LOGINChapter 104Ravyn matched his professionalism, kept her responses concise and relevant, didn't acknowledge the marks on her neck or the morning he'd inadvertently witnessed.Strategic avoidance. It was working perfectly.Until Sarah buzzed to announce that the Archer Industries representatives had arrived early and were waiting in the conference room."That's our cue," Rhys said, standing and adjusting his tie with practiced precision. "Ready?""Ready," Ravyn confirmed, gathering her materials and following him toward the conference room.But when they entered, Ravyn's carefully maintained composure cracked slightly at the sight of who exactly was waiting for them.Miles, obviously. Conrad and Catherine Archer. Several executives she didn't recognize.And Aspen.Her sister sat at the far end of the conference table, perfectly groomed and professionally dressed, wearing an expression of concerned sympathy that Ravyn immediately recognized as performance."Ravyn!" Aspen exclaimed, stand
Chapter 103Dante watched her dress with something like concern. "You're going to a meeting with Miles today," he said. It wasn't a question."I am," Ravyn confirmed, deliberately adjusting her collar to make sure the marks were visible. "Meeting about the Archer Industries partnership. Miles will definitely be there.""And you want him to see," Dante said, understanding. "You want him to know that you're not pining for him. That you're very thoroughly involved with me. That he lost.""That he lost," Ravyn agreed. "That he doesn't own me. That I've moved on in ways that are physical and real and none of his business.""Be careful," Dante warned. "Miles is—he's not stable when it comes to you. Seeing you marked up like this, knowing we spent the night together, knowing we just had sex this morning—that's going to push him. Make him do something reckless.""Good," Ravyn said coldly. "Let him do something reckless. Let him show everyone what kind of person he really is—possessive, contro
Chapter 102The shower was running hot enough to steam up the small bathroom, water cascading down in a steady rhythm that provided white noise cover for any sounds that might emerge. Ravyn stood under the spray, letting the heat work into muscles that were sore from tension and stress and too many hours hunched over computers.She was so focused on the water, on trying to release some of the anxiety coiled in her chest, that she didn't hear the bathroom door open. Didn't register Dante's presence until she felt his hands on her waist, pulling her back against his chest."Jesus," she gasped, starting to turn around. "You scared me—"But Dante was already moving, his mouth finding her neck, his teeth grazing skin with the kind of deliberate pressure that would leave marks. His hands roamed her body with purpose—not the careful, performative touches they usually employed for their cover story, but something more genuine, more urgent, more real."What are you doing?" Ravyn breathed, thou
Chapter 101"But we should verify," Orion had said. "We should be watching more carefully. Monitoring her activities. Making sure she's not creating exposure we haven't anticipated."Rhys had wanted to refuse. Wanted to insist that monitoring Ravyn would be a violation of trust, an inappropriate invasion of privacy, exactly the kind of suspicious micromanagement that would drive away talented employees.But Phoenix and Orion were right. If Ravyn was using Larsen Enterprises as cover for illegal activities—however justified those activities might be—he needed to know. Needed to protect his company, his employees, his son."Fine," he'd conceded. "But subtly. I don't want her feeling like she's under surveillance. I don't want to damage the working relationship we've established. Just—pay attention. Note anything concerning. And report back to me if you see patterns that suggest ongoing illegal activity.""Agreed," Phoenix had said. Then, with obvious reluctance: "Now can we address the
Chapter 100Someone had made sure Larsen Enterprises wasn't implicated. Someone had provided documentation showing they'd declined to partner with Chen. Someone who'd had access to information about yesterday's meeting, who'd known the partnership structures being discussed, who'd understood exactly what evidence would be needed to protect the company.Someone like Ravyn."That's good," Ravyn had said. "That's—that's very good news. Thank you for letting me know."Her voice had been steady, professional, appropriate. But Phoenix was shaking his head more vigorously now, was writing something and showing it to Orion, who'd nodded in agreement."Of course," Rhys had said, trying to maintain professional distance despite the awkwardness of this entire situation. "I should let you get back to your morning. We can discuss the implications at the office. Maybe aim for nine instead of eight, given that you're—clearly otherwise occupied.""Nine is fine," Ravyn had agreed, and was that relief
Chapter 99*My girlfriend*. The casual possessiveness of that statement had hit Rhys harder than he'd expected. Girlfriend. Which meant Dante had spent the night with Ravyn. Which meant they were at that stage of their relationship. Which meant Rhys's complicated feelings about her were even more futile than he'd already known they were.Phoenix had been making rapid notes on a tablet, his expression intent. Orion had been watching Rhys's face, reading his reactions, cataloging his emotional responses."I—this is Rhys Larsen," Rhys had managed, forcing his voice into professional neutrality. "Ravyn's employer. I need to speak with her about a work matter. It's somewhat urgent.""Right, of course," Dante had said. "Hold on, let me—"There had been sounds then. Bed rustling. Movement. Dante's voice, quieter but still audible: "Ravyn. Ravyn, wake up. Your boss is on the phone."A female voice, thick with sleep and confusion: "Who is it?""Your boss," Dante had repeated. "Rhys Larsen. He
Chapter 15The truth—the truth Aspen would never, ever admit—was that she was absolutely consumed with jealous rage. Because despite everything, despite five years in prison, despite being treated like a servant in her own family's home, despite having literally nothing, Ravyn had still managed to
Chapter 18"Plus," Nathan added, "there's your sister's career to consider. Aspen just started working as a senior colleague at Morrison & Associates. She got there on her own merit, her own qualifications. But if you cause a scandal with Rhys Larsen, if you drag the Hawkins name through more mud,
Chapter 19"Why don't you guess? After all, you seem to have such strong opinions about what I've been doing. I'm sure your imagination can fill in the blanks."And with that parting shot, she walked out of the room, her footsteps echoing down the hallway toward the basement stairs.The silence she
Chapter 17Miles put his phone away and looked up to find Aspen watching him with curious eyes. "Everything okay?" she asked softly."Fine," he said, forcing a smile. "Just family business. Nothing to worry about."But even as he said it, his mind was working through the possibilities. How to appro







