-store blazer and armed with a steel-trap resolve. The executive floor was alive with motion. There were phones ringing, heels clicking, assistants rushing like a

," a sharp v

with glasses and a clipboard. Her hair was

rting to me for now. Follow closely and don't interrupt." Aria obeyed, absorbing everything....the endless

you....but don't cry...don't argue and never, ever as

eek black door. "You'll sit here." She gestured to the desk outside Damien's office. "Your duty is to answer

. One wrong step, and she'd be back to Craigslist jobs and ramen

t 8:01. The first ema

and that was redirecting a call from

or with the grace of a

jumped.

tomorrow's headlines, I suggest you ke

ir. I didn't

get that ex

the do

cheeks burning. Is this how it's going to

every interaction from the morning. Maybe this was a mistake. Maybe she wasn't cut out for this world of billionaires and empires. But th

o

ts. "You're the new girl." Aria looked up to see a man in a navy suit, grinning like he hadn't a care in the world.

he said.

r. I heard you survived your firs

tight smile

andwich. "Don't worry. Damien treats everyone like that. Hell

oftly. "So it's

need help navigating the madness, I've got a PhD in survivi

ed caution, but she no

ing. "Welcome to the li

rstand Damien's rhythm...no mistakes, just perfection. Every email had to be precise.

:45 p.m., hi

s Mo

d her face for a moment, then glanced at his

. Was that

nk y

o more than survi

re than survive,

of his mout

en. We have an investor call. Prepare a dossier on Ho

erst

his office again, le

he had stood her ground and Damien Blackwood was the most intimidating man she had eve

She was the woman who faced dragons and maybe, j