Chapter Five: He's always watching

~LEXI~

It had been days since I last heard from Alex, but I couldn't shake the feeling that I was being watched. At first, I thought it was just my nerves—the tension from everything that had happened. But after a few days, I started to realize it wasn't just in my head.

Everything felt off. Every time I moved, I felt someone paying close attention. Every phone call, every glance over my shoulder—everything made me uneasy. But nothing happened. No one said anything. The silence was the worst part.

Agent Jack had been a constant presence. He seemed relieved to see me alive after the mess with Alex. I could tell he was worried, but his stiff exterior made it hard to know what he really thought. He kept asking if I was okay, if I needed time off, but I brushed him off. I couldn't tell him everything—not yet. I'd tried to let him in on what I was facing, but every time I opened my mouth, I hesitated. Alex's warning echoed in my mind: He's always watching.

If Jack knew the truth, if he understood how deep I was in, it would make him a target. So, I kept quiet. I couldn't drag him into this. But sometimes, I caught the way Jack looked at me—waiting for me to finally tell him. He was worried, but I couldn't let him help. Not yet.

I tried to bury myself in reports, distracting myself from the growing unease. I'd been through undercover operations before, so I knew how to shut out distractions. But this time felt different. There was a weight to it, like something was always lurking around the corner, waiting to happen.

I couldn't go back to the life I had before. Not with Alex involved. But I also knew I was in a dangerous situation. If I made one wrong move, he'd be there. That smirk, that cold look in his eyes… I hated the thought of it.

I glanced around the office, my eyes scanning the room without thinking. Everyone seemed to be going about their business, unaware of anything unusual. But I couldn't help wondering—was anyone else watching me? Could I trust anyone here?

Just then, my phone buzzed on my desk, pulling me out of my thoughts. I glanced around quickly before reaching for it. The screen showed an unknown number. My heart skipped a beat, and I felt a cold rush of adrenaline. It could only be one person.

I opened the message. It was short and to the point: Meet me at the usual spot. 10 PM.

For a long moment, I just stared at the words. The weight of them sank in. I hadn't heard from Alex in days, and suddenly he was reaching out. The silence had ended. I didn't want to go. I wanted to pretend it wasn't happening, to ignore the message, to forget about Alex once and for all.

But something inside me—curiosity, or maybe the realization that I had no choice—made me reach for my jacket and start to prepare. The "usual spot" was a rundown warehouse on the edge of town, the kind of place where no one noticed who came or went. Perfect for clandestine meetings with dangerous men like Alex.

I could almost hear his voice in my head, that smooth, dangerous tone: You don't get to walk away from this. The words he had spoken echoed in my mind, a constant reminder that no matter how much I wished I could be rid of him, I wasn't. Not yet.

I glanced at my watch. It was already late in the afternoon. The hours seemed to slip by too quickly, but there was no avoiding it. I had no choice. I had to go.

The question was: what was Alex planning? And why now?

I closed my eyes for a moment, taking a slow, steady breath, trying to prepare myself for whatever this meeting would bring. I wasn't ready to fall into his game, but it was already too late. With a sharp exhale, I stood up, grabbed my jacket, and slipped out of the office without a word.

—

By the time I stepped out into the night, it was already 10 PM. The streets were quieter now, the city settling into its usual late-night rhythm. I drove to the warehouse, my mind racing with questions. Why now? What did Alex want this time?

When I arrived, the place was as quiet as I expected, the warehouse standing dark and still in the dim glow of the streetlights. The kind of place you wouldn't think twice about if you saw it—perfect for secret meetings, shady deals, and dangerous people.

Alex was already there. He leaned casually against a stack of crates. The dim light from the streetlamp behind him highlighted the sharp lines of his face and the casual elegance he always managed to pull off, even in a rundown warehouse like this.

The clothes he wore were a cold contrast to the sharp suits he'd worn the other night when we met. Tonight, He had on a dark leather jacket, the kind that looked expensive but well-worn. His black jeans were fitted, and his boots had that rugged look that said he'd been through more than a few rough nights. The whole outfit gave him this effortless, dangerous vibe—like he belonged in this world of shadows and secrets. I couldn't help but wonder which version of him was the real one.

For a moment, I just stood there, taking him in. I don't know why, but this time, it hit me harder than usual—how good-looking he actually was. He wasn't just handsome in the way most people were. There was something about the way he carried himself, that quiet confidence, that made him stand out. His green eyes flicked up to meet mine, and I felt a wave of unease rush through me. I quickly shoved the thought aside.

"You're late," he said, barely glancing up as I walked closer.

"Forgive me if I wasn't in a rush to meet you," I shot back, crossing my arms.

He smirked but didn't look away. "You're here, though. That's all that matters."

I bit back a sharp reply, forcing myself to stay focused. "Let's just get this over with. What's so important that it couldn't wait?"

He pushed off the crate and straightened, his eyes locking onto mine with that unsettling intensity. "We've got a problem."

I raised an eyebrow. "We? Since when are we a team?"

His jaw tightened. "Cut the sarcasm, Lexi. This isn't a game. The Bureau's been sniffing around one of our safe houses. They're getting too close."

I swallowed a grin. "Maybe you should've thought of that before you started all this. Ever think you're the problem?"

He ignored my jab and pulled a file out from inside his jacket. "Look at this."

I reluctantly took the folder, flipping it open. Inside were surveillance photos of agents I recognized, people I'd worked with. My stomach twisted as I realized the implications.

"Where did you get these?" I demanded, flipping through the photos. "These are from Bureau files."

"Like I said," he replied smoothly, "I have my ways."

I clenched my teeth. "You've been spying on the Bureau? That's insane."

"No, Lexi," he corrected, leaning closer. "I've been spying on you. Specifically, anyone connected to you."

A chill ran down my spine. "Why? What could you possibly gain from that?"

He shrugged. "Insurance. It's good to know who might interfere with our… arrangement."

"Our arrangement?" I tossed the file onto the crate beside him, barely able to contain my anger. "This is blackmail, Alessandro. You're threatening my colleagues."

"Only if necessary," he said, stepping closer, his voice low. "Think of it as a gentle reminder. Keep the Bureau out of my business, or there will be… consequences."

I glared at him, trying to steady my voice. "You don't scare me."

He chuckled, a dark, hollow sound. "I don't need to scare you, Lexi. I just need you to understand what's at stake."

I narrowed my eyes. "You think I'll just go along with this? After everything you've done?"

"Of course," he replied smoothly, folding his arms. "Because you're smart. You know that crossing me isn't worth the risk."

I took a steadying breath, forcing myself to focus. "What exactly do you want me to do?"

"Keep an eye on your team," he said, his tone flat and calculated. "Make sure they don't get too close to my operations. And if they do… you'll warn me."

"I can't just feed you information," I said, barely above a whisper. "That would make me… a traitor."

He leaned in, his gaze sharp. "It makes you a survivor, Lexi. Do you want to be a hero, or do you want to stay alive?"

I swallowed, my mind racing. He was right, I couldn't risk everything just to play by the rules. But betraying my team? That felt impossible.

"You're giving me a choice," I said, forcing myself to meet his gaze. "But we both know I don't really have one, do I?"

He smirked. "Glad we're on the same page."

I took a step back, trying to put some distance between us. "Fine. I'll keep them off your trail. But don't expect me to lie for you."

"Just do what you have to," he said, his tone dismissive. "As long as my business stays off the Bureau's radar, I don't care how you handle it."

I clenched my fists, swallowing my anger. "One day, Alex, you're going to regret this."

He laughed, a low, dangerous sound. "Maybe. But until that day, you'll do exactly as I say."

I forced myself to turn away, heading for the exit. But just as I reached the door, his voice stopped me.

"By the way, Lexi…" he called, his tone almost taunting. "I wouldn't get too attached to anyone on your team. Things have a way of… shifting when you least expect it."

I paused, my heart pounding. "What does that mean?"

He shrugged, a smug grin on his face. "Let's just say I have eyes everywhere. People talk… and I listen."

I clenched my fists, fighting the urge to turn around and confront him. "You're a monster, Alex."

He chuckled. "I've been called worse."

Without another word, I stormed out of the warehouse, my mind spinning. Alex's warning echoed in my head, filling me with dread. I couldn't shake the feeling that he had something planned, something that could destroy everything I cared about.

I needed to warn my team, but I couldn't risk tipping Alex off. I was trapped, forced to walk a razor-thin line between loyalty and survival.