Chapter 5

By six that evening, Bellamy was almost hers. The final acquisition papers were spread across Seraphina’s desk, covered in enough notes to make her legal team miserable the next morning. She had been reading the same clause for the third time when her assistant walked in.

“The board meeting is at eleven tomorrow. Bellamy called again this morning. They want to meet before the papers are finalized.”

Seraphina looked up from the contract. “Move the board meeting to the afternoon.”

Her assistant nodded, then hesitated. “There’s something else.”

“There always is.”

“Devereaux Holdings has increased their offer.”

Seraphina leaned back in her chair. “How much?”

“Three hundred and forty million.”

She stared at her for a moment before laughing. “That’s cute.”

Her assistant smiled despite herself. “They’re serious.”

“I know.”

“They really want Bellamy.”

“So do I.”

“You’ve already offered three hundred and fifty.”

“I know.”

“And you’re still willing to go through with it?”

Seraphina picked up her pen. “Yes.”

Her assistant watched her sign the next page. “Can I ask why?”

Seraphina looked at her. “You can.”

The woman waited, but Seraphina returned her attention to the papers.

“I don’t have to answer.”

Her assistant sighed. “Right.”

The door opened before either of them could say anything else, and her legal director stepped inside with another folder.

“Bellamy’s chairman wants the revised terms by tonight.”

“He’ll have them.”

“He also asked whether you’d consider keeping their current management team.”

“For how long?”

“Six months.”

“Three.”

“He won’t agree.”

“Four.”

Her legal director nodded. “I’ll send four.”

“Good.”

He left, and Seraphina signed the last page in front of her before placing the pen down. Bellamy was worth more than the company itself. The shipping contracts alone made it worth the trouble, and Cassian knew that. That was why Devereaux Holdings had been chasing it for months. Seraphina knew because she had spent just as long making sure she understood exactly what he wanted.

Her phone vibrated.

A message.

Offer accepted.

Seraphina smiled. She had won. The paperwork still had to be finalized, but the difficult part was over. She leaned back in her chair and allowed herself a moment to enjoy it. Cassian had wanted Bellamy, and now he wasn’t getting it.

It was a small victory, but she would take it.

Her assistant’s phone rang from the desk outside. A few seconds later, there was a knock on Seraphina’s door.

“Come in.”

Her assistant stepped inside. “Cassian Devereaux is downstairs.”

Seraphina’s pen stopped moving. She looked up. “He’s here?”

“Yes.”

“What does he want?”

“To see you.”

Seraphina glanced at the clock. It was six twenty-three.

She looked back at her assistant. “Tell him I’m busy.”

“I did.”

“And?”

“He said he’ll wait.”

Seraphina smiled. “Then let him.”

Her assistant stared at her. “You’re not going to see him?”

“No.”

“Not even for five minutes?”

“Especially not for five minutes.”

“Why?”

Seraphina picked up another document. “Because I don’t owe him five minutes.” Her assistant gave her a look, but Seraphina ignored it. “He lost Bellamy. He can sit downstairs and think about why.”

Her assistant turned to leave.

“Wait.”

She stopped.

“Tell security not to let him upstairs.”

“Got it.”

The door closed, and Seraphina looked down at the document in front of her. Cassian was waiting downstairs. She could picture him without trying, and that was the irritating part. Five years had passed, yet she could still picture the exact expression he wore when he was angry, the slight tightening of his jaw, the way his eyes went cold, and the silence that came before he finally spoke.

She remembered too much.

Seraphina pushed the thought away and returned to her work. She had not spent five years rebuilding herself to lose control because a man had decided to wait in a lobby.

She worked for another hour, and by seven thirty, the building had become much quieter. Most of the staff had gone home, and the lights in the offices around hers had started disappearing one by one.

Seraphina closed the final file.

“I’m going home.”

Her assistant looked up from her phone and blinked. “You have a home?”

Seraphina stared at her. “I would hope so.”

“I’ve worked for you for almost two years.”

“And?”

“I’ve never seen you leave this building at such an early hour.”

Seraphina picked up her handbag. “Then tonight is your lucky night.”

Her assistant stood. “Should I call someone?”

“Why?”

“To make sure you’re actually going home.”

Seraphina laughed. “You’re ridiculous.”

“You’re the one who thinks sleeping four hours a night is a personality trait.”

“It works for me.”

“It really doesn’t.”

Seraphina slipped her phone into her bag. “Goodnight.”

Her assistant followed her toward the door. “Do you want the driver?”

“Yes.” She stopped before adding, “And tell him not to take the usual route.”

“Why?”

Just in case I run into Cassian, she thought.

Out loud, she said, “Do I owe you my business outside work as well?”

“No.”

“Then pass my message on.”

Seraphina walked down the corridor toward the private elevator without looking toward the lobby. She didn’t need to. She knew Cassian was still there. When the elevator doors opened, she stepped inside and finally allowed her shoulders to relax.

Bellamy was almost hers. Cassian was angry, and her plan was moving exactly where she wanted it to. That should have been enough. Yet as the elevator descended, she found herself thinking about how strange it all was.

The doors opened onto the underground parking garage, where her driver was already waiting beside the black sedan. Seraphina got into the back seat.

“Home, ma’am?”

She looked out through the tinted window and thought about the word.

Home had once meant a man, a house, a family, and a life she had believed could never be taken from her. Now it was simply an address attached to the name she had taken for herself.

“Home,” she said.

The car pulled away, leaving Voss Holdings behind in the darkness.