n's intense gaze. "Of course, you can trus

king for any sign of deception. After a mome

rgent. "Because I need to tell you somethi

at could Ryan possibly need to

," she promised, tryi

low me," he said, leading her out of the elevato

on either side. Emma felt a shiver run down her spine

sked, her voice bar

not just any ordinary businessman," he said. "He's a powerful play

surprise. "Sabotage you

ing big. And Marcus will stop at nothing to keep me from getting it."Emma's mind was raci

Ryan's phone buzzed. He pulled it out and gla

he said, already

ing his arm. "What's goi

rching for something. "I'll tell you later," he said. "J

peared into the crowd, leaving Emm

shake the feeling that she was in over her head. What

Emma found Karen waiting for h

What's going on? You look

to reveal. But something about Kare

. "Ryan just told me that Marcus is tryin

know what's going on," she said. "But we need

areful?Karen glanced around the office, as if checking to make sure no one was list

f her. She followed Karen out of the office

orking on a big deal," she said. "Something that could make or bre

ened. "Like Mar

layers in this game. But there are others, too. Peo

own her spine. What had

the screen and saw a text from Ryan. "Meet me

hy did he want her to come alone?Emma showed the text to Karen,

. Ryan's been acting strange all day, and now he's

also felt a sense of curiosity. What did Ryan

o sound confident. "I'll just go to

"Just be careful, okay? And if you nee

de towards Karen. She finished her coff

repeated, trying t

as walking into something much bigger than herself. Something that could change her life forever.As Emma walked to the hot

her way to the lobby and looked around

zed. She glanced at the screen and saw a text from Ryan. "

o the elevator. What was Ryan planning? And why d

into a luxurious hallway. The penthouse suite was at the end o

tepped inside, calling out to

ickering to light the room. Emma felt a sense of un

ind her. Emma spun around, her

ty give way to something else entirely.Ryan's eyes seemed to gleam in the dim light, and Emma felt a shi

hroat. She felt a sense of unease, as if she was t

ers. "I think it's time we had a little chat, don

she was screaming. What was Ryan's game? And

a felt a sense of trepidation. She was tr

something there that gave her pause. It was a

Ryan sat down next to her, his eyes never leaving hers. "Emma, I know you're curious about what's going on," h

ll racing with anticipatio

u trust me, Emma?" he asked, his eyes searching

d. She barely knew Ryan, and yet, she f

ing there that made her nod. "Yes," she said, h

mplicated.As Ryan spoke, the room seemed to grow darker, as if the shadows themselves were closing

an?" she asked,

re are people who will stop at nothing to get what they want," he sa

f what Ryan was saying. "Who else is involved?"

there are those who would seek to use me for their own gain," he said.

yan was asking of her. He wanted her to be his all

hat she was ready to take the leap. She was