Claimed by the Billionaire Tycoon

vered as Tessa's words echoed in his mind. T

ent. Tessa Maddox was sharp, dangerous even, in her own right. That was the kind of person he usually steered clear of, pref

ng heavily on his shoulders. He couldn't shake the thought of Tessa's piercing eyes, the

ouldn't understand, Adrian found hims

ime with a text from Bianca. The words were simple, yet chilling

to get under his skin, but she w

about. It was the woman sitting at his desk, the one who se

oughts far from the upcoming deal. He had done everything to create the perfect empire-an empire built on ruthlessness a

oft click, and he turned to find his assi

d, his voice neutral but la

er eyes flickered with something th

y, though it held a note of uncertainty. "You might need something befor

is gaze unwavering as he

im, but there was something about the way she carried herself-cal

t time he'd seen her this close outside of a professional setting. He had always kept

e, Tessa?" he asked, his tone

before you go. About the proposal with the investors. You'll need to

me rookie, Tessa. I'll handle it. I appreciate your

quickly concealed. She straightened up, her chin lifting just a little

fessional mask she wore and the woman who cou

voice low and deliberate. "You thi

d his chest to tighten. "I don't think that. But

he quiet tension between them crackled with an inte

a soft knock at the doo

is waiting," came the

standoff. The moment slipped away like sand between their fingers

his usual stoic expression returning to his fa

drian moved past her, he caught a glimps

already t

inner circle, his mind kept drifting back to the woman he'd left behind in New York. There was something unse

than just a

s good or bad yet, but it

chaos of his empire quickly consumed him. Yet, as the day wore on

wildcard he couldn't quite control-and

he couldn't tell if he wanted to