CHAPTER SEVEN
MASON
The memory of that night hits me with full force when I step through the door.
“Sit.” he says, and I settle down opposite him, clutching my hands under the table.
It feels odd sitting opposite him after what happened between us, but I must be comfortable knowing he’s my boss, and I’ll continue to see him until Vincent gets exactly what he needs from me.
“Your predecessor mishandled something important.” He looks up at me. Our eyes meet briefly. “Can I trust you with confidential data?”
“Yes, sir.” I shift in my seat, letting out a breath through my lips.
“Good.” He gets on his feet and takes out two folders from a box, setting them down on the table. “A transaction went missing last week. You’ll audit every line in these accounts. If someone tried to hide something, I expect you to drag it into the light.”
“Yes, sir.” I nod and take the folder from the table. “Anything else you need from me?”
He glances at me. “No, that will be all for today.” I can still see that he’s trying to figure out how he recognizes me. Or maybe he already knows?
That won’t be a problem because I already know what to say. I’m working at the Red Horn club simply because I need extra cash. That’s it.
I shut the door on my way out and sit on my chair, digging into the folder. By the end of the day, I’m halfway through. I stop by his office and let him know he’ll have the audit as soon as possible.
“You have until Friday.” He grunts without looking up from his phone.
“Yes, sir.”
I shut the door on my way out of the office. I take my bag off the table and stride out of the space. Just as I step through the door, my gaze flickers toward him.
He’s staring.
A slow unease drags through me.
I don’t let it last.
I shove the unwanted feeling aside and head straight for the elevator.
When I finish the audit on a Friday evening, I print the files and head into the office to submit my review. “It’s ready.”
“Sit, Mason.” His deep voice rumbles. I hand him the file and sit while he relaxes against the chair, looking at my work. Silence stretches thick and evaluative as he skims over page after page, eyes focused and calculating.
Finally, he speaks. “You finished.”
“I delivered. Just like you asked.” I say, and his gaze flickers to me. “Sir, it wasn’t just a onetime transaction. He’s been siphoning off small amounts of money for over two months?”
“Hmm.” He grunts in approval and continues to scan through the paper. “This was a test.”
My brows lift. I just spent roughly ninety-six hours of my life on a test?
“I needed to see if you were competent… or a liability.” He leans forward, voice dropping into a quiet authority. “I needed to know if you’d be loyal. If you can handle pressure. If you understand discretion.” He closes the file and sets it aside. “Can you survive working for me, Mason?”
“Yes, sir. I can.” I nod, voice bubbling with enthusiasm.
“Let me be clear. If you ever play dirty against this company…” he focuses on his laptop, typing away. His gaze flickers to me, expression composed and lethal. “I will find out.” His words sit on my chest, heavy and searing.
Fear rips through me in a blazing hot trail. My throat works as I swallow, and my body shifts uncomfortably on the chair. Still, I keep my face neutral.
“And there will be consequences.”
“Alright, sir.”
“Good. Have a nice evening.” He smiles, and I rise to my feet and return to my office.
When I wrap up for the day, he’s standing close to the floor-to-ceiling window answering a call with a glass of wine in hand. He must really love his wine. I take my bag and head out of the office. I intend to keep my identity a secret for as long as I can.
As I step into the elevator, I sigh as his words float through my head.
I will find out.
There will be consequences.
What’s worse than looking over your shoulder for the past seven years? What’s worse than being owned by the Godfather who’s part of the Bishop Empire? Who wants nothing but to burn this company to the ground?
As much as I hate what I have to do. It’s my freedom, and I have to take it. I have to fight for it. I’ll do anything to make sure I never let that monster of a man, David, anywhere close to me ever again.
The drive back home is fast, and all I do is stare at the city as the sun sets and night bleeds into the clouds.
When I get to my apartment, I step into the room and turn on the lights.
I move straight to the kitchen to pour myself a glass of water when footsteps frighten me, and I whip around with a knife.
“Slow down, princess. I’m not here to hurt you.”
“I’m not a princess.” I frown at Neo, Vincent’s lieutenant. I wasn’t expecting to meet him here.
“You can’t just waltz into my apartment.”
“Oh, I can! So can he.” He grins playfully just as Vincent steps into the space. My eyes fly wide, and the air becomes so charged it’s impossible to breathe. My pulse stutters, and I tighten my hand around the ceramic cup.
His presence reminds me of the truth.
I’m utterly alone in this fucking world. I’m an easy victim. The only one who can get picked apart. If my parents were alive, they wouldn’t have let this happen. They would have protected me from David, protected me from this.
Vincent smiles and puffs smoke from the cigar trapped between his fingers.
His lips curls into a malicious smirk. He moves to the center of the living room and sits down on the couch.
A coat drapes over his muscular frame, matching the black tailored suit.
“You didn’t get me what I asked?” He chuckles, his deadly gaze resting on me.
“I only just joined the company. I was busy with a task he gave me.” My voice shakes. “Please give me a little more time. I promise I will deliver.”
Vincent closes the gap between us with the snap of a finger.
His clenched fist collides with my cheek, bone cracking against bone.
The impact sends my face sideways, and blood spills from my mouth.
The coppery tinge of blood hangs in the air.
Sharp, unpleasant, and overwhelming. “Time? Time?!” he barks, seething.
“I don’t have time!” His voice goes neutral, gaze sliding over to Neo.
“My lieutenant had to look for it himself.” He snarls.
“You had a week to get me information, but you gave me nothing.”
“I’ll try harder.” The words choke out of me.
“I don’t need you to try harder. Get me something I can use to tear down that fucking family.” Something dark slips over his face, forming a dangerous mask. He regains his footing and retreats. “I have a different task for you today.”
“What is it, sir?”
“Neo will tell you what to do when the time comes.” He slides dark shades of glasses over his face and heads out of the apartment.
“Make sure your phone’s charged.” Neo winks as he follows his owner like the pet dog he is.
I exhale deeply and ball up my fists, a sudden anger overcoming me.
But beneath the anger is fear… fear of losing my life.
It cuts deep, like a saw grazing against hardwood, only to be met with resistance.
My breath tears out of my lungs in short gasps, and I retreat until my back hits the wall.
My body finally finds the anchorage it seeks, yet it’s not enough.
I still have to deal with them… with their threats.
Without knowing when he’ll walk into my home because he has access.
Because he’s controlling the cards, and I’m a pawn in the dangerous game he’s playing.