Chapter 18 – Claws Behind His Smile

The elevator ride up to the president’s floor felt like being strapped to a missile. Fast and deadly with no way out.

I clutched my folder like it was a shield, hoping it could protect me from whatever storm was waiting above.

My heart pounded against my ribs, loud and anxious.

My palms were sweaty, my knees wobbled, and my stomach flipped like it was doing somersaults.

Why was he calling me?

Did he find out?

Did he know that I had been staring at his picture like a woman possessed, trying to match the face in the photo with the face from my past?

Was that what this was all about?

Or did he know about the children?

Or was that what he had been hinting at all this time?

The elevator gave a soft ding and the doors slid open, revealing a hallway so silent, I could hear the tick of a clock far down the corridor.

Every step I took echoed too loudly.

The assistant led me to a pair of large double doors, dark wood with polished handles. He gave me a polite nod. “He’s waiting inside.”

I swallowed.

Then took a deep breath.

And stepped in.

Dominic Blackmoore stood near the wide window, back turned, hands in his pockets. The sunlight painted him in shadows and gold. His posture was straight, relaxed and lazy even with his shoulders drawn tight like a lion ready to pounce.

I shut the door behind me.

The click echoed like a gunshot.

"You wanted to see me?" I asked, my voice steady despite the war inside me.

He turned.

And our eyes met.

My breath caught.

Those eyes.

Gray and sharp like winter steel. Calm, yet wild.

Too knowing.

Too familiar.

I felt that strange, magnetic pull again—like my blood knew him, even if my mind didn’t want to admit it.

He took a step forward.

Then another.

And he stopped just a few feet away from me.

"You know," he said, voice deep and smooth like velvet over a blade, "when someone searches my name in the internal system, I get notified."

My stomach dropped.

Of course he did.

He was a control freak.

A CEO.

A predator.

I stayed still. "I wasn’t aware."

He smirked. "Really? Because you looked very aware when you were drooling at my profile."

I blinked.

My mouth opened, but no words came out.

"Don't worry," he added, circling around me slowly like a beast stalking its prey. "I get it. Women fantasize about me all the time. You're not the first."

My jaw tightened.

I had to fight the urge to slap that cocky grin off his face.

"I'm not fantasizing about you," I said.

"No? Then why look me up?"

I searched his face, trying to find some sign. Did he know? Did he suspect?

"I was curious. That's all."

He raised a brow. "Curiosity can be dangerous, Mannie. Especially when you're poking around the wolf's den."

That made me stiffen.

Wolf.

It suddenly reminded me of the strange mark I had seen on my neck that day.

I shook my thoughts away.

Werewolves? That was ridiculous. This is the 21st century.

Besides, he was probably referring to normal animals not the werewolves.

"Some of us prefer cats," I said dryly, "At least they mind their business."

His eyes glittered with amusement.

"But they don't protect their own."

My heart skipped.

That felt pointed.

He leaned closer, and I could feel the heat coming off him, the kind that made your skin tingle and your thoughts scatter.

"Tell me, Mannie," he murmured, "What is it that you're really looking for?"

I met his gaze. "A job. Peace. Privacy."

He chuckled softly. "Liar."

The door burst open.

His secretary, the same one who barked at me earlier, barged in without knocking.

Then she froze.

And her eyes widened.

Her gaze snapped to where Dominic and I stood.

To where his body leaned into mine.

I could even feel Dominic’s raspy breath on my neck.

Her face turned pale. "Oh my God..."

She gasped and pointed. "Are you giving him a—"

"Out," Dominic growled, voice suddenly low, dark, and filled with power.

It wasn't just anger.

It was a kind of raw power that just seemed to radiate off him.

Even I felt it.

My knees went weak from the force behind that one word.

The secretary flinched.

Then scrambled back out of the room, slamming the door behind her.

I took a shaky breath and stepped back.

"That wasn't what it looked like," I said quickly, trying to gain some space.

He smirked. "No need to explain. Unless you want to make it real."

I rolled my eyes and moved toward the door. "I'm leaving."

He stepped in front of me.

I turned to the side.

He blocked me again.

"Dominic," I warned. My eyes finally showing a hint of anger.

"Just talk to me."

"I have nothing to say."

"Then at least stay."

I tried to slide past him.

His hand shot out, lightly catching my arm.

And I panicked.

My foot came down hard.

Right on his.

He let out a surprised grunt, and I used the moment to yank the door open and bolt.

The elevator was just a few steps away.

I didn’t look back.

I dove in, hit the close button, and held my breath.

The doors began to slide shut.

I thought he was coming.

But when the doors opened again—it wasn’t him.

It was her.

His secretary.

She stepped in, lips pursed, arms folded.

We stood in silence for a long moment.

Then she hissed, "How did you do it?"

"Do what?"

"Seduce him."

I looked her up and down.

"Maybe it's because I'm prettier. Or maybe it's because I don’t chase after my boss like a lovesick teenager."

Her face turned red with fury.

"You little—"

The elevator dinged.

I stepped out calmly.

Back straight. Head high.