Page 48 of Tempting My Nemesis

"Understood, sir. We'll increase?—"

"I'm not finished," I cut him off, my tone brooking no argument. "I want our best people on this. Anyone who's not up to the task, reassign them. This is priority one."

"Of course, Mr. Steele. What about?—"

"Double the cyber security team monitoring Archer Innovations. Any suspicious activity, no matter how small, gets reported directly to me. Set up a direct line if you have to."

"Yes, sir. And regarding the mole?—"

"The mole's been dealt with," I say flatly, remembering the look on my assistant's face when I confronted her. "But I want a full security audit of every employee, contractor, and associate. Anyone with even a hint of questionable loyalty gets flagged and investigated."

"That's a massive undertaking, sir. It'll take time and resources?—"

"Then you better get started now. I don't care what it takes. Zoe's safety is non-negotiable. Understood?"

"Crystal clear, Mr. Steele. We'll get right on it."

"Good. I'll expect hourly updates. And Luke?"

"Sir?"

"Failure is not an option here. Zoe stays safe, no matter what."

I hang up without waiting for a response, my jaw clenched. I made a mistake pushing Zoe away, leaving her vulnerable. I won't make that mistake again.

I exhale slowly, tension still coiling in my muscles. The personal nature of Kane’s attack forces me to confront my feelings for Zoe more directly than ever before.

I need to protect her—not just as a business associate but as someone who means more than that.

I sit back at my desk, eyes scanning the enhanced security protocols being implemented across both Steele Ventures and Silencebreakers. Each keystroke is a step toward ensuring Zoe’s safety and tightening our defenses against future threats.

For now, nothing else matters but keeping Zoe safe—and making sure those who dared to harm her pay dearly for their actions.

I stand and look around the lair one last time before reaching for my phone to call Zoe. It’s time she knows everything—not just for her safety but for ours together.

The hum of the computers fades into the background as I stare at Zoe’s contact information. My thumb hovers over the call button, hesitating. The weight of what I’m about to do feels heavier than any battle plan I’ve ever devised. Vulnerability—it’s not something I handle well.

I’ve lost her once already. I won’t lose her again. Not like this.

I take a deep breath, feeling my heart stutter in my chest. The thought of hearing her voice again, of trying to explain everything—it’s almost too much. But I can’t push her away anymore. She needs to know the truth, all of it.

The lair seems to hold its breath with me. My finger hovers over the dial button, a mix of anxiety and determination coursing through me. This call could change everything.

Then, my phone rings, shattering the silence. My eyes flick to the screen, and my breath catches when I see the name—Zoe. She’s calling me.

For a moment, I’m frozen, staring at her name on the screen. The realization sends a jolt through me—shock, relief, and a flicker of hope all at once. Zoe’s reaching out to me despite everything that’s happened, despite all the walls I’ve built around myself.

I swallow hard, trying to steady my racing heart. This conversation could be the first step toward healing or further heartbreak. But she called me first—that has to mean something.

With a deep breath, I press the answer button and bring the phone to my ear.

“Zoe?” I ask softly but firmly.

“Caleb,” she says, her tone resolute. “You’ve seen the news? We need to talk.” She hesitates before adding, in a trembling voice, “I need you.”

The impact of her words hits me like a sledgehammer. My heart sinks, and the anger I had been harboring dissipates, replaced by warmth and an urgent desire to comfort her.

“Baby, I got you. I’m on my way,” I promise, my voice steady despite the chaos brewing inside me. “Everything will be alright.”

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