SINFUL DESIRE

the night before lingers in her mind. "You're being watched. Careful who you trust." It wasn't C

ound. "Watched, huh?" she mutters to herself, glancing at the windows, checking for anything

etknife into her purse. It's not much, bu

sian's mind games, she's ready for whoever else might be watching. Her black blouse and deep bu

ke she's studying Elara, not just noticing her. Elara clocks it immediately but doesn't

sharp as a blade, and just as lethal. His eyes flick to her as she steps out of the e

voice smooth as silk. "Con

Her gaze doesn't waver from his, and for a moment, she swears she sees so

turning on his heel, his

figures are already seated. She recognizes two of them: Senior executives she's seen in passing. The third is unfamiliar-a man in a charco

to the seat at his right. A deliberate move, s

sweeping across the room, "we're

It's a grid of video surveillance footage from around the company. Hallwa

egarding Project Echelon were accessed remotely." His eyes move to Elara, but he doesn't linger on her. He keep

e leaker? Were they warning me? Or were they warning

cause you each had access to those files. One of you is the leak." His eyes narrow, hi

m. No one speaks at first. Then the unfamiliar man in the charc

ooth but condescending. "If you had proof, you wouldn't ne

his hands trailing along the backrest. Elara sees it-the flicker of

s, his voice low, like he's shar

tly at Elara. Her pulse quickens

, "which one do

m. The two executives look tense but quiet. Victor? Too co

e says with absolute calm. "He's too comfortable. People wh

w on her. His jaw t

with a smirk. "And you're makin

a replies, her eyes

furrow in

ike a nervous tic. You've been controlling your breathing since I walked in. That's not c

le

o Victor. His smile widens, slow

ething unsettled. "This is ridiculous," he say

n replies, his grin va

m, swift and silent. They approach Victor, one on each side.

department," Cassian orders. "He'

ce cuts off as the two me

art is still pounding, but she hides it well. Cassia

her. His eyes scan her face like he's searchin

ds," she replies smoot

in that way that always makes her feel expo

ut this time, she doesn't back down. If

andle me carefully," she s

d, he turns away, his voice colder than before. "Go

narrow.

unning over every word, every look. As she rides the elevator

't get too comfortable. Cassian'

phone tighter, scanning the elevator w

e back one word

omes almost

end. F

r chest. What kind of

the crowd. She can feel it now-eyes on her. N

erself. Her eyes narrow with cold