Page 49 of Sexting the Boss

Roman nods, unsurprised. “Your mother’s expecting you for dinner.”

I drain the rest of my whiskey. “She always is.”

Oleg exhales through his nose. “It’d be safer.”

Maybe.

But it wouldn’tfeelsafer.

That house is a fucking graveyard. A place where my father’s voice never quite left. Where my mother still clings to ghosts.

I refuse to go back unless I have to.

Roman doesn’t push. He already knew my answer before he asked.

Instead, he knocks back the rest of his drink and switches gears.

“We’ll tighten security in the city,” he says. “Lock things down. But we need to start narrowing down who had access to your movements.”

I nod, rubbing a hand over my jaw. “Do it.”

Roman stands, grabbing his coat. “And Nina called.”

I go still.

Oleg frowns, glancing between us. “What does she want?”

Roman tilts his head slightly. “You know exactly what she wants.”

I do.

Because Nina only calls for one reason—when she wants something.

It used to be me.

Now?

Now it’s money, protection, a favor she swears is the last one.

I don’t respond, but Roman doesn’t need me to. He just nods, standing up. “I’ll handle it,” he says.

I nod, not bothering to thank him.

As Roman and Oleg leave, I stay behind, staring at the empty room.

For the first time in years, I wonder if I’ve been too comfortable. If I’ve let my guard down too much.

And the worst part?

I don’t know if it’s because of the threat outside my walls?—

Or the woman I can’t stop texting.

I pull out my phone, open the employee database, and start looking at the list of every Ryan in the company.

I need to figure out who she is.

And I will.

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