Page 23 of The Debt

“Six months. Every detail is already mapped out.” Tatiana looked at him with a wry smile. “But I need you to make it happen and find any loopholes in the initial project plan I might have missed.”

“I’ll work with our legal team to iron out any wrinkles in the paperwork. When do we start?”

“We just did. I want property scouts in both locations by the end of the month. Keep it quiet, Levin. Set up shell companies for the initial leases.”

Levin’s fingers flew across his tablet. “I’ll have operational proposals by Monday morning. But Tats...” He looked up. “Whatever’s driving this timeline,”—he shook his head as he studied her intently—“you know you can trust me, right?”

Tatiana’s expression became guarded. “For now, focus on making it happen. That’s why you’re here, Levin. To make my ideas come to life. It’s what you thrive at. What you’ve always done so unselfishly.”

He nodded, understanding the unspoken message of unconditional trust since he knew her family history and the burden it placed on her shoulders. “I’ll start assembling the team. I assume you want to keep the project compartmentalized?”

She nodded. “Essential personnel only. We move quietly until we’re ready to launch.”

“And Bolton?”

“They stay in the background. As far as anyone is concerned, this is TAP’s natural evolution.”

A quick rap on the door echoed through the office. Zee Eckley, Tatiana’s executive assistant, poked her head around the door. Her usual composure was absent and had been replaced with flushed cheeks and a trembling voice.

“I’m sorry for the interruption, but there’s a Mr. Jarek Farrel here to see you. He doesn’t have an appointment but asked if you could spare him a couple of minutes.”

Heat bloomed across Tatiana’s chest at the mention of his name. For weeks, she had tried to ignore the memories of their last encounter at the club but had failed miserably. Her nights were haunted by phantom sensations of his commanding touch and the way he had stripped away her control until only raw surrender remained.

“It’s fine, Zee. I have some time. You can let him through.” Her voice emerged hoarse, betraying her composure. She cleared her throat. “Levin, let’s meet tomorrow morning to discuss this further.”

Levin gathered his tablet. He shot her a curious glance. “Let’s rather make it around noon. I have quite a lot to work to get through.”

Tatiana nodded since she didn’t trust her voice. As Levin reached the door, Jarek’s frame filled the entrance. Her breath caught. The sight of him unleashed a flood of memories of the bite of his bare palm against her skin and the way he’d expertly manipulated her body until she’d begged for release. Her pulse thundered in her ears. Jarek Farrel, aka Master Hades, had left a stamp of ownership on her that she just couldn’t shake.

“Ms. Polov.” His voice carried the same authority that had dominated her thoughts for weeks.

Her fingers gripped the edge of her desk as she struggled to compose herself. “Mr. Farrel.” She gestured to the chair as she nodded at Zee to close the door. “Please, take a seat.”

Ignoring the invitation to sit, Jarek’s muscular frame prowled and stalked as if measuring up a potential meal. The broad shoulders and powerful gait exuded a feral power that made the spacious room feel claustrophobic. Dressed to kill in Saville Row splendor, the snug fit of a blue silk shirt whispered in soft rustles against the perfect cut of the black jacquard wool suit to express the exacting presence of a powerful businessman.

“So polite and formal, Ms. Polov,” he teased as his penetrating gaze held her captive. Stopping at the floor-to-ceiling windows, he clasped his hands behind his back as he watched planes descending toward Hartsfield-Jackson Airport.

“I have to commend you. This is the perfect location for your business. Very strategically located. The view of the active runways completes the feeling of control and power you’ve amassed.” He turned to study her reaction. “Even so, it still begs the question—why here?”

The question, cloaked in sheep’s clothing, seemed innocent enough, but something in his tone triggered Tatiana’s internal firewall. She slipped unnoticed into siege mode and started talking—faster than usual, filling the charged silence with a mundane response.

“The property was undervalued, so I bought it. The previous owner went bankrupt during the recession. The proximity to both the airport and major highways makes it ideal for logistics. We can monitor incoming shipments, coordinate with air freight, maintain direct contact with customs...” She realized she was babbling but couldn’t seem to stop. “The building itself needed work, but the bones were good. We renovated floor by floor, modernized the systems, and added solar panels—”

In three long strides, he crossed the room and pulled her against him.

“Hmm… I must remember that you talk too much when you’re nervous,” he murmured, then claimed her mouth with a devastating kiss.

“Jarek, we can’t…” Her protest drifted off as he backed her up to the leather sofa against the wall. “Someone could—”

“Could what?” He pressed her down onto the soft leather and boldly pushed himself between her legs. “Walk in? I doubt it, little one, especially since you have a very efficient assistant who knows not to disturb you.” His mouth traced her jaw.

“Oh!” she gasped as he reacquainted himself with that sensitive spot below her ear he had discovered during their last scene.

“Besides, isn’t that part of the thrill?”

She pushed against his chest, but her body had other ideas and arched into him. “This is my office—”

“Where you’re always in control.” His teeth grazed her neck. “Always the composed CEO.” His hand slid up her thigh, bunching her skirt. “Let go, sweet little Venus. You know you want to.”

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