My Karma

had been as frustratingly enigmatic as she'd heard, his every sentence laced with veiled meanings and hidden edges. And those eyes-she shiv

erves. She reminded herself that she'd dealt with men like Lucas before-wealthy, self-assured, accustomed to getting their way. She had mastered her role in these power games; h

signs of cover-ups. She could feel her frustration mounting. There was no way Lucas had achieved this level of wealth without cutting a few corners-she just had to find where. Yet every account, every investm

er best friend, Maya, f

Maya's voice was thick wi

ng into her chair. "Lucas Grant is..." she searched for the wor

"Sounds like h

dly. I'm just here to do my job. Lu

ut are you saying there wasn't

een. "Honestly, it's hard to explain. He's just... I don't know.

sed. "He may be used to getting what he wants, bu

ves settle. "Thanks, Maya. I'll

up, she felt steadier. She went back to the screen, eyes narrowing as she delved into the Legac

today were with his team-but as soon as she stepped out of the elevator, she saw him waiting. He wore an unreadabl

voice was smooth, but there w

coolly, clutching her p

nued, tilting his head toward his office. His invitation was laced w

h an intensity that sent a rush of heat through her. She set he

es," he said, the hint of a smile on his lips. "I

nocence. "I'm still in the preliminary stages, but your co

ow and almost intimate.

t," she replied, her voice hardeni

thing far beyond the confines of a business meeting. "But I have to wonder-what is it yo

hing for a way to respond without giving him the upper hand. She tilted her chin u

ing his features. "Oh, I have no doubt of that, Miss Hale.

quickened. "Is

y, as though he were offering her an olive branch. "You m

determined not to flin

weighing her words, testing her resolve. "Very well," he said finally, his

raightened, gesturing for her to leave. "I won't keep you any

le. "Thank you, Mr. Grant

he took a deep breath, willing her heart to slow as she reminded herself of the stakes. This wasn't just another assignment. There

nse that she barely noticed the passing of time. But Lucas's words lingered in her mind, a haunting echo of the strange, almost intimate warning he'd given her

Grant? And what was

es. The records were scant, only a few newspaper clippings and reports about his initial investments. But one name

s of the board members. One in particular caught her attention-a man wi

and she nearly jumped, her heart racing as

nswered, her voice s

h and unsettlingly calm. "I had a feeling yo

round the phone. "What

is an admirable quality, but remember-curiosity can

n me, Mr. Grant?" she

oothly. "Some things aren't worth the trouble, S

ing in her mind. She took a deep breath, glancing back at her computer screen, her heart poundi