Ethan's usually composed demeanor fractured as he regarded the figure standing in the doorway. Alina felt the tension creep up her spine like icy fingers.

The man in the dark suit held a folder with an air of urgency. "My name is Arthur Coleridge. I handle security matters for Crawford Industries," he said. The weight in his voice made it clear this wasn't just a social call.

"What's this situation?" Ethan demanded, his voice gruff.

Arthur walked in, opening the folder to reveal a series of photographs and documents. "We've uncovered some concerning information. It appears that Miss Bardot has been under surveillance for some time."

Alina's breath hitched, a surge of panic rising within her. "Surveillance? By whom?"

Arthur glanced at her, then back at Ethan. "We believe it’s connected to Evelyn's side of the merger. They might see Alina as a threat to their interests, especially since Ethan broke off the engagement."

Ethan's eyes darkened dangerously. "This is unacceptable," he growled. "We need to ensure Alina's safety immediately."

Alina's mind raced, the reality of the situation sinking in. Ignorance had been bliss, but now she found herself thrust into the heart of a corporate battlefield. The lingering effect of Ethan's kiss dissipated, replaced by a cold dread.

"I want you to stay here, Alina," Ethan said, turning to her. "This mansion is one of the safest places you can be right now."

Alina nodded, her voice barely above a whisper. "Okay."

Arthur left them to discuss containment measures, leaving behind a palpable sense of urgency. As the door closed, Alina turned to Ethan, her emotions a tumultuous storm. "Ethan, what am I supposed to do? I have a life outside of this—practice sessions, competitions..."

"We'll handle it," Ethan reassured her, his hand gently cradling her cheek. "I won’t let anything happen to you."

His touch, though tender, still carried the weight of his unspoken fears. Alina leaned into it, feeling the tension in his body. "Thank you," she whispered.

That evening, Ethan arranged for a close circle of trusted security personnel to stay on high alert. Every window and door in the mansion was checked, ensuring no vulnerabilities remained. The sprawling estate, though luxurious, had transformed into an elaborate fortress.

Alina found solace in the garden, trying to drown her anxiety in the serene beauty of nature. Flowers bloomed, and the cool evening breeze carried the scent of lilies and roses. She closed her eyes, taking a deep breath.

Footsteps approached, and she looked up to find Dominic, his hands in his pockets. "Tough day, huh?"

"That's an understatement," Alina murmured, her voice tinged with exhaustion. “Ethan’s world is... overwhelming.”

Dominic leaned against the stone railing, his presence as soothing as the garden itself. "I know my brother can be intense. But he's also fiercely protective of those he cares about."

"I just hope we can get through this," Alina said, her eyes reflecting the twilight sky. "I don't want to become collateral damage in their games."

Dominic offered a sympathetic smile. "You’re stronger than you think, Alina. Don't let them intimidate you."

The warmth of his words penetrated the cold anxiety gripping her heart. For the first time since this ordeal began, she felt a flicker of hope. Maybe she was capable of more than she realized.

---

The next morning, Alina awoke in a luxurious bedroom with the soft light filtering through the heavy curtains. She stretched, the events of the previous day weighing heavily on her mind.

She dressed and ventured out, finding Ethan already in the grand dining room, deep in conversation with Arthur. They looked up as she entered, their expressions somber.

"Good morning," Ethan greeted her, his tone implying the weight of everything unsaid.

"Morning," Alina replied, taking a seat across from him.

Arthur wasted no time. "We've increased security around the clock and have our best people working on identifying the surveillance details."

"Thank you," Alina said, grateful for their actions but still unsettled by her circumstances.

Ethan reached across the table, taking her hand in his. "We’ll get through this, Alina. Together."

His words were a comfort, but they also raised new questions. Together? What did that truly mean for them?

Throughout the day, Alina’s routine was anything but normal. Ethan insisted she stay within the mansion grounds while he coordinated with his team. Alina spent her time practicing in the private rink Ethan had commissioned for her. The smooth ice was a brief escape, a reminder of her dreams and the goals she still harbored.

Later that evening, after an emotionally taxing day, Alina found solace in the mansion’s cozy library. The smell of aged books and polished wood offered a familiar comfort. She was deep into a novel when Ethan appeared, his shirt unbuttoned at the collar, revealing a hint of sculpted chest.

"Mind if I join you?" he asked.

"Not at all," Alina said, closing her book.

Ethan settled beside her on the plush leather couch, the proximity sending a wave of warmth through her. They sat in companionable silence for a few moments before Ethan turned to her, his eyes hooded with emotion.

"I’ve been thinking," he began, his voice a low murmur. "You’ve become more important to me than I ever thought possible. This isn’t just about protecting you because of guilt or responsibility."

Alina’s heart ached at his words. "What is it about, then?"

"It's about needing you. In my life, my world… by my side," he confessed, his hand reaching out to intertwine with hers.

Alina leaned closer, the heat of their connection growing more intense. "Then don’t push me away when things get tough."

He pulled her into a kiss, one that carried all the depth of his feelings and unspoken promises. This kiss was not just a prelude to something physical but a declaration of something far more significant.

Their lips parted, breaths mingling, the intensity of the moment settling into their bones. Before either could speak, the door to the library burst open, Dominic rushes in, urgency etched in his expression.

"Ethan, you've got to see this," he said, holding up his phone, a news notification glaring on the screen.

Ethan took the phone, his eyes scanning over the text. Alina watched as his features tightened, fear melding with determination.

"What's wrong?" she asked, her voice quavering.

Ethan handed her the phone. The headline read: *"Scandalous Revelation: Figure Skater Alina Bardot Linked to Billionaire's Corporate Espionage Drama."*

Alina's blood ran cold. "What does this mean?"

Ethan’s grip on her hand tightened. "It means they're not just watching. They're trying to ruin you. We need to act fast."