“That’s right,” he confirmed, his voice cold and steady. “They knew me. And they knew exactly what I would do to them if they crossed me.”
The reality of the situation hit me like a wave, and a dizzying sensation swept over me. My chest tightened, my breaths coming in labored gasps. I pressed my hand against my chest, trying to steady myself, but the room seemed to spin around me.
Alexander rushed around the counter that separated us, his movements swift and purposeful. He placed one hand gently on my back, his touch warm and grounding. “Breathe slowly,” he instructed, his voice calm and steady. “Deep and slow.”
Despite the shock crashing through my system, his presence was undeniably comforting. I tried to follow his lead, matching my breaths to his—slow, measured inhales and
