Chapter 1

Present day

Lena sat on the couch in the silent, empty house, staring at the magazine which she'd gotten from the store. She stared at its flat figure, resting on the table like if she touched it, it would explode.

The grey-blue eyes which stared back at her were bright, yet dark and she still couldn't believe it was him; the same man who she'd met in prison and made her life feel like hell, was clad in a three piece suit which exaggerated his athletic build and chiselled jaw.

And if that wasn't enough, he's getting married to Tessa Maddox; THE Tessa Maddox!

"It can't be possible." Lena whispered, wallowing in her disbelief as her eyes read the tagline "The man, the myth, the legend: Thane Moneau's journey to the top."

'What top?!' her head screamed still not accepting the fact she was staring at a billionaire boss. The same Thane who is the son of her now dead boss. Her eyes strayed to the date on the magazine; fifth of February.

Her brows furrowed and she tilted her head before reaching for the magazine. "That's strange." The pamphlet was now in her hands as she studied the handsome face which stared back at her. "He doesn't-"

She was interrupted by a knock on the door which broke the silence in the house, and made her heart skip a beat as she turned her gaze to the door.

She slowly placed the magazine back on the table, not daring to peel her eyes off the door.

It was dark outside, and if she could remember clearly, no one but herself had walked in through that door in about a week and that was the last time she'd seen Thane. 'Who could that be?'

The knock came again but louder this time.

'The landlord, maybe?' she thought, and her legs seemed to give in to her curiosity as she made her way to the door.

"Who's there?" She inquired quietly, wishing the door had a peephole.

"Is the name Lena?" a gruff and thick voice called from outside.

"Y-yes. Can I help you?" She trembled. Perhaps, she'd be thrown out of a house for the third time in less than a couple of months.

"We were sent by Mr Moneau."

Lena flung the door open at the mention of his name. In the patio's light, her eyes met those of a tall, hefty man who looked like he'd pick her up with a finger if he wanted to.

"What does he want?" she asked softly, feeling like a little child under his intense gaze. He reminded her of the wardens back in prison.

His face stood, emotionless and only his lips moved while he spoke "He asked to get his stuff." He stated and brushed past her then disappeared in the hallway which led to the bedrooms.

"So this is real. Thane Moneau was the one who'd been here!" She reminisced, keeping her eyes where the man had disappeared to.

"That's all." He announced and emerged with a brown briefcase then walked out the door which Lena still held open.

"Wait!" She suddenly blurted, making him turn around to view her pathetic figure. "Sir, please, take me with you."

The hefty man stared her down, his intense gaze piercing through her like a dagger as if trying to see if she'd lost her senses.

She felt a shiver run down her spine as her voice trembled with desperation. "Please, I won't be any trouble. Just take me with you, please." She took a step closer, her hands clasped together as her eyes welled up with tears.

Memories of the past week suddenly weighed down on her.

The man's deep voice sent a ripple of fear through her. "We weren't sent to get you, miss." Lena knew he meant to be polite, but the depth of his voice made it sound like he wanted to smack her with the briefcase. She felt a stinging sensation in her eyes as tears threatened to spill.

Her gaze dropped to the floor, avoiding the man's intense stare. She took a deep breath, trying to compose herself, but her voice quivered as she spoke.

"Oh, please... I don't want to stay here alone. There's nothing for me here, and no one to pay for this house. Please, call your boss, call Thane." She begged, her hands shook as she wrung them together.

The man raised an astonished brow as the name "Thane" escaped her lips. But it was quickly replaced by a mask of indifference.

The more Lena pleaded, the more it dawned on her that if this man refused to take her with him, she was going to die here. She had no money nor anyone to turn to and there was no way anyone would employ her with her criminal record.

With a shaking finger, Lena caressed the back of her other hand, a comforting gesture she'd developed as a child. It was a futile attempt to soothe herself, but it was all she had. "Please," she whispered, her voice barely audible. "I'll do anything. Just don't leave me here."

The man gave a silent sigh which was surprising, considering his size, then took out a phone from his back pocket and dialled a number. Lena's eyes lit up with hope.

She heard Thane pick up at the third ring.

"Yes, Dante?" He seemed to be really relaxed as his voice sounded lower and stronger than she remembered-or was he pissed at something?

"Sir, there seems to be a problem." Dante informed and took a glance at Lena who looked like a child whose mother had just died.

"What is it? Is it the case?" A sharp whoosh was heard in the background which startled Lena and she raised her eyes to stare at Dante.

'What the hell was going on there?' Lena thought.

"No sir, the case is safe and it's contents are complete."

"So what's the problem? You're interrupting something really important."

"It's Lena sir, she asked to come with us." As soon as the words were out of his mouth, it seemed like everything froze in time as Thane on the other side, fell silent.

On the other hand, Lena's heart beat loudly in her ears like someone who was about to be judged.

Thane's voice suddenly came through again accompanied by shuffling in the background "Put her on the phone."

Dante put the phone on speaker and held it close to Lena.

"Why should I trust you?" Thane's deep voice clouded her senses. "I mean, my father died on your watch.

"I know nothing about it. I told the police everything, Thane." her voice cracked as she spoke. "Please, I have nowhere else to go. I'll do anything, just don't leave me here."

There was a pause on the other end of the phone and Lena's heart sank, thinking she'd overstepped and used the wrong words.

"What makes you think I'd let you into my home?"

The action she made behind her palm increased its frequency. And the pitch of her voice reduced by half. "I...I don't know what else to do, and...and I thought you could help me."

There was another pause and Lena's heart beat slowed more than normal, then a sigh came "Fine, you can come. But, you'll do exactly as I say or you're gone."

Lean's hand strayed to the pendant around her neck and caressed it as her heart lept in relief. "Yes, I understand. Thank you, thank you so much." A smile crept to her lips.

"And Lena," the seriousness in his tone made her smile drop. "Do not ever call me Thane."