Threats

Alex did not sleep much. He could still taste Rowan on his lips. It was a sharp reminder of the man. He lay in bed staring at the ceiling of his apartment thinking about what happened in the office. He thought about the way Rowan grabbed his tie and the way their mouths crashed together. He thought about the look on Rowans face the one moment when he seemed human.

By five thirty Alex got out of bed. Headed back to Vale Tower. The city was still dark. The building was already busy. Alex kept his head down in the elevator trying to avoid the glances from his coworkers. They had probably heard the rumors by now.

Soon as he sat down at his desk the phone rang.

"Rivera, my office bring the files " Rowan said, his voice firm and cold.

Alex gripped the receiver tightly. " Morning to you too " he said, trying to sound calm.

"Do not test me today " Rowan. Then he hung up.

Alex gathered his things. Headed to Rowans office. The private floor was quiet. It felt heavy. When he got to the office Rowan was pacing near the windows his sleeves rolled up. His hair a little messy.

"You look like you had a night " Alex said, before he could stop himself.

Rowan stopped pacing. Looked at him. ". You look like someone who spent the night thinking about things he should not " he said, his eyes narrowing.

Alex felt his face get hot. "I spent the night thinking about how close I'm to quitting this job " he said, trying to sound tough.

Rowan walked over to him. Took the folder out of his hands. Their fingers. Neither of them pulled away right away. Rowan started flipping through the pages his eyes scanning them quickly.

"Your changes are good " he said, sounding a grudging. ". The leak is worse than we thought. Someone sent out sensitive data at four this morning using your access code again."

Alex felt a knot in his stomach. "That is impossible " he said. "I was at home. Check the logs check the cameras."

"I already did " Rowan said, tossing the folder onto his desk. "The logs were altered. Someone is trying to frame you. They are good at it. The board wants your head on a plate by noon."

Alex laughed, feeling bitter. " Course they do " he said. ". I bet you are happy to give it to them if it saves your skin."

Rowans eyes flashed with anger. He grabbed Alex by the front of his shirt. He pushed him against the door. The impact made the frame rattle.

"You think I want this?" Rowan growled. "You came in here yesterday. Everything changed. I do not need complications, Rivera. I do not need you."

"Yet here we are " Alex said, looking him in the eye. "You kissed me Rowan. You started this."

Rowans breathing got ragged. He kissed Alex again harder than before. This time there was no one to interrupt them. They just stood there mouths together hands gripping each others clothes.

When they finally pulled back Rowan spoke against Alexs mouth. "This stays between us " he said. "No one can know."

Afraid of what the board will say Alex thought, but he said something. "You are afraid of what it will cost me " he said, his hands sliding up Rowans sides.

Rowans voice got rougher. "People who get close to me end up broken or dead " he said, his fingers working open the button of Alexs shirt.

The words hung in the air heavy. Alex looked at Rowans face. Saw real fear there fear for him not for himself. It should have scared Alex. It did the opposite.

"Try me " Alex whispered, his heart pounding.

They moved to the couch shedding their suits in movements. Hands explored, rough and curious. Rowans touch was commanding,. Careful, mapping every reaction Alex gave. When Rowans mouth found the pulse point on Alexs throat Alex arched back cursing.

"You talk much " Rowan muttered against his skin.

"And you control much " Alex said, flipping their positions pinning Rowan beneath him.

Their encounter was fierce and fast born from frustration and need. No gentle exploration, release. When it ended they lay there breathing hard half-dressed staring at the ceiling.

Rowan spoke first. "The board meeting is at ten " he said. "I will handle them. You need to stay visible work openly. Give them no reason to suspect."

Alex sat up running a hand through his messed-up hair. ". The person framing me?" he asked.

"I am working on it " Rowan said, his expression closing off. "Victor is digging,. Trust no one, not even me completely."

"Especially not you " Alex corrected, standing up starting to straighten his clothes. The ache in his body felt like both victory and warning.

Rowan watched him dress his eyes hooded. " Night someone sent me a photo " he said. "Of us in the garage. No message, the image."

Alex froze. "The texter " he said. "I got one too after I left."

Rowans jaw tightened. "This is bigger than espionage " he said. "Someone wants me distracted or destroyed."

There was a knock at the door. Rowan cursed under his breath. Moved behind his desk. Alex finished buttoning his shirt just as the door opened.

Victor came in tablet in hand his sharp eyes taking in the scene. A knowing smirk tugged at his mouth.

"The board is gathering early " he announced. "They are not happy. Some are calling for your suspension pending an audit."

Rowans voice turned ice cold. "Tell them I will address it personally " he said. ". Victor if I find out you are part of this game there will be nothing left of you when I am done."

Victor raised an eyebrow. "Threats already?" he said. "Careful, Rowan. You are not as untouchable as you believe." He left without another word.

Alex turned to Rowan. "He hates you " he said.

"He fears me " Rowan corrected. "There is a difference. Get back to your floor act normal. I will find the leak."

Alex paused at the door. "After what just happened normal feels impossible."

Rowan did not smile. "Make it possible " he said. ". We both lose."

The rest of the morning passed in a blur. Alex presented his revised campaign notes to his team trying to sound steady while his mind replayed every touch. By lunch whispers had turned into speculation.

In the cafeteria a woman named Lena slid into the seat across from him. "You are the one causing all the buzz " she said quietly. "Word is you survived two meetings with Vale in twenty-four hours. Most people do not last long."

Alex shrugged. "Just doing my job " he said.

Lena leaned closer. "Be careful " she said. "Vale does not keep people close unless he needs them or plans to break them.. Victor has been asking questions about you."

Before Alex could respond his phone buzzed. Another unknown number.

**The kiss was the beginning. Ask Rowan about his brother. Ask him why the last man who got close disappeared.**

Alex deleted it fast. Lena had seen the change in his face.

"Trouble?" she asked.

"Nothing I cannot handle " Alex said, standing up his appetite gone.

Back on his floor work offered distraction. Every notification made his nerves jump. At three o'clock Rowans assistant summoned him again.

This time the office held three board members besides Rowan. The atmosphere was cold.

"Mr. Rivera," an older man, with hair said. "Explain why your credentials appear in every leak."

Alex kept his posture straight. "Because someone wants you to see them there " he said. "I have nothing to gain from sabotaging the company on my day."

Rowan watched silently letting Alex speak. His support was subtle, but present. A slight nod when Alex made a point.

The meeting dragged on. Accusations flew. Alex defended himself with facts and quiet fury. By the end the board agreed to give him forty-eight hours before action.

When the room emptied only Rowan and Alex remained.

"You backed me " Alex said.

Rowan approached slowly. "I need you here " he said. "The leaks stopped for two hours after our conversation. Whoever it is wants me focused on you."

Alex searched his face. "What about your brother?" he asked. "The message mentioned him."

Rowan became still. Pain was visible on his face before he hid it. "Do not go there Alex."

The way he said Alexs name was really tough to hear.

"Tell me " Alex said. "If we are going to do this I need to know the truth."

Rowan pulled Alex close again. This time the kiss was desperate. When they stopped kissing Rowan put his forehead against Alexs.

"My brother died eight years ago. So everyone thinks. The man I was with before you helped me find out some things that got my brother killed. They never found his body."

Alex felt a tightness in his chest. ". Now the same thing is happening again."

Rowans voice was very quiet. "Yes that is what is happening. So you can leave now. You can stay and understand that you might be, in danger."

What Rowan said was serious. Alex kissed him but with a lot of feeling.

"I am not leaving " Alex said while kissing Rowan. ". I will not hold you back either."