

“I said I’m not interested,” he repeated, firmer.

Alexis’ expression shifted fully then.

The charm evaporated.

“Well its not like anyone would believe you over me” Alexis said quietly. “You are nobody here.”

“I am going to break your nose.” Jamie snapped pulling his arm back and making a fist.

He tried to move sideways — but Alexis blocked him easily.

The railing pressed into Jamie’s lower back.

The ocean roared below.

Inside, the music swelled.

No one was looking.

Alexis leaned closer.

The space was to small. Too uncomfortable to get a punch in.

Alexis’ grip tightened slightly at his waist.

“Relax. I'll make this good for the both of us”

That word made something cold spread through Jamie’s body. Alexis leaned down to capture his lipsnut he quickly turned his head to the side.

“Let go,” Jamie gritted out.

Alexis didn’t.

He leaned in, his other hand catching Jamie’s chin and gripping it tightly when Jamie tried to push him away.

Jamie’s mind flashed suddenly — not to Matteo — not to Enzo —

But to the realization that in a room full of powerful people, no one would believe him. Even if they did they would make sure it never hit the press or public.

Alexis Fagan was adored.

Jamie was already labeled unstable by Matteo.

The thought hit like ice water.

“Stop,” Jamie said sharply.

Alexis lowered his voice.

“Don’t make this dramatic. You'll make me angry”

Jamie’s heart was pounding now — not attraction, not tension — but alarm.

He shoved harder this time with his trapped arms.

“I said stop.”

For a split second, Alexis’ face hardened.

Annoyed.

As if Jamie were being inconvenient.

“Don’t act surprised,” Alexis muttered.

Jamie felt small.

Trapped.

Powerless in a way he hadn’t felt even in captivity — because at least there he knew the rules.

Here, the rules were smiling and polite and hidden. Alexis bulge pressed against him.

“Let. Go.” Jamie screamed.

The balcony door slid open sharply behind them.

Cold air shifted.

Alexis released Jamie instantly.

Like it had never happened.

Jamie’s breathing was uneven.

His wrist still tingled where it had been held.

He turned looked over Alexis shoulder.

A shadow stood there with a baseball bat raised above his head ready to strike.