One Night Stand With Alexander Blackwood Chapter 9 — Nine

The mont her voice cracked through the phone, sothing inside snapped cleanly in half.

"A-alexander... help ... please."

Then nothing. The line went dead.

For a second, I couldn’t breathe. Serena’s voice was soaked in fear — real fear — and since I t her, I never heard her sound that way.

Every thought vanished. Every limit shattered.

"Alexander Blackwood! If you take a step out the door, then consider severing ties with !" My mother scread.

But she stopped being a priority the mont Serena whispered my na.

I was already out the door. Serena mattered more... more than I could admit.

"Sir?" my driver called, startled when I yanked the front passenger door open instead of the back.

"Move," I barked. "I’m driving."

I didn’t wait for a reply. The engine roared as I sped out of the mansion gates. My mother shouted sothing behind , but her voice was nothing more than useless background noise.

I didn’t care. Not now. Not ever, if anything happened to Serena. I didn’t know what I’d do. This was the first ti I felt so lost. I’m going

My chest tightened painfully as her last words replayed in my head.

Help .

God. Serena. I hope you are okay.

My fingers gripped the steering wheel so hard they ached. I pushed the car faster, running red lights without hesitation. My heart hamred against my ribs, fueled by pure adrenaline and rage.

Soon, I turned in on her street. I was grateful her place wasn’t a great distance from mine.

I drove to her apartnt complex, and I spotted it instantly. Her apartnt was hanging open and my eyes darkened.

My heart beat thudded violently, and I jumped out of the car without even parking properly. Did that even matter when she was in trouble?

I walked through the apartnt complex, and I frowned. The hallway was too dim. Too quiet.

But then —

I heard it. It was low at first. But it beca louder.

It was first a crash. Then a muffled scream. I dashed my way to her apartnt instantly.

Serena.

I finally arrived in front of her apartnt and I could see the door properly. Her door was kicked halfway off its hinges, wood scattered across the floor. My blood boiled instantly.

My vision darkened into sothing dangerous. Anyone who touched her... was already dead I shoved past it and walked into the living room —

And froze.

That bastard had her cornered against the wall, one hand gripping her wrist, the other fumbling to trap her in place. Serena struggled, her breath ragged, fear etched across her face with tears in her eyes.

Sothing primal and murderous tore up my spine.

"Get your hands off her," I roared. How dare he lay a finger on Serena? I wouldn’t even think if hurting her. And this — this bastard thinks he can get away with this?

He jerked around, eyes glazed, breath heavy with alcohol. "Who the hell are you?"

I stepped forward, closing the distance between us like a storm. I didn’t think. I didn’t need to.

My fist connected with his jaw before he could blink.

He stumbled backward and hit the floor with a thud.

Serena let out a small gasp, and I turned sharply toward her. But I wasn’t done with that man. He deserved more than a punch.

I held him up by his shirt and he reeked of alcohol. He reeked of alcohol—pathetic. And still, he thought he could touch her.

My fists connected with his face — his nose — this ti. I continued punching him till his face was a bloody ss. This was what he deserved.

I finally turned to Serena who was shivering.

"Serena." I reached her in a heartbeat, gently taking her by the arms. "Are you hurt?"

She shook her head, but her hands were trembling violently. Tears gathered in her lashes.

That sound—her trembling breath—split sothing open inside .

I pulled her into my chest without asking. She didn’t resist. She clutched the front of my shirt, her shaking fingers curling into the fabric like it was the only thing keeping her standing.

"I’ve got you," I muttered against her hair, my voice gentle. "You’re safe now. I promise you, no one will ever touch you again."

Behind , the man groaned on the floor, trying to push himself up.

I turned slowly, rage simring beneath my skin.

"Move one inch," I warned him, "and you won’t walk again."

He froze in place.

Good. I like that I could instill fear into him.

I held Serena closer, my hand sliding to the back of her head, anchoring her against as she trembled.

She whispered my na again, barely audible. "Alexander..."

That was all it took for every line I had drawn, every restraint I had imposed on myself, to burn away completely.

I wasn’t letting her out of my sight. Not tonight. Not ever again.

Throwing one final glance at the man, I led Serena out the door. She would not be staying in such a dangerous place anymore.

"Can you walk?" I asked her. Her legs were trembling. Why wouldn’t they after the ordeal she passed through?

Before she could give an answer, I lowered myself slightly, then swept her into my arms. I had one arm beneath her knees, the other against her back as I held her as if she were made of sothing delicate and breakable. She instinctively wrapped her arms around my neck.

I nodded in approval. This was her rightful spot.

With her in my arms, I walked out of the apartnt complex and straight to my car.

"Alexander," she called out, and I looked down at her.

"Thank you." She said genuinely. Her eyelashes were wet but it looked like they had been kissed by pearls.

I nodded, opened the passenger seat and placed her there. I could see the confusion etched on her face. No way in hell would I leave her alone, not after this night.

I walked around the car and boarded it.

"Alexander. Sorry, Mr. Blackwood, where are we headed?"

My hands gripped the handle tightly. She had no problems calling Alexander earlier. What changed?

"You didn’t seem to have any problems referring to as Alexander." I started the car without sparing her a glance. "You’re coming with . I’m not leaving you here again."