A JEALOUS BILLIONAIRE

Lana’s POV

Lana’s breath hitched as she turned toward the voice that had just shattered her carefully constructed world.

“You look… familiar,” the man in white tuxedo murmured, his wrinkled gray-blue eyes narrowing in suspicion but from under the ballroom warm light, it looked haughty.

Lana’s pulse pounded. She had prepared for this moment, knowing that one day, someone from her past might recognize her. But she hadn’t expected it to happen here, at a high-profile gala, with Damian Wolfe the person responsible for all these standing mere inches away.

She forced a smile. “I think you’re mistaken.”

The man hesitated, scanning Lana’s face as if searching for something buried in her memory. Before he could press further, a smooth voice cut through the tension.

“There you are.”

Lana turned, and her body tensed at the sight of Victor Lancaster—one of Damian’s biggest rivals—walking toward her with an easy, confident smirk.

Victor reached for her hand and, to her surprise, pressed a light kiss to her knuckles. “I must say, I wasn’t expecting to see someone so breathtaking tonight.”

Lana barely had time to register the heat of his lips against her skin before a hand wrapped around her waist.

Damian.

His touch was possessive, almost territorial, as he pulled her ever so slightly toward him. The shift was subtle, but the message was clear.

“Victor,” Damian’s voice was sharp, laced with warning. “Didn’t realize you were interested in my assistant.”

Victor’s smirk widened, his eyes flickering between them. “Assistant? That’s interesting. She seems far too… remarkable to be just an assistant.”

Lana kept her expression unreadable, even as her heart raced. She needed to handle this carefully. Victor was dangerous in a different way than Damian—charming, unpredictable, and always playing a long game.

“She is,” Damian said coolly. “And she’s busy.”

Victor chuckled. “Oh, I doubt that.” He turned back to Lana, offering a knowing smile. “Tell me, Miss Grey, does Mr. Wolfe always speak for you?”

Lana felt Damian’s grip tighten slightly.

This was dangerous. She needed to diffuse this before it escalated into something she couldn’t control.

“I appreciate the attention, Mr. Lancaster, but as my boss said, I have work to do,” she said smoothly, stepping slightly away from both men.

Victor gave her an amused glance before tilting his head. “Of course. But if you ever get tired of playing assistant, I’d be happy to offer you something better.”

Damian’s entire body stiffened.

Victor winked at her before walking away, his laughter lingering in the air.

Lana exhaled slowly, only to realize that Damian hadn’t moved.

Then, in a swift motion, he grabbed her wrist, his grip firm but not painful. He leaned in, his breath warm against her ear as he whispered,

“You belong to me.”

Damian’s POV

He was losing control.

Damian had spent years mastering his emotions, keeping himself untouchable. But tonight, watching Victor Lancaster flirt with Lana, seeing her smile at him it made something dark coil in his chest.

She wasn’t supposed to affect him like this.

But from the moment she stepped into that ballroom, looking effortlessly stunning, he hadn’t been able to take his eyes off her.

He had told himself she was a tool, a means to an end. A temporary assistant.

But then Victor had touched her. Complimented her. Offered her something better.

And Damian had felt jealousy.

He hadn’t felt that in years.

He tightened his grip on her wrist, watching the way her lips parted slightly, as if she was about to challenge him.

“You belong to me,” he murmured, his voice dangerously low.

Her eyes snapped up to his, defiant as ever. “Last I checked, I’m not property.”

His jaw clenched. “You work for me.”

“And that means you control who I talk to?” she asked, tilting her head. “Or does it bother you that I didn’t push him away immediately?”

Damn her.

She knew exactly what she was doing.

He should have let go of her wrist. Should have walked away.

Instead, he leaned in closer, his voice a sharp whisper. “Stay away from Lancaster.”

She raised a brow. “Or what?”

His grip tightened just enough for her to feel the silent warning. “Or you’ll regret it.”

For a moment, they stood there, locked in a silent battle. Then, just as quickly, she yanked her wrist free, turned on her heel, and walked away.

Damian exhaled, watching her go.

This woman was going to be a problem.

And for the first time in his life, he wasn’t sure if he wanted to solve it… or let himself be consumed by it.

His mind went back to the bear shaped man that had scrutinized her in his presence and he realized his assistant definitely has secrets and he would find them out one way or the other.

He glided to the drinks array for a glass of crystal whiskey. He needed to think straight he was all over the place for a mere assistant.

As he walked over from the corner of his eyes he could see the packs of desperate women batting their eyes at him but he wasn’t in the mood this evening.

‘A glass of whiskey please’ he said to the young bartender who scurried to get everything in order obviously not wanting to mess up in front of the powerful Damian wolfie.

With an outstretched hand he collected the cold glass and tipped the refreshing liquid into his mouth. While he closed his eyes and savored the taste he felt a cold hand slid around his shoulder and half opened suit jacket.

Without opening his eyes he knew who it was.

Victoria.

Victor Lancaster- POV

Victor watched the exchange with mild amusement.

Damian Wolfe was possessive.

That was interesting.

It wasn’t often that someone could rattle the unshakable billionaire. But this woman this assistant was clearly different.

Victor swirled the amber liquid in his glass, a slow smile playing on his lips.

Maybe Lana Grey was more than just an assistant.

And maybe… he could use that.

With one last glance at the duo, Victor turned away, already plotting his next move.

Tonight had just become a lot more entertaining.