To A New Start

I chose a simple black cocktail dress. It was silk that hugged my frame, ending just above the knee.

As I exited the large front doors of my father's Mansion, I saw it.

A brand-new Lamborghini Revuelto, finished in a red so vibrant it looked like a fresh wound.

My father stood beside the hood, his hands tucked into his pockets. He looked at the car, then at me, a faint, unreadable smile playing on his lips. He held up a key.

"To a new start?" he offered. It was a peace offering, wrapped in several hundred thousand dollars of Italian engineering.

"Thanks," I said, my voice flat as I reached for the keys.

"But you shouldn’t have, Dad. How would it look if the CEO’s assistant showed up in a Lamborghini? It’s a bit... much for a personal assistant, don't you think?"

My father’s smile widened;

"Nah, it suits you. You’re going to be late," he said.

I didn't argue. I climbed in, and the smell of "new" hit. I pressed the start button. The V12 engine didn't just turn on; it came to life, a roar that vibrated deep in my chest.

I pulled out of the estate, and as soon as I hit the open stretch of the highway, I sped up and soared through the traffic.

My back was pressed into the seat, the adrenaline hitting my system like a drug, making my heart race. The rush was intoxicating, a reminder of the Thorne blood in my veins, the part of me that loved the power.

As I pulled up to the entrance of the establishment, a very high-end restaurant, the valet was already waiting.

Standing near the fountain was Caspian Vance. He looked handsome in a tailored suit, the fabric catching the light as he moved. A man was standing next to him...

It was Silas.

I remembered him instantly. The scar across his face a flashback from the first time we met. And then there were his eyes, that faint, yellowish glow that normal humans might mistake for a trick of the light, but I already knew what he was.

Caspian watched as I stepped out of the low-slung car. His reaction was immediate: a slow, appreciative scan of my body, his eyes widening with a mix of genuine admiration and a look that was almost predatory.

Silas, however, looked like he had seen a ghost. Even from twenty feet away, I could see him mouthing the words:

"What is she doing here?"

Caspian’s posture remained relaxed, but I saw his eyes sharpen. They began to argue, a quick exchange of words. Silas gestured toward me with a hooked finger, his expression was anger. Before I could reach them, Silas reached into his blazer, pulled out a folded piece of paper, and shoved it into Caspian’s hand. He gave Caspian a final, warning look and stormed off toward his Harley and sped off.

Caspian quickly shoved the paper into his leather briefcase, snapping the latch shut just as I reached him. He smoothed his suit jacket, his face shifting instantly back into that of the charming CEO.

"Wow, Eloise," he said, a playful light returning to his blue eyes.

"When I said 'dress like a Thorne,' I meant sharp and ruthless like your father. Now I have a hard time getting the image of your dad in that dress out of my head."

I laughed.

"I don't think he has the legs for it."

"Definitely not," Caspian joked. He stepped closer, his hand moving to the small of my back to guide me inside. His touch was warm and gentle.

"You look incredible. The red Lambo suits you."

The dinner was an endless marathon of corporate talk. I took minutes as they proceeded with their discussions. The four shareholders at the table were men who spoke in billions and moved land like chess pieces."

By the two-hour mark, my eyes were feeling sleepy. The drone of talk about interest rates and zoning laws was a sedative. I looked at Caspian’s briefcase, which sat on the floor between our chairs. The latch was slightly loose, and I could see the corner of the paper Silas had handed him.

I needed to see it.

I waited for the main course to be cleared. As the waiter leaned in to take my plate, I "accidentally" nudged my salad fork with my elbow. It clattered to the floor, sliding perfectly toward the briefcase.

"Oh, excuse me," I murmured, leaning down to retrieve it.

I ducked under the tabl,e and I grabbed the fork, but my eyes were locked on the paper. It was an invoice.

RE: Perimeter Enforcement – Zone 4 Reserves. Contractor: Iron Claw Tactical. Amount:

I couldn’t see the amount and leaned forward to read the number, but I lost my balance and started to tilt.

"Whoa!"

Caspian was on his feet instantly. Before I could hit the floor, his hands were on me, catching me by the arms and hoisting me back up. The shareholders paused their conversation, looking on with amusement.

"Are you alright?" Caspian asked, his voice low.

He didn't let go. He pulled me close to steady me, his chest pressing against me; I could feel the strength in his grip. For a second, the boring dinner talks vanished. There was just the scent of his cologne and the focused way he was looking at me.

"I'm fine," I whispered, as I realized how close his face was to mine.

"The rug... It’s treacherous."

His eyes dropped to my lips for a fraction of a second, a look of attraction that made me take a deep breath.

The dinner eventually wound down, and the deals were struck during the dessert course. Caspian walked me out to the curb, the valet already idling the red Lamborghini. The night air was cooler now, but the tension between us hadn't faded.

"You did well tonight, Eloise," Caspian said, standing by the driver’s side door.

"The shareholders were impressed. It’s hard to ignore a Thorne, especially when she looks like you."

"I try my best," I said, reaching for the door handle.

But Caspian beat me to it. Like a perfect gentleman, he opened the door for me. He looked down at me, the streetlights reflecting in his eyes.

He lingered for a moment, his hand resting on the top of the door, looking at me as if he wanted to say something more.

"See you at 9:00 AM, Eloise."

As I pulled away, I checked the rearview mirror. Caspian was still standing there in the light of my tail lights, watching me vanish into the night as I felt a sudden urge to stay just a little longer.