ears trying to escape, trying to prove that she could carve out her own life, separate from the strings he always tried to

ected Cassian to bring up her father so soon, not like this, not wi

d, her voice steady but her insides twisting. "My fa

is. These moves are personal. He's not just competing in the market, Serap

he instinct to flinch. If her father was targeting Ashford Enterprises, it meant

?" she asked, her tone cool,

a soft click. The action felt deliberate, as though he wanted the

controlled, "and I've reason to believe he's making a play for control of Ashford Enterprises. He's not just a busine

ghting to maintain her composure. Cassian Ashford, of all people, was now questioning her loyalty. He wa

e wouldn't-" She paused, catching the glimmer of doubt in her own voice. Cassian's unwavering gaze was enough to make her questi

?" Cassian pressed, his voice like ice. "Because if you're

ut she held her ground. She didn't want to show weakne

ugh she knew deep down that her words lacked the force they should have.

rdened again. "I hope you're telling me the truth," he murmured, but there was

t, wanted to tell him that she wasn't involved in whatever her father was planning. But the truth was, she didn't know for sure. Her father had always kept her in the dark about h

no less intense. "Your father plays games, Seraphina. And when h

d anyone's protection. But there was something in Cassian's voice, something that made her stop. He wasn't j

e barely above a whisper. She needed to get out of this conversati

er face. "I'll be watching, Seraphina. For yo

stood there for a long moment, her hands trembling as she gripped the edge of her des

ouldn't be. But the nagging feeling in her gut told her that t

ts in front of her, but her mind kept drifting back to the conversation they'd had. She couldn't stop think

nection, that pulsed between them in those brief moments

had her own plans, her own life to live. And Cassian Ashford was nothing more than a means to an end.

up to see Cassian standing in the doorway once more. This time, he didn't

tter of unease in he

Cassian said after a beat,

, the unease in her che

epping inside and closing the door behind him with a so

ded to remain calm. She had to keep her distance. It w

d herself not to react, to pretend this was just another business conversation. But there was nothing "just b

rterly projections, right?" he asked, his voice smooth, ye

"I've been reviewing the numbers and adj

over the keyboard without looking. "There's a discrepancy her

etail she had overlooked-nothing major, but enough that Cassian had caugh

t ignore the rush of embarrassment that flooded her. Cassian's piercing gaze was un

feel the words on her skin. Then, just as quickly as he had entered, he turned and

ncreasingly aware that being around Cassian

gined. And it was only a matter of time before