Crave Me, Kill Me

p's headquarters, staring up at the building that looked less like a

from the weight of what this interview meant. A chance to leave the past where it belonged. A ch

ed, adjusting the stra

ambition, intimidation, and impossible standards. It pulsed with money. And danger. Even

tepped

ack suits moved through the space like they were part of a private cult flawless, efficient, and unkn

nist didn't

the 9:30 interview.

d her a temporary badge without looking up ag

No good luck

ction in the polished door: dark eyes, long brown hair tucked into a low bun, sharp c

Still smelled blood. Still saw the ni

ecutive floor was a study in muted elegance: gray

into it li

: Ice i

g room was

sat near the corner sleek, blonde, designer heels, tablet in hand, posture so stiff it hurt to look at. Ar

rand designs she'd curated: bold, disruptive, elegant. All her best work but even that felt frag

't belo

swer interview questions. She silenced it, turned another pa

a Qu

culate charcoal suit stood in the doorway

caught a flicker of a smirk. Whatever. Let her smirk. Aria had w

sat on one side of a long glass table. Two men in identical navy suits, and a woman with pe

estured. They didn't

tfolio," said the woman.

brief said you wanted bold. A rebrand of Lure Fragrance's luxu

You don't come from any of the

freelance the l

asked sharply. "After wor

spine s

aid. "The agency world forces conformity. It s

ve. She saw it land, the woman

ly did you surv

rted. Heat ros

he said quickly. "Survi

ed. The kind designed

. "Your aesthetic is darker than we're used to. Bu

Aria said. "Desire without safety

ed her eyes, but

to approve any final

"Mr. Vale,as i

man. "This rebrand

knew the name. Everyone i

naire heir. Cold. Br

Aria sa

ask another questi

e walk

room c

e Man Behin

nock. He di

ntered, silence fol

n, unbothered by time or heat or nerves. His presence sucked the oxygen ou

orgot how

ice. His face was all sharp lines and masculine symmetry, chiseled and still. Not handso

t slowed and

ice low and smooth, cut from

od. "Mr

y to her portfolio, then back

rmth. Just an asses

king slowly behind the chairs, arms f

the Lure rebrand," said the silver ha

Cassian said. It w

an fell

't realized how much power he carried until he sat down,

r portfolio. "Walk me

r him. His energy was like standing next to a fire witho

ic control. I used grayscale shadows, negative space. The bottle is placed just out of rea

his gaze never lingered on the w

ished, silen

nterlacing his fingers. "

t an insult. It was an o

orld needs more of th

The slightest curl at the corner of his m

"Lea

cutives

t himself. They file

igh above Manhattan. The city pulsed outside. Cassian Vale sat acro

what I expec

that

ure yo

t kind of silence filled the

Then walked to her

eep her eyes on him. Her heart was po

predict," he said, stopping just behind her.

ack, heat radiating off him lik

predictable

ice quieter now.

d to face

I'm not wh

ed to her mouth. The

't decid

n't touch her. But he didn't have t

steppe

e end of the day," he said.

bruptly as h

: The E

That

building's lob

ew, but from the man who had turned a ten minute m

the receptionist had han

ation packet,"

she stepped outs

r sat on top, for

ndern

otog

hand

ghteen, standing outside a cr

coat she'd worn t

t she di

sed. Her hands

xplanation. J

at Vale

e wasn't suppos