Chapter 2 Bound Before we Knew

She was still as light as he remembered.

Andre stared at the woman cradled in his arms, her long red hair cascading like silk, her face peaceful in unconsciousness. He couldn't believe it. After all this time...

A memory struck him like a wave.

That night.

The hotel suite had been dimly lit, scented with vanilla and expensive wine. She had walked in red hair, glowing fair skin, eyes like a storm and turned his world on its head. She was bold, unafraid, and unforgettable.

A whirlwind of desire.

He remembered her touch, the way her fingers danced across his chest, confident and skilled, like she was born to unravel him. Her lips traced the ridges of his muscles, her body pressed against his, taking control with an energy that made him feel disarmed, powerless and alive.

No woman had ever made him feel so utterly weak. Yet, in her arms, weakness had felt like power.

He'd woken up certain he'd never want another woman the same way again.

But by morning, she was gone. No note. No number. Just the lingering scent of her on the sheets and a ghost of a kiss on his lips.

He had searched for months. Hired people. Dug into guest lists, checked surveillance, followed every thread but she had vanished like smoke.

And now... here she was.

Unconscious. Fragile. Right in his arms.

Andre's lips curved into a slow, satisfied smirk. Fate had a funny way of playing games.

"I finally found you," he muttered, savoring the words.

He carried her into his car. The thugs that had been chasing her had long disappeared, vanishing the instant they recognized Andre William, a name that commanded respect and fear. No one in the city dared cross him not without consequences.

Andre was well-known, his name synonymous with wealth, power, and danger. You didn't throw tantrums at him and go scot-free. He was diligent, disciplined, and had no time for mingling. Business was his creed. People feared him and that suited him just fine.

Yet here he was, driving straight to his private estate in East Hampton,a sprawling mansion that stood like a secluded kingdom, draped in luxury and silence. And tonight, it held a secret he'd been chasing for far too long.

At his estate, Andre wasted no time summoning his private doctor, Marco, who attended to Alexa with care. Andre stood nearby, watching every detail.

Finally, Alexa stirred. She flinched at the slight sting of the injection, her eyelids fluttering open to the brightness around her.

"Be steady," Marco said gently, holding her back from rising. "You might hurt yourself."

"Where... where am I?" Alexa asked hoarsely, her voice weak and uncertain.

Before Marco could reply, a deeper, familiar voice filled the space.

"You're in my place," Andre answered from the doorway, his hands tucked in his pockets, his commanding presence unmistakable.

Alexa's gaze shot to him, her breath catching. She recognized him instantly, that face, those eyes. The man she had spent that unforgettable night with. Heat flushed her cheeks and, out of embarrassment, she looked away.

Sensing her discomfort, Andre turned to the doctor. "Marco, thank you. That'll be all for now."

With a respectful nod, Marco followed Andre out, leaving Alexa alone.

The room was still, save for the soft ticking of an ornate clock on the wall. Alexa slowly sat up, taking in her surroundings.

This wasn't just a bedroom, it was a masterpiece of elegance. Cream walls trimmed with gold, floor-length drapes in rich velvet, a chandelier that hung like a crown above her. The polished floors gleamed, and the air carried the faintest scent of cedar and expensive cologne.

She rose carefully, her bare feet sinking into the plush carpet. She wandered to the window, parting the drapes slightly to peek out. The moonlight bathed the wide expanse of the estate gardens, fountains, and a luxury car parked below.

Her heart clenched.

What am I doing here? she thought. How did my life spiral so fast?

Her mind dragged her back to that night to Andre. The stranger who had made her forget everything, who had stirred something she thought she didn't need. She remembered his hands, his mouth, the way he'd made her feel like the only woman in the world. She'd never let herself feel that again yet the memory refused to fade.

And then reality slammed back. Her father. The argument. The disownment. The thugs. Everything felt like a storm she was drowning in, with no way out.

She sank onto the bed, tears pooling in her eyes before she could stop them. She was all alone, no family, no certainty, nothing to cling to.

She didn't hear the door open. She didn't hear the soft footfalls approaching.

"Are you okay?" Andre's voice broke through the fog of her thoughts.

She gasped softly and wiped at her tears in a rush, embarrassed to be caught. She turned her face away, but it was too late, he'd seen everything.

"You're safe now, okay?" he said, his tone reassuring yet gentle. He didn't press, just stood there watching her with concern.

"Thank you, Andre. I owe you... big time," she murmured, forcing a faint smile.

Andre took a seat close to her. "Wanna tell me what happened back there? You were obviously running from something."

Alexa hesitated, unsure if she was ready to open up. "I don't even know where to start... I know I probably owe you an explanation, about that night too."

Andre nodded, waiting silently.

"If you're not ready to talk, that's okay," he said, reaching out to gently wipe away the lingering tears from her lashes. His touch was soft, disarming. A spark passed between them, but she masked it quickly.

When the mansion had gone still, Alexa made her decision to take her leave.

She scribbled a short note, leaving it on a polished table. Quietly, she stepped out into the night, cool air brushing her skin.

She hadn't made it far when a voice called out sharply, "Where do you think you're going?"

She spun around. Andre stood behind her, a glass of dark liquor in his hand, his expression unreadable.

"I.. I thought it was best to leave now that I'm okay," she stammered. "I don't want to be a burden. I need to gather myself."

Andre stepped closer, his presence commanding. "Who told you I was complaining?"

She backed away instinctively.

"This isn't going to work," he said. "I need to know why you left that night without a word just like you're trying to do now."

Her throat tightened. "I... I got a call that my family was in chaos, searching for me. I had to leave."

Andre said nothing, just watched her. Then he gestured for her to sit on a stone bench nearby.

She did, reluctantly.

"What about now?" he asked.

She sighed deeply, eyes lowered. "I cut ties with them. My father... we fought about marriage. He wanted to force me into it, but I wasn't ready. When I refused... he disowned me."

Andre's expression shifted slightly. "What's your father's name?"

"Anthony Dominic," she replied, her voice low.

Andre's eyes narrowed in realization. "Did your father ever mention the man you were supposed to marry?"

Alexa shook her head. "No. I didn't ask. I didn't care."

Andre chuckled softly, stepping closer. "I know your father very well. We're business partners."

Her eyes snapped up. "And?"

He smiled, slow and deliberate.

"The bond between us was supposed to be sealed through marriage", he said, his voice a low murmur. The man your father chose for you... was me."

Alexa stared at him, breathless, her world tilting on its axis.

"Wh-what?" she whispered.

Silence stretched between them, heavy and charged neither of them ready for the fate that had bound them long before they even realized.