Anna barely had time to process what was happening before Alexander scooped her up into his arms. She gasped, feeling her cheeks flush with embarrassment, but the stern look on his face silenced any protest. His arms were strong, his hold protective, and she could feel the tension radiating from his body.
"Where are we going?" she asked hesitantly, her voice barely above a whisper.
Alexander didn't respond immediately. His jaw was tight, his eyes stormy. It was as if a fire had been lit within him, one that refused to be extinguished.
"Alexander?" she tried again, but he only tightened his grip on her.
"To the center," he finally said, his voice cold and clipped.
Anna didn't know what he meant by "the center," but the determination in his voice left no room for argument. She buried her face in his chest, partly to hide her confusion and partly to avoid the stares of the employees they passed on the way.
