Chapter 7

Pierce.

“She totally deserved that,” I laughed, sipping my coffee as I rewatched the CCTV footage. Alexis, my chaotic little maid, was convinced ghosts were out to get her.

Honestly? Oscar-worthy performance.

I hadn’t told Zane about the prank yet. Nah. I wanted him to enjoy the full cinematic experience live.

“I’ll swing by your penthouse in a bit,” he texted.

Excellent timing.

When I walked through the front door, it was like a storm had hit the place. Lamps toppled over, a trail of wet footprints covered the floor, and my once-beautiful rug looked like it had fought a washing machine and lost.

Clearly, she’d gone full exorcism mode in here.

Grinning, I clicked the remote, shutting off the flickering lights and creepy sound effects I’d set up. Paranormal activity ain't got nothing on me.

I headed toward the bathroom—then froze.

Her uniform was on the floor.

A second later, Alexis emerged, clutching a towel, water dripping down her flushed skin and soaking her wild, tangled hair.

And just like that—bam. One second of full, glorious, no-uniform Alexis.

Damn!

“Oh! You’re back,” she blurted, awkwardly flipping her wet hair over her shoulder.

My smirk faded. That hair flip—it looked way too familiar.

Exactly like the girl by the river.

Weird.

I shook the thought off. “What happened in here?”

“The sink just… squirted right at me!” she said, gesturing at it like it was some kind of possessed creature.

My grin crept back. “Kind of how I’d like to make you do on my face.”

Shit!

Did I just say that out loud?

Her jaw dropped. “Wait—what did you just say?”

I cleared my throat. “What? Nothing.”

“You definitely said something!”

“I said… you need to be more careful,” I lied. Badly.

She narrowed her eyes. “Liar. You’re disgusting.”

She stomped toward me, towel clutched like it was armor, while I silently cursed my lack of a filter—and the very real possibility that I was losing my damn mind.

“Listen here, you—”

Her foot slipped. Instinctively, she grabbed the front of my shirt, yanking me down with her in a desperate attempt to stop her fall.

We hit the floor with a thud—me landing squarely on top of her.

Dead silence.

Her face was flushed, those bright eyes wide and locked on mine. She was warm, so soft and way too close.

And way too damn tempting.

God, what I wouldn’t give to—

Then she bit her lower lip.

I almost blacked out. “Don’t do that,” I muttered under my breath.

As if the situation wasn’t dangerous enough, the door creaked open.

Zane leaned casually against the frame like he’d just walked into a something he shouldn't.

“Well, well… what a productive evening. Planning the next generation already?”

I shot up like I’d been electrocuted, dragging him out by the collar before he could keep running his mouth.

“Shut. Up.”

But that look on his face said everything. He was never letting me live this down.

~~~~~

Alexis.

I got to my apartment and immediately knew something was wrong. The door was cracked open—just enough to make my heart dropkick my ribs.

Cautiously, I stepped inside, every survival instinct I had screaming at me to get the hell out.

“Lexi, welcome home. We’ve been waiting.”

That voice? It could freeze lava.

Dave sat in my chair like it belonged to him, legs crossed. My heart thudding in my chest.

Behind me, the door clicked shut. Tay, silent, built like a brick wall, and now standing between me and the only exit.

This is really bad.

“Hey, Dave. Tay.” I forced a shaky smile. “I was just about to call you. I started a new job and—”

Dave stood, nodding slowly like he was buying it. For a second, I had hope.

Then he snatched my purse. Flipped it open. Pulled out the five hundred bucks I’d been saving. He held the cash up, smirking like it was a joke.

“I was gonna bring it to you,” I said, the lie sounding as pathetic as a toddler covered in frosting swearing they didn’t touch the cake.

Dave didn’t even blink.

“You think I’m that stupid?”

Then—bam.

His fist collided with my cheek, and I hit the floor so hard my soul briefly considered filing for unemployment.

He crouched beside me, his voice like a blade wrapped in silk.

“I’ll be back Monday,” he said. “You better have my money. Or we’re gonna play a new game.”

His finger traced my collarbone. My skin crawled.

“And when we’re done?” His smile widened. “You’ll be working for me. John’s got a soft spot for girls with Jessica Rabbit melons like yours. Might even give him a discount.”

My stomach twisted and vision blurred.

Why had I borrowed money from a loan shark-slash-pimp-slash-mafia associate?!

Okay, yeah. I know why.

Because my ex-husband left me broke.

After they finally left, I triple-locked the door, shoved a chair under the handle, and collapsed onto the bed. My cheek throbbed, but it wasn’t just the pain. It was the fear.

Dave wasn’t bluffing. I had to get that money fast! I don't wanna work in his pathetic brothel with the most insane clients.

But the only path to the million-dollar severance package I needed?

Getting fired by Pierce freaking Carter.

Which was proving to be impossible.

That man was arrogant, colder than a glacier, and frustratingly untouchable.

I’d tried everything—slacking off, messing with his schedule, borderline insubordination. Nothing. He wouldn’t crack.

I faceplanted into my pillow with a dramatic groan. I was stuck.

And then, like a terrible screensaver from hell, the memory hit me.

Pierce. On top of me.

His weight pressing into me, teal eyes boring into mine. His lips twitching—like he was fighting the urge to kiss me.

I squeezed my eyes shut. No. Go away. It was an accident. A stupid, slippery, towel-wrapped accident.

But God, it had felt… too perfect.

I groaned louder. “What is wrong with me? He’s a perv. A stalker. A complete creep—”

I rolled over, yanking the pillow over my face.

But he’s also really cute.

I hated myself for thinking it. Absolutely hated it.