Alexander Knight pov

She doesn’t know what she does to me.

Every time she looks at me with those defiant eyes like she’s daring the world to hurt her again I want to destroy every threat before it even breathes her name.

But tonight… tonight, I might be her biggest danger.

---

The first thing I noticed when I stepped into the ballroom wasn’t the shimmering chandeliers, the gilded marble floor, or the crowd of millionaires faking politeness.

It was her.

Elena Dawson my greatest distraction and my undoing.standing in the middle of it all like a storm dressed in silk.

The red gown hugged her curves like it was made for my eyes alone. The fabric slid over her shoulders and clung to her waist, teasing every inch of restraint I had left.

Her hair was swept to one side, baring the line of her throat.

A throat I’d kissed in another lifetime before betrayal, before fire, before rebirth.

And yet, here she was again. Mine to protect. Mine to ruin.

I made my way across the room, ignoring the whispers and cameras, the hum of envy in every corner. She was laughing softly, politely with Richard Hale.

The same man who once destroyed her life.

My jaw locked so hard I could taste iron.

He leaned too close.

I saw the way his fingers brushed against the curve of her elbow, pretending it was accidental. It wasn’t.

“Elena,” I said, my voice low but cutting through the noise like a blade.

She froze, the laughter dying on her lips. When her eyes met mine, a shiver passed through her, the kind I knew too well the kind that always ended with her pressed against a wall, whispering my name like a sin.

“Alexander,” she breathed. “You’re here.”

“I said I would be.”

I shifted my gaze to Richard, my tone turning cold. “Hale.”

Richard smiled, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “Knight. Always hovering, aren’t you? You must have a lot of time to waste.”

“Not really,” I replied smoothly. “I just don’t like seeing snakes circle what’s mine.”

Elena’s breath caught. “Alexander”

But I wasn’t done. I stepped closer until I stood between them, shielding her completely. The crowd pretended not to watch, but I could feel the tension ripple across the room.

Richard chuckled, though his jaw tightened. “You’ve got quite the possessive streak, Knight. But then again, Elena’s always had a way of making men lose their minds.”

I didn’t take the bait. I simply held his gaze until he looked away first.

Then, I turned to her. “We’re leaving.”

She hesitated, eyes flashing. “You don’t get to order me around.”

“Maybe not.” I leaned closer, lowering my voice so only she could hear. “But if you stay one more second near that bastard, I’ll drag him out of here and remind him why he should’ve stayed buried.”

Her lips parted, a war flickering in her expression between pride and something far more dangerous.

Desire.

After a heartbeat, she nodded. “Fine. But you owe me an explanation.”

---

The night air outside was sharp, filled with the scent of rain. I led her to the car, opened the door, and waited. She didn’t move.

“You’re angry,” I said.

“No,” she replied, crossing her arms. “I’m furious. You can’t just show up and act like.like you own me!”

I exhaled, stepping closer until her back met the car. My hands braced on either side of her, caging her in without touching her. “I don’t own you, Elena. But I sure as hell won’t let anyone hurt you again.”

Her chin lifted. “And what makes you think I need your protection?”

“Because I saw what he did to you before,” I said, voice roughening. “Because I know the way you still flinch when someone lies to you. And because whether you like it or not, you’re the only woman who can undo me.”

Her breath hitched. The defiance in her eyes softened, replaced by something raw and trembling.

I didn’t plan to touch her. God knows I shouldn’t. But when her fingers brushed my chest tentatively, almost unconsciously—all my control shattered.

“Elena…”

“Don’t,” she whispered. “Don’t look at me like that.”

“Like what?”

“Like you still want me.”

My hand slid to her jaw, tilting her face up. “That’s because I do.”

She trembled, the air between us burning. “Alexander, we can’t”

“Tell me to stop,” I murmured. “Say it, and I will.”

Her lips parted, but no sound came out. Her gaze dropped to my mouth, and that was all the permission I needed. I leaned in slowly, our breaths tangling, hearts racing

Then a phone rang.

Shrill. Piercing. Wrong.

She jerked back, gasping, and fumbled in her purse. I saw the name on the screen.

Unknown Caller.

But her face turned pale.

Like she’d seen a ghost.

“Elena?” I asked, my tone sharpening.

Her eyes lifted to mine, wide and terrified.

“It’s him,” she whispered. “The man who killed me in my last life.”

---

Before I could grab the phone, it went dark.

And a text appeared on her screen.

“Round two begins now, Mrs. Knight.”

Her hand shook. My blood went cold.

Because only three people in this world knew that name.

And two of them were standing right there.