r chest. There, sitting in the CEO's chair with an air of authority, was Richard Dowell-her husband. The

ere?" she stammered, her v

nd calculating. "I should be asking you the same quest

h catching in her throat

name on the building or the fact that I'm sitting he

ttered, more to herself than to him.

figure towering over her. "What everyone believes is exactly what I wa

to process his words. "Why wou

ne of your business. What is your business is keeping your mouth shut. Not a

intensity in his tone.

er. "If anyone finds out because of you, I'll m

just her cold, distant husband-he was someone far more dangerous. "

ocked on hers as if trying to gauge her sincer

ll excuse me, I hav

say more. She turned and fled

na pacing nervously. The moment Gina saw her, she

ll fresh in her mind. "I... I'll tell you later

he sultry secretary called her nam

. "Wish me luck!" she whispered

sappear out of sight and si

chard's mansion, her mind swirlin

that day. Every hour felt like an eternity, and she couldn't

ists as she replayed his t

ity's most prestigious companies without her knowing and thinking he was

her thoughts. Her heart leaped, and she

ailored suit immaculate, his

blurted out before sh

wn. "I don't owe you an explanation, April. No

she refused to let it get to he

g his tie as he walked p

I made myself clear? Don't talk about

t," she said, followin

ed to face her, his eyes narr

n her throat. "I can't sit around here all day doing nothing

und low and humorle

I shouldn't tell anyone about your ownership, and I won't.

th an intensity that made her skin prickle. "Yo

of! I actually got an email from them and that's why I was there earlier today. If I wa

take, April and it was rectified

o argue anymore, and took a step closer to him. "

icker in his eyes-pity, perhaps, or understand

, his tone clipped. "Bu

relief. "Thank you!

ttom. No special treatment. You'll report to someone else, not me, and if you sli

ly nodded.

ightening. "You'll he

the stairs, leaving April standing in th

pily, pouching the air