ing. The tension was so thick it felt like a physical weight p

e a custom-tailored Tom Ford suit that cost more than most

ort and slammed it onto the table.

d wood and stopped right in front

," Drake said. His voice was low, sm

opened his mouth, stammering, unable to form a coherent sentence

generic ringtone sh

from Drake's private phone, resting next to his coffee cup

h drop. He knew his boss despised interruptions. Ale

ingle finger. Ale

frown creased his forehead. He pick

CEO vanished. Drake slouched slightly in his chair. When he spoke, his voice w

Drake

heir boss, a man who routinely destroyed entire compani

king for a ride. An image of her sitting a

antique Patek Phili

irty minutes," Drake

e lethal aura slammed back into the room. Drake stood up

red, his eyes sweeping the terrified faces. "Risk Mana

pack their things, practic

s private elevator.

at the changing floor numbers. "And siphon th

d, but his training k

the faded jeans and the cheap, oil-stained denim jacket. He looked at himself in the mirror. The man st

armored SUVs. He climbed in, turned the key, and sped out

and coughed as it pulled up to the curb

gling to drag a heavy cardboard box out of th

rked in a black SUV down the street. He wanted them to carry the boxes. But hal

yla's hands. He deliberately let his shoulder dip, pretending the we

reached out, her hands grippi

s full of worry. "Did you not slee

d, self-deprecating smile. "Night shifts

ity. "Once we get settled, I'll coo

thick wall of cynicism in his chest cracked, just a fraction

both boxes, ignoring the weight, and shoved them into th

red, opening the pas