Alex stood there like this was a difficult conversation, not a hostage crisis. Hands visible. Voice steady. Expression soft in a way that felt practiced… but sincere enough to work.
Relief hit me so hard I almost sobbed.
Oh thank God.
Oh thank everything.
Alex looked at me… not long, not obviously… but enough.
He didn't rush.
That was the first thing I noticed... not consciously at first, more like my body noticed before my brain caught up. No sharp movements. No sudden authority-laced commands. No verbal chest-thumping disguised as confidence.
He didn't contradict the man.
Didn't challenge him.
Didn't say that's not how it works or you're mistaken or any of the phrases that usually set men like this on fire.
He let him talk.
My brain, despite the fact that I was one wrong breath away from passing out, started narrating in real time:
Oh. That was smart.
Wait—did he just validate the emotion without validating the threat?
That's hot.
No. Noah. Focus.
But still.
