Elowen's POV

As I sat in the office, the sterile scent of antiseptic stinging my nostrils, I felt a pit of anxiety settle in my stomach. Zander sat across from me, wincing slightly as I gently cleaned the cut on his arm. The light glinted off the silver blade embedded in his skin—a reminder of the chaos that had erupted only hours earlier.

"What a fucking mess," Zander grumbled, his voice laced with irritation as I worked on bandaging him. "I shouldn't have put you in this position, Elowen. You shouldn't have had to see any of that."

"Don't say that," I replied, trying to keep my hands steady. "You protected me, Zander. You didn't have to fight them. You could've—"

"I won't let anyone hurt you. Not now, not ever," he interrupted, his gaze fierce, almost possessive. "I'll do whatever it takes to keep you safe."

My heart raced at his words, but I couldn't shake off the tremors of fear. The encounter earlier was still vivid in my mind, the gang surrounding us, their hostile shouts echoing. Zander had been so composed, yet I could see the tension in his shoulders, the way his fists clenched, ready for a fight.

Suddenly, the door swung open, and in burst Lysander and Zephyr, their expressions a storm of fury.

"What the hell happened?" Lysander barked, his eyes landing on Zander, the sight of his brother's injury causing his features to twist in anger.

"Just a little run-in with some thugs," Zander replied, trying to downplay it, but his bravado fell flat under the weight of their concern.

"Those bastards," Zephyr growled, his voice low and dangerous. "Who did this?"

Zander hesitated, his jaw tightening as he looked up at his older brothers. "It was a gang. The one led by Miguel. He wanted revenge because I threw this rapist fuck of a brother into jail."

The moment the name left Zander's lips, I saw a flicker of rage ignite in Lysander's eyes, his hands balling into fists. "They have no fucking idea who they're messing with," he seethed.

"Not at all," Zephyr agreed, pacing the small space, his expression dark. "We need to send them a message. They think they can fuck with my family? They're in for a rude awakening."

I felt a chill run down my spine as their anger intensified. There was something terrifying yet profoundly moving about the way they rallied around each other, a brotherhood forged in the fires of adversity.

"What are you guys planning?" I asked, my voice trembling slightly. 

"We're going to make sure they know exactly who they're dealing with," Lysander said, his tone unyielding. "No one messes with my fucking brothers and gets away with it."

As I bandaged Zander's arm, I kept my head down, listening intently as the brothers strategized their next move.

"First, we need to gather intel on Miguel and his crew," Zephyr stated, his voice sharp with authority. "We'll find out where they hang out, who their connections are. I want everything documented."

Lysander leaned forward, the intensity in his gaze unyielding. "And then we make our move. I say we hit them hard—literally. Send in a few thugs, have them break a few bones. Send a clear message that they messed with the wrong people."

"Agreed," Zander chimed in, the fire in his eyes matching his brothers'. "We need to make it personal. They think they can just walk away from this? They need to know there are consequences."

My stomach churned as they spoke, the raw violence of their words echoing in my mind. I was starting to grasp the extent of their loyalty and how far they were willing to go to protect one another.

"We should target their finances too," Zephyr suggested, his brows furrowed in concentration. "Get their operations shut down legally. If we can hit them where it hurts the most, they'll be scrambling. We'll cut off their cash flow and make them vulnerable."

Lysander smirked, a glint of amusement in his eyes despite the seriousness of the situation. "And if we really want to send a message, we could pay them a visit. Show them what happens when you cross us. Maybe a little 'accidental' fire at one of their warehouses? A warning shot?"

I could feel the tension in the room thicken, their determination palpable. My heart raced as I realized just how intense their plans were becoming. They were discussing methods of torture and intimidation, and a part of me felt a sick thrill at the thought of them exacting revenge.

"Yeah, but let's make it clear that we're not just about brute force," Zephyr countered, his tone cool and calculated. "We're lawyers, after all. We can dismantle them legally too. Get law enforcement involved, file charges. We have the resources to bury them."

I sat in silence, my heart pounding as I absorbed their plans. The intensity of their brotherhood was breathtaking, and despite my reservations, I couldn't help but admire their unwavering loyalty.

"Those bastards are going to wish they never touched you, Zander," Lysander vowed, his voice low and fierce. "We'll make sure of it."

Zander's expression turned serious as he glanced at me, and I could see the gratitude in his eyes. "I just want to make sure Elowen is safe. That's what matters most."

As the brothers continued to strategize, I felt a complex mixture of emotions swirling inside me—fear, admiration, and an undeniable sense of belonging. They were terrifying and tender all at once, and I could sense the storm brewing within them, ready to unleash fury on anyone who dared to threaten what was theirs.

____

The night felt thick with tension, a charged silence enveloping the penthouse as I paced the floor of Zander's room. I had offered to stay with him after everything that happened earlier, my concern outweighing any lingering doubts I had. The other brothers had to head out for some urgent matters, but I was determined to make sure Zander was okay.

The room was dimly lit, shadows dancing on the walls as I glanced around, taking in the luxurious decor. It was a stark contrast to the chaos of the day, and I couldn't help but admire the plush furnishings, the rich hues, and the sleek modern design that spoke to Zander's taste. But my mind was elsewhere, occupied with thoughts of him.

Zander had faced those thugs with such fierce protectiveness. I had watched him take on a group of men without hesitation, willing to put himself in harm's way for me. It made my heart race—both with fear and admiration. The way he had stepped in front of me, blocking my view of the chaos, was burned into my memory.

The sound of water running from the bathroom broke my reverie, and I sat down, waiting for him to step out so I could bandage his cut again. 

Just as I was about to relaz, I heard a low groan followed by a faint whisper that sent shockwaves of confusion through me. "Elowen..."

My heart skipped a beat, and without thinking, I pushed the door open, my concern for him overriding my better judgment. But what I saw made my breath hitch in my throat.

Zander was standing under the stream of water, his back to me, the spray cascading over his sculpted muscles. The glistening droplets traced down his broad shoulders, trailing over his defined back, and I couldn't help but admire how his physique was perfectly chiseled. My cheeks flushed crimson as my gaze traveled lower, my heart racing as I took in the sight before me.

His hand moved deliberately, gripping his length with slow, purposeful strokes that made my breath hitch in my throat. I froze, utterly speechless, as the low, throaty moans spilled from his lips—my name mingling with the sounds of water crashing around him. Each sound sent heat flooding to my core, igniting a warmth that spread through my entire body. I had never seen anything like this, a raw display of desire so intimate and vulnerable that it left me breathless.

"God, Elowen..." he groaned, his voice thick with pleasure, completely lost in the moment.

I should have turned around, should have respected his privacy, but my feet felt glued to the floor. I was captivated, my heart racing with a whirlwind of emotions as I watched him lose himself to his own pleasure. My mind raced with confusion and an undeniable arousal, and I felt a pulse of heat surge through me, making me acutely aware of every part of my body.

Just then, he turned abruptly, our eyes locking in a heated gaze. The air between us crackled with tension, the world outside forgotten in that single moment. Instead of pulling away, Zander held my gaze, his expression shifting to one of intense hunger. He didn't stop; instead, he seemed to lean into the moment, his movements growing more fervent.

"Zander..." I whispered, my breath catching in my throat as I realized he wasn't going to stop. I was frozen, unable to look away as he continued, each stroke becoming more deliberate, more desperate.

His breathing grew heavier, and the sight of him like this, completely lost in the sensation, sent shivers down my spine. "You're the one I want, Elowen," he murmured, his voice raw and laden with need.

The weight of his words hung in the air, and I felt heat pooling in my core as I watched him, the intensity of the moment consuming me. I was caught between wanting to flee from the intensity and wanting to lean into this unexpected connection.

Zander's gaze remained locked on mine, a fierce determination shining in his eyes as he continued to pleasure himself, each stroke accompanied by a deep groan that made my heart race. "You have no idea what you do to me," he breathed, his voice thick with desire.

The tension built between us, and I could feel the heat radiating off him, almost suffocating in its intensity. Just as I thought I might shatter from the overwhelming sensations, Zander let out a deep, shuddering moan, his body tensing as he finally reached his release, a guttural sound of pleasure escaping his lips.

The moment hung heavy between us, charged with electricity and a newfound understanding. Zander stood there, chest heaving, his expression a mix of satisfaction and something deeper, a connection forged in vulnerability.

"God, Elowen," he murmured, the words barely above a whisper. "I didn't mean for you to see that, but I'm glad you did."

As the moment lingered, I felt heat creeping up my cheeks. My heart raced in a mix of excitement and embarrassment, and the weight of his words wrapped around me, making it hard to breathe. I could feel my confidence waver, and suddenly the urge to escape overwhelmed me.

"I, um, I should go..." I stammered, turning abruptly and bolting out of the bathroom before I could think twice about it. The last thing I wanted was to stay in that intimate space with him after what I had just seen, and my nerves flared at the thought of facing him again.

"Wait, Elowen!" Zander called after me, but I was already fleeing down the hallway, desperate to put some distance between us. I rounded the corner, my pulse pounding in my ears as I tried to make sense of everything.

But as I turned to escape, I found Zander blocking my path. His expression was a mixture of amusement and something deeper—something more primal that made my heart race even faster.

"Where do you think you're going?" he asked, stepping closer, his gaze locked onto mine.

I swallowed hard, feeling trapped as I backed up against the wall, my heart hammering in my chest. "I—I just needed some air," I stuttered, desperately searching for an excuse.

He chuckled softly, but there was an edge of seriousness in his tone. "You know running away only makes me want you more, right? It's like you're teasing me, and I can't help but be drawn to you."

I shivered at his words, feeling like a prey caught in a predator's gaze. The way he looked at me sent waves of heat coursing through my body, and I couldn't help but feel flustered and exposed.

"Zander, I—" I began, but he cut me off, stepping even closer until I could feel the warmth radiating off him.

"Do you realize what you do to me when you try to escape?" His voice dropped to a low, seductive whisper, and I felt my breath hitch. "It drives me wild. It makes me want to chase you, to pin you down and show you just how much I want you."

My heart raced, and I felt a mix of fear and thrill at his words. "You can't just say stuff like that," I whispered, my cheeks burning. "I'm not ready for... for any of this!"

"I know," he replied, his eyes softening slightly. "But you need to understand that I'm trying to hold myself back. I don't want to scare you. But the way you run from me—it's like you're asking me to catch you."

His gaze held mine captive, and I could feel my resolve starting to crumble. "Zander, I—"

"I just want you to know that it's okay to feel flustered around me. You're not just some passing fancy; you're everything I want."

The sincerity in his words made my heart swell, but I couldn't shake the feeling of vulnerability that came with it. "I don't know what this means for us," I admitted, feeling small and unsure.

"It means I'll be here, ready to catch you whenever you're ready to fall," he said softly, taking a step back to give me some space. "You're safe with me, Elowen. I promise."

In that moment, I realized that despite the whirlwind of emotions, I didn't want to run anymore, not after how he protected me today. Did I forgive him? No. But do I trust him? With all my heart.

With this in mind, I closed my eyes and wrapped my arms around him, tiptoeing to kiss him. Right now, he was just a man who protected me, one who I had deep feelings for, someone who scared me because of the way he made me feel. I'm not going to run anymore.