Chapter 6: The Breaking Point

The ride back to the Plaza was silent, heavy with unspoken words and raw emotion. Isabella stared out the window, Alexander's revelations about Marcus replaying in her mind. Next to her, Alexander worked on his phone, but she felt his attention like a physical touch.

When they reached the suite, she headed straight for the bar.

"Teaching me to trust your drinking habits already?" His voice was sardonic as he shrugged off his jacket.

Isabella poured herself a generous measure of whiskey. "You don't have a monopoly on needing a drink after difficult conversations." She turned to face him, leaning against the bar. "Did Victoria know? About Marcus's death being more than an accident?"

Alexander loosened his tie, the movement drawing her eyes to his throat. "Your sister knew exactly what she was doing. She just didn't care about the consequences."

"And my father?"

"Claimed he had no idea Marcus would be driving that night." His laugh was bitter. "As if that makes a difference."

Isabella took a long drink, welcoming the burn. "Why tell me all this now?"

"Because." He moved closer, crowding her against the bar. "You're not Victoria. You deserve to know exactly what kind of family you're trying to save."

"My father isn't a murderer."

"No." Alexander plucked the glass from her hand, taking a sip from the same spot her lips had touched. "He's worse. He's a coward who lets others do his dirty work."

"Like you're doing with me?" The words came out before she could stop them.

His eyes darkened. "Careful, Isabella."

"Or what?" She pushed away from the bar, needing space. "You'll punish me? Break my heart? Make me fall in love with you?" She laughed shakily. "You've already told me your whole plan, Alexander. Where's the threat?"

He moved so fast she barely saw it, backing her against the wall. "The threat," he growled, "is that plans change."

Before she could respond, his mouth was on hers, hot and demanding. This wasn't like their previous kisses – this was raw need, barely contained violence. His hands gripped her hips, pulling her against him as he devoured her mouth.

Isabella knew she should push him away, but her body had other ideas. Her hands fisted in his shirt, pulling him closer as she kissed him back with equal fervor. He groaned, the sound vibrating through her chest.

"This wasn't part of the plan," he muttered against her neck, teeth grazing her pulse point. "You weren't supposed to be..."

"What?" She gasped as his hands slid lower, hitching her thigh up around his hip. "A real person? Someone who could understand your pain?"

He pulled back slightly, his eyes stormy. "Someone who could make me feel something other than hate."

The confession hung between them, heavy with implications. Isabella reached up, touching his face. His stubble was rough against her palm.

"Alexander..."

"Don't." He pressed his forehead to hers. "Don't say my name like that. Like you care."

"What if I do?"

His hand tightened on her thigh. "Then you're a fool."

"Maybe." She kissed him softly, feeling him shudder. "Or maybe you're not as good at being heartless as you think."

He pulled back abruptly, running a hand through his disheveled hair. "This isn't... we're not doing this."

Isabella straightened her dress, trying to calm her racing heart. "Afraid you might develop feelings for the enemy?"

"I don't develop feelings." He stalked to the bar, pouring himself a drink. "That's not who I am."

"No?" She followed him. "Then why tell me about Marcus? Why expose your vulnerability?"

"To hurt you." But he wouldn't meet her eyes. "To show you what your family is capable of."

"Liar." She stepped closer. "You told me because for the first time in five years, you found someone who might understand. Someone who knows what it's like to be betrayed by Victoria, by my father..."

"Stop."

"Someone who sees past the ruthless CEO to the man who lost his brother—"

"I said stop!" His glass shattered against the wall, making her jump. Alexander braced himself against the bar, breathing heavily. "You don't know me, Isabella. Don't pretend you do."

But she'd seen the pain in his eyes, the crack in his perfect facade. Slowly, she approached him, like you might a wounded animal.

"I know enough." She touched his back, feeling the tension in his muscles. "I know you loved your brother. I know you blame yourself for his death as much as you blame my father."

He turned so quickly she gasped, his hands gripping her arms. "You want to know what I know?" His voice was raw. "I know that every time I kiss you, I forget why I'm doing this. Every time you look at me with understanding instead of fear, I question everything. And that makes you more dangerous than Victoria ever was."

Isabella's heart thundered. "Alexander..."

"The wedding is in two days." He released her abruptly. "After that, there's no turning back. Remember that before you try to save my soul."

He strode toward the bedroom, leaving her standing by the bar with trembling legs and racing thoughts.

"What if I'm not trying to save your soul?" she called after him. "What if I'm trying to save us both?"

He paused in the doorway but didn't turn around. "There is no 'us,' Isabella. There's only revenge, justice, and a contract."

"You don't believe that anymore than I do."

Finally, he looked at her, and the raw emotion in his eyes took her breath away. "What I believe doesn't matter. What matters is what I have to do."

"And what's that?"

His smile was sad. "Break both our hearts."

The bedroom door closed behind him with a quiet click, leaving Isabella alone with the shattered glass, spilled whiskey, and the realization that she was falling for the one man she couldn't afford to love.

Because Alexander Kane might be capable of love, but his need for revenge would always come first.

Wouldn't it?