Bound to My Ex-husband's Deadly Rival

I didn't want to believe it at first, that my parents were alive, that Axel had something to do with it, but with the evidence Cyrus showed me, there was no denying the fact.

For the past three years, I've been in and out of therapy, struggling to accept the fact that I was an orphan, mourning my parents who were in fact alive.

Just because some inconsiderate evil monster who saw humans as pawns decided to abduct my parents, and fake their deaths for selfish reasons.

"Elara you have to play it cool, confronting him is out of the question," Cyrus insisted.

"Yeah I know that, if he could make my parents disappear from prison, there's no predicting what he can do now that he's out." I got up from the bed and folded my hands, pacing back and forth.

"We need to get enough information and more solid evidence and bring it before the FBA, we might not be strong enough to take him ourselves but the American government can help us do that."

Cyrus was right, going against him ourselves was suicide.

"I'll act oblivious, I'll play along with his games. I'll do everything to win his trust and who knows, he might tell me everything I need to know himself."

Cyrus walked to where I was standing and brushed his hands against my cheek before pulling me close to himself and whispered, "I'll protect you, I promise, I'll stay by your side and I promise I won't let him hurt you."

His words washed over me like a warm cloud, wrapping around my nerves and smoothing them out. I felt myself ease instantly, the tension in my skin and bones dissolving into nothing.

He pulled away and I almost didn't want to let go.

"Do you really have to leave," I pouted, trying to give him pity eyes, making him chuckle.

"Axel won't let me stay for long," he said looking down at his watch. "I'll visit you as soon as I can, okay?" He smiled, and I found myself smiling back with a small nod. Then he leaned down, pressed a gentle kiss to my forehead, and quietly left the room

I let out a long exhale and collapsed on the bed.

Win Axel's trust.

How could I do that?

I already pissed him off at dinner, I need to make it up to him first.

"Hmmmm"

I gently tapped my index finger on my chin, my lips curling into a mischievous smirk as an idea came to my mind.

I walked to the closet and shuffled through the clothes looking for something appealing, and then it caught my eye from the far end of the closet. A red see through lingerie and a red satin robe to go with it.

"whoever owns these clothes, I'm sorry but I need to borrow this." I whispered.

I stood in front of the mirror, the lingerie clinging to me as if it had been stitched just for my body.

The bra cupped my breasts perfectly, making them look full and plush, while the panties barely concealed anything at all. The sheer fabric left almost every inch of me on display, hot, lush, and unapologetically sultry.

My soft skin glowed against the deep red, the contrast making me look even more irresistible. I slipped on the robe, tying it tightly around my waist, and stepped out of my room."

I made my way to Axel's room, guided by the butler. The door was slightly ajar, and I paused.

I could knock...but if I wanted to make an entrance, knocking wasn't the way. So, I pushed it open and stepped inside.

"Is that how you go barging into people's rooms?" His familiar voice cut through the air, making me gasp as my gaze shot up.

There he was, seated at the edge of the bed, gloriously shirtless, his muscles catching the dim light.

Two gorgeous women draped themselves over him, their hands shamelessly exploring his body, while one of them toyed with the zipper of his pants, tugging it down inch by inch. The sight sent a strange feeling crashing through me all at once.

I immediately dropped my gaze to the floor, not knowing what else to do.

"I'm s....I'm sorry," I forced the words out and swiftly exited his room, going back to mine.

Embarrassment didn't even begin to cover what I felt.

I'd come here hoping to impress him, to take his breath away, but instead, I'd only managed to make a fool of myself.

I shook my head, my palm on my face.

"Shit, shit, shi-"

Before I could take the next step, a strong hand clamped around my waist and yanked me back, pulling me against the wall. My breath hitched as my pulse quickened.

That scent...I couldn't mistake it. Axel.

His grip was unrelenting, his left hand pinning both my wrists above my head. The knot of my robe loosened slightly, threatening to slip, but still clinging to me, thankfully.

His eyes locked onto mine, radiating something dangerous, slowly trailing down to my lips, my cleavage, lower still.

The intensity of his gaze made my skin tingle, heat flooding through me. My heart pounded so hard I thought he could hear it. Caught between fear and something far more dangerous.

He tilted my chin upward with his other hand, his thumb grazing my jaw as he bit down on his lower lip, studying me like I was prey cornered by a predator.

Then, finally, his voice, low and laced with danger.

"What were you doing in my room dressed like this?"

Lying would be pointless. My lips parted before I could stop myself.

'I... I wanted to make it up to you for what I said during dinner.' My gaze never left his, desperate to mask the storm of nerves swirling inside me.

He chuckled, leaning in until his lips softly brushed my ear, sending sparks racing down my veins. I almost moaned at the sensation. My body betrayed me, trembling under his control.

"You really are full of surprises... like a little kitten," he murmured, his voice a husky growl.

And then, his teeth grazed my ear. I swallowed hard and squeezed my legs together. He was definitely doing this on purpose.

"You should go back to your guests, it would be rude to keep them waiting," I broke the silence

"You're right," his reply caught me off guard.

But I quickly waved it off, what was I expecting? That he would deny?

"Let go of me!" I tried to free myself from his grip, wiggling my body and the next second, my robe loosened.

I froze, realising what just happened, thanks to the see through lingerie, he could see every part of my body.

But to my surprise, he quickly let go of my hands and turned the other way.

"Go to your room!" His voice was commanding, I tried to speak, but I couldn't risk making the situation more awkward than it already was.

I covered myself up with the robe, tying it even tighter as I sped to my room.