AN ATTRACTION THAT BECOMES HAZARDOUS

In Alejandro's office Sofia was paralyzed, her heart racing.

She could still feel the warmth of his breath, the imprint of his hand on her arm. He had been so close. 

And then — he had walked away. 

Leaving her there in shock, wheezing, wanting, not knowing what, but knowing it could never be.

Alejandro was a danger. Not just because of the power he held over her, but for what he was doing to her — to her mind, to her body. 

She exhaled and averted her gaze. "I should go.".

Alejandro, who was new to his desk, hesitated. "Is that what you want?"

His voice was calm. Too calm. 

Sofia gulped. "I—"

She didn't have an answer.

Did she wish to remain?

Did she wish to run?

Why did she want him to pull her close and obliterate the distance between them?

Alejandro studied her, his dark eyes scanning, then sighed and turned to his desk, dismissing her. "Then go."

Sofia lingered half a second longer before forcing herself to walk away.

He felt each step back from him more weighing.

Each breath harder.

And when she had returned to her car, gripping the steering wheel, she knew one terrible thing.

Alejandro Monteverde was about to ruin poll

As soon as Sofia got home, she shut the door and leaned against it, breathing slowly.

She could use a shower. She had to clear her head.

She had to try to forget how Alejandro made her feel.

She simply couldn't.

Sofia sighed, put her hand on her hair, pushed away from the door to the bathroom

She turned on the shower, allowing the steamy water to wash over her body. But just as she was beginning to relax —

Her phone rang.

She bristled.

She snagged a towel and rushed to find out who was knocking.

Her blood was cold.

No Number.

Her heart racing, she halted.

It might be him.

Hector.

Or worse.

She took a deep breath and answered.

Silence.

And then—

A low chuckle.

Her stomach churned.

"Sofia."

The voice was Spine-Chilling. Hector. 

She was holding the telephone in her hand. "What do you want?"

Hector dramatically sighed. “That’s not much of a welcome for an old friend.”

"You're not my friend."

His chuckle turned dark. "No, I guess not."

That gathered her heart, beat heavier. “Is that why you went to Alejandro’s tonight?

Hector hummed. "Oh, that? Just a friendly little visit. I had to see with my own eyes what kind of man you’re throwing yourself at.”

Sofia's jaw tightened. “I haven’t been throwing myself at anybody.

"Mm. “All due respect, it sure didn’t look that way from my corner of the room.” She shivered, and his voice had an amused note.

“Get away from me, Hector,” her voice took on a harsh tone,

There was a long pause between them before he finally said, "Be careful, Sofia. You have no idea what man you are dealing with.” 

The line was dead.

Sofia dropped the phone, her hands shaking.

Take care?

Alejandro?

Was Hector trying to give her a warning? Or was this just another part of his cruel tricks?

Her mind spun.

Who is the real threat? 

The following morning, with her head held high, Sofia marched into Alejandro's office, determined to shake the feeling of doubt that was gnawing at her heart.

She had to concentrate.

She had one job.

Alejandro barely looked at her as she walked in, his eyes fixed on some paper he was holding. "You're late."

She braced herself. "By three minutes."

His mouth was twisted as if her defiance amused him, but not a word came from him. He only pointed to the chair in front of his desk. "Sit."

Sofia paused, then obliged, studied him intently.

Finally, he raised his head, his eyes pinning hers. "You got a call last night."

Her stomach dropped. Of course he knew. 

Alejandro Monteverde was not the kind of guy people hid things from.

She nodded slowly. "It was Hector."

His face did not change. "And?

"He… warned me."

Alejandro raised his eyebrows, slightly. "Warned you?"

“He said, ‘I don’t know what kind of man I’m dealing with.’

Alejandro leaned back, his hands interlaced as he stared at her. *No spark of emotion was felt. *

No anger.

No surprise.

None.

Sofia stopped. "You don't seem worried."

A slow, ominous smile crept across his lips. "Because I'm not."

Something inside her twisted.

"Alejandro—"

"I told you before, Sofia. His life will be at risk if he ever approaches you again.”

A chill ran down her spine.

The way he said it… he wasn’t bluffing. 

Sofia's breath caught. "You'd kill him?"

Alejandro’s smile disappeared, replaced by something darker. *Something lethal. *

Is he dangerous to you? Then yes.

Her heart pounded.

This was no ordinary rivalry. This was war. 

Sofia gasped. “I don’t want blood on my hands.”

Alejandro stood up and walked slowly around the desk until he was hovering over her. “Then don’t put yourself in a position where I have to spill it.”

Her breath caught.

The room was smaller. The air was denser.

She ought to have feared him. She should have walked away. But she didn't.

For none the less — the danger, the strength, the panic bells ringing in her head — she could not avoid the ghastly truth. She desired him. — And — that — was the most dangerous thing of all.

What will Sofia put on the line for Alejandro? And is Hector’s warning a lie — or the truth?