004

Chase's POV

The meeting was supposed to be simple. A quiet conversation between us, but Giorgio never knew when to stop.

He had been part of my father’s crew back in Sicily, a man who liked to think seniority meant immunity. 

Out of loyalty, I had given him a position here in the States but lately, he had been getting sloppy. Too many missing shipments and too many questions about where the money went. 

Since it began, I had been patient but now, that patience had thinned out so I called him in. 

“Chase,” he called. “I swear, it’s not what you think. Those numbers will balance out next week, you have my word.”

“Your word,” I repeated flatly, leaning back in my chair. “Your word doesn’t mean much after what happened in Miami.”

“That wasn’t me,” he protested. “Those were your men who messed it up, not mine. I told you…”

“I have the reports.” I cut in and he froze.

Leaning back into my chair, I asked softly, “Do you know what happens to men who steal from me?” 

“I didn’t steal…”

“...twenty thousand dollars missing,” I cut in with a calm voice. “And the supplier in Marseille suddenly goes AWOL right after you call him? That’s not a coincidence.”

Slamming his hand against the table, he yelled, “You think you’re untouchable because you wear the Ledger name? You’re nothing, just a spoiled heir who inherited his father’s kingdom!”

His voice echoed across the glass walls and I felt my patience snap like a taut wire.

Pushing myself up, I said quietly, “You’re right.” 

“I inherited my father’s kingdom and do you know what that means?”

“What?” He huffed. 

“I learned early how to clean up messes like you.”

“Mess?" Giorgio laughed, tossing his head backwards. 

When he finally returned from his horses, he was staring at me like I had gone nuts. Clenching and unclenching my jaw, I left my gaze on him, waiting for his next move. 

“You're nothing but your father's shadow." He snickered. 

“Is that correct?" I asked. 

Before he could respond, I drew out my gun and delivered one clean shot to his chest. 

He collapsed instantly, a crimson bloom spreading across his chest as he hit the floor. 

Pushing my hand into my hair, I exhaled slowly, fury draining from me as quickly as it had come. It wasn’t the first time, and it wouldn’t be the last. 

This was business so it was a necessary reminder that loyalty wasn’t optional in my world.

I was about to call for cleanup when I felt it, someone was watching me.

My head snapped up and there she was.

Kehlani was standing in the doorway. Her wide brown eyes were darting between the gun in my hand and the body on the floor. 

“Kehlani ,” I said sharply.

Her name came out before I could stop it.

She didn’t move and for a second, neither of us did. It felt like the air itself was holding its breath.

Then I saw it, the faint wobble in her knees and the way her fingers clutched the doorframe like it was the only thing keeping her upright.

“Don’t…” I started walking toward her but it was too late.

Her eyes rolled back, and she began to fall.

“Shit.” I lunged forward, catching her just before she hit the ground. Her scent, vanilla and something soft hit me like a punch to the ribs.

I was still holding her when the door burst open behind me.

“What the hell is going on here?” It was Adrain.

My younger brother stepped inside, freezing when he saw the scene: Giorgio’s body bleeding out on the floor and me crouched with Kehlani unconscious in my arms.

“What the fuck, Chase?” he demanded with widened eyes. “Who is… wait. Isn’t that your assistant?”

I didn’t answer. I just shifted her weight carefully, one arm under her legs and the other around her shoulders. Her head lolled against me, her soft hair brushing my jaw.

Orion stared between us, then at the body, then back again. “You just killed Giorgio and now you’re… what, babysitting? Are you planning to tell me what the hell’s going on?”

“Not now,” I said coldly.

“Does she know?”

My silence was enough of an answer.

“Jesus, Chase. You can’t just…”

“I said not now.” I snarled and the look I gave him shut him up instantly. 

***

The ride to my penthouse was quiet.

She never stirred, not when I laid her across the backseat, not when we pulled into the private elevator and not even when I carried her through the dimly lit hall of my suite. 

Her breathing stayed steady and her lashes fluttered occasionally like she was caught between worlds.

When I got to my room, I placed her gently on my bed, stepping back only when I was sure she was comfortable. 

And then, I sank into the chair beside the bed, staring at her.

She didn’t belong here. Her world was spreadsheets, coffee orders, and phone calls not blood, guns and secrets that could get her killed.

I shouldn't have hired her in the first place, and I should have fired her weeks ago but I didn't. 

She was too honest and damn innocent for the world I lived in but yet there was something about her that made it hard to look away.

 Even now, when she was pale and unconscious, I couldn’t ignore the pull.

Frustrated, I leaned back, rubbing a hand over my face.

No witnesses, no mercy; this was my father's rule and I had always abided by it. 

But she saw everything. Now, she was a problem and I didn’t know what the hell I was going to do about it.

For the first time in my life, I didn’t know if I was going to kill a problem or protect her.

With my hands resting on my knees, I watched her chest rise and fall slowly. Her hair was spread across my pillow like ink on white paper. 

The contrast was almost poetic but the truth was she was trouble.

“You shouldn’t have seen that, Kehlani ,” I murmured quietly. “You shouldn’t have come back.”

And then, as if she had heard me through the haze of unconsciousness, she stirred.

 Her lashes fluttered once, twice and then her eyes opened only for her to start looking around until her gaze landed on me. 

That instant, she threw her feet off the bed and fell on her knees. “Please, don't kill me." She cried, rubbing her palms together.