Page 6 of Tempting My Nemesis

I sit back, running a hand through my dark hair, my chest constricting. Kane betrayed me once, but I’ll be damned if I let him tear everything down again.

“I’m coming for you, Holloway,” I mutter under my breath.

“Caleb,” Dom’s voice cuts through my thoughts as he enters the room, his tall frame casting a shadow. “What’s going on?”

“Kane hit one of our branches,” I say, not looking up from the screen.

Dom steps closer, his piercing blue eyes narrowing as he reads over my shoulder. “He’s getting bolder.”

“He thinks he can outsmart us.” I type rapidly, initiating countermeasures.

Liam and Nate enter next, their expressions mirroring Dom’s concern. Liam’s keen blue eyes scan the data while Nate crosses his arms, muscles tense beneath his tailored suit.

“Where’s Asher?” I ask.

“On his way,” Nate replies. “What’s our move?”

“Keep following his moves until we find out what he’s planning. Then we shut it down,” I say firmly.

Asher finally joins us, his warm green eyes filled with concern. “We need to handle this carefully.”

“I know,” I say through gritted teeth.

“Let me see that.” Liam leans in, analyzing the breach patterns. “He left a trail.”

“A deliberate one,” Dom adds. “He wants us to follow.”

I nod, fingers drumming on the desk—a habit I can’t shake when deep in thought. “We follow it but stay ahead.”

Asher speaks up softly but firmly, “This can’t become about revenge.”

“It already is,” I admit quietly.

They exchange glances but say nothing more. They know better than to push me when I’m like this—focused, determined, ready to strike back.

“Caleb,” Dom says after a moment, “we’re with you.”

“I know.” My voice softens slightly before hardening again as I turn back to the screen. “Let’s get to work.”

The room fills with the sound of rapid typing and low murmurs as we dive into action. The tension is palpable; every keystroke feels like a step closer to confrontation.

My heart pounds as we work together seamlessly—a team forged in trust and shared purpose despite our individual demons.

Kane caught me off guard last time. This time I’m ready.

CHAPTER THREE

ZOE

The polished glass doors of Steele Tower loom ahead, shimmering in the morning light. My heart hammers against my ribcage, but I push through the grand entrance with a steadying breath. The sheer scale of the place dwarfs me, yet I refuse to let it intimidate me. As I walk, I smooth my blouse, a futile attempt to tame my nerves.

I catch my reflection in a nearby glass panel. "You've got this," I whisper to myself. The words hang in the air like a lifeline.

An impeccably dressed assistant approaches with a polite smile. "Mr. Steele will see you now."

I nod, swallowing the lump in my throat. "Thank you."

She leads me down a sleek hallway, each step amplifying the stakes—my company, my father's legacy, everything I've fought for. My heels click against the marble floor, echoing my rising anxiety.

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