CHAPTER 2: The Interview

Emma stood outside the gleaming glass tower of Cross Industries, staring up at fifty floors of pure intimidation. Her hands wouldn't stop shaking.

Two hundred thousand dollars, she reminded herself. Mom dies without this money. Focus.

But that text message kept echoing in her head: I told you I'd find you, Emma. See you at 9. - A

It's just a coincidence, she told herself. Some weirdo playing games. Adrian is a common name.

So why did her entire body feel like it was vibrating with electricity?

Get your shit together, Emma. One interview. Don't screw this up.

The lobby made her feel like an imposter - all marble and chrome, filled with beautiful people who probably spent more on coffee than she made in a week. Emma tugged at her thrift store blazer and tried not to feel like everyone could smell the desperation on her.

"Emma Parker?"

A woman approached, a perfectly polished, expensive dress, the kind of confident smile that came with a trust fund. "I'm Jessica Chen, Mr. Cross's executive assistant."

Of course even the assistant looks like a model, Emma thought bitterly.

"He's ready for you," Jessica continued, leading her toward the elevators. "I have to say, he doesn't usually interview candidates personally. Your application must have been impressive."

Impressive? Emma's stomach twisted. I barely wrote three sentences. And my resume is basically 'desperate people will do anything for money.'

In the elevator, Emma caught her reflection in the polished doors. She looked exactly like what she was - broke, exhausted, and terrified.

What am I even doing here? she wondered. People like me don't get jobs like this.

"A word of advice," Jessica said quietly as they reached the fiftieth floor. "Mr. Cross can be... intense. Don't take it personally."

The executive floor was silent as a cathedral, all floor-to-ceiling windows and art that probably cost more than Emma's entire life. Each step across the marble floor echoed like a judgment.

I don't belong here, Emma thought. These people live in a different universe.

They stopped outside massive wooden doors that looked like they belonged in a castle. Jessica knocked twice.

"Come in."

Emma's blood froze. That voice - deep, controlled, with an edge of authority that seemed to reach inside her chest and squeeze.

I know that voice.

Jessica opened the doors, and Emma's world exploded.

The office was huge, all windows and power, but Emma barely saw any of it. Because behind an enormous desk sat the most beautiful man she'd ever seen.

He was tall even sitting down, with dark hair and a face that belonged on magazine covers. His suit probably cost more than Emma's rent, and everything about him screamed wealth and control.

But his eyes...

Golden. Impossible, burning gold that made her knees weak.

No. No, this isn't happening.

"Thank you, Jessica," he said without looking away from Emma. "Close the door."

The door clicked shut, leaving them alone.

He stood slowly, and Emma's heart started hammering. He was massive - over six feet, with the kind of lean strength that came from expensive gyms and perfect genetics. But it was the way he moved that made her skin crawl with recognition. Too fluid, too controlled.

Like a predator.

"Hello, Emma."

The way he said her name made heat flash through her body, followed immediately by cold terror.

This is wrong. This is so wrong.

"Do we... Do I know you?" she managed, even though her entire soul was screaming the answer.

His smile was slow and dangerous. "Don't you?"

He walked around his desk toward her, and Emma's fight-or-flight response kicked in. Every instinct told her to run.

But I need this job. Mom needs this job.

"You applied for my personal assistant position," he said, stopping just close enough that she could smell his cologne - something dark and expensive that made her think of dangerous places.

"Yes," she whispered. Then, louder: "The salary was... unexpected."

"Two hundred thousand," he confirmed, golden eyes never leaving her face. "Plus benefits. Plus housing."

"Housing?" Emma's voice cracked.

"The position requires complete availability. I need someone I can trust." He stepped closer, and Emma had to tilt her head back to meet his eyes. "Someone loyal."

He's too close. Way too close. And why is he so warm?

"How do you know about my situation?" Emma demanded, finding her voice. "About my mom's medical bills?"

"I research people who interest me."

"That's not an answer!" Emma snapped, desperation making her brave. "That's stalking! How did you even get my information? My phone number?"

Adrian's smile widened, and Emma caught a flash of teeth that seemed too sharp.

"You're angry," he observed, sounding pleased. "Good. I was wondering if you still had that fire."

Still had? "What are you talking about?"

Instead of answering, Adrian reached up to brush a strand of hair from her face.

The moment his skin touched hers, electricity shot through Emma's entire body. She gasped, stumbling backward, but Adrian caught her wrist.

"Let go of me!" she said, but her voice came out breathless instead of angry.

What is wrong with me? Why does touching him feel like...

"You know who I am," Adrian said quietly. His thumb was stroking over her pulse point, and Emma's knees were going weak. "Say it."

"I don't know what you're talking about," Emma lied.

"Liar." His voice was rough now, almost a growl. "Say my name, Emma."

This is insane. This is completely insane.

But looking into his golden eyes, Emma felt something break open inside her chest. Fifteen years of dreams and half-remembered promises came flooding back.

"Adrian," she whispered.

His smile was triumphant and terrifying. "There she is."

Emma's legs gave out. She would have hit the floor if Adrian hadn't caught her, pulling her against his chest.

He's so warm, she thought dazedly. And he smells like... like that day on the playground.

"This isn't possible," she said against his shoulder. "People don't just... you can't just track someone down after fifteen years and offer them dream jobs!"

"Can't I?" Adrian's hand was stroking her hair, and Emma hated how safe it made her feel.

She pushed away from him, anger finally cutting through her confusion. "What kind of sick game is this? Did you engineer my mom getting cancer? Did you somehow arrange for me to be broke and desperate so I'd have to come here?"

Adrian's expression went cold. "I would never hurt your mother."

"Then how?" Emma demanded. "How did you find me? How do you know about my life? And don't give me some bullshit about research!"

"You want the truth?" Adrian asked quietly.

"Yes!"

"I've been watching you for fifteen years."

Emma's blood turned to ice. "Watching me?"

"Making sure you were safe. Making sure you had what you needed." Adrian's voice was matter-of-fact, like he was discussing the weather. "Your college scholarship? The job openings that always seemed to appear when you needed them? The medical insurance approval that went through when your mother got sick?"

Emma stared at him in horror. "That was you?"

"I told you I'd protect you, Emma. I always keep my promises."

"That's not protecting!" Emma shouted. "That's stalking! That's controlling my entire life!"

"And yet you're here," Adrian pointed out. "Because you need me."

The truth of that hit Emma like a slap. She did need him. Desperately. The two hundred thousand dollars wasn't just a job offer - it was her mother's life.

"You bastard," she whispered.

"Yes," Adrian agreed. "But I'm a bastard who can save your mother."

Emma wanted to hit him. Wanted to scream at him and storm out of his office and never see his beautiful, terrible face again.

Instead, she heard herself ask: "What do you want from me?"

"Everything," Adrian said simply. "Your time. Your attention. Your complete loyalty."

"And if I say no?"

Adrian's smile was sharp as a blade. "You won't."

"You sound very sure of yourself."

"I know you, Emma Parker. I know that you'd do anything to save the people you love. Even if it means making a deal with the devil."

Is that what he is? Emma wondered, staring into those inhuman golden eyes. The devil?

"This is crazy," she said weakly.

"Yes," Adrian agreed. "It is. But you're going to say yes anyway."

Emma closed her eyes, thinking of her mother lying in that hospital bed, getting weaker every day. Thinking of the bills piling up and the treatments they couldn't afford.

I don't have a choice. I never had a choice.

"When do I start?" she whispered.

"Right now," Adrian said, and the satisfaction in his voice made Emma's skin crawl.

But when he stepped closer and touched her face with hands that were fever-warm, Emma felt something else entirely.

Hope. For the first time in years, actual hope.

What have I gotten myself into?