~LEXI~
The next day dragged on, the hours ticking by in a haze of dread. I couldn't shake the knot in my stomach, the weight of the decision that loomed over me. Every minute felt like an eternity, each one bringing me closer to the pier, closer to Alex.
I knew what I had to do. It wasn't just a threat—this was Alex's way of showing me he still controlled the game. And I had no choice but to play along.
By the time the sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows over the city, I was already geared up—both physically and mentally. My nerves hummed with the kind of energy that only came from the edge of a knife. I was prepared to face him again, but that didn't make it any easier.
I stood in front of my mirror for a long moment, checking my reflection. I chose a dark, fitted jacket—leather, of course, practical and tough, with a hint of defiance in the way it hugged my shoulders. Black jeans and sturdy boots followed, the kind that could carry me through any confrontation. My light brown hair was pulled back in a messy ponytail, practical, but I let a few strands fall loose, framing my face. I was ready, or at least I was pretending to be.
I left the apartment just as darkness settled over the streets, the familiar city sounds feeling distant and muffled in my ears. When I reached the pier, the cold air bit at my skin, and the rhythmic sound of the waves crashing against the docks was a constant reminder of how alone I was in this.
I didn't see him at first. The pier was empty, the kind of place that felt abandoned even on nights when it was bustling with activity. And then, as if summoned by my thoughts, I heard his voice.
"You're here." His voice was calm, almost pleased.
I froze.
I glanced around, then saw him standing a few paces away. The moment I laid eyes on him, the air seemed to grow even colder. Alessandro, or Alex, as I'd come to think of him—leaning against the rusted railing, his dark silhouette almost blending into the shadows. His posture was relaxed, but his presence… it was as though the entire night itself was waiting for his next move.
He was dressed impeccably, in a dark, tailored suit that looked freshly pressed, as if he had just come from some important event—a gala, or a discreet meeting. The rich black fabric of his suit contrasted with the dim glow of the moonlight, giving him an almost ethereal, dangerous air. His tie was perfectly knotted, his shirt crisp white, and his shoes polished to a mirror shine.
His green eyes locked onto mine, cold and calculating, as though he'd been waiting for this moment for a long time.
"Did you come here to see me, or are you just lost?" he said with that infuriating calmness.
"You didn't give me much of a choice, did you?" I replied, crossing my arms. "I'm not in the habit of letting my team suffer for your games."
He chuckled, "My games? This is about survival, Lexi. You need to learn the difference."
"Survival?" I scoffed. "You're practically inviting the Bureau to come for you. How is that survival?"
"By keeping you under control," he replied smoothly, his gaze dark. "You're the wildcard, Lexi. The one factor I can't fully predict."
I stepped closer, my hands clenched. "You don't know anything about me."
"Oh, but I know enough," Alex said, his eyes glittering. "You're loyal. Predictably so. And that loyalty… it's your weakness."
I clenched my jaw, refusing to let him see how close he was to hitting a nerve. "I'm not your puppet, Alex. I won't betray my team."
"Then you'll watch them burn," he replied, his voice soft but ice-cold. "Your choice."
I forced myself to meet his gaze, keeping my tone steady. "What do you want from me, exactly? You already have the upper hand. You've made your threats. Why drag me here?"
He straightened, walking toward me until we were inches apart. "I want you to prove it."
"Prove what?"
"That you'll do what it takes," he said, his voice almost a whisper. "That you're willing to play by my rules."
"And if I refuse?"
His smirk was almost sympathetic. "Then I'll make sure every single one of your colleagues is implicated. One by one, they'll go down. Because of you."
I shook my head, my stomach churning. "You're bluffing. You don't have that kind of reach."
"Don't I?" He raised an eyebrow, pulling out his phone and tapping the screen a few times. After a moment, he turned it toward me, and I felt my blood run cold.
On the screen was a live feed of Mark, Jenna, and Carlos, sitting in a van parked near the Bureau's headquarters. They looked calm, unaware that their every move was being watched.
"Where did you… how…?" I stammered, trying to keep the fear from my voice.
"Like I said, Lexi," he replied, slipping the phone back into his pocket, "I have eyes everywhere."
I took a step back, my mind racing. "What do you want me to do?"
He smiled, pleased to have broken my resolve. "Something came up so I have a package coming in tomorrow night. Make sure your team stays clear of it."
I narrowed my eyes. "And what's in this 'package'?"
"Nothing you need to worry about," he replied coolly. "Just ensure your team isn't involved."
I crossed my arms, not about to let him intimidate me completely. "And if I do this, you'll leave them alone?"
"For now," he replied, his tone infuriatingly calm. "As long as you follow my instructions, they'll be safe."
I took a deep breath, weighing my options. "Fine. But if you double-cross me…"
Alex chuckled, shaking his head. "Lexi, you should know by now that I don't double-cross my assets. Only my enemies."
I swallowed hard, knowing that any wrong move could turn me from asset to enemy in a heartbeat. "Then we have an agreement. But understand this—I'm not doing this for you."
He smirked, clearly amused. "Of course. You're doing it for them." He gestured toward the direction of the Bureau with a mocking salute. "Your precious team."
I ignored his taunt, turning to leave. But his voice stopped me, sending a chill down my spine.
"Oh, and Lexi… one last thing."
I paused, glancing back. "What?"
"Your team? They might start noticing things are… off. Don't expect their loyalty to be as strong as yours."
I gritted my teeth. "I'll handle my team. You handle your business."
Alex chuckled softly. "If only it were that simple."
I walked away, each step feeling heavier than the last. I'd made a deal with a devil, and there was no going back now.
—
The next day, I could barely focus on the task at hand. My thoughts kept returning to Alex's words, the live feed of my team, his taunting warnings. The line I was walking felt razor-thin, and one wrong step could mean disaster.
Just as I was about to leave my desk, Mark popped up beside me, looking unusually serious.
"Lexi, you got a minute?" he asked, glancing around as if someone might be listening.
I forced a casual smile. "What's up?"
He pulled me into an empty office, shutting the door behind him. "Something's off, Lexi. With you."
I blinked, caught off guard. "What are you talking about?"
"You've been distracted. Last night at the café… today, too. You're… I don't know. Secretive."
I forced a laugh, shaking my head. "Come on, Mark. I've just been tired."
He didn't look convinced. "This isn't just tired, Lexi. It's like you're hiding something."
I tried to shrug it off, giving him a playful smile. "Since when did you become a detective?"
"Since I realized you might be in trouble," he said, his tone deadly serious.
I froze, taken aback by his intensity. "Mark…"
He stepped closer, lowering his voice. "If you're in over your head, Lexi, tell me. I can help."
I glanced around, lowering my own voice. "Mark, you need to drop this."
He shook his head, frustration evident in his eyes. "I can't. Not when I know something's going on."
I took a deep breath, keeping my voice firm. "Mark, there's nothing. I promise."
He searched my face, clearly unconvinced. "Fine. But if you're hiding something… don't expect me to turn a blind eye."
As he turned to leave, my phone buzzed with a new message. I glanced down, feeling a chill as I read the words:
You're losing their trust, Lexi. You know what happens next if you don't play along.
I clenched my fists, my heart racing. Alex had eyes everywhere—even here. I had no idea how, but he was watching my every move.
—
Later that night, I met with my team again. Mark's suspicion had left me on edge, but I tried to keep my composure. We went over our plans for the upcoming operation, everyone seeming unaware of the storm brewing beneath the surface.
Jenna glanced at me, her eyes filled with concern. "Lexi, are you sure you're okay? You seem… distant."
I forced a smile, nodding. "I'm fine, really."
Carlos frowned. "Are you sure? You've been… off lately. It's not like you."
I waved a hand, trying to brush it off. "Just a rough few days. I'm good, I promise."
They exchanged glances, clearly unconvinced. But before they could press further, Mark cleared his throat, his expression grim.
"Actually, Lexi… there's something we need to discuss," he said, his tone serious. "Something we found on Esposito."
I tensed, trying to keep my voice steady. "Oh? What is it?"
He slid a folder across the table, his gaze piercing. "It's a lead. We think it could be significant."
I opened the folder, feeling a knot form in my stomach as I glanced over the information. It was a report on Alex's latest shipment—the one he'd warned me about.
"This… this seems like a long shot," I said, my voice barely above a whisper.
Jenna frowned, glancing at me. "A long shot? Lexi, it's the closest we've gotten to his operation. Why wouldn't we pursue it?"
I took a deep breath, choosing my words carefully. "Maybe we're… moving too fast. We need to be sure before we make any moves."
Mark raised an eyebrow, clearly suspicious. "Since when are you the cautious one?"
Before I could respond, my phone buzzed again. Another message from Alex.
Last chance, Lexi. Make sure they back off. Or they won't survive to regret it.
I glanced at my team, my heart pounding. I had to make a choice, and every second felt like a countdown to disaster.
"Look, maybe I was wrong," I said finally, forcing a smile. "You're right. We should follow the lead."
Mark's eyes narrowed. "You sure about that?"
I nodded, feeling my pulse race as I forced myself to lie. "Absolutely."