Page 21 of Taint My Soul

I shut the door on my way out of the office. I take my bag off the table and stride out of the space. Just as I step through the door, my gaze flickers toward him.

He’s staring.

A slow unease drags through me.

I don’t let it last.

I shove the unwanted feeling aside and head straight for the elevator.

When I finish the audit on a Friday evening, I print the files and head into the office to submit my review. “It’s ready.”

“Sit, Mason.” His deep voice rumbles. I hand him the file and sit while he relaxes against the chair, looking at my work. Silence stretches thick and evaluative as he skims over page after page, eyes focused and calculating.

Finally, he speaks. “You finished.”

“I delivered. Just like you asked.” I say, and his gaze flickers to me. “Sir, it wasn’t just a onetime transaction. He’s been siphoning off small amounts of money for over two months?”

“Hmm.” He grunts in approval and continues to scan through the paper. “This was a test.”

My brows lift. I just spent roughly ninety-six hours of my life on a test?

“I needed to see if you were competent… or a liability.” He leans forward, voice dropping into a quiet authority. “I needed to know if you’d be loyal. If you can handle pressure. If you understand discretion.” He closes the file and sets it aside. “Can you survive working for me, Mason?”

“Yes, sir. I can.” I nod, voice bubbling with enthusiasm.

“Let me be clear. If you ever play dirty against this company…” he focuses on his laptop, typing away. His gaze flickers to me, expression composed and lethal. “I will find out.” His words sit on my chest, heavy and searing.

Fear rips through me in a blazing hot trail. My throat works as I swallow, and my body shifts uncomfortably on the chair. Still, I keep my face neutral.

“And there will be consequences.”

“Alright, sir.”

“Good. Have a nice evening.” He smiles, and I rise to my feet and return to my office.

When I wrap up for the day, he’s standing close to the floor-to-ceiling window answering a call with a glass of wine in hand. He must really love his wine. I take my bag and head out of the office. I intend to keep my identity a secret for as long as I can.

As I step into the elevator, I sigh as his words float through my head.

I will find out.

There will be consequences.

What’s worse than looking over your shoulder for the past seven years? What’s worse than being owned by the Godfather who’s part of the Bishop Empire? Who wants nothing but to burn this company to the ground?

As much as I hate what I have to do. It’s my freedom, and I have to take it. I have to fight for it. I’ll do anything to make sure I never let that monster of a man, David, anywhere close to me ever again.

The drive back home is fast, and all I do is stare at the city as the sun sets and night bleeds into the clouds. When I get to my apartment, I step into the room and turn on the lights. I move straight to the kitchen to pour myself a glass of water when footsteps frighten me, and I whip around with a knife.

“Slow down, princess. I’m not here to hurt you.”

“I’m not a princess.” I frown at Neo, Vincent’s lieutenant. I wasn’t expecting to meet him here.

“You can’t just waltz into my apartment.”

“Oh, I can! So can he.” He grins playfully just as Vincent steps into the space. My eyes fly wide, and the air becomes so charged it’s impossible to breathe. My pulse stutters, and I tighten my hand around the ceramic cup.

His presence reminds me of the truth.