hed among the world's richest-a throne I'd claimed through grit and ice-cold resolve. But today, that control frayed, shredded by a curvy, mouthy teenager who'd stormed

lazing as she'd flipped me off, fearless and feral. A brat, barely older th

had rattled me like that since, until this girl. My driver's near-miss was her fault, darting into the street like a wild thing, yet she

uption, and I snatched it up, my

p sliced through, loud

the headache pulsing behind my ey

ee her in my mind-blonde curls bouncing, hands o

ion. "Help with what? If it's a boyfriend,

ou caveman. It's my friend-the one I told you about, daug

ng into the desk. "Trouble how

uncle killed her parents-with some shady VP guy. He's after her now, and she won't l

or your strays." But her plea tugged, a thread tied to the soft spot she always exploited. I sighed, pinching the bridge

then paused. "Hold on-sending yo

hair, sharp cheekbones, those damn green eyes glaring at the camera like she'd rather punch it. The same brat from the street, all de

his Elena-she's the loudmouth who nearly scratched my

ou're the rude guy she bitched about? Oh, th

htening on the phone. "Why the hell

d her parents-Andrew and Lisa Williams-they were big in shipping.

ndercut a deal, smear my name in circles I'd later crushed him out of. I'd let it slide, too busy building my empire, but the sting lingered, a

he's under my wing. But don't think I'm happy about it." I paused, a smirk tugging

chirped, and hung up

y tone clipped. "Felix, security detail-Saph's friend. Pho

replied, his voice bri

photo still glowing on my screen. "Find t

said, and the

fists balled, voice cutting through the horn's blare. I paused it, her glare frozen mid-shout, and leaned closer. Most people shrank under my shadow-mone

esk phone. "Claire," I barked when my assistant picked up, "report on Andrew and Lisa Wil

ht," Claire said

He'd report soon, but my mind churned. Adam's shadow loomed, a ghost from a deal gone sour, and now his niece was a pawn in his game-and Saph's. I didn't

photo still burning in my mind. She was a brat, a liability-but a Williams, and that name carried weight. Adam had a debt to pay, and if she was the key,