Ivy’s POV
I smoothed down the erald green dress as I stepped out of the elevator, the silk whispering against my skin like a promise of power. The fabric hugged my curves with predatory precision, making feel like I could conquer kingdoms. This morning, I’d spent extra ti on my makeup and hair, transforming myself into soone who could face down the devil himself.
"Ivy, you look absolutely lethal!" Heidi exclaid as I walked into the office.
Her warm smile cald so of my nerves. "Thank you. I figured I should look my best to et the Don."
"Well, that dress is certainly sending the right ssage," she said with a knowing glint in her eyes. "Mr. Thorne called. His private jet landed early, but he’s stopping at his penthouse first. He should be here before lunch."
I nodded, my stomach tightening with anticipation and dread. "I’ll make sure everything is prepared."
"Including his chamomile tea?" Heidi asked with a dangerous smile.
"Especially the tea," I replied, matching her intensity.
The morning flew by as Heidi showed the encrypted filing system and introduced to other staff mbers—all of whom spoke in coded language about "territories," "collections," and "family business." By lunchti, I felt more at ease navigating this world of shadows and secrets.
"Would you like to join for lunch in the executive dining room?" Heidi asked. "I had the kitchen prepare extra."
"I’d be honored," I replied, grateful for her ntorship.
Over lunch, Heidi shared carefully edited stories about her ti working for the Thorne family.
"Caleb’s father was a formidable man," she said, her eyes distant with mory and sothing that looked like fear. "Ruthless when crossed, but loyal to those who served him well. He built this empire from nothing." Her expression darkened dangerously. "When he and his wife were murdered in that car bombing five years ago, it nearly broke Caleb completely."
"Murdered?" I whispered, my blood turning cold.
Heidi nodded grimly. "A rival family’s attempt to seize our territory. They underestimated what Caleb would beco in response." She looked at intently. "Just rember, beneath that controlled exterior is a man who’s watched his world burn. Sotis his violence is the only language he trusts."
After lunch, Heidi left for a "family matter," leaving alone in the eerily quiet office. I used the ti to organize Caleb’s schedule, noting etings with nas I suspected weren’t found in any legitimate business directory.
I was bending down to retrieve a classified file from the bottom drawer when I heard a low, appreciative whistle. Standing up quickly, I turned to find two impossibly dangerous-looking n watching with predatory interest.
"Well, well," said the taller of the two, a lethal smile spreading across his face. He had smooth dark skin, a shaved head that emphasized his sharp cheekbones, and eyes that held secrets. "You must be the new blood who went to war with the boss."
My cheeks burned with heat. "I—"
"I’m Xavier Black, consigliere and best friend to the beast beside ," he continued, extending a hand adorned with expensive rings that probably concealed weapons. "And you’re the legendary Ivy Brooks."
I shook his hand, noting the calluses that spoke of violence, while managing a smile despite my terror. "Nice to et you, Mr. Black."
"Xavier, please," he insisted before gesturing to his companion. "And this terrifying specin is Caleb Thorne, your new Don."
My heart stopped completely as my gaze shifted to the other man. Caleb Thorne was even more imposing in person than my darkest nightmares had conjured. Tall, with broad shoulders encased in a suit that probably cost more than my annual salary, he radiated lethal authority. His jawline was carved from granite, and his expression was cold enough to freeze blood.
But it was his eyes that made the world tilt sideways around . They were an extraordinary ice-blue—the exact sa impossible shade as my son’s. The sa eyes that had haunted my dreams for three years. The sa eyes I saw every morning in Max’s perfect face.
"Miss Brooks," he said, his deep voice sending recognition crashing through like a tsunami.
I forced myself to extend my trembling hand. "Mr. Thorne, it’s... a pleasure to finally et you."
When our hands touched, electricity shot through like lightning striking the sa place twice. His grip was firm, warm, and devastatingly familiar. Our eyes locked, and for a heart-stopping mont, I saw a flicker of sothing in those ice-blue depths—confusion, recognition, impossible possibility.
Caleb’s brow furrowed dangerously, as if he felt the sa devastating familiarity. He held my hand longer than professional courtesy demanded, his thumb brushing against my knuckles in a gesture that sent mories crashing through .
A scarred eyebrow. Ice-blue eyes. Strong hands that had once lifted against a wall...
"We’ll be in my office," he said roughly, his voice darker than before. "Bring the chamomile tea in fifteen minutes."
With that command, he strode past into his office, leaving standing there with my world collapsing around . Xavier gave a knowing look and a dangerous wink before following his boss.
I collapsed into my chair, my legs unable to support the weight of this revelation. My mind was reeling with impossible truths.
Ice-blue eyes. The rarest eye color in existence.
Max’s eyes. The eyes of the masked stranger from the underground auction. The man who had possessed completely in a shadowy hallway three years ago.
It couldn’t be possible. It had to be the cruelest coincidence in history. There was no way my new boss—the ruthless head of a criminal empire—could be—
The elevator chid ominously, interrupting my spiral into madness. A devastatingly beautiful woman with platinum blonde hair and a designer outfit that scread money and murder swept through the doors, heading straight for Caleb’s office like a missile seeking its target.
"Miss, stop!" I called, standing on unsteady legs. "You can’t enter without clearance."
She ignored completely, pushing past as if I were nothing more than furniture.
"Caleb!" she purred as she flung open his office door without permission. "We need to talk about our arrangent imdiately."
I stood frozen in the aftermath, torn between professional duty and the earth-shattering realization that my boss—the cold, lethal man who had just walked past —might be the father of my child.
The father who had no idea his son existed.
The father who could destroy us both with a single word.
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