Chapter 44: Alexander

He was even more handsome in person.

Not in the sharp, dangerous way Cassian was handsome.

In a softer way. Approachable. The kind of face that made you think he’d help you change a tire or carry your groceries without being asked.

Warm brown eyes. Perfect smile. The kind of tan that came from actually spending time outdoors, not a tanning bed.

And right now, those warm brown eyes were looking down at me with genuine concern.

“Are you alright?” His voice was smooth, kind. “That was close.”

I opened my mouth.

Nothing came out.

My brain had completely short-circuited.

Oh god, I almost died.

Wait, I’m being held by a billionaire.

He smells really good.

Why is he so WARM?

Oh god, Cassian’s going to murder me.

“I… I’m… ” I finally managed to choke out. “I’m so sorry… I didn’t… ”

“It’s okay.” Alexander’s grip on my waist loosened slightly but didn’t let go. “You’re okay. Just relax.”

I tried.

Failed.

Tried again.

Managed a shaky inhale.

“I’m sorry,” I said again, because apparently that was the only thing my brain could produce. “I’m so sorry, I didn’t mean to… ”

“It was an accident.” His smile was warm, reassuring. “No one got hurt. That’s what matters.”

He was still holding me.

I became acutely aware of that fact.

Of his hands on my waist. Of how close we were standing. Of how his chest was solid against my back.

My face burned.

“I should… um… ”

“Noah.”

Cassian’s voice cut through the air like a blade.

I jerked away from Alexander instinctively… or tried to.

Alexander’s hands fell away immediately, stepping back to give me space.

Cassian was already there.

Suddenly.

Too close.

His hand wrapped around my upper arm, grip firm enough to hurt, and pulled me away from Alexander entirely.

“Careful, Bennett.” His voice was calm. Too calm. “This site isn’t a playground.”

I flinched.

Not visibly… I’d learned not to… but internally, something twisted.

Cassian turned his attention to Alexander, and I felt the temperature drop another ten degrees.

“Hendrix.”

“Wolfe.” Alexander’s smile didn’t falter, but something shifted in his eyes. Watchful. Assessing. “Good to finally meet in person.”

“Is it.”

It wasn’t a question.

Alexander extended his hand. “I apologize for missing yesterday’s meeting. Unavoidable circumstances.”

Cassian stared at the offered hand for a beat too long.

Then shook it.

Brief. Perfunctory. Like touching something unpleasant.

“Of course,” Cassian said flatly. “I’m sure they were very important.”

The words were polite.

The tone was not.

I stood there, Cassian’s hand still gripping my arm, feeling like I was watching two apex predators size each other up.

Alexander’s smile stayed warm, but his eyes sharpened. “I hope my team has been helpful in my absence.”

“They’ve been adequate.”

Ouch.

Alexander’s gaze flicked to me briefly… just a second… before returning to Cassian.

“And this is your assistant?”

“Executive assistant,” Cassian corrected, voice clipped. “Noah Bennett.”

Alexander turned to me fully now, and his expression softened immediately.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Noah.” He extended his hand again. “Though I wish it were under less dramatic circumstances.”

I glanced at Cassian.

His jaw was clenched.

I took Alexander’s hand quickly. “Nice to meet you too, Mr. Hendrix.”

His handshake was warm. Firm but not crushing.

“Please, call me Alexander.” He held my hand a moment longer than necessary. “Are you sure you’re alright? That was quite a scare.”

“I’m fine,” I said quickly. “Really. Just clumsy.”

“Clumsy,” Cassian echoed, voice flat. He finally released my arm. “Yes. That’s one word for it.”

I wanted to sink into the ground.

Alexander’s gaze moved between us… lingering on where Cassian’s hand had been gripping my arm, then back to my face.

Something flickered in his expression.

Concern?

Curiosity?

I couldn’t tell.

“Well,” Alexander said lightly, “I’m glad I was nearby. Wouldn’t want anyone getting hurt under our watch.”

“How fortunate,” Cassian said.

The words were pleasant. The delivery was ice. An awkward silence settled over the three of us.

Workers were still buzzing around, stabilizing the scaffolding, pretending not to watch.

But I could feel their eyes. Everyone was watching.

Great.

Just great.

This is going to be all over the site in ten minutes.

Alexander broke the silence first, turning to Cassian with that same warm smile that somehow didn’t reach his eyes anymore.

“Shall we continue the inspection? I’d love to hear your thoughts on the foundation work.”

“Of course.” Cassian’s tone was perfectly professional. Perfectly cold. “Bennett, pick up the tablet. And try not to destroy anything else.”

My face burned.

I bent down quickly, grabbing the tablet from where it had fallen.

Thankfully, it wasn’t broken.

Small mercies.

As I straightened, I caught Alexander watching me again.

His expression was… soft.

Sympathetic.

Like he felt bad for me.

And somehow, that made it worse.

The rest of the inspection was torture.

Cassian and Alexander walked side by side, discussing structural details, investment projections, timelines.

On the surface, everything was professional.

Polite.

But underneath, I could feel it.

The tension.

Thick enough to choke on.

Every word Cassian spoke was clipped. Dismissive.

Every suggestion Alexander made was met with skepticism.

“We could incorporate more sustainable materials,” Alexander said at one point, gesturing to the plans. “Solar integration, water recycling systems. Consumers care about environmental impact now.”

“Consumers care about luxury,” Cassian replied without looking up from the blueprints. “Don’t confuse marketing with substance.”

Alexander’s smile didn’t waver. “I’d argue they’re not mutually exclusive.”

“You’d be wrong.”

I stood off to the side, taking notes, trying to be invisible. But every so often, Alexander would glance over at me.

Not obviously. Just quick looks. Checking if I was okay. Making sure I was keeping up.

It was… nice.

Weirdly nice.

Cassian never did that. Instead he expected me to keep up or get left behind.

By the time we finished the inspection, my feet hurt, my head was pounding, and I wanted nothing more than to collapse in a dark room.

But of course, there was more.

There was always more.

“We should discuss the investor meeting tomorrow,” Alexander said as we walked back toward the cars. “I have some ideas about the presentation.”

“I’m sure you do,” Cassian said.

Alexander’s smile finally cracked. Just slightly. “I’m trying to collaborate here, Wolfe.”

“Are you.”

Again, not a question.

Alexander stopped walking. Turned to face Cassian fully.

“Yes,” he said, voice still warm but with an edge now. “I am. This project benefits both our companies. I’d appreciate it if you’d meet me halfway.”

Cassian met his gaze.

Held it.

For a long, uncomfortable moment, neither of them spoke.

Finally, Cassian said, “We’ll discuss it later.”

Translation: Not now. Not in front of people.

Alexander’s smile returned. “Of course.”

He turned to me. “Noah, it was lovely meeting you. Despite the chaos.”

“You too,” I said quickly. “And thank you. For, you know. Catching me.”

“Anytime.” His smile was genuine now. Warm. “Take care of yourself.”

Then he walked away, toward his own car, leaving me standing there with Cassian.

Who was radiating silent fury.

“Get in the car,” he said quietly.

I didn’t argue.

Just climbed into the backseat of the SUV and tried very hard not to exist too loudly.

As the driver pulled away, I caught one last glimpse of Alexander through the tinted window.

He was watching us leave.

Expression thoughtful.

Curious.

Interesting, I imagined him thinking.

And somehow, that scared me more than Cassian’s anger.

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