Daddy's Rival 2: 2. The First Touch

Lila's POV

The next time I saw Alexander Draven was not at a gala, not in the safety of my father’s circle of allies, but in the kind of place I knew I shouldn’t be.

It was two nights later.

I’d slipped away from my father’s bodyguards to meet a friend at a downtown lounge. Somewhere low-lit and just loud enough to drown out the thoughts I didn’t want to be having. But my friend had texted last minute — couldn’t make it — leaving me alone in a dark corner booth with a half-empty glass of wine.

I told myself I’d finish the drink and leave. I told myself I wouldn’t notice the man walking in like he owned the oxygen in the room.

But I did.

Black coat open over a dark suit. Hair slightly mussed, like the wind had been too bold. Eyes finding mine as if he’d been tracking me all night.

Alexander didn’t walk toward the bar.

He walked toward me.

“You shouldn’t be here alone,” he said as he slid into the booth across from