Elena stood by the museum's main entrance, trying to calm herself after the tense encounter with Jared. She had hoped he'd stay away, that he'd understand they were done. But the way he'd looked at her just now, a mixture of anger, hurt, and determination left her feeling uneasy.
She had just started to turn back inside, thinking the whole incident was behind her, when she felt a strong hand grab her arm. Startled, she spun around to find Jared standing there, his face twisted in frustration.
"Elena, you didn't really think you could just walk away, did you?" he demanded, tightening his grip.
"Jared, let go of me," she replied, her voice trembling with a mix of fear and anger. "You need to leave."
But he didn't release her. Instead, his grip tightened further, and she felt a pang of pain radiate up her arm. She tried to pull free, but he held firm, his eyes narrowing as he leaned in closer.
"I didn't come all this way for you to brush me off," he whispered harshly. "You don't get to decide when this is over."
Fear pulsed through her, and she instinctively glanced around, hoping someone would see them. Just then, a shadow moved into her line of sight, and she looked up to see Alexander approaching. His gaze was locked on Jared, his jaw set in a hard, determined line.
"Let her go," Alexander said, his voice low but powerful, each word carrying a dangerous edge.
Jared glared at Alexander, refusing to loosen his grip on her arm. "Who do you think you are?" he sneered. "This doesn't concern you."
Alexander took a step closer, his fists clenched at his sides. "It concerns me the moment she says it does. And from where I'm standing, she's already asked you to leave."
Jared scoffed, but there was a flicker of uncertainty in his eyes as he looked up at Alexander. The difference in their stature was obvious Alexander's calm, controlled strength versus Jared's impulsive aggression. But Jared didn't back down. Instead, he shoved Elena aside roughly and squared his shoulders, ready for a fight.
"Is that so?" Jared challenged, stepping forward, his hands balled into fists. "Think you're some kind of hero?"
Before Elena could react, Alexander moved, closing the gap between them in an instant. His fist connected with Jared's jaw in a clean, powerful punch, sending Jared stumbling backward. Jared regained his footing quickly and lunged at Alexander, throwing wild punches that Alexander blocked with surprising ease. Alexander's face remained focused and determined, his movements precise as he dodged and countered each of Jared's attacks.
The fight escalated, with Jared growing increasingly desperate and reckless, while Alexander maintained his control, delivering sharp, strategic blows that soon had Jared reeling. In one final swing, Alexander's fist struck Jared squarely in the face, knocking him to the ground with a brutal, definitive impact.
Jared lay on the pavement, groaning in pain, his face bruised and swollen. Alexander towered over him, breathing heavily, his fist red and slightly swollen.
Elena took a shaky breath, still trying to process what had just happened. Before she could gather her thoughts, Alexander pulled out his phone, dialing quickly.
"Yes, this is Alexander Hartford," he said, his tone cold and controlled. "We have an intruder who's attempted to harm a member of our staff. Please send someone to pick him up immediately." He paused, glancing at Jared with a look of pure disdain. "Yes. I'll stay until they arrive."
Elena watched him, her heart racing, both in fear and in admiration. There was something almost magnetic about Alexander's composure, his willingness to stand up for her, even though he barely knew her. As the police arrived and took Jared into custody, she felt a surge of relief. Whatever she had once seen in Jared was long gone, replaced by the painful truth of who he really was.
Once the police had left, she turned to Alexander, noting the redness on his knuckles and the slight wince he gave when he flexed his hand. Without thinking, she stepped closer to him, concern overriding her earlier shock.
"Are you alright?" she asked softly, reaching out to inspect his swollen hand. "Your fist… it looks pretty bad."
He gave a small, dismissive smile, trying to hide the discomfort. "It's nothing serious. Just a bruise."
Elena shook her head, feeling a need to do something to thank him, to ease even a small part of the pain he'd endured on her behalf. "Wait here. I'll get a first aid kit."
As she turned to find a kit, the museum's security guard appeared, holding one in his hand. She thanked him and returned to Alexander, leading him to a bench near the entrance.
She opened the kit, taking out antiseptic wipes and gauze. "Hold still," she instructed, gently cleaning the blood from his knuckles. She dabbed the area with as much care as she could, hoping to lessen the sting.
Alexander watched her silently, his usual intensity softened by a look of quiet gratitude. He didn't flinch, though she could see in his eyes that her touch must have stung a bit. The atmosphere between them felt charged, the adrenaline from the fight lingering, mingling with something else, a mutual understanding, a wordless connection.
"Thank you," she murmured, glancing up at him briefly before returning her focus to his hand. "I don't know what I would have done if you hadn't come."
Alexander shrugged, his gaze never leaving her face. "You don't have to thank me. I wasn't about to let someone like him intimidate you."
She finished bandaging his hand and looked up, meeting his gaze. "Still… it means a lot."
Just then, the sound of footsteps echoed in the hall, and they both turned to see Nico entering, his eyebrows raised as he took in the scene. His gaze flicked from Alexander's bandaged hand to Elena's flushed cheeks, and a slow grin spread across his face.
"Well, well, what did I miss?" he drawled, looking from Elena to his brother with a mixture of surprise and amusement. "Did the almighty Alexander Hartford actually get into a fight?"
Alexander rolled his eyes, his expression cool as he looked at Nico. "I wouldn't call it a fight," he said calmly. "More like self-defense."
Nico smirked, his gaze twinkling with mischief. "Oh, so you were playing the knight in shining armor? How chivalrous of you, Alex. I didn't know you had it in you."
Elena glanced between the two of them, sensing the tension beneath Nico's teasing tone. Alexander's jaw tightened, but he said nothing, his eyes narrowing slightly as he stared at his brother.
"Someone needed to step in," Alexander replied, his tone clipped. "Or do you disagree?"
Nico chuckled, giving Elena a quick, playful wink. "Not at all. I'm just surprised. Our dear Alexander, taking the direct approach. It's rare to see him act on impulse, especially for someone he just met."
Elena felt a blush creep up her cheeks at Nico's words, unsure of how to respond. Alexander looked away, clearly uncomfortable with Nico's jabs.
Nico sighed dramatically, leaning against the wall. "Alright, alright. I'll stop. I just have to say, it's quite the scene. You should have seen yourself, Alex. Like some kind of action hero."
Alexander gave Nico a pointed look, his voice firm. "Enough, Nico. This isn't a game."
The amusement faded from Nico's expression, replaced by a rare moment of sincerity as he met his brother's gaze. "I know that, Alex. I'm just glad she's okay."
A brief, tense silence fell over them, but it softened as Nico reached over, clapping Alexander on the shoulder in a rare display of brotherly affection.
Elena watched the exchange, feeling like she was glimpsing a side of the Hartford brothers that few people ever saw, a closeness buried under years of rivalry and competition, but there all the same.
"Well," Nico said, breaking the silence with a smile directed at Elena. "At least you can say your first week here has been memorable."
She managed a small laugh, feeling some of the tension ease. "That's one way of putting it."
Nico's grin widened, and he tilted his head, studying her. "And to think, you didn't take my offer for a ride this morning. Imagine what other surprises we could have avoided."
Elena rolled her eyes, but her smile was genuine. "Next time, maybe I will."
Alexander's expression softened as he looked at her, his voice gentle. "Elena, if anything like this happens again, don't hesitate to let us know."
She nodded, grateful for the genuine care she sensed beneath his words. "Thank you, both of you. Really."
"So tell us what he was to you, was he like a boyfriend or what. Cause if he was then he was a hell of a boyfriend." Nico said to her.
Elena's chest tightened, this was not a part of her life that she particularly liked to discuss. "Thank you so much for the help Mr Hartford. I need to get back to work now". She said and stormed back into the building.