Chapter 1 Rain hammered the glass. Her skin was still wet it cool droplets sliding down the curve of her shoulder, tasting of salt and rosemary when his mouth found them. His hand closed over hers; her fingers were slick, rain-warm, fitting like they'd always belonged there. She laughed once, soft and low, and the sound cut every clear thought from his head. He never saw her face. Only the wet line of her shoulder in the dark, the heat of her body against the storm still clinging to her. By morning the sheets were damp and she was gone .walking away from that hotel room in the morning was going to cost him something he wouldn't understand the price of for years. He never got her name. Elena Hart had spent five years convincing herself that she could survive anything. Bills. Long nights. A sick child. The questions people asked when they noticed Noah had no father. Even the grief she had buried so deeply that sometimes she wondered if she had imagined it. She could handle all of that. What she couldn’t handle was the brown envelope the hospital administrator had just placed in her hands. “Mrs. Hart?” Elena stopped walking. Noah’s small hand was tucked inside hers, warm and slightly sticky from the biscuit he’d been eating in the waiting room. She looked back. A doctor stood a few feet away, a file pressed against his chest. “Is Noah okay?” “He’s stable,” the doctor said. “His fever has come down.” Elena breathed out. “Thank God.” “But there’s something we need to discuss.” The relief disappeared from her face. “What?” The doctor glanced at Noah. “Could we speak privately?” “No.” The answer came so quickly that the doctor blinked. Elena moved closer to her son. “Whatever you have to say, you can say it here.” The doctor hesitated. “There appears to be a discrepancy in Noah’s original birth records.” Elena stared at him. “What kind of discrepancy?” “We’re still investigating it.” “Then why tell me now?” “Because the original file doesn’t completely match the information in the current system.” Her fingers tightened around Noah’s hand. “What does that mean?” “I don’t know yet.” The doctor handed her the envelope. “Take this. There are some documents we need you to review. Someone from records will contact you when they’ve confirmed what happened.” Elena didn’t take it immediately. “What exactly is wrong?” The doctor lowered his voice. “One of the original entries appears to have been altered.” The hallway seemed to narrow around her. “Altered?” “We don’t know by whom.” “Then find out.” “We are trying.” Elena finally took the envelope. Her eyes dropped to Noah. He was watching her with the solemn expression children wore when they knew adults were worried but didn’t understand why. “Mummy?” She forced her face to soften. “I’m fine.” “Can we go home now?” Elena swallowed. “Yes.” She slipped the envelope into her handbag. She would deal with it later. She had to. Because today was also her first day at Blackwood Group. And she couldn’t afford to lose the job. Three hours later, Elena stood outside the towering glass building that housed Blackwood Group. London’s gray sky reflected across the windows. She checked the time. Eight fifty-two. Eight minutes. Noah shifted beside her. “Mummy, I’m hungry.” Elena looked down at him. “Already?” “I only ate one biscuit.” “You ate three.” He thought about that. “Three small biscuits.” She almost smiled. Almost. Her hand touched the envelope inside her handbag. The strange hospital record was still there. She hadn’t opened it. She didn’t have time. Sarah came rushing across the pavement. “You actually came.” Elena raised an eyebrow. “Why wouldn’t I?” “Because you were at the hospital this morning.” “I was.” “And you’re still coming to work?” “I need the job.” Sarah studied her face. “You don’t have to prove anything to anyone.” “This isn’t about proving anything.” Elena adjusted Noah’s backpack. “His hospital bills aren’t going to pay themselves.” Sarah sighed. “What are you going to do with him?” “I’ll figure it out.” “You always say that.” “Because I always do.” Sarah looked toward the building. “You know who owns this place, right?” “Adrian Blackwood.” “You’ve heard of him?” “No.” Sarah stared. “You’re serious?” “I’ve been busy raising a child, Sarah.” “Fair.” She lowered her voice. “He’s supposed to be ruthless.” Elena looked at the building. “Good.” Sarah frowned. “Good?” “I’ve had enough of nice people.” Before Sarah could answer, Elena pushed through the glass doors. The atmosphere changed the moment she entered. Conversations lowered. People straightened. A receptionist stopped typing. Elena noticed. “What happened?” Sarah didn’t answer. She was staring toward the private elevators. Elena followed her gaze. A man had just stepped out. Tall. Broad shoulders. Dark suit. No wasted movement. He walked through the lobby like everyone in it belonged to him. Elena had seen powerful men before. This one was different. There was nothing loud about him. He didn’t need it. “That’s him,” Sarah whispered. Elena barely had time to ask who before Noah pulled his hand free. “Noah!” He giggled and ran. Straight toward the man. Elena’s heart jumped. “Noah!” Too late. The boy collided with the man’s legs. The entire lobby went silent. The man looked down. Noah looked up. For one strange second, neither moved. Then the man crouched. “What is your name?” “Noah.” The man’s expression changed. Barely. But Elena saw it. His eyes moved over Noah’s face. His dark hair. His eyes. The shape of his mouth. “Where’s your mother?” Noah pointed. “Mummy!” Elena rushed over. “I’m sorry.” She grabbed Noah’s hand. “He ran away from me.” The man stood. His gaze remained on Noah. Then he looked at her. “Your son?” “Yes.” “How old is he?” Elena frowned. “Why?” “I asked how old he is.” “And I heard you.” His expression hardened. “Five?” “Five.” Something shifted in his eyes. Elena noticed. “You’re Adrian Blackwood.” It wasn’t a question. “Yes.” She glanced at Noah. Then back at him. “I’m Elena Hart. I’m supposed to report to HR.” His expression changed again. “Hart?” “Yes.” “Daniel Hart’s daughter?” Her shoulders stiffened. “My father has nothing to do with my employment.” “I didn’t ask about your employment.” “You didn’t have to.” Adrian studied her. “Bring your son to work?” “I didn’t plan to.” “Then why is he here?” “Because childcare arrangements don’t magically appear when a hospital calls.” A few employees suddenly found their phones fascinating. Adrian’s jaw tightened. “You’re my new executive assistant.” “Yes.” “Then you’ll need to solve that problem.” “I will.” “Quickly.” Elena stared at him. “You’re very welcoming.” “I don’t pay you to feel welcome.” “And I don’t expect you to.” For the first time, something almost resembling amusement touched his eyes. It disappeared before she could be certain. Noah tugged at her coat. “Mummy.” “What?” “I’m still hungry.” Adrian looked down at him. Then at Elena. “You have five minutes.” Elena blinked. “Five minutes for what?” “To get him settled.” “And then?” “Then you report to the thirty-second floor.” “You’re not firing me?” “I haven’t decided whether you’re worth firing.” She stared at him. He walked past her. Then stopped. Without turning around, he said, “And Elena?” “Yes?” “Don’t make me regret keeping you.” He continued toward the elevators. Elena watched him disappear. Sarah came up beside her. “Welcome to Blackwood Group.” Elena looked down at Noah. “Five minutes.” Noah smiled. “Can I have another biscuit?” Elena closed her eyes. “Of course.” She didn’t notice Adrian glance back from the elevator. His eyes found Noah again. Five years old. Something about the boy bothered him. Not because of his behavior. Because of his face. It felt familiar. And Adrian hated things he couldn’t explain.
Elena lasted exactly seventeen minutes on the thirty-second floor before someone told her Adrian Blackwood wanted to see her. She stared at the receptionist. “Already?” The woman gave her a sympathetic look. “Apparently.” Elena glanced toward the small office where Noah was sitting with a children’s tablet Sarah had brought him. He was safe. Occupied. For now. She walked toward Adrian’s office. The door was open. “Come in.” She stepped inside. Adrian stood beside the windows, looking over London. He didn’t turn. “Close the door.” Elena did. “You’re late.” “I was told to report here at nine.” “It is nine twenty-one.” “I spent the first twenty minutes fixing a childcare problem.” “That wasn’t part of your job description.” “No. But it was necessary.” He finally turned. “You’ll have to learn to separate personal problems from work.” Elena looked at him. “Then don’t hire people with personal lives.” Silence. Adrian’s eyes narrowed. “You seem to have an answer for everything.” “Only when I’m asked questions.” He walked toward his desk. A file sat on it. “Your qualifications are good.” “Thank you.” “I didn’t compliment you.” “I know.” He stopped. Elena fought the urge to smile. Adrian opened the file. “You graduated top ten percent of your class.” “Yes.” “You have three years of administrative experience.” “Yes.” “You left your previous position two years ago.” “To take care of my son.” “And now you’re back.” “Yes.” “Why?” “I need a job.” “That’s not what I asked.” Elena held his gaze. “It is the answer.” Adrian studied her for several seconds. Then he slid a document across the desk. “Review this.” She picked it up. “A merger proposal?” “You have twenty minutes.” Elena looked at the document. “It’s sixty pages.” “You’ll manage.” “And what exactly am I looking for?” “Anything that doesn’t belong.” She frowned. “That’s vague.” “Consider it your first test.” He returned to his desk. Elena walked out. Twenty minutes later, she returned. Adrian didn’t look up. “Finished?” “Yes.” “Sit.” She sat. “What did you find?” “The financial projections on page forty-three don’t match the figures on page twelve.” He looked up. She continued. “The difference is small enough that someone could miss it, but large enough to affect the valuation.” Adrian leaned back. “Anything else?” “The legal section references an amendment that isn’t attached.” His expression changed. “And?” “The executive summary says the acquisition is expected to close in six weeks.” “Yes.” “That seems unrealistic.” “Why?” “Because the regulatory approval mentioned in the appendix hasn’t been obtained.” Silence. Adrian looked at her differently. “You noticed that in twenty minutes?” “Yes.” “Most people don’t.” “Then most people shouldn’t be reviewing merger proposals.” For the first time, he almost smiled. Almost. He closed the file. “Good.” Elena stood. “Am I dismissed?” “Yes.” She reached the door. “Ms. Hart.” She turned. “Your son.” “What about him?” “Find permanent childcare.” “I am trying.” “Try harder.” Her jaw tightened. “You don’t have to remind me that I have a child.” “I’m reminding you that this is a company.” “And I’m reminding you that I’m a mother. Sometimes those things will collide.” His expression became unreadable. “You’re very comfortable challenging me.” “I’m comfortable explaining reality.” He stared at her. Then: “Go.” Elena left. The moment the door closed, Adrian looked back at the merger proposal. She was good. Better than he’d expected. He didn’t like being impressed by employees. Especially not her. Especially not Daniel Hart’s daughter. At lunch, Elena found herself standing beside the coffee machine when Adria walked past. He stopped. “Where’s Noah?” “With Sarah.” “Good.” She looked at him. “Are you always this interested in my childcare arrangements?” “No.” “Then why?” His eyes met hers. “Because yesterday he ran into me.” “He’s five.” “That isn’t an explanation.” “It is when you’re five.” A pause. Adrian looked at the coffee cup in her hand. “Black?” “Yes.” “No sugar?” “Yes.” “You’ve been here two days and you already know how I take my coffee?” She blinked. “What?” He held up his cup. “You brought this to my office ten minutes ago.” Elena looked at the cup. She had. She hadn’t even remembered doing it. “You asked me to.” “I did.” He walked away. Elena watched him go. Sarah appeared beside her. “What was that?” “I have no idea.” “You were flirting.” “I was delivering coffee.” Sarah looked at her. “Same thing in a CEO’s office.” Elena rolled her eyes. “He hates me.” “That’s not what I saw.” “Then you saw wrong.” She walked away. But she couldn’t stop thinking about the brief change in Adrian’s face when he’d tasted the coffee. Not because it meant anything. Because for the first time since she’d met him, he hadn’t looked like the ruthless man everyone had described. He’d looked almost human. That evening, Adrian sat alone in his office. The merger file was open. So was Elena’s employment record. He stared at the date of her previous employment. Then at Noah’s age. Five. He leaned back. Coincidence. It had to be. But there was something about the boy. Something he couldn’t shake. He closed the file. He wasn’t going to investigate. Not yet. There was no reason to. At least, that’s what he told himself.
By the end of Elena’s first week, she had learned three things about Adrian Blackwood. He hated being late. He hated unnecessary meetings. And he hated being told no. Unfortunately for him, Elena had no intention of making her job easy. “Cancel it.” She stood outside his office with a tablet in her hand. Adrian didn’t look up. “Cancel what?” “The dinner with Mr. Hayes.” “No.” “He’s been moved to Friday.” “Then move him back.” “He can’t.” “Then make him.” Elena stared at him. “That’s not how calendars work.” His eyes lifted. “Apparently yours does.” “Apparently.” She handed him the tablet. “You have three meetings tomorrow, the board lunch, a conference call with New York and a dinner with Hayes.” “I know.” “And your mother called twice.” Adrian’s expression changed. “What did she want?” “She didn’t say.” “You answered?” “Yes.” “Why?” “She called the office.” “You should have transferred her.” “She sounded angry.” “She usually does.” Elena fought a smile. He noticed. “What?” “Nothing.” “You’re smiling.” “I am not.” “You are.” She looked away. “Your mother said you haven’t answered her calls in three days.” “That is none of your business.” “You made it my business when you hired me to manage your schedule.” His mouth tightened. “Move the dinner to Friday.” “It can’t be moved.” “Then cancel it.” “You’ll lose the account.” “I won’t.” “You might.” He stood. “So what do you suggest?” Elena met his eyes. “Take the dinner.” “I don’t want to.” “I know.” “Then why are you insisting?” “Because sometimes the job isn’t about what you want.” Something in his expression shifted. “You’re getting comfortable.” “Maybe.” He stepped around the desk. For some reason, Elena didn’t move. He stopped in front of her. Close. Much too close. She could smell his cologne. Clean. Expensive. Subtle. Her fingers tightened around the tablet. Adrian noticed. His eyes dropped briefly to her hands. Then back to her face. “You’re nervous.” “No.” “You’re gripping the tablet like it offended you.” “Maybe it did.” The corner of his mouth moved. It wasn’t quite a smile. But it was close. Elena looked away first. “Friday,” she said. “Fine.” She turned toward the door. “Elena.” She stopped. “Good work this week.” She looked back. The words seemed to cost him something. “Thank you.” She left. Adrian remained standing. He didn’t understand why the room suddenly felt quieter. ⸻ That afternoon, Elena was reviewing documents when Noah appeared beside her. “Mummy.” She looked up. “Where’s Sarah?” “Talking to the nice lady.” “What nice lady?” Noah pointed. Adrian stood several feet away. Elena’s expression changed. “Noah.” He ran toward Adrian. Adrian crouched. “You again.” Noah grinned. “I know you.” “Do you?” “You’re the man Mummy doesn’t like.” Elena closed her eyes. “Excuse me?” Adrian looked at her. “You don’t like me?” “I didn’t say that.” “Noah did.” “He’s five.” “He seems observant.” Noah nodded seriously. “You’re scary.” Adrian stared at him. “Am I?” “Yes.” Elena expected Adrian to be offended. Instead, he laughed. A real laugh. Short, surprised and so unlike the man she’d known all week that Elena simply stared. Adrian noticed. The laughter faded. Their eyes met. Something passed between them. Not affection. Not yet. Something more dangerous. Recognition. Interest. Elena broke eye contact. “Noah, come here.” The boy ignored her. “Do you have a car?” Adrian looked at him. “Yes.” “What color?” “Black.” “Can I see it?” “No.” Noah frowned. “Why?” “Because you ask too many questions.” Elena finally reached him. “Come on.” Noah took her hand. Adrian watched them walk away. He couldn’t explain why seeing Elena with Noah bothered him. Or why watching her smile at her son made him feel something he hadn’t expected. He returned to his office. Five minutes later, his phone rang. “Reeves.” The man’s voice came through. “I’ve got something.” Adrian’s attention sharpened. “What?” “Not enough to call it anything yet.” “Then why are you calling?” “Because you asked me to look into Elena Hart’s background.” Adrian leaned back. “Go on.” “Her public records are clean. But there is one inconsistency.” “What?” “Her son’s birth registration was amended shortly after the original filing.” Adrian’s expression hardened. “Amended how?” “I’m still checking.” “Find out.” “I will.” The call ended. Adrian looked through the glass wall. Elena was at her desk. Noah was beside her, drawing on a piece of paper. Adrian looked at the boy again. Five years old. The same age as the number that had been sitting in the back of his mind since the day he’d met Elena. He didn’t know what it meant. But he was beginning to think it meant something.