Chapter 5: Theo's Lunch Ambush

Elena woke to the soft glow of city lights filtering through the penthouse blinds. Mia's small body was curled against her side in the massive guest bed, breathing steady and warm. For a heartbeat, the night before felt like a bad dream, the silver sedan chase, the photo of Mia sleeping, Victoria's too-perfect offer, the insider threat.

Then reality hit. She was in Damian Holt's home. Safe, supposedly. But someone had gotten close enough to snap that photo from inside these walls.

She slipped out carefully, tucking the blanket around Mia, and padded barefoot into the main living area. The space looked even more intimidating in daylight, endless windows, sleek surfaces, not a speck of clutter. Damian stood at the kitchen island, scrolling his phone, already dressed in dark slacks and a fitted charcoal shirt. Sleeves rolled. Coffee brewing.

He looked up. Eyes immediately softening when they landed on her, then darkening with something hungrier as they traced the thin sleep tank and shorts she'd thrown on last night.

"Morning." His voice was rough from lack of sleep. "Coffee?"

"Please." Elena accepted the mug he slid across the marble. Their fingers brushed. Heat shot up her arm.

"Mia still out?"

"Yes. She sleeps like the dead after excitement." Elena sipped, trying to ignore how close he stood. How good he smelled. "Any word on the photo? The intruder?"

"Security reviewed footage overnight. No breach. No unauthorized entry." Damian's jaw ticked. "Means someone already inside. Staff, contractor, or..."

"Or Victoria," Elena finished quietly.

"Or Theo." He set his own mug down harder than necessary. "He's been pushing for access codes lately. 'Efficiency.'"

Elena shivered. "We can't stay here forever."

"You can stay as long as needed." He stepped closer, voice dropping. "I want you here."

The words hung heavy. Not just protection. Want. Elena's body responded instantly, nipples tightening, thighs pressing together against the familiar ache. She remembered too clearly how his hands felt, how he'd filled her completely in that long-ago suite. Her dreams hadn't let her forget.

Before she could reply, his phone buzzed. He glanced at it, frowned.

"Theo. Wants lunch. Says it's urgent. Boardroom at noon."

Elena tensed. "Don't go alone."

"I'm not." Damian met her eyes. "You're coming. As my partner on Horizon. Official capacity."

She opened her mouth to protest, too risky, too soon after the threats, but he was already moving.

"Wear something sharp. We show strength today."

Two hours later, Elena stepped into Vanguard's executive floor dressed in a tailored black sheath dress that hugged her curves, heels high enough to feel powerful. Damian walked beside her, hand brushing the small of her back, possessive, steadying. Heads turned as they passed. Whispers followed.

The boardroom doors opened.

Theo Holt waited at the head of the long table, flanked by two senior execs Elena didn't recognize. His smile was all teeth.

"Brother. And the infamous Elena Reyes. Please, sit."

Damian pulled out a chair for her first, then took the one beside it. Close. Deliberate.

Theo leaned back. "Heard you had an eventful night. Car chase? Security alerts? Quite the drama for day one of the partnership."

Elena's spine straightened. "Your rumor campaign didn't help."

Theo laughed. "Rumors are Sterling's specialty, not mine. But they do make interesting leverage."

Damian cut in. "Cut the games. What do you want?"

Theo slid a folder across the table. "Victoria's proposal landed on my desk this morning. Co-funding, shared control. Convenient timing, don't you think?"

Damian didn't touch the folder. "She came to me first."

"Of course she did." Theo's eyes flicked to Elena. "And you, Ms. Reyes! how do you feel about your new ally? Or are you more focused on... personal matters?"

The jab landed. Elena kept her face neutral. "I'm focused on delivering the Horizon campaign. Everything else is noise."

Theo's smile widened. "Admirable. But noise has a way of getting loud." He tapped the folder. "Sign off on Victoria's deal and I'll personally squash the Sterling leaks. Refuse... and the board starts asking harder questions about your 'baggage.'"

Damian leaned forward. "Threatening my partner?"

"Advising my CEO." Theo stood. "Lunch is on me, downstairs at The Oak Room. Private table. Bring your appetite. And your decision."

He left without waiting for a reply.

The door closed.

Elena exhaled. "He's baiting you."

"He's baiting us both." Damian's hand found her knee under the table, same spot from the pitch meeting. Thumb stroking once. "You don't have to come to lunch."

"I do." She covered his hand with hers, squeezing. "If we show weakness now, they win."

His eyes darkened at the contact. "You're braver than you look."

"Or stupider."

A ghost of a smile. "Both, probably."

The Oak Room was dimly lit, upscale, tucked in the building's lower level. Private booth in the back. Theo already seated, glass of scotch in hand.

Damian slid in first, Elena beside him. Theo across.

No menus. Food arrived automatically, seared scallops, filet, wine poured without asking.

Theo raised his glass. "To new alliances."

No one drank.

"Talk," Damian said.

Theo set the glass down. "Victoria wants in on Horizon. I want her out. She's been sniffing around board seats for months. If she gets a foot in the door via this deal, she'll push harder."

Elena spoke. "And you think blackmailing us helps?"

Theo's gaze slid to her. "I think reminding you who's really in control helps. Your agency's on thin ice. One more scandal and clients bolt. Including us."

Damian tensed. "You leak anything else......"

"I don't need to leak. I just need to wait." Theo leaned in. "But I'm generous. Pull support from Victoria's proposal. Give me full oversight on Horizon creative. In return, I make the rumors vanish. And I ensure no one digs into Ms. Reyes'... colorful history."

Elena's blood chilled. History. Vegas. Debts. He knew something, or was fishing.

Damian’s hand tightened on her knee. "You overplay your hand, Theo."

Theo shrugged. "Maybe. But time's ticking. Sterling's already whispering to board members. Decide by end of day."

He stood, tossing a napkin on the table. "Enjoy the meal. It's on the company."

Gone.

Silence settled over the booth.

Elena stared at her untouched plate. "He knows more than he's saying."

Damian turned to her. "About what?"

She hesitated. "My past. Vegas. My mother mentioned debts last night. Theo could be connected, or just guessing."

Damian's expression hardened. "If he's digging, we dig back."

His phone buzzed. Text from unknown.

Elena glanced, her heart stopped.

Photo: her and Damian entering the penthouse last night. Timestamped.

Followed by: Enjoying the view? Careful. Heights make people fall.

Damian saw it. Face like stone.

He typed quickly, security alert, then pocketed the phone.

"Lunch is over." He stood, offering his hand. "We're leaving."

Elena took it. His grip firm, protective.

As they walked out, his thumb brushed her palm, slow, deliberate.

"Back upstairs," he murmured. "We regroup. And tonight... no interruptions."

Elena's pulse raced. Fear. Adrenaline. Want.

The elevator doors closed.

Alone.

Damian backed her against the wall in one smooth motion. Hand cupping her jaw.

"You were incredible in there," he said low. "Strong. Unbreakable."

His mouth hovered over hers.

"But right now, I need to feel you break. Just a little."

The elevator dinged, penthouse level.

Doors opened.

And Elena stepped out first, heart pounding, knowing whatever came next, the line between business and desire had just vanished.