Chapter Two

  The next morning at Wellington Enterprises, Lucas was trying to make sense of the mountain of responsibilities that came with his new position when his assistant buzzed him.

  

  “Mr. Wellington? You have a visitor. Mr. Damien Rhodes?”

  

  Lucas frowned. “Send him in.”

  

  Damien strode into the office moments later, carrying two bags from that expensive deli downtown, grinning like he owned the place.

  

  “Surprise!” Damien announced, setting the bags on Lucas’s desk. “Brought you lunch.”

  

  Lucas stared at him. “It’s 10 AM.”

  

  “Early lunch. Pre-lunch. Whatever.” Damien threw himself into a chair. “Can’t a guy visit his best friend at work?”

  

  “Since when do you bring me lunch?” Lucas asked suspiciously. “Actually, since when do you show up unannounced at my office? .“You hate corporate buildings, you always say they make you want to die of boredom.”

  

  “Maybe I’m turning over a new leaf.” Damien’s smile was too bright, too casual. “Besides, I wanted to see your fancy new VP digs. Very nice. Corner office and everything.”

  

  Lucas wasn’t buying it. He knew Damien too well. There was always an angle.

  

  “What are you really doing here?”

  

  Before Damien could answer, the door opened.

  

  Miriam walked in, a folder in her hands, her expression all business. She wore a burgundy blouse and black slacks, her hair pulled back in a sleek ponytail. Professional. Untouchable.

  

  And Damien’s entire demeanor shifted.

  

  He sat up straighter, his eyes tracking her every movement with an intensity that made Lucas’s stomach drop.

  

  “Here’s the Richardson file you asked for,” Miriam said to Lucas, her tone clipped. She set the folder on his desk without looking at him.

  

  “Thanks,” Lucas said quietly.

  

  Miriam turned to leave, but Damien was already on his feet.

  

  “Hey,” he said, that charming smile in full force. “We didn’t get properly introduced yesterday. I’m Damien Rhodes. And you’re Miriam, right?”

  

  Miriam’s gaze swept over him with the warmth of an arctic winter. “I know who you are.”

  

  “I was hoping maybe we could grab coffee sometime. I would love to get to know Lucas’s sister better.”

  

  “I’m busy.”

  

  “What about lunch?”

  

  “Busy.”

  

  “Dinner?”

  

  “Still busy.” Miriam moved toward the door.

  

  Damien stepped into her path, still smiling, but something predatory had entered his eyes. “Come on, just one cup of coffee. I promise I’m more interesting than I look.”

  

  “Please move,” Miriam said, her voice ice.

  

  For a moment, Lucas thought Damien wouldn’t. There was a beat where his friend seemed to consider pushing further, where that charming mask slipped just enough to show something darker underneath.

  

  Then Damien stepped aside with an exaggerated bow.

  

  Miriam left without another word.

  

  The moment the door closed, Lucas hissed, “Dude, I told you. My sister is off limits.”

  

  Damien turned to him, all pretense of casual friendship gone. “She’s incredible.”

  

  “She’s not interested.”

  

  “She will be.” Damien’s confidence was absolute, unshakeable, and deeply concerning.

  

  “Damien, seriously”

  

  “I couldn’t sleep last night,” Damien interrupted, sitting back down. “I Kept thinking about her. Those eyes, man. That fire. She’s not like other women. She doesn’t fall all over herself trying to impress me.”

  

  “That’s because she’s smart enough to see through your bullshit,” Lucas snapped. “Leave her alone.”

  

  Damien studied him for a long moment. “You’re really protective of her.”

  

  “She’s my sister.”

  

  “Funny. Yesterday you were celebrating taking her promotion.” The words were delivered casually, but they landed like daggers. “Now suddenly you care about protecting her?”

  

  Lucas felt his face flush. “That’s different”

  

  “Is it?” Damien leaned forward. “You let your mom screw her over, took what was rightfully hers, and now you want to play the concerned brother? Pick a lane, Lucas.”

  

  “You don’t understand the situation”

  

  “I understand perfectly.” Damien stood, straightening his jacket. “Your mom runs the show, your dad’s too weak to stop her, and you’re content to ride their coattails. But Miriam? She’s fighting for everything while you coast on your last name. And you know what? That makes her even more interesting to me.”

  

  “Stay away from her,” Lucas said, his voice hard. “I mean it, Damien. She’s been through enough.”

  

  Damien paused at the door, that predatory smile returning. “We’ll see.”

  

  After he left, Lucas sat frozen in his chair, a cold dread settling over him.

  

  He had seen Damien pursue women before. Seen what happened when his friend decided he wanted something.

  

  And he had never seen Damien want anything as much as he clearly wanted Miriam.

  

  -----

  

  That evening, Lucas waited for Miriam in the hallway outside her room.

  

  “I need to talk to you,” he said when she appeared at the top of the stairs.

  

  “I told you…”

  

  “It’s about Damien Rhodes.”

  

  That made her pause. “What about him?”

  

  “He’s not a good guy, Miriam. I know he’s been… persistent. But you need to stay away from him.”

  

  Miriam’s laugh was bitter. “Now you care about protecting me? Where was this concern yesterday when you were taking my promotion?”

  

  “That’s not fair..”

  

  “Isn’t it?” She brushed past him toward her door. “You let your mother manipulate Dad into giving you something you didn’t earn, something I worked my ass off for, and now you want to play protective brother? I don’t need your protection, Lucas. What I needed was your support. And you made it very clear where your loyalty lies.”

  

  “Miriam, please, just listen. Damien is dangerous. I’ve seen how he treats women, and…”

  

  “Save it.” She opened her door. “I can take care of myself. I’ve been doing it my whole life, in case you forgot.”

  

  The door closed in his face.

  

  Lucas stood there, that feeling of dread growing stronger.

  

  Because he knew what was coming next.

  

  He knew Damien Rhodes.

  

  And he knew that when Damien wanted something, he didn’t stop until he got it.

  

  No matter what it cost.

  

  No matter who got hurt.