First Rule: Don't Fall For The Enemy

CHAPTER 2

MIRA’S POV

"Good morning, Ms. Hart." Margaret’s voice cut through my nerves as I stepped off the elevator at exactly 7:30 AM. "Mr. Roth likes his coffee black, no sugar, and he'll want his schedule reviewed before his first meeting at nine."

I nodded, clutching my leather portfolio like a lifeline. "Of course. Where will I be working?"

"Right here." She gestured to a sleek desk positioned directly outside Adrian's office doors. "You'll be his first line of defense. Everything goes through you now."

The weight of that statement settled on my shoulders as I took in my new workspace. The desk was pristine, equipped with two monitors, a phone system that looked more complex than a spaceship's control panel, and a perfect view of everyone who entered or left the executive floor.

"He's already in," Margaret continued, lowering her voice. "Been here since six. He doesn't sleep much."

Before I could respond, the intercom crackled to life. "Elise." Adrian's voice sent an unwelcome shiver down my spine. "My office. Now."

Margaret raised an eyebrow. "Good luck."

I smoothed my skirt and knocked on the heavy oak doors before entering. Adrian stood at the floor-to-ceiling windows, his broad shoulders silhouetted against the morning sky. He'd shed his suit jacket, and the white shirt stretched across his back did nothing to hide the powerful frame beneath.

"You're punctual," he said without turning around. "I appreciate that."

"I believe in setting the right tone from day one."

He turned then, and I was struck again by the intensity of his gaze. "Tell me, Elise, what do you think of my view?"

I moved closer to the window, acutely aware of his presence beside me. The city sprawled below us, a maze of steel and glass that seemed to bend to his will. "It's impressive. You can see everything from up here."

"Exactly." His voice dropped to that dangerous whisper that made my pulse race. "I like to keep an eye on what's mine."

The possessive edge in his tone made me turn to face him. "Your empire?"

"Among other things." His eyes traveled over my face with unnerving focus. "I have a feeling you and I are going to understand each other very well, Elise."

Before I could respond, his phone rang. He moved to answer it, and I used the distraction to study his office more carefully, noting the placement of his computer, the locked filing cabinets, the small safe hidden behind a painting of a storm-tossed sea.

"That was the mayor," he said, hanging up. "Seems he needs a favor. Cancel my lunch meeting and set up a conference call for one o'clock instead."

"Of course." I made notes in my tablet. "Anything else?"

"Yes." He stepped closer, close enough that I could smell that intoxicating cologne again. "I want you to know that I don't believe in secrets between us. If there's anything you think I should know, you'll tell me. Won't you?"

My throat went dry. "Naturally. Complete transparency."

"Good." His smile was sharp as a blade. "I despise being lied to."

The rest of the morning passed in a blur of phone calls, scheduling conflicts, and corporate politics that made my head spin. Adrian was demanding, exacting, and utterly ruthless in his business dealings. I watched him destroy a competitor's proposal with surgical precision, then charm a senator's wife into supporting his latest development project.

By lunch, I was exhausted and hyperaware of how little I actually knew about the man I was supposed to be investigating.

"Rough morning?"

I looked up to see a familiar face, Jesse, though he looked different in his security uniform. His sandy hair was neatly combed, and his easy smile was exactly what I needed after hours of Adrian's intense scrutiny.

I smiled at him and folded my arms studying his appearance.

Jesse was my boyfriend of two years. When I told him about my plans to come here to infiltrate through Adrian Roth’s empire, he volunteered to help me.

The plan was for me to come in as the Executive Assistant to Adrian Roth, and him, as just a mere security. That way, we could both get different stories about the enemy.

"You could say that," I said, grateful for the brief respite. "How's your first day going?"

"Fascinating. This place has more security cameras than Fort Knox." He leaned against my desk, his voice casual but his eyes alert. "Your boss seems... intense."

"That's one word for it."

"The other guards were telling me stories. Apparently, the last assistant quit after two weeks. Something about 'inappropriate behavior.'"

A chill ran down my spine. "What kind of inappropriate behavior?"

"They weren't specific, but—"

"Ms. Hart." Adrian's voice cut through our conversation like a knife. Neither of us had heard his office door open. He ping-ponged his gaze from me to Jesse, who stood frozen at his sudden appearance. "Who's your friend?"

Jesse straightened, his posture instantly professional. "Jesse Morrison, sir. Building security."

Adrian's eyes narrowed as he studied Jesse with predatory focus. "I see. And you're here because?"

"Just introducing myself to the new staff, sir. Making sure everyone knows the security protocols."

"How... thorough of you." Adrian's tone was glacial. "I'm sure Ms. Hart appreciates your... attention to detail."

The subtext was clear as glass. Adrian had noticed the familiarity between Jesse and me, and he didn't like it one bit.

"I should get back to my rounds," Jesse said, taking the hint. "Nice meeting you, Ms. Hart."

After he left, Adrian remained in his doorway, watching me with those unreadable dark eyes. "Old friend?"

"We just met," I said carefully. "He seems nice."

"Nice." Adrian repeated the word like it tasted bitter. "I'm not particularly fond of nice people, Elise. They tend to be disappointing."

Before I could respond, he disappeared back into his office, leaving me wondering what exactly I'd walked into.