Morgan had been at Ferguson Corporation long enough to know exactly how to


    read a room. The second he sensed Dn was in a good mood, he slid right into a report about histest projects. As expected, his timing paid off.


    "Nice work. You really put some thought into this," Dn said.


    "Let HR bump up your sry."


    Raises for senior staff usually meant weeks of meetings, endless paperwork, andyers of approvals. But now, with just a word from the CEO, it was done.


    Morgan sat up a little straighter. He hadn''t seen a raise in years-especially now, when otherpanies were shing sries andying people off left and right. But not here. He was moving up, and he knew exactly who to thank.


    ra really was his lucky charm.


    ra had just scooped up a bite of dessert when she felt someone''s beaming gazend on her like a spotlight. She nced up and caught Morgan staring at her.


    He bowed a few times, grinning ear to ear. "Thank you, Mrs. Carter!"


    She paused, fork halfway to her mouth, her brow furrowing. What had she even done?


    Morgan left the office practically floating, humming to himself as the door clicked shut behind him.


    ra was left feeling a little confused, poking at her dessert with her spoon. When she was full, she set it aside and picked up a magazine, flipping through


    the pages.


    Every so often, Dn''s eyes drifted in her direction. Afternoon sunlight spilled through the window, climbing across the floor, lighting up the leaves of a potted nt, and catching on the glossy cover of her magazine.


    She seemedpletely absorbed, eyshes lowered, turning pages without ever noticing his gaze.


    Dn spun his pen between his fingers, watching her for a few minutes before finally looking back at his own work. That''s when he realized he''d written just one thing on the signature line of the document in front of him:


    ra.


    His hand froze. Something heavy and bittersweet welled up in his chest, and he couldn''t put words to it—even if he wanted to.


    ra kept reading for hours until sleepiness crept in. She hadn''t been sleeping welltely, and now, almost without realizing it, she set the magazine aside, leaned into the couch, and drifted off.


    Dn watched her for a moment, then slipped out of his chair and quietlyid his suit jacket over her shoulders.


    She didn''t wake, just mumbled something and shifted, trying to getfortable.


    He sat back down, but nothing on hisputer screen made sense anymore.


    ra woke up around four, rubbing her eyes. The sound of typing filled the office -Dn was still at hisputer, totally focused.


    Of course he was. This was Dn. He''d been working for hours without even looking tired.


    When he noticed she was awake, he asked, "Hungry?"


    She thought for a second, then nodded. She was.


    Within ten minutes, Aiden showed up with their food, even moving the table closer


    so she wouldn''t have to get up.


    ra felt a little out of ce. Even


    she, as oblivious as she could could tell that everyone-the executives, Aiden, even


    eemed to be looking out for


    Dn-seemed to be looking out for her.  s?novel


    She frowned, confused. She was supposed to be a prisoner here. Why were they treating her so well?


    The food was beautifully a pět


    every dish looking almost too


    perfect to touch. Dn sat across from her, nudging the tesche knew she liked a little closer.


    She hesitated, chopsticks in hand, before blurting, "How did you know what I like


    to eat?"


    As soon as the question left her lips, she regretted it. It sounded way t she


    personal, way too far.00


    was betraying Z just by asking.


    She took a steadying breath and didn''t say another word.


    After dinner, she followed Dn downstairs.


    This time, the car took them to Moonlight, a sleek little spot downtown. She


    guessed they were meeting up with Nichs and the others.


    Sure enough, as soon as they stepped into the private room, she spotted Nichs and Richard.


    Richard raised his eyebrows when the two of them walked in together, sipping his whiskey. "When did you bring her back?"


    He''d honestly thought Dn had given up searching. Guess not he was nothing if not persistent.


    Dn didn''t answer. Instead, he turned to ra. "What do you want to drink?"