From Nemises To Lovers

Isabella never thought she'd see the day when she and Alexander Blackwood were on the same side.

Yet here they were—standing on a cold balcony, the New York skyline stretching behind them, both knowing that their real enemy was still in the shadows.

Drawing the Battle Lines

She narrowed her eyes. "So you want a truce?"

Alexander's smirk was calculated. "Call it… a strategic pause."

She folded her arms. "And what exactly do you expect from me?"

His gaze was sharp. "We find out who's trying to take us down—together."

Isabella hated how logical it sounded. Whoever was attacking Blackwood Enterprises wouldn't stop with him. She was next.

Still, teaming up with Alexander Blackwood felt like making a deal with the devil.

So she asked the only question that mattered. "And when this is over?"

His smirk deepened. "Then we go back to destroying each other."

The First Clue

A vibration from Isabella's phone made her glance down. A message from Claire.

"I found something. The shell company that leaked the stock rumors? It's tied to Titan Freight's biggest competitor—Westport Global."

Westport Global.

A direct rival for the massive contract both she and Alexander had been fighting over.

Isabella looked up, meeting Alexander's gaze. "I think I know who's behind this."

An Unlikely Partnership

Minutes later, they were inside a quiet corner of the gala venue, huddled over her phone screen. Claire had pulled up the connections: Westport Global had been moving suspicious amounts of capital, likely funding the attack against Blackwood Enterprises.

Alexander studied the data, his expression unreadable. Then, slowly, he smiled.

A dangerous, knowing smile.

"You look way too pleased for a man whose company just got hit," Isabella muttered.

His voice was smooth. "Because now? I have a target."

She exhaled. This was a mistake. A truce with Alexander was going to end in disaster.

And yet, deep down, she couldn't deny the thrill of standing beside him, hunting down a common enemy.

For the first time, they weren't fighting each other.

They were fighting together.

And that?

That might be the most dangerous thing of all.