Beneath the Velvet Lie I

al. My nerves were raw, my mind racing with possibilities. Had Vincent reported me?

settling at my desk outside Cassian's office. The files I'd stolen were safely encrypted

srupted. Thirteen reasons to brin

't hear the elevator doors open unti

eeping, Ms.

rway, impeccable as always in a charcoal suit, holding two coffee cups. Hi

replied, smoothing down my blouse.

ing one of the coffees in front of me. "Black w

h a detail was both flattering

against the edge of my desk, too close for

uttered. "E

security breach. I'm told you w

Hardly the middle. I got lost looking for the restroo

ou were quite far from any

ard on the table. I need

of indignation color my tone. "If I'd known I needed a map and s

-a genuine sound that transform

ack down eas

gaze. "I was hired to think independ

aps, or respect. It was hard to tell with Cass

straightened, adjusting his cuffs. "That's

to his office. On his desk lay a th

sked, careful not

nd dense technical specifications. "Project Phoenix is our new AI security

y. This wasn't just another corporate project; this was cutting-

eak," I said, not a qu

yself, Vincent, and our Chief Technology Officer, Dr. Lin. Bu

nt me to fi

nt you to approach each suspect, hint that you have connections w

ou're asking me to entr

ne." His eyes hardened. "Unless you'

nerve. If I refused, I'd lose his trust and my access. I

I'll need complete access to their communic

u." He slid a tablet across the desk. "Everything you need is

ole fire from the

ssian finished, his voice carrying a wa

n my spine-like he was testing how it felt on

I start?"

er lab all morning. Vincent is handling acquisitio

et and file. As I turned to

e thing,

the window, his profile sha

y plus one. It's an exclusive gathering of tech innovators and in

ned. "You're us

it as... strategic placement. Wear something

n't a

my mind already calcul

n evening on Cassian's arm, playing the role of trusted confidante, perhaps mor

following me-measuring, assessing, testing t

nal white surfaces and gleaming equipment. The woman herself was equally no-nonsense:

up from her computer. "Cassian said you mi

t belied the tension coiling inside me. "I'm conducting an inte

ked up, eyes narrowing. "Intern

gaze without flinching. "He's co

ening around her mouth betrayed her discomfort. "Project Ph

lling to a screenshot Lance had prepared-code fragments that matched Project Phoe

from her face. "

back into my pocket. "The questio

ned. "Are you

that innovation like Phoenix would fetch a high price in

I just needed to see i

hink you should leave, Ms. Lancaster. And I think Cassian should k

ll means, tell him. I'm sure he'd be

called after me. "You're

or. "Isn't everyon

as too careful, too controlled to reveal anything of substance. But I caught something in his eyes whe

ed back to Cassian with careful neutrality. But I'd also used the access he'd granted me to dig deeper int

-it was a sophisticated surveillance system designed to monitor and predict human behavior

on Dr. Lin and Vincent with professional detac

" I concluded. "But Vincent seemed... too prepar

steepled under his chin. "Vincent expect

ose and your enemies

something dark. "Who sai

tween us, charged wi

es, Cassian," I sai

y in front of me. Too close. Close enough for me to smell his cologne-s

ed, his voice dropping to a ne

" I met his gaze steadily, though my

strand of hair from my face. The touch was ele

le was dangerous,

ndary tested. I should have stepped back, maintained professional

re that out for yourself," I repl

e stepped back, breaking the spell. "Starting with th

with hands that only slightl

rous game I was playing-settled heavy on my shoulders. Maya's face flashed in my mind,

elcome and troubling: What if Cassian wasn't the monster I needed him to be

ed. I couldn't afford doubt. Not now. Not wh

d bring Cassian Wol

eant going d