LOGINKade’s gaze locked onto the screen, his jaw tightening into a hard, dangerous line. The laidback, handsome problem look he was giving at first quickly vanished, replaced instantly by the cold, calculating predator that ran a global empire, and was one of my company’s CEOs.He took the phone from my hand, his thumb scrolling to zoom in on the grainy silhouette hunched over my safe."That’s an IV descrambler," Kade muttered, his voice dropping an octave. "You don't pick those up at a hardware store. That’s serious tech."I felt a sudden rush of adrenaline. "There’s nothing in there, nothing worthwhile—""There’ll be something in there in a few minutes, I believe,” Kade said, his eyes narrowing as he watched the burglar. Did it count as a burglar if they were stealing company secrets and not household items?What I was truly curious about was the person who had decided to invest so much time and energy into breaking into a relatively empty safe.I dealt with litigation, there were count
The week that followed was surprisingly... quiet.Well, as quiet as life can be when you've essentially told two billionaire predators to go balance some checkbooks while you enjoy your weekend in peace. I had expected a retaliatory strike, maybe that they’d schedule a mandatory board meeting at 3:00 AM or maybe they’d order that my office be turned into a ball pit in retaliation for my rejection, but the twins actually listened. Or, more likely, they were genuinely preoccupied with the $2 million hole l'd pointed out.I always knew that Carter industries was such a powerful force because they were hardworkers, but this was the biggest confirmation I could get.I spent my days actually doing my job, which was a refreshing change from being a human tug-of-war rope between two overgrown toddlers. I even managed to have a lunch with Clover where we didn't mention the words "Carter" or "twins" once, though she did spend ten minutes trying to convince me that my skin was glowing, implyin
"I do," they said in unison.The sync was creepy. It was that twin thing they did that usually made me want to hide under my duvet, but today I just raised an eyebrow and pointed to the paper."Only one date per weekend," I reminded them."Figure it out. Preferably somewhere that doesn't involve my office. Now, if you'll excuse me, sirs," I dragged out the syllable. “I have actual work to do. So we can keep this company you just bought from tanking. They lingered for a second — Kade with a look of impressed amusement and Killian with a brooding intensity that suggested he was already looking for a loophole — before they finally retreated.As the door clicked shut, the mask I'd been wearing slipped. I exhaled a breath I hadn't realized I was holding and slumped into my chair. My heart was hammering against my ribs like a trapped animal.That was so hard.It was like being threatened by all the bosses I had ever worked for. No. It was even worse. The creepy stare downs from two pairs o
When Monday rolled in again, I was ready. I had my gameplan solid in my head, and I would face the twins with confidence.I wore my best blazer, a navy blue thing that brought out the subtle curves on my waist and made me feel taller. I wore it only when I had impossible negotiations, it made me feel less like an M.D and more like the owner of a multibillion dollar conglomerate.I walked leisurely through the company, grinning to greet the staff and even linking elbows with Clover on my way to my office.“You’re in a good mood,” she observed, bumping her hip with mine. Of course I was. For the first time since I met Killian, things were about to go my way with the Carter twins, not theirs.“Maybe.”“Your boyfriends took you out for the weekend?” Clover asked sneakily, the urge to gossip brimming in her eyes.I rolled my eyes and gave her a sidelong glance, pulling my arm out from her elbow. She snickered and held on tightly, a little too tight.“Fine fine I won’t tease you anymore.”
“You can date both of us, then you can make the choice”.Kade’s voice had echoed in my head all weekend. Maybe in a bid to soothe me, they had paused on bothering me constantly and hovering everywhere I was. I had peace, nobody was blowing my phone with calls or texts over the weekend.But I knew it was a fragile arrangement. The Carter twins wanted their answers and I had to give them or I’d have a torturous time at work. I still could just quit, but who was to say that they wouldn’t just buy over my new workplace?Thinking of it, my best bet was to either change my name and fake my death or actually forge my documents and abscond forever. But I still had a few things I was still attached to as Mia Perez.My phone rang and knocked me out of my thoughts and I saw I was already stirring my coffee with my finger instead of my spoon. I stuck the finger in my mouth and checked my phone.It was Cole, my actual best friend. Now don’t get me wrong. I loved Clover. She was fun and everything
The rest of the day was spent with my brain oscillating between fuming and crying. They were both so stupid, so stubborn. I regretted even going to the dinner with Killian. Maybe if I had completely ignored him I’d still have my semi- normal life. Although, a deep, hidden, secret part of me wanted to see what would happen if I could let go of everything and watched what they had to offer. It was a good thing my logic outweighed my lack of inhibitions. An hour before I could officially leave, my office door slammed open, the echo ricocheting through my office like a gunshot. “Are you insane?,” I startled, frowning severely at whoever dared slam my door open without even knocking. “Mia.” Killian. Of course it was Killian. “What part of leaving me alone don’t you understand?,” I asked, my face scrunched into a pissed scowl. I was certain my face was red, not because I was flustered to see him but because my anger was rapidly rising. He paused slightly. “You can-“ “I can what







