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A lice pulled out of Nessa’s grasp as soon as they reached the bottom. Pushing her out the doors, she hit the button for the last floor.

“Alice!” Nessa screamed. She tried to fight her way back in, but the elevator was already closing.

Alice gave her another hard shove, sending her sprawling onto the polished floor.

“I thought we were friends,” she cried.

“Alice, please, don’t be silly. Don’t go back up there,” Nessa yelled.

But it was too late, the box was moving steadily up. Her heart hammered in her ears and her breath came out in spurts, and black spots danced in her vision, but she fought against the panic. She had to do something. She had to help somehow. Axel was in danger.

The doors slid open with a chime. A scream caught in her throat at the ghastly sight, and she rushed forward. The two bodyguards which had kidnapped her saw her and hurried to restrain her. She fought against them, but it was useless. Wide-eyed, she watched the scene unfold.

Two wild animals clashed violently in the middle of the office. They broke apart, crashing into bookcases and sending the contents tumbling to the floor.

Clearly heavier and larger, the lion approached the cheetah in large strides, but the smaller animal darted to one side and then the other, its speed unsurpassable. Alastair evaded every move from Axel with an agility which was difficult to follow with the naked eye.

Without warning, it lashed out, cutting through the lion’s flank with its claws.

The lion roared in pain and pounced in retaliation, seizing the cheetah between in mid-stride.

The cheetah struggled to get up, but the lion was too powerful, keeping it pinned down on the floor.

It was over in minutes. The lion’s superior weight and strength evident.

Eventually, the two men shifted back. Axel had Alastair pinned down, the younger man bleeding profusely from claw marks on his shoulders where he’d been held.

“This is why cheetahs don’t mess with lions,” Axel said with a growl. “I will not get in your way, Alastair. Don’t you get in mine. Do the smart thing, build alliances, not enemies. When you’re ready to talk, come see me.”

Alastair nodded. Fear was etched on his face.

Axel released him and turned to her with a victorious smile. The bodyguards released her, and she ran to his arms, snuggling her face into his chest. She fought back the tears of relief.

“Thanks for waiting, Baby Girl.” He grasped her hand and squeezed. “I told you you’d feel it again,” he whispered in her ear.

She nodded.

“Are you okay?” he asked, twisting so he could look at her face.

“I’m fine. I was scared for you.”

“You were brave. You are brave, Alice.”

“Not enough. I—”

Axel smiled kindly.

“Let’s get out of here and talk, Baby Girl.”