i's

with the familiar weight of depression pressing down on me like a lead blanket.

everything, the failed interviews, the mounting bills, and worst of all, th

s. An unknown number. My heart skipped a bea

el

have to talk." I flinched at t

I hung up without a word, my hands trembling. The phone rang

had to end this. The less I saw Elias , the better for me, for my father, and fo

, find a job and g

nt downtown. I was well-qualified, top of my class in culinary management, and years o

tter than being found out. As I stepped onto

wned, stepping back instinctively. Without a word, he thrust a sm

felt heavy. Before I could peek inside, my ph

om the restaurant. With a doubt in my

ow are yo

s 's cousin, that slimy opportunist wh

help me out?" his voice

I'm not. I told you last

"Fine, but you'll have to return the money then. I'll sen

ver me as I stuffed the packet into my bag money. I'd gi

ome under the city lights. The receptionist led me inside. "The b

skirt in nervousness. Minu

or-to-ceiling windows overlooking the skyline. But w

ike he'd won some game I d

How? Of all the places...I cursed myself internally. I should have researched the restauran

as 's eyes gleamed with amusement as he gestured to

nto the seat, clutching my bag like a lifeline. He didn't speak for what felt like an eternity,

eepling his fingers. "Have

roat. If he thought I'd been involved in whatever shady

king my head firm

thickened. Angry pheromones rolled off him in waves. The sharp and dominant alpha

t meet him?" h

r the intensity. But he wasn't buying it. "M

ing me? Spying? Paranoia gripped me, but I didn't mov

yourself, or do I ha

ing fuzzy. With trembling hands, I reached into my bag an

pping with venom. "'Thank you, Naomi, for helping me out. You did good

This wasn't right. Why would he write so

t it was a chilling sound, devoid of humor, sending shivers down my spine. I could

p it.I c-ca

feet, backing away as he approached me, his handsome face twisted in

irst, it was subtle, a warmth blooming in my core.

st from the anger in the air, but from a growing ache between my legs. Oh god, no

nder my blouse, my thoughts fogging with unwanted desire. My cheeks flushed, not from e

n't want to be with me? Why you rejected my offers, my money? Because you already had a source, my own cousin, no less. Playing both sides, huh? Stringing me along while you scheme behind my back. Do you fi

rantically, but words were trapped in my throa

he weird feeling intensified, making my body throbbed. A deep aching need that made my k

the next mark? Or was it personal? Did you enjoy watching me pursue you, knowing you'd never reciprocate because you had better options? Better payouts? And now, here you are, in my office, pretending to want a legitimate job. It's insulting. What next? Sue me

the world tilted. "Elias ,

tion peaked and a slick wetness soaking through my underwear, my scent

ng arms wrapped around me whi

, burying his nose in my neck, scenting

re in