Chapter 6

Noah’s POV

I didn’t sleep. As much as I tried I just couldn't let myself get a single ounce of rest. Not even for a second.

Every time I closed my eyes, I saw that message again.

“Looking good on Sterling’s leash...” As much as I pondered the words over and over again in my head I couldn't understand what the sender possible meant by it.

It unnerved me. 

By around five, I'd given up on sleep and began pacing my room like a caged animal. My phone sat heavy in my hand, screen lit up, the message still there like it was mocking me.

It was an unknown number, with no profile. So even if I tried to trace it, there'd be no way to. 

But somehow this unknown person knew my name. And they knew Alexander as well. 

And worst of all… they were watching.

A sharp knock cut through my thoughts.

Of course. It could be no one but the man that had occupied my thought all night. 

“Six o’clock,” Alexander’s voice came from the other side of the door. “Get dressed. You’re coming with me.”

I clenched my jaw, shoving my phone into my pocket. I had no choice but to bend to his every will, unless I wanted to loose my precious allowance.

I yanked the door open harder than necessary. He stood there already dressed, looking like he stepped straight out of some billionaire fantasy novel, in his dark suit, crisp shirt, with not even a single hair out of place.

Meanwhile, I looked like I’d gone twelve rounds with insomnia and lost. His eyes swept over my face, lingering just a second too long.

“You look terrible,” he said without hesitation.

“Good morning to you too,” I shot back. “Didn’t realize you cared.”

“I don’t,” he replied smoothly. “But if you collapse in public, it reflects poorly on me.”

I rolled my eyes, pushing past him. “God forbid your image takes a hit.”

He didn’t respond, but I felt his gaze on my back the entire walk down the hall.

The elevator ride was quiet. Too quiet.

I leaned against the mirrored wall, arms crossed, watching him through the reflection. He stood straight, hands clasped behind his back as they always were.  

“You going to tell me where we’re going?” I asked finally.

“No.”

I huffed. “I just love that for me.”

He didnt bother answering, and once again silence filled the space around us. 

Until…

“Who texted you last night?”

My head snapped toward him. My heart immediately jumping in my chest. 

“What?”

His eyes didn’t move from the elevator doors. “You got a message from someone last night, and ever since you've been a mess. Who was it?”

I forced a shrug, leaning back again. “It was just some random number. Probably spam. Plus, I wasnt behaving weird. I have no idea what you're on about.”

“Well then, show me.”

I laughed, sharp and humorless. “Yeah, that’s not happening.”

Now he turned to look at me, almost like he couldn't believe I'd actually said that. 

“Show me, Noah.”

Something in his tone made my stomach twist. Not anger. Not exactly.

Something… darker.

I stepped closer instead of backing down, tilting my chin up. “Or what? You’ll cut my allowance again? Ground me?”

His jaw flexed, and for a second, I thought he’d grab me. Pin me against the wall like he did before.

Instead, he exhaled slowly, like he was reining himself in.

“Don’t play games with things you don’t understand,” he said quietly.

That did it.

My anger flared, hot and immediate. I pulled out my phone and shoved it into his chest. “Fine. Read it. Since you’re so obsessed with controlling every part of my life.”

He took it, and I hate to admit it, but I didny exactly hate the way it felt when our fingers brushed when he grabbed it from my hands. 

His eyes scanned the message.

Once.

Twice.

Then his entire body went still.

Not tense. Not angry. Just completely still and cold. 

A chill crept up my spine.

“Well?” I demanded. “Got anything to say, guardian?”

He handed the phone back without a word.

“That’s it?” I scoffed. “No threats? You're not going to lecture me like you did before? I'm almost dissapointed.”

“We’re not discussing this here,” he said.

“Why not? Because it makes you look bad?” I stepped closer, lowering my voice. “Or because it’s true?”

His eyes snapped to mine.

“Be careful, Noah.”

I smirked, even though my heart was pounding. “What? You don’t like people knowing I’m on your leash?”

His hand shot out so fast I didn’t even see it coming.

He grabbed my wrist harder than usual, though it still wasn't hard enough to really hurt, it served as a warm reminder that if he wanted to break me, he could. 

“Enough,” he growls, voice awfully low. “You don’t know what you’re dealing with.”

“Then tell me!” I snapped, yanking against his grip. “Because from where I’m standing, it looks like someone out there knows exactly what you are.”

“And what is that?” he asked.

“A liar,” I shot back. “A control freak. Maybe even the reason my brother is dead.”

The words hung between us.

For a second, just a second, I saw something crack in his expression. 

Pain maybe. Raw, real pain. 

I almost regretted it, but just as soon as it came, that hurt expression was gone again.

His grip tightened before he released me abruptly, like I’d burned him.

“We’re leaving,” he said flatly.

“Running away already?” I taunted.

He didn’t answer.

The elevator doors slid open.

And just like that, whatever moment we almost had, vanished.

—

The car ride was worse than before. This time the air around us felt thick and heavy, uncomfortable even. 

The driver didn’t say a word. The privacy screen was already up. And Alexander… he didn’t even look at me.

He just stared out the window like I wasn’t there.

Like I hadn’t just accused him of something unforgivable.

Good.

Let him stew in it.

I leaned back, crossing my arms, trying to ignore the tight feeling in my chest.

Trying to ignore the way his silence felt utterly wrong, but I couldn't take my words back now. What was done, was done. 

We pulled up in front of a massive glass building downtown. It screamed of steel and money, all traits in Alexander's iconic aesthetic

I followed him out, shoving my hands into my pockets.

“Try not to embarrass me,” he said as we walked inside.

I snorted, and rolled my eyes. Not gracing him with an answer. 

The lobby was buzzing with people in suits, heels clicking against marble floors, voices low and urgent.

Everyone moved when they saw him. Parting the way for him to pass them like he was some sort of king. 

Like he owned the air they breathed.

I stuck close, not because I wanted to—but because I wasn’t stupid enough to get lost in a place like this.

We stepped into another elevator and went straight up to the top. 

When the doors opened, we were greeted by a sleek conference room filled with people already seated.

Lawyers, executives, shareholders. Just people that screamed power and authority. 

All eyes turned to us.

And then to me.

I felt it immediately, the curiosity, the judgment.

They werent trying hard to hide it. I was a nobody to them. I knew aleast that much. 

“Mr. Sterling,” one of them said, standing. “We’ve been waiting.”

Alexander nodded once, stepping inside like he belonged there. Like he owned them too.

“This won’t take long,” he said.

I stayed near the door, leaning against the wall, pretending I didn’t care, or didn't want to be involved in any of this, but I was watching.

Because for the first time… I had a feeling this wasn’t just about money.

“This concerns the Kane estate,” one of the lawyers said, sliding a folder across the table.

My name…

My attention snapped fully into place. 

Alexander opened it, scanning quickly. All throughout his expression remained the same; stoic and nonchalant infront of his peers, but I saw it.

That flicker in his eyes. 

Something was wrong.

“What is it?” I asked, pushing off the wall.

No one answered me.

I stepped closer, irritation rising. “Hey. I’m talking to you.”

Alexander closed the folder slowly, before he looked at me. And for the first time since I met him he hesitated.

“Say it,” I demanded.

Silence stretched long in the room before he spoke. 

“There’s been a breach,” he said.

My stomach dropped. “A breach of what?”

His gaze didn’t leave mine.

“The trust. Someone just tried to access everything your brother left behind.”

A chill ran down my spine.

My phone buzzed in my pocket again.

Slowly, I pulled it out. Another message from thay same godforsaken number lot my screen. 

“Tick tock, Noah.

Let’s see how long he can protect you.”

My blood ran cold. I looked up at Alexander.

But this time, he was already looking at me.