a Va

lcony overlooking the Atlantic, and a closet stuffed with designer clothes that magically fit me. Too perfect, like a fairy tale with a catch. I sat up, rubbing sleep from my eyes, my phone buzzing on the nightstand. Anoth

. Enough to fix everything: Mamá's meds, Marco's school, the eviction notice. But that dinner last night, the way he looked at me over t

ing, 7 a.m. Study. Don't be late. Bossy as hell. I glanced at the clock, 6:45. Shit. I threw on a navy dress from the closet: simple, professiona

he study, its oak doors heavy as my nerves. Alexander stood by the window, back to me, his

id without turning,

dropping into a chair. "Traff

usement in those blue eyes.

the tablet, pulling up his schedule. Keep it profes

alwood, sharp, hit me like a rogue wave. "Tokyo call at noon. Reschedule the London investors t

t where his arm brushed mi

udying me. "You're

w. "How many assistants

s voice softened, just for a second,

ome rival company. Numbers in the billions, terms I barely understood. But I'd run a restaurant's books at nineteen; I could handle this. By eleven

iff as a board; set a tray of coffee and croi

he first sip was heaven, rich and dark.

her unknown number. I hesit

py voice drawled. Fran

e phone. "I'm working.

forget us little guys. Your mom's l

's walls felt tighter, the security cameras in the corners winking like spies. I

returned, loosening

oded. "Done. You're merging with Lang Enterprises.

odding. "Not bad

wait." I leaned back, crossing my ar

action. "It's business. Powe

y m

ing there. "Later. Tonight, gala in Ma

A gala? I'm your assi

ft no room for argument. "Dress is

rk's elite? I wasn't Cinderella, and Alexander Kane sure as hell wasn't Prince Charming. But that l

. By five, I found the dress in my closet: emerald green, floor-length, clinging in ways that screamed money. I slippe

the city lights. The gala was at a rooftop venue, all glass and chandeliers, the air

murmured as we en

n dripping diamonds. And then I saw him:a man watching us, slick hair, s

hat?" I

exander said, voi

I could ask more, Alexander steered me to a garden balcony, away fr

ng closer. "You're doing

but my breath caught as he leane

ce low. And then he kissed me: soft, then fi

t, it was just us, the city a distant hum. Then reality crashed in

" I lied, st

searching mine

g for my boss after one day? No. This was a job, a lifeline. But as I glanced back, s

ander's tablet, left unlocked. A new email notification glowed: From: Victor La

red into me: Tame the spitfi

ger. You've

, shattering on