Page 50 of The Protégé

I could’ve set up an office for her on any of the other floors below, but I couldn’t help myself. I wanted her close to me. Being on my private floor was an invitation I’d never given to any other women. Not even Kate.

I’d kept the dark part of me from her because she had too much going on in her life. With Elena, I didn’t even hesitate. Why?

Elenadidn’t know what was in that Cosmic Lounge. She only saw the night sky. Showing her more wouldhave revealedtoo much of myself to her.

I thought I knew myself until today when confusion and desire turned me into a sexual predator in the office. The incident made me feel lost... and found at the same time.

What the fuck?

It made no sense. My emotions were playing games with my mind and I didn’t like it. A man who lost his mind lost control. And Orion Reimanncould notlose control. There was so much at stake.

My empire needed my vision and dedication. More so, I had to ensure that Reimann Corporation, which my father managed with my cousin, stayed strong. That had been my mother’s wish. To watch over my father from afar.

I didn’t understand why she kept reminding me of that when I was younger. My father was a capable man who could take care of himself. He made no effort to be part of my life, so why should I?

Had Mom asked him to watch over me from a distance too?Was that her way of trying to keep us close? Why was I thinking about this now?

Despite the tension in my body, I didn’t feel the surge of a panic attack like I’d expected. Usually anxiety assaulted me intensely, but not today. I knew it had to do with the woman sitting in the office across the hallway from me.

Elena was the only woman who could ease my panic attack. Admitting that to myself relaxed my stiff shoulders and back. Then a sense of calmness overcame me, and I inhaled and exhaled the fresh air, looking out at the city before me.

I’d bought this property when I began workingwith the WaterFyre Rising boys as their PI. The more I worked with eachman, the more I admired and respected them. They had become my friends in a world where genuine friends were rare.

My mind wandered back to Elena. Today proved she wanted me. She called to every fiber in my body, and I couldn’t resist her. Could I have her? Would she want to be with me if she knew the story behind the ring?

I didn’t have these issues with any of the other women I’d been with. They’d been flings with no attachments. No expectations.

Elena wasn’t that kind of woman.

I clasped the ring on my necklace, rubbing it with my fingers. Was I ready to let the ring go? I didn’t know. Or rather, I was afraid to find out.

My phone rang, and I returned to the office. “Yes, Ralph?”

“How’s everything going?” he asked.

“Why? Do you need me to add more things to the list?”

“I’m working, boss.As you requested, I’m sitting at a café monitoring the subject. He’s chatting with a man, lawyer type. Will send you pictures later. But I can’t help but wonder if you’re doing okay.”

“Why wouldn’t I be?”

Ralph had been my mother’s chauffeur and acted like a father to me. When Mom died, he came to work for me and never left. I appreciated his support, loyalty, and honesty.

“Because you brought a woman onto that floor.”

“I know, Ralph.” I wasn’t sharing that she was mad at me. He would ask why, and I didn’t want to get into the reason or how it had started.

“You make a good-looking couple,” he said, surprising me. “Do you like her?”

“What kind of question is that? If I didn’t like her, she wouldn’t be on the floor.”

“Don’t bite my head off. Why do you sound so frustrated talking about the woman you like?”

“Because it’s complicated.”

“Let Kate go,” Ralph said, understanding me more than I realized. “She’d want you to be happy now.”

“I just need time.”

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