Page 38 of Lord of the Dark

"I wanted to personally inform you that I’ve recommended you for the joint project with Mr. Sorrentino in Los Altos Hills. WestCoast."

His eyes widened for a fraction of a second before he regained his composure. "I don’t know what to say. Thank you, Mr. Russo. This is a tremendous opportunity."

I gave a slight nod. "I’m sure you’ll prove the trust well-placed. I look forward to working together."

He beamed now, almost relieved—as if I’d just opened a door he hadn’t even known existed.

I smiled professionally, not a trace of warmth in it. "I anticipate a productive partnership."

He nodded eagerly, and I could see in his posture how hard he was trying to assert his importance in this deal. A born charlatan. But standing before me was also the man who believed Fiona’s loyalty was his—the man she confided in, even as she kept a side of herself reserved for me, one Vaughn would never see.

"A new challenge for both of us," he said finally.

His meaningless drivel was already grating on me. "Quite right," I replied, still professional. "I believe we’ll both benefit."

Without another word, I turned away, supremely satisfied. I couldn’t have planned it better.

Thirteen

Fiona Robertson

With a pounding heart, I knocked on Mrs. Pierce’s door and stepped inside, struggling to conceal my nervousness. My boss looked up from a stack of files and gave me a polite but firm smile. I took a moment to steady my breath before I began.

"Ah, Fiona, perfect timing," she said briskly. "I was just about to speak with you regarding the next meeting for the Dade County deal."

Perfect. An opportunity to present my case. "That’s actually why I’m here," I replied, sitting down and gathering my thoughts. "I’ve… been thinking that perhaps someone else could handle the site visit. I’m stretched thin across multiple projects, and this one is already on track—the major questions are settled—"

Mrs. Pierce folded her hands and studied me intently, as if trying to read my mind. "Fiona, I understand you have a lot on your plate," she began, and I immediately heard the but in her tone. "However, you’re the project lead. You know the details of this deal better than anyone else on the team."

I opened my mouth to suggest another alternative, but she continued: "And it’s especially important that you conduct the visit. The client’s attorney—Mr. Russo—called me personally last night and insisted, in no uncertain terms, that you attend. Apparently, there are certain details he only wants to discuss with you."

An icy shudder ran down my spine, and for a moment, my thoughts blurred. Russo had called my boss. He had explicitlydemanded my presence. After everything that had happened—after that night—he was pulling strings behind the scenes, forcing me back to the table because I refused to answer his messages.

Mrs. Pierce was still watching me, and I knew I couldn’t protest further without raising suspicion. So I forced a tight nod and a professional smile. "Of course, if it’s that important… I’ll be there."

"Good." She nodded in satisfaction and reached again for the papers on her desk. "I knew I could count on you, Fiona."

As I left the office, I fought the fury surging inside me. Calling my boss? The thought made my blood boil. Without thinking, I opened my phone and fired off a message to him:

"Have you lost your goddamn mind? Dragging my boss into this? If you dare take one more step into my professional life, you’ll see exactly what I’m capable of. Maybe you should take a page from my book and consider whatever happened between us a fucking mistake."

I stared at the screen, my finger hovering for a split second before hitting "Send."

The moment the message delivered, my phone vibrated. Without hesitation, I declined the call.

A brief pause. Then another vibration. Same game. I clenched my jaw, fury flaring hot in my veins, and fired back a terse reply: "I have nothing more to say to you."

Seconds later, his response lit up my screen:

"If you don’t pick up right now, I’ll be in your office in four minutes."

My pulse spiked. How could he possibly be that close? Did the bastard have nothing better to do than lurk outside my workplace? Or was this just another empty threat? But I wasn’t about to test him.

I stared at the words glowing on my screen as if Russo hadcarved them directly into my thoughts. In your office in four minutes. So fucking typical of him—blunt, uncompromising, leaving zero room for negotiation. My heartbeat thundered in my ears, anger and unease twisting together in my gut. The fact that he could just show up here, consequences be damned—

I dragged a hand over my face, forcing a slow breath. No. I wouldn’t give him the satisfaction.

"This is my workplace. Respect that and walk away."

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