~LAUREN’S POV~

I sat there, completely still, my legs curled underneath me as if they might give out if I tried to stand. The TV in front of me kept playing, but I wasn’t watching it anymore.

I was watching him.

Alexandro.

His voice echoed in my head. Not the deep, smooth one he uses when he whispers things that make my cheeks flush, but the one he used on that stage. Calm. Commanding. Ruthless.

“She is my future. And she’s off-limits.”

My heart stuttered against my ribcage like it was fighting for space.

Off-limits. Future. Me.

I wasn’t sure if I wanted to laugh, cry, or crawl inside myself...