Alexander
He watches from across the street, hidden in the darkened car. Then, from the edges of his mind, a memory surfaces. Recess, long ago, the playground baking under noon sun, Daniel Carter perched on the jungle gym, Melissa Hayes laughing. That laugh was enough. Because no one else was allowed to make Melissa Hayes laugh.
So, he waited. Waited until Daniel climbed high, smiling like he ruled the world. Then one push. The sickening snap. Daniel collapsed on the asphalt, his arm twisted, his scream splitting the air.
After that? Melissa Hayes never spoke to Daniel again. And that had been the point. Alexander hadn’t meant to hurt him. Only fix it. It was always about clarity. About correction.
The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.
Which is why he’d come tonight. He hadn’t expected Raf to leave him. He’d been honest, maybe too honest, about what he felt. It had frightened her. She’d pulled away. He’d texted, emailed, even left a voicemail that sounded foreign in his own ears, but no reply came. She’d become a ghost. So he’d driven to Venice Beach. To her home. Just to look. To check.
The beach house slid into view: metal and wood against the wild sweep of rock and ocean. He pulled under a cypress and peered through the glass. Through the window, there she was. But not alone. Jennifer Turner was there too. The fat bitch lawyer. Speaking too calmly, the only one holding Raf together as she paced the room. And that’s when it clicked. Another interference. Another obstacle. Just like Shane.
The thought came fully formed. Take the lawyer out. But it hadn’t come to that. A warning had been enough.
Now, he composes the message to Raf: If you need insight into Ethan’s legal team, I have ways. I can help.
He hits send, leans back, and watches the screen. She’d see. She’d understand. “She’ll need me,” he whispers. “Soon enough.”