PTE

EN'S

aving me to clean up the mess she'd left behind i

out of my thoughts. I answered without lo

ing, it's

ting on my nerves. "You're late," I said, leaning b

stand, s

lable sharpened to a point. "It's been almost one month. One mon

htforward case. The trail went cold years ago. We've int

cation he was about to offer. "That's all I hear from you. Excuses. I didn't

done everyth

and gripping the edge of my desk. "If you had, w

could practically hear Jacobs squirming, struggling t

y, his voice tight. "Going through lesser-known connect

rt," I said, my voice low and dangero

quickly. "I swear, we're makin

cles tightening painfully.

ut finding someone who doe

. "You have one week. Seven days, Jacobs. If you don't have something-anything-by th

Sterl

ting each word like a death sen

Jacobs finally spoke, his voice was subdued.

"Because if you don't, you'll

a response, tossing the phone onto th

gers to my temples, trying to ward off the

-thin, and my headache throbbed like a persistent drumbeat. The clock on my desk tick

at the door ma

snapped, alre

her ever-present air of calm professionalism, unfazed by my mood. At forty-ei

she announced, holding

anceled everyth

her tone as neutral as ever.

in my chair and pinching the b

e waiting for you in the conference room. You'l

til hell freezes

"Unfortunately, they're not

and grabbing my suit jacket. "

h a faint smirk, follow

y seated, their expressions a mix of annoyance and entitlement. They didn't bother to

pping with condescension. "Do you know how

r, deliberately casual.

unanswered calls, ignored emails, and canceled m

ng," I replied smoothly,

but this is getting out of hand. Let's cut to the chase. We w

n eyebrow.

aphina to resume her role as your fiancée. The arrangemen

he pounding harder in my skull. "You expe

Either Seraphina becomes your fiancée again, or we'll b

ning forward and resting my elbows on

s widened

Adrien s

them back. Hell, gift-wrap them if it makes you feel better. Do

nto a thin line. "Don't b

e. And let me remind you-my company doesn't b

ace red with anger. "Damien

ow and cutting, "is thinking you could

e, I turned on my heel and walked

irking slightly as we made

ore trying that again,"

I pushed the door open,

age sat neat

"Who entere

ead. "We went to th

ng the package. It was plain, unm

d to Madison witho

ving me a final glance

se quickening as I tore it open

caught in

i

Ro

smiles frozen in time. My mind reeled,

o

he desk. My heartbeat thundered in my ears as I stared

one