Page 53 of The Secretary Volume II

“I’m offering you mentorship,” he says.“I see potential.I know what it takes to rise.You could work directly with me.Head up the veterinary division.Push boundaries.Do something no one’s done before.”

The words hang in the air—heavy, impossible, almost believable.

“You don’t have to settle.If you succeed, you’ll have everything.”

His brows rise.“Everything,” he repeats, softer now.Like it’s a seduction.Like it’s a secret he’s letting me in on.

I know I shouldn’t but I can’t help but laugh.“And the catch?”

His smile widens.“No catch.Just an opportunity.You’ve worked hard to get here.A little more effort, a little more loyalty, and you could take back what you lost.”

And I feel it—that old part of me leaning in.The part that wants to believe in something bigger, something more than just scraping by.But it feels too easy.

It’s a lifeline.But his voice?It’s too smooth.Too knowing.He’s pulling me in like he’s done this before.

“Do you know why most people fail?”he quips, his tone cooling.“Because they don’t take the chances right in front of them.They hesitate.They doubt themselves.They play it safe.”

“I’m not afraid,” I say.But the words feel borrowed.

“Sure you are.”

“Okay,” I admit.“Maybe a little.”

The server appears beside me, silent and sudden, refilling our wine glasses.Like we’re just two people having dinner.Not like I’m being propositioned in code.

I wait until he leaves.

“And if I say no?”

He doesn’t blink.“Then you say no.That’s the choice I’m offering, Lena.”

I don’t know what I expected from this dinner—but it wasn’t this.Still, I feel the weight of his offer pressing against me, inching closer to yes.

“Here’s an idea,” he says, settling back.“Let’s continue this conversation at my place.No distractions.Just...us.You’ll see what I’m offering.”

He waits.

I don’t answer.

I look down at the shoes on my feet.And I feel the pull toward something I can’t quite stop.

31

Gillian

The car is silent, but my ears ring like they always do before something goes wrong.

No message this time.No handler.Just the same unmarked car outside my building, headlights off, engine idling like it’s bored.I don’t ask where we’re going.

I already know.

Ellis’s house waits like a confession.The air shifts before I even step inside, as if it knows.As if it’s already decided who I’ll be tonight.

The front door is open.

He’s not waiting.

I step inside anyway.

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