Page 139 of Guarded King

I nod. “Make sure the draft includes our ethical framework as a priority.”

Cole lays out the basics. “Haverscombe’s latest move is to partner with Z-Corp, boosting his bid’s tech sector appeal.”

“We can counter that,” I say. “Our R&D into green tech isn’t just comparable, it’s ahead of the curve. We’ll push that angle in our bid—highlight our commitment to innovation and sustainability, not just throw money at them.”

David breaks in. “We could launch a preemptive PR campaign undermining Haverscombe’s stability. There are rumors of financial inconsistencies in his last quarter’s report?—”

I shake my head. “I want to keep this clean. We win this on our merits. Ellis values integrity, and that’s what we’ll show him. Let’s enhance what we’ve got with a detailed presentation of our projects and their impact. Maybe bring in some testimonials from our partners.”

“We don’t need to fight dirty.” Cole leans back, wearing a thoughtful expression. “But we know the kind of businessman Roger Haverscombe is. It doesn’t hurt to let EcoTech know the kind of people they’d be partnering with if they go with their bid.”

I give him a nod, even as a rock forms in my gut. Instinctively, I zero in on Chloe, who gives me a faint smile.

When I met with Ellis in France, I swore I was nothing like my father, that I didn’t blur professional lines. That I didn’t use my power to exploit. He made it very clear how important ethical leadership is to him, and I assured him that the sins of the father would not be repeated by the son. Yet what did I do the very next night?

And so many more times since.

What Chloe and I have is nothing like the kinds of relationships my dad partook in with his employees. Even so, I can’t shake the feeling that I’m one misstep away from falling into the same trap.

I need to keep the King Group on top, to secure the EcoTech deal without even a hint of scandal. At the same time, I want to protect what has so unexpectedly sparked to life between Chloe and me. Balancing the two, though, is proving far more difficult than I anticipated.

Once we’ve discussed logistics and projections, I dismiss the group. “Thanks, everyone. We’ll draft up the revisions and prepare the final bid. Make sure to keep it under wraps. We don’t want Haverscombe getting wind of our strategy before we make our move.”

I linger as the room clears, my eyes on Chloe as she organizes her notes and packs up the room, all the while chatting and laughing with Sophie.

“Chloe, I’ll need to talk to you in my office once you’re done.”

“Of course.”

I leave them to it, and stride down the hall, tension coiling tighter with every step. The possibilities for failure—the EcoTech deal, my relationship with Chloe—play on a loop through my mind. One wrong move, and I could ruin it all.

I sit at my desk, but my mind keeps running over it all. The silence in my office is almost oppressive, carrying with it a familiar sense of solitude. It’s a sensation I’m both used to and tired of, a result of years spent guarding against unwanted emotional entanglements and focusing solely on a deep-seated need to prove I’m nothing like my father.

A moment later, there’s a soft knock. Then she steps in, quietly closing the door behind her. As she moves toward me, her smile is warm.

Just seeing her unravels the tension knotting my muscles. For a fleeting moment, I allow myself to simply savor her presence.

She stops in front of my desk, her head tilted slightly. “Is everything okay?”

I want to touch her. I want to pull her into my arms and kiss her. Right here. But I manage to restrain myself—just.

Everything’s changed since I met her, and I’m still trying to find my footing on a shifting surface. For the first time in a long time, I find myself wanting to lean on someone, to share the thoughts and feelings I’ve kept locked away. But we’re both keeping secrets from the people we’re closest to. How long before it all collapses?

I clear my throat. “I want you to come to myForbesinterview this afternoon.”

Her brows rise, but the corners of her mouth curve up at the same time. Side by side in the back of the car, no one can see us. It affords us a little of the precious, rare time alone that I crave.

“Of course. Is there anything else?”

My hands curl into fists. So many more thoughts circle through my mind, but I have no idea how to articulate them. So I stand and round my desk, stepping up so close she has to raise her chin to hold my gaze.

I cup her jaw and drag my thumb over her lips. Her ocean eyes regard me with softness, with trust.

My throat closes up. I want to keep her safe. To give her everything she needs. But I don’t know how to have what I want while accomplishing what I need to do.

I drop my hand. “There’s nothing else. I just wanted to touch you.”

“If you get to touch me, then I get to do this.” She goes up on her toes and sweeps her lips across mine.

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