Chapter 2

“YOU ARE ALL FUCKING STUPID!”

I jolted in my chair at the roar from my boss’s office. So early in the morning, and he was already screaming. Not that this was new—I’d grown accustomed to hearing his rage echo through the halls of Gallagher Empire. As long as I wasn’t the target, I could handle it.

“YOU’RE ALL FIRED! GET OUT! NOW!”

Within seconds, two men and a woman stumbled out, their shoulders slumped in defeat. The men headed straight for the elevators, but the woman paused to look at me, her eyes glassy.

“Mr. Gallagher is a demon. No heart at all. How do you survive working for him?”

I offered a small smile but said nothing. She sighed and followed the others.

I’d been Helios Gallagher’s secretary for almost a year—reportedly the only one to last longer than a month. Most didn’t make it past three weeks.

As CEO secretary, I ran point on everything. Gallagher Empire wasn’t just one business—it was a sprawling dynasty: shipping lines, luxury condos, malls, supermarkets, even an amusement park. My job was to keep it all running smoothly, and Helios demanded perfection. No mistakes. No flaws. If I delivered, I avoided his wrath. At first, it was brutal—but I’d learned to keep up.

I grabbed the USB drive and stack of papers from my desk, then rapped three times on his office door. Before he could answer, I pushed inside.

“WHAT?!” He snapped, not even looking up from his screen.

I kept my expression steady—years of his outbursts had steeled me. “The report for your presentation this morning, sir.” I set the USB on his desk, then laid the hard copy in front of him.

He flipped through the pages, his jaw tight. I held my head high—my work was flawless. “And the Canadian investor presentation?” One brow arched, sharp as a blade.

“Still in progress, sir. I thought it was due next week—would you like me to prioritize it today?”

He shook his head. “No.” Thank god. He’d only emailed the request hours ago—asking for updates already was pushing it. “Anything else?”

“Coffee.”

“Right away, sir.” I backed out and headed to the pantry to brew his drink. Helios Gallagher was like a dragon guarding his gold—demanding, temperamental, and best not crossed. I mixed one teaspoon of cream with three of sugar, stirring until smooth.

I knocked three times again before entering, placing the mug before him. “Your coffee, sir.” I turned to leave, but his voice stopped me.

“Wait.” I turned back to find him pulling something from his desk drawer—a deep red envelope. He slid it across the wood. “Here.”

I took it, confused. “What is this, sir?”

“Invitation to the charity ball tonight. Mom wants you there.”

I started to open it, but he cut me off.

“Get out.”

I left without another word, opening the envelope at my desk. Sure enough—an invite to the Gallagher family’s annual gala, benefiting the orphanage they sponsored. The city’s elite would all be there.

I left work early to get ready. The party started at seven, but I arrived at six thirty. Mr. and Mrs. Gallagher stood at the entrance of the five-star hotel, greeting guests with warm smiles.

“Zuri, my dear!” Mrs. Gallagher lit up when she saw me, pulling me in for a quick kiss on both cheeks. “You look absolutely stunning!”

I’d chosen a simple black gown with a plunging neckline—elegant, not ostentatious. “Thank you, ma’am. You look beautiful too.”

“Helios is inside already—go on in, sweetheart.” I stepped into the lobby, and my breath caught. The room glittered with diamonds and designer suits—everyone who mattered in the city was here. If not for my friendship with Mrs. Gallagher, I’d never have made the guest list.

A waiter passed by with a tray of champagne, and I grabbed a glass. With any luck, Helios would leave me alone—I might as well enjoy the night.

I drifted toward the chocolate fountain, spearing a marshmallow and dipping it until it was coated in rich, dark syrup. Heaven.

“Hi there!”

I turned to find a woman who looked like she’d stepped off a magazine cover. Carmilla Johnson—Helios’s fiancée.

“Ms. Carmilla!” I choked on my marshmallow, swallowing it whole. She laughed at my panic.

“Just Carmilla, please. Helios is your boss—not me.” Her smile was genuine. “Have you seen him?”

I nodded. “I saw him by the elevators earlier—he went upstairs, I think.”

“Thanks, darling.” She squeezed my arm and headed off, no doubt to find him.

By the time the speeches started, I’d finished four glasses—maybe five? My head was spinning slightly.

“Good evening, ladies and gentlemen.”

All eyes turned to the stage, where Hades Gallagher—Helios’s father—stood at the microphone. His family flanked him: Helios, Carmilla, Mrs. Sapphire Gallagher, and Helios’s siblings Apollo and Artemis.

“Tonight’s gala supports the orphanage we’ve sponsored for years. If we exceed our goals, we’ll expand to help another. Donations can be placed in the box beside the stage.” He gestured to a gleaming silver container. “Now, let’s enjoy the night. Thank you all for coming.”

Guests swarmed the donation box, and I joined them, dropping in what I could afford. My parents were well-off, but I’d always refused their money—I wanted to earn my own way.

I returned to my spot and poured another glass. The room was starting to blur at the edges.

“Enjoying yourself?”

I looked over to find Apollo Gallagher grinning at me, his boyish charm a stark contrast to his brother’s intensity.

“Mhm.” I drained my glass.

“Bloody hell.” He snatched the empty cup from my hand, though it was too late. “How many of those have you had?”

“Four? Five? Lost count.” I rubbed my temples—everything was spinning.

“Zuri, you’re drunk.”

“I am not.” I tried to straighten up, but the room tilted. “It’s just wine.”

“Wine spiked with vodka, more like. Come on—you need to lie down.” Apollo pulled me to my feet, guiding me through the crowd. The next thing I knew, my back was hitting a soft mattress.

“This is Helios’s room. My place is… occupied.” Apollo’s cheeks flushed slightly. “I’ll tell him you’re here.” His voice faded as I fought to keep my eyes open. They felt like lead weights.

I don’t know if I fell asleep or just drifted away—but then I felt movement beside me. An arm slid around my waist, pulling me close.

“Stop…” I mumbled, swatting at the hand. It was heavy, warm. But it only tightened, pulling me against a solid chest.

“Shh…” A voice whispered in my ear—low, rough, and familiar. Warm breath ghosted over my neck, and I shivered, a strange heat coiling in my belly. Strong arms lifted me slightly, and lips pressed to my skin—slow, deliberate, sending sparks down my spine.

I moaned softly, my mind foggy but my body awake. The lips moved higher—kissing my jaw, my cheek, tracing the shell of my ear before finally finding my mouth. I should pull away. I should scream. But when his lips touched mine, something inside me snapped. I kissed him back, opening my mouth as his tongue swept in—hungry, demanding, like he was searching for something he’d lost.

His hands roamed over my body—caressing my neck, my arms, settling on my waist before sliding higher. When his fingers brushed against my breast, I gasped into his mouth, arching into his touch. He squeezed gently, and I tangled my hands in his hair, pulling him closer.

Somehow, our clothes vanished—soft fabric sliding off skin, cool air meeting warm flesh. His fingers found the space between my legs, and I cried out as he touched me, slow and deep. A wave of pleasure crashed over me, so intense I saw stars.

“Fuck…” I breathed, but he silenced me with another kiss, then moved lower—lips closing around my breast, tongue swirling over sensitive skin. His fingers moved faster, and I clung to the sheets as another climax built, sharper than the first.

Then he was over me, his body hot against mine. He pushed inside in one deep thrust, and pain flared sharp and bright. I whimpered, tears pricking my eyes—but he soothed me with kisses, his hands stroking my hair. “Shh… it’s okay.”

The pain faded as he moved, slow at first, then faster. I met his rhythm, wrapping my legs around him as he kissed his way down my neck. His thrusts grew harder, deeper, and I dug my nails into his back as pleasure exploded through me again. He groaned, his movements becoming frantic before he stilled, holding me tight.

For a moment, all we did was breathe—chests heaving, skin slick with sweat. I lay there, my mind finally clearing enough to realize what had just happened.

And who I’d just been with.