The Billionaire's little secret

ed in Claire's

trust. Blackwood

it, reply, or report it. But no matter how long she thought about it, she

e dictate her actions. If someone wanted to talk, they'd have to do it on her ter

d her mind. Was he connected to the message? Could he

polished, too deliberate to resort to anonymous texts. Whoever had

of conversation. She scanned the room, half expecting Ethan to be waiting at a corn

ed. "Are you the one who texted me?

woman, no older than her mid-thirties, with sharp green eyes

man said, motionin

the chair across from the woman, her hands resting on

hey were being watched. "My name isn't impor

stomach

t, and makes you feel like you're the only one who matters. But it's all

actually want me to believe you? You're just some st

you believe me. I just need you to be careful. Ethan Blackwo

t ready to let this woman rattle her. "If y

to the side. "I asked too many questio

aire pressed, l

never came. Her gaze shifted over Claire's shoulder

her, the woman stood and

e a shadow. She poured herself into work, determined to meet the next deadline for Blackwood Enterprises. But ev

just the ramblings of someone bitter and disgruntled. Ethan had been nothing but pr

er phone b

alf expecting another cryptic messa

than Bl

paign Strate

: Blackw

: 6:

An after-hours meet

riosity got the better of her. If sh

ting the fiery hues of the setting sun. Claire's heels clicked against the polished m

Ethan's office resided. The elevator ride felt endless

r her. He stood by the floor-to-ceiling win

voice warm yet commandin

ist decor. Everything about the space screamed power and cont

uch of a choice," she

it. "I thought we could discuss the c

she maintained her composure.

. "I wanted to hear your thoughts directly. You've been quiet in

ve been focused on delive

ion unreadable. "And the merge

th hitched. "

. "Let us just say... in my world, trust is a ra

he testing her? Warning

e echoed through the office. Ethan gl

ent," he said, risin

s darted to the folder sitting on hi

pen it. Was this her ch

in her ears. But just as her fingers brushed th

doorway, his gaze

Claire?" he asked, his voice

er blood tur

I was

nished for her,

focating. He stopped inches fro

y, his tone both a warning and a pr