Chapter 14
“Setting a trap only works if we stick to the plan,” Caspian
n muttered as we pushed through Morgan & Wright’s glass doors.
The white envelope from Robert’s
bert’s windshield felt like a ticking bomb inside my portfolio–proof that my stepfather had been right there, watching us while
we thought we were safe.
“Going to the office was your idea,” I reminded him, smoothing down my blazer. “Show Victoria were not intimidated, make Robert think we’re carrying on as
His jaw tightened. “That was before finding your apartment destroyed. Before seeing what he wrote on your walls.”
“Which is exactly why we need to keep up appearances.”
I kept my professional mask firmly in place, despite the tremors t threatening to break through. “Robert thinks he’s terrified me back into hiding. I refuse to
give him that satisfaction.”
He looked like he wanted to argue but nodded instead. “I need to make a call. Meet you at your office in five.”
While he stepped away, I ducked into the bathroom to collect myself
The woman in the mirror looked composed–nothing like someone whose walls had been covered with threats in Robert’s handwriting just yesterday.
Found you. Time to pay. Blood for blood. I straightened my discount blazer and beaded for my office,
The scene that greeted me stopped me cold,
rip, his face dark with controlled fury.
Caspian had Olivia Sterling’s wrist in a vice grip,
“You were throwing her case Files in the trash?”
His voice carried that dangerous edge I’d heard when he promised to find Robert. “While she’s dealing with that psychopath’s threats?
Olivia’s designer bracelets jangled as she struggled to free herself.
“I saw you,” Caspian cut her off, tightening his grip just enough to make her wince.
About to toss her Warriors contract notes too. Du you have any idea what she’s going through?”
Part of me the part still haunted by the destruction of my apartment–felt savage satisfaction watching Olivia squirm. But the lawyer in me knew this couldn’t happen here.
“Caspian.” I stepped between them, pulse quickening when his burning gaze met mine. “Conference
coom. Now.”
Before he could respond, Diana V
Wright apprated, Louboutins clicking like warning shots against marble,
She assessed the situation with one sweep–Caspian looking murderous, Olivia disheveled and rubbing her wrist..
To my surprise,
Diana 1
‘slury targeted Olivia.
i could cost this firm everything!”
“You absolute idiot!” She herded Olivia away from curious eyes. Do you know who you’re dealing with? You cu
“I didn’t do anything to him!” Olivia protested…
“Save it,” Djani snapped before turning to Caspian, her demeanor instantly transforming to professional deference.
Drake, please accept my apologies. Miss Sterling clearly overstepped, especially given your current situation.
Caspian removed his sunglasses, tucking them into his collar. Ti disappointed in your firm’s standards. Are all your associates this the ones with Sterling family connections?”
tangvoterssional? Or is
Diana blanched
I assure you
*Palmer just called threatening mu
me,” Caspian interrupted. “Now I find his daughter’s friend destroying evidence related to my case
173
Chapter 14
Caspian Drake, NFL i
- star with massive endorsement potenti
The air crackled with tension as Diana calculated the value: Palmer’s business versus Ca
If you fired her,” Caspian said coldly.” I might overlook this. Otherwise. Il reconsider my relationship with Morgan & Wright.
My stomach dropped. This wasn’t what I wanted–not in my workplace, not when my career already hung by a thread.
“Could we have a moment?” I stepped into Caspian’s line of sight, keeping my voice low,
‘I don’t want
YOU
to do this. The competition between Olivia and me is my battle. You promised not to cross lines.”
His eyes darkened. “This isn’t about you, Sage. She deserves to be fired.”
“This is exactly about me. My workplace, my reputation.”
Im not crossing lines. His voice dropped to a growl that sent unwanted heat through my body. “Trust me, if I were only thinking about you, I’d handle this very differently”
1 felt frozen, watching determination harden his features.
This wasn’t the repentant man from the press conference or last night’s protective ally.
This was pure, commanding Caspian–the quarterback who dominated the field and expected absolute compliance.
I couldn’t reconcile these different versions of him, and deep down, I felt both frightened by his intensity and drawn to it–a contradiction that left me off- balance
“Caspian, no.” I kept my voice firm despite my racing heart.
“If you force Diana to fire my colleague, that crosses our professional boundaries. I know you want to protect me, like you did last night, but this is different. This is my domain.”
I leaned closer.
ting new enemies only helps our real opponents.”
“We’re already facing enough trouble–Robert’s threats, Victoria’s photos, Palmer’s pressure. Making
His expression tightened with each word, nostrils flaring, veins in his heck pulsing like during critical game moments.
For an instant, he gripped his jacket, seeming to fight for control.
Then, without another word, he stormed toward the door, nearly colliding with a still–stunned Olivia.
The door slammed behind him, the impact reverberating through the office.
an unreadalile look.
in the silence, Diana gave nor an
My phone vibrated with a message from Caspian.
I respect your boundaries, but not with Robert, No matter what, I will protect you.
“Contract dispute meeting is postponed,” I told Diana, professional mask back in place.
She studied me before nudding. And Sage? Whatever is happening between you two… be careful. Men like Caspian Drake don’t respect boundaries for long Her words settled like lead in my stomach. Robert had already violated every boundary Victoria and her father were using their influence to destroy my
Career
And Caspian.he existed in that dangerous middle ground–an ally whose protection might become another form of control
1,was heading back to my office when Olivia brushed past me, her expression pure venom. “You’re finished,” she bissed “Check your
My phone buzzed with a notification. I opened my inbox to find a message from the ethats committee. The subject line made my blood run celd:
Urgent: Conflict of Interest Investigation – Drake/Winters
Attached was a high school yearbook photo of Caspian and me, alongside a more recent surveillance image of us entering his penthouse last night.
Chapter 14
I stared at my phone as another message from Caspian appeared:
Don’t panic. This is part of their plan. Remember what I told you about Palmer’s playbook–they always attack your weakest point. We’ll use this against
My fingers hovered over the keyboard, uncertain how to respond.
The trap wed set for Robert and Victoria was supposed to give us control, but now I felt caught in crossfire from all sides.
With each boundary Caspian crossed to protect me, I wondered if I was trading one form of control for another and which would ultimately destroy me first?
