lding, and polished to perfection. The words Cross Global Enterprises gleamed in silver letters above the pristine entrance, and for a b

refused to move backward. With a deep breath, Sage adjusted her worn messenger bag on

ed suits hurried past her, their heels and shoes clicking against the floor in a rhythmic beat that made Sage feel wildly out of place. She was p

an with sharp glasses and an even sharper gaze sat typing away a

and bu

ge Whitmore. I'm here to see Dam

ched brow raising just enough to make Sage's stomach

r mouth falling

ceptionist replied with a tight smile. "You're e

rned her focus to the computer screen. Sage muttered something under her breath

growing lump in her throat. She was not going to let Damian Cross intimidate her. The man could hurl as many

at her yesterday, like he was studying a puzzle only he knew how to solve. His offer had been as generous as it was

nsive windows wrapped around the entire floor, offering a dizzying view of the city below. The space was minimalist, elegant, and f

rs. Sage straightened her spine and marched forward, her heart pounding harder with e

me

ack desk the size of a small car, his sleeves rolled up as he typed something on a s

aid, his voice cool

r teeth. "It's

iercing blue eyes locking onto he

terday that arguing with Damian Cross was about as productive as yelling at a bri

over with," she sai

His shirt sleeves were rolled up just enough to show the edges of expensive-looking c

the hint of a smirk on his face suggested otherwise. "But if

here are," S

e of paper across the desk toward her. Sage stared down at

as we discussed. You'll report directly to me, handle my schedule, and manage the tasks I ass

her heart pounding faster with every line. O

up to him. "

n replied smoothly. "If you fail, you lose. If you quit, you lose. The

st him, but the stakes were too high to walk away now. Slowly, she reached f

s chair, a faint smile playing at the corner of

want to hurl the pen at his head. Instead, s

asked, crossing

air with a grace that only seemed to e

-

lose to describing what Damian had in mind for her. She followed him through endless meetings, scribbl

barely kept up with half of what Dam

Damian commented as they walked t

are. "Maybe becaus

amian said without missin

he desk Damian had assigned her-conveniently located right outside his office-her e

ed under her breath, droppin

stepped into the hallway. He glanced at her, looking annoyingly

rst day," he said. "

val," Sage snapped befor

her defiance amused him. "Get some rest

chair. As much as she hated to admit it, Damian Cross was right about

d it got, she wasn't