Alexander’s POV

I pushed Jess’s arms off me with little effort.

“What happened?” I muttered inwardly. My wolf’s voice came

low and clipped:“Someone’s behind you.”

I turned instinctively, but the deck was empty.

Jess, slightly tipsy and not hiding it well, clung to me again. Her

fingers curled around my wrist like a lifeline. “Alex, don’t be like

this. We were-”

I didn’t let her finish. My hand locked around her elbow–not

roughly, but with firm warning–and I stepped back.

“If you ever try that again,” I said, voice cool as steel, “I’ll throw

you overboard.”

She blinked, stunned. “No. You wouldn’t.”

“Don’t try me.”

She wavered, mascara smudged just enough to ruin her poise.

“It’s not my fault Rowan adores me! You broke up with me over

that?”

Chapter b31 /b

I sighed and pinched the bridge of my nose. She still didn’t get it.

“It’s not about Rowan. Or you. It’s about the fact that you can’t take no for an answer. Greed doesn’t suit anyone, Jess. I’ve told you–repeatedly–that rtionships aren’t a contract. They’re

not forced.”

Her lips trembled, and for a second, I wondered if she’d copse

into more tears or stage another outburst.

Neither option interested me.

“You need help,” I added quietly. “A therapist, maybe. Since the day I rejected you, something in you’s twisted. This isn’t love,

Jess. It’s obsession.“.

With that, I turned and left her on the deck. Alone.

When I returned to the card room, the air was lighter, buzzing

with conversation and whiskey–tingedughter. My gaze swept

the table–and there she was.

Olivia.

She sat beside Gai, calm and upright, a slight smile on her lips.

Her presence wasposed, but there was a tension behind her

eyes.

Gai spotted me and raised his brows. “Alpha, you’ve got a sharp

one here. She handled three rounds like a seasoned yer.”

I nodded without breaking stride, walking straight to Olivia.

She was already rising from her seat. “I’ll go check on Jess,” she

said softly.

“No,” I said. “Stay”

She paused, looking mildly confused but nodded. Gai discreetly

shifted to make more room for her.

I took the seat across from her, just as Alpha ck opened his

mouth–loud, drunk, and far too familiar.

“Nowthat’sa secretary, heughed. “Smart, graceful, and

gorgeous to boot. Where’d you find her, Green? And does she

The men at the tableughed.

I didn’t.

I tilted my head, locked eyes with him, and offered a faint smile.

“Alpha ck,” I said coolly, “You must be drunk. I’m giving you

a pass this once. Choose your words more carefully.”

Theughter around the table stilled.

My gaze didn’t waver. I didn’t need to raise my voice. One look

was enough.

Charter at

Alpha ck cleared his throat, murmured something, and picked up his cards again.

No one said anything to Olivia after that.

She nced at me. Briefly. But her eyes said it all–thank you.

I didn’t respond. Not outwardly. But I saw it. And that was

enough.

The game went on for another twenty minutes before Gaiid

down his winning hand and let out a low whistle. As the cards

were gathered and conversation drifted to business, Adele

leaned toward me with her signature sharine smile.

“Mr. Green,” she said, drawing out the sybles, “do you mind if I

get your number? I’d love to stay in touch after tonight.”

I didn’t look at her. “Gai has my number.”

“Oh, perfect,” she beamed.

Gai nced at me and nodded the slightest bit. I didn’t need to

say it. He knew.

Business only.

He’d obviously give her the wrong number.

After a while, Jess stumbled toward me, propped up by a

Chapte b31 /b

flustered waitress who looked like she’d rather be anywhere

else. Her heels cked uselessly against the deck, and her arms

iled until one finallytched onto mine.

“Alex…” she slurred, half–copsing against me.

I caught her, jaw tight.

Damn it.

The rational side of me wanted to leave her here. But I couldn’t.

She was the general manager of the Washington branch. Public

embarrassment would do more damage than the tantrum she

was throwing now. Not to mention the yacht was still crawling

with people who’d be happy to gossip.

I wrapped an arm around her to steady her, scanning the dock

below. “Where’s your car?” I asked tly.

She blinked slowly. “I… forgot…”

Useless.

As I turned my head, my eyesnded on Olivia and Gai standing

a short distance away. They were whispering again. Close. Too

close.

Heath growled quietly in my head.“Olivia mentioned to Gai that

you kissed Jess.”

Chapter b31 /b

My eyes narrowed.

I took a step forward and barked, “What are you two waiting

for? Get her a car.”

Olivia jumped. She reached for her phone immediately, fingers

moving fast.