Sage’s POV

I stood outside Thorne Tower at exactly 7:45 AM on Monday morning, wearing my only professional outfit and trying to convince myself I wasn’t about to make a huge mistake.

The building looked even more intimidating in daylight.

Sixty floors of black glass and steel piercing the sky, making everything around it look small and insignificant. Which, I supposed, was exactly the point.

My hand instinctively went to my stomach. Still flat, but I knew what was growing inside.

A tiny person who was half me and half the terrifying billionaire CEO whose office was somewhere high above my head.

“You can do this,” I muttered to myself. “It’s just a job. A really well-paying job with your one- night stand who doesn’t know you’re pregnant with his baby. Totally normal Monday.”

A woman in an expensive suit gave me a strange look as she passed. Right. Stop talking to yourself, Sage.

I took a deep breath and walked through the revolving doors.

The lobby was exactly as intimidating as I remembered.

All marble and modern art, with a reception desk that looked like it cost more than my entire life.

The receptionist from Friday—the one who’d looked at me like I was lost—now nodded professionally.

“Miss Draven. Mr. Thorne is expecting you. Fifty-eighth floor.”

She handed me a sleek black badge with my name already printed on it in silver letters.

Sage Draven, Executive Assistant.

My stomach did a weird flip that had nothing to do with morning sickness.

The elevator ride felt endless. I watched the numbers climb—20, 30, 40—and tried not to think about how high up I was going.

Or how far I’d have to fall if this all went wrong.

When the doors opened on the fifty-eighth floor, Margaret Chen was waiting.

She looked even more intimidating than she had on Friday,wearing a charcoal suit that probably cost more than my rent and an expression that gave nothing away.

“Miss Draven. Right on time. Follow me.”

She turned and walked briskly down a hallway lined with glass-walled offices. I hurried to keep up, my cheap shoes squeaking slightly on the polished floor.

“First rule,” Margaret said without looking back.

“Mr. Thorne values punctuality above all else.Fifteen minutes early is on time. On time is late. Late is unacceptable.”

“Got it.”

“Second rule: discretion. Everything you see, hear, or learn in this office stays in this office. You will sign a non-disclosure agreement so comprehensive that even thinking about our business outside this building is technically a violation.”

“Understood.”

“Third rule: Mr.Thorne doesn’t tolerate mistakes, excuses, or emotional reactions. Do your job, do it well, and you’ll be fine.”

She stopped at a door and turned to face me.

“Emotional reactions?”

“Crying, yelling, fainting, throwing things.” She ticked them off on her fingers. “I’ve seen assistants do all of those. None of them lasted long.”

“I’m not much of a crier,” I lied. I've cried myself to sleep plenty of times in the past two months.

“Good.” Margaret opened the door to reveal a medium-sized office with floor-to-ceiling windows offering a view of the city that made my breath catch.

A sleek desk sat in the center, already equipped with two computer monitors, a phone system that looked more complicated than a spaceship, and a tablet.

“This is your workspace. You’ll coordinate Mr.Thorne’s schedule, handle his calls, manage his correspondence, and generally ensure his day runs smoothly.” She gestured to the monitors.

“Left screen is email, right screen is calendar. The tablet has all the files you’ll need. Password is your employee ID.”

I sat down in the chair—which was more comfortable than any furniture I’d ever owned—and tried not to look as overwhelmed as I felt.

“Mr. Thorne arrives at eight,” Margaret continued.

“He’ll want coffee immediately. Black, no sugar,temperature exactly 180 degrees. The coffee maker is in the break room.” She pointed to a door I hadn’t noticed.

“There’s a thermometer.”

“A thermometer for coffee?”

“Mr. Thorne has very specific preferences.”

Of course he did.

“His first meeting is at eight-thirty with the finance team. You’ll find the agenda on the tablet. Make sure you’ve read it before the meeting so you can take notes. He expects a summary within an hour of any meeting ending.”

My head was spinning. “Is there anything else?”

Margaret’s expression softened slightly. “Don’t take it personally when he’s cold. He’s like that with everyone. Well, almost everyone.” She paused.

“He specifically requested you, which is… unusual. So either you made an impression,or you’re about to have a very short career here.”

Heat flooded my face. I’d definitely made an impression. The kind that resulted in pregnancy.

“I’ll do my best,” I managed.

“That’s all anyone can do.” Margaret checked her watch. “I have ten minutes to show you the office layout. Let’s go.”

The next ten minutes were a whirlwind of information. Break room with the apparently sacred coffee maker. Copy room. Conference rooms large, medium, and small. Restrooms. Storage closets.

The executive gym just for the 58th floor. Margaret’s desk near the elevators. And finally,the massive double doors at the end of the hall.

“Mr. Thorne’s office,” Margaret said. “You only enter when called. Never interrupt a meeting unless the building is literally on fire.”

“What if there’s an emergency?”

“Define emergency.”

“Like… someone’s dying?”

“Send a text. He’ll see it.”

Right. No interrupting the terrifying CEO even if someone’s having a heart attack. Got it.

We returned to my desk just as the elevator dinged. My heart jumped into my throat.

Kael Thorne stepped out, and I forgot how to breathe.

He was somehow even more intimidating in person than in my memories. Tall, broad-shouldered, wearing a navy suit that probably cost more than my car, with dark hair that looked like he’d barely bothered to comb it.

But it was his eyes—those steel gray eyes—that made my stomach do flips.

He walked past Margaret’s desk without acknowledging either of us, heading straight for his office.

“Mr. Thorne, this is—” Margaret started.

“I know who she is.” His voice was cold, clipped.

“Miss Draven, my office. Five minutes.”

The double doors closed behind him with a definitive click.

Margaret looked at me sympathetically.

“Welcome to Thorne Enterprises. Try not to let him make you cry on your first day.”

Five minutes later, clutching a cup of coffee that was hopefully exactly 180 degrees, I knocked on Kael’s office door.

“Come in.”

I pushed through the heavy doors and Holy shit.

The office was massive. Floor-to-ceiling windows on two walls offering a view that made the entire city look like a toy model. Sleek furniture in blacks and grays.

A desk that could comfortably seat six people. And in the corner,actual living trees in planters. Trees.

Inside an office.

Kael sat behind his desk, typing on his computer, not looking up.

I stood there awkwardly, holding his coffee and wondering if I should say something or just wait.

He kept typing.

After what felt like an eternity but was probably thirty seconds, he glanced up.

His eyes landed on the coffee, then traveled up to my face.

“Coffee,” he said flatly.

I crossed the space between us—which felt like a mile—and set the cup on his desk. “180 degrees. Black, no sugar.”

He picked it up, took a sip, and his expression didn’t change. I couldn’t tell if that meant it was perfect or terrible.

“Sit.”

I took one of the chairs across from his desk, perching on the edge like I might need to make a quick escape.

Kael leaned back in his chair, studying me with those intense gray eyes.

The same eyes that had looked at me very differently two months ago in a bar.

“We need to establish some ground rules, Miss Draven.”

Miss Draven. Not Sage. Not rice. The distance in his voice made something in my chest ache.

“First, what happened between us before is irrelevant to your employment here. It won’t be mentioned or referenced. Understood?”

“Understood,” I said, even though my hand wanted to press against my still-flat stomach.

“Second, I expect complete professionalism at all times. You’ll be exposed to confidential information. If I find out you’ve shared anything—”

“I won’t,” I interrupted, then immediately regretted it when his eyes narrowed. “Sorry. I mean… I understand discretion.”

“Good.” He picked up a tablet from his desk.

“Third, your performance will be evaluated weekly. If you’re not meeting expectations, you’ll be informed immediately. I don’t believe in second chances.”

The coldness in his voice was so different from the man who’d made me laugh at the bar. Who’d called me oatmeal with that slight smile. Who’d touched me like I was something precious.

“Any questions?”

About a thousand. Like why did you really hire me? And do you remember that night at all? And how am I supposed to work for you while carrying your baby?

“No questions,” I said instead.

“Then let’s discuss your first task.” He pulled up something on his tablet. “I have a meeting with Sterling Enterprises next week. Their CEO, Jade Sterling, is…” he paused, choosing his words carefully, “difficult. I need complete research on their latest quarterly reports, their board members, and any recent press coverage. Can you handle that?”

“Yes.”

“I need it by Friday. Comprehensive but concise. No more than ten pages.”

That gave me four days. For something that sounded like it would take four weeks.

“I’ll have it ready,” I said, with more confidence than I felt.

“Good. You can go.”

I stood, turned to leave, then stopped. I couldn’t help myself.

“Mr. Thorne?”

“What?”

“Why did you hire me?”

The question hung in the air between us. His jaw tightened, and for a moment, I saw something flash in his eyes.

Something that looked almost like… longing?

But then it was gone, replaced by cold professionalism.

“Because Margaret is moving to a different position, and I needed a replacement. You were qualified.”

“I was a waitress.”

“You managed schedules, handled difficult customers, and trained new employees. That suggests organizational skills and the ability to deal with challenging personalities.” He raised an eyebrow. “Unless you lied on your résumé?”

“No, I just—”

“Then I suggest you get started on that research. Friday is four days away, and I expect thoroughness.”

Dismissed.

I walked out of his office, my face burning. What had I expected? That he’d admit he couldn’t stop thinking about me? That he’d pull me into his arms and—

No. This was business. He’d made that abundantly clear.

I needed to keep my job, support my baby, and stop fantasizing about a man who clearly saw me as nothing more than an employee.

Even if that man was the father of my child.

—

The rest of the morning was a blur of information overload.

I learned the phone system which had more buttons than a spaceship, figured out the email system three separate accounts for different types of correspondence , and started reading through the existing files on Kael’s calendar.

He had seventeen meetings scheduled for this week alone. Seventeen. Plus calls with international clients in different time zones, which meant some of his “work days” stretched from 6 AM to 11 PM.

No wonder he looked exhausted.

Around ten-thirty, a man appeared at my desk.

Tall, athletic build, with light brown hair and a friendly smile that felt completely out of place on this floor of intensity.

“You must be the new assistant,” he said, extending his hand. “Marcus Stone. I’m the COO.”

I shook his hand, grateful for the friendly face.

“Sage Draven.”

“Surviving your first day?”

“Barely.”

He laughed. “Kael can be… intense. But he’s fair. Do good work, and he’ll notice. Screw up, and he’ll notice faster.” He leaned against my desk casually.

“Between you and me, you’re already doing better than the last three.”

“How so?”

“You’re still here. Last assistant quit before lunch on her first day.” He lowered his voice.

“She brought him coffee at 175 degrees.”

I couldn’t tell if he was joking.

“She lasted four hours. The one before that made it two days. The one before that…” He trailed off.

“Let’s just say Kael has high standards.”

“That’s reassuring,” I said dryly.

“Hey, I’m rooting for you. We all are. Margaret’s great, but she’s been trying to move up for years. This is her chance.” He glanced at Kael’s closed door. “Just don’t take his moods personally. He’s—”

The door opened, and Kael appeared. His eyes immediately went to Marcus, then to me, then back to Marcus.

“Marcus. Don’t you have a department to run?”

“I was just introducing myself to your new assistant.” Marcus’s smile didn’t falter. “She seems much more competent than the last one.”

“That’s not a high bar.”

Was that supposed to be a compliment? I honestly couldn’t tell.

Marcus pushed off from my desk. “Lunch at one?”

“Fine.” Kael’s eyes flickered to me. “Miss Draven, I need the finance meeting notes in twenty minutes.”

“They’re almost done.”

“‘Almost’ isn’t good enough.”

He went back into his office and closed the door.

Marcus gave me a sympathetic look. “See? Intense. But underneath that cold exterior is a slightly less cold interior.”

Sage’s POV

By the end of my first week at Thorne Enterprises, I’d learned three important things:

One: Kael Thorne was a perfectionist who expected everyone around him to be psychic.

Two: I was apparently very good at pretending I wasn’t three months pregnant and terrified.

Three: My morning sickness had terrible timing. Friday morning, I was in the middle of formatting the Sterling Enterprises report when the nausea hit like a freight train.

I’d been doing so well all week, carefully avoiding the break room when someone microwaved fish, keeping crackers in my desk drawer, drinking ginger tea instead of coffee.

But apparently, my body had decided that 9:47 AM on Friday was the perfect time to rebel.

I stood up so fast my chair rolled backward and hit the wall.

The sudden movement made everything worse. My hand flew to my mouth.

“Miss Draven?” Margaret looked up from her desk near the elevators. “Are you alright?”

I shook my head, not trusting myself to speak, and ran for the bathroom.

I barely made it to a stall before losing the granola bar I’d managed to eat for breakfast.

When the heaving finally stopped, I slumped against the cool tile wall, breathing hard.

This was not sustainable. Eventually, someone was going to notice. Eventually, Kael was going to notice.

The bathroom door opened. “Sage?”

Margaret’s voice. Great.

“I’m fine,” I called out, my voice echoing off the tiles.

“Just… food poisoning.”

“Food poisoning from the granola bar I watched you eat an hour ago?”

Damn. She was observant.

I flushed, rinsed my mouth at the sink, and emerged from the stall to find Margaret leaning against the counter, arms crossed.

Her expression wasn’t judgmental, just… knowing.

“How far along?” she asked quietly.

My heart stopped. “What?”

“I’ve had three kids, Sage. I know morning sickness when I see it.” She pulled a pack of mints from her pocket and handed them to me.

“So. How far along?”

There was no point lying. “Three months.”

“Does Kael know?”

“No.”

“Planning to tell him?”

“Eventually.” I took a mint, grateful for something to get rid of the taste in my mouth.

“When I figure out how to tell my boss I’m pregnant with his baby without getting fired.”

Margaret’s eyebrows shot up. “His baby?”

Shit. I hadn’t meant to say that part out loud.

“I… we… It was before I worked here. One night. Two months before he hired me.” The words tumbled out in a rush.

“He doesn’t know. I was going to tell him but then he offered me this job and I really needed it and now I don’t know how to bring it up without it being completely awkward and—”

“Breathe,” Margaret said firmly. “Just breathe.”

I sucked in air, trying to calm down.

“Okay,” Margaret said slowly. “Okay. This is… complicated.”

“That’s an understatement.”

“Does he know you’re the woman from—” She stopped.

“He told me he met someone. Months ago. Said he couldn’t stop thinking about her but didn’t know how to find her. That was you?”

“He was looking for me?”

“Until you showed up for that interview.”

Margaret’s expression shifted from surprised to understanding. “That’s why he hired you. He found you.”

My stomach did a weird flip that had nothing to do with morning sickness.

“He was looking for me?”

“For weeks. He even had Marcus try to track you down, but you’d paid cash at the bar and didn’t leave a last name.” She shook her head.

“When you walked into that interview, he must have thought it was fate.”

I thought about how cold he’d been all week.

How professional and distant. “He has a funny way of showing it.”

“That’s just Kael. He doesn’t know how to handle emotions, so he pretends they don’t exist.” Margaret checked her watch.

“You should probably get back. He’ll want that Sterling report soon.”

“Right. The report.” I looked at my reflection in the mirror. Pale, but not terrible. “Do I look—”

“You look fine. Pale, but he’ll assume you’re just nervous about the report.” She paused at the door.

“Sage? You need to tell him. Soon. Before you start showing.”

“I know.”

“And for what it’s worth? I think he’ll surprise you.”

After she left, I stared at my reflection a moment longer.

Tell him. Soon. Before you start showing. But how?

“Hey, boss, remember that one-night stand two months ago? Surprise, I’m pregnant!” didn’t seem like the right approach.

I splashed cold water on my face, popped another mint, and headed back to my desk.

The Sterling report wasn’t going to finish itself.

—

At 11:30, my desk phone rang. Kael’s extension.

“Miss Draven. My office. Bring the Sterling report.”

My heart sank. It wasn’t quite finished. I’d been planning to polish it over lunch and deliver it at two.

But “almost finished” wouldn’t cut it with Kael Thorne.

I printed what I had—nine pages of comprehensive research on Sterling Enterprises, their financials, their board members, recent press coverage, and potential weaknesses Kael could exploit in negotiations and headed for his office.

He was on the phone when I entered, speaking rapid Mandarin.

He gestured for me to sit without interrupting his conversation.

I sat, trying not to fidget, listening to him speak a language I didn’t understand with perfect fluency.

It was annoyingly attractive.

Finally, he ended the call and turned his attention to me.

Those gray eyes were unreadable as always.

“The Sterling report.”

I handed it over, my palms slightly sweaty. “It’s comprehensive. Nine pages. I covered their Q3 financials, board composition, recent acquisitions, and—”

“I said ten pages.”

“I know, but I managed to condense everything into nine without losing any relevant—”

“I said ten pages, Miss Draven. When I give you parameters, I expect you to meet them exactly.”

Frustration bubbled up. “With all due respect, sir, isn’t it better to be concise than to add unnecessary information just to hit a page count?”

His eyes narrowed. “Are you arguing with me?”

“I’m explaining my reasoning.”

“I don’t need your reasoning. I need you to follow instructions.”

“Even when those instructions don’t make sense?”

The words were out before I could stop them. The silence that followed was deafening.

Kael stood slowly, coming around his desk to lean against it, arms crossed.

He was close enough that I could smell his cologne.

Close enough that I had to tilt my head back to maintain eye contact.

“Miss Draven,” he said quietly, dangerously. “Do you want to keep this job?”

“Yes.”

“Then I suggest you remember who’s in charge here.”

I stood too, refusing to be intimidated even though my knees were shaking.

“I do remember. But I also remember you hired me because I’m competent, not because I’m a yes-woman who’ll waste time on busy work to hit arbitrary page counts.”

His jaw tightened. For a moment, I thought I’d gone too far. That he was about to fire me right here, right now.

Then something unexpected happened.

He laughed.

It was short, barely more than a huff of air, but it was definitely a laugh. The ice in his expression cracked, just slightly.

“You’ve got spine,” he said, and there was something almost like approval in his voice. “I’ll give you that.”

“Is that a compliment?”

“Don’t push your luck.” But the corners of his mouth quirked up. Just barely.

“The report is good. Better than good, actually. You found weaknesses in their structure I hadn’t considered.”

“So the nine pages are acceptable?”

“The nine pages are excellent.” He picked up the report, flipping through it. “Sterling’s going to hate this meeting. Which is exactly what I want.”

Pride bloomed in my chest. “Thank you, sir.”

“Don’t thank me yet. You’re coming to the meeting.”

“What?”

“Tuesday. Ten AM. You’re taking notes.” His eyes met mine.

“Jade Sterling is… difficult. She’ll try to throw us off balance. I want someone there who can keep up.”

“I’ve never sat in on a meeting like that before.”

“Then you’ll learn.” He returned to his chair, all business again. “That’s all. You can go.”

I turned to leave, then remembered. “Mr.Thorne?”

“What?”

“Thank you. For the opportunity.”

Something flickered across his face. “You earned it, Miss Draven. Now go get some lunch.

You look pale.”

I found Margaret in the break room, eating a salad that looked infinitely more appealing than anything I could stomach right now.

“How’d it go?” she asked.

“He loved the report. I’m sitting in on the Sterling meeting Tuesday.”

“That’s huge. He never brings assistants to those meetings.” She studied my face.

“But you still look like you’re going to throw up.”

“Morning sickness doesn’t care about my schedule.”

“Here.” She pulled a container from her bag.

“Ginger cookies. They helped me when I was pregnant. Take as many as you need.”

I could have hugged her. “You’re a lifesaver.”

“Just don’t eat them all at once. Trust me.” She went back to her salad. “So. When are you telling him?”

“I don’t know. Soon. Maybe after the Sterling meeting? I don’t want to distract him before something important.”

“Sage.” Margaret’s voice was gentle but firm.

“You’re three months along. You’ll start showing soon. He needs to know.”

“I know, I just—” A wave of nausea hit. I grabbed a ginger cookie and bit into it. The sharp, sweet flavor helped immediately.

“I don’t know how he’ll react.”

“There’s only one way to find out.”

Before I could respond, Marcus appeared in the doorway.

“There you are. Kael is looking for— are those ginger cookies?” His eyes lit up. “Margaret, you’re holding out on me.”

“They’re for Sage. She has an upset stomach.”

“Food poisoning,” I said quickly. Too quickly.

Marcus looked between Margaret and me, then his expression shifted. “Oh. OH. Are you—”

“No!” I said at the same time Margaret said,

“Yes.”

Marcus’s jaw dropped. “Does Kael know?”

“No, and you’re not telling him,” Margaret said firmly.

“That’s Sage’s news to share when she’s ready.”

“But—” Marcus looked genuinely distressed.

“He’s my best friend. I can’t keep something like this from him.”

“You’re keeping it from him until Sage decides to tell him herself,” Margaret repeated. “Or do I need to Sage and you about the time you made me cover for you when you ‘worked from home’ for a week but were actually in Vegas?”

Marcus winced. “That’s blackmail.”

“That’s friendship.”

He looked at me, and I saw the moment he made his decision.

“Fine. But Sage? Tell him soon. The longer you wait, the worse it’ll be.”

“I know.”

“And when you do tell him, make sure I’m far away. Preferably in another building. Maybe another city.” Despite his joking tone, there was real concern in his eyes. “He’s going to lose his mind.”

“That’s what I’m afraid of.”

The weekend passed in a blur of anxiety and nausea. I stayed holed up in my friend Jade’s apartment not Sterling, thank god—different Jade, eating ginger cookies and trying not to think about Tuesday’s meeting.

Monday morning, I arrived at the office to find a file folder on my desk with a note in Kael’s sharp handwriting:

Background reading for tomorrow.Be prepared.

The folder was three inches thick.

I spent the entire day reading about Sterling Enterprises’ history, their major deals, and their corporate structure.

By the time I left that evening, my head was spinning with information.

Tuesday morning, I dressed in my nicest suit—a black number I’d found at a thrift store—and arrived at the office thirty minutes early.

Kael was already there, of course, reviewing documents in his office.

At 9:45, he emerged.

“Ready?” he asked.

“As I’ll ever be.”

“Remember: observe, take notes, don’t speak unless I specifically ask you a question. Jade will try to provoke you. Don’t react.”

“Got it.”

We headed to Conference Room A—the large one—where Marcus was already waiting with another man I didn’t recognize.

“Sage, this is David Chen from our legal team,” Marcus introduced. “He’ll be reviewing any contracts.”

David nodded politely. “Pleasure.”

At exactly ten AM, the receptionist called. “Mr. Thorne? The Sterling team is here.”

“Send them in.”

The door opened, and three people entered.

Two men in expensive suits, and between them

Jade Sterling was stunning. Tall, with silver-blonde hair and ice-blue eyes that immediately locked onto Kael with an intensity that made my stomach clench uncomfortably.

“Kael,” she purred, crossing the room to kiss both his cheeks like they were old friends. “It’s been too long.”

“Jade.” His voice was professionally neutral.

“Shall we begin?”

Her eyes finally shifted to me, and I felt evaluated and dismissed in one glance.

“Who’s this?” she asked, like I wasn’t even there.

Sage’s POV

“Who’s this?” Jade Sterling asked, her ice-blue eyes sliding over me like I was a piece of furniture she was considering having removed.

“My assistant, Miss Draven,” Kael said, his tone flat and professional. He gestured toward me without looking.

“She’ll be taking notes.”

“Another assistant.” Jade’s perfectly glossed lips curved into something that wasn’t quite a smile.

“The last three didn’t last long, did they?”

There was a story there, and from the way Marcus shifted uncomfortably, it wasn’t a good one.

“Miss Draven is exceptional,” Kael said, still not looking at me. But I heard something in his voice a note of steel that hadn’t been there before.

“She stays.”

Jade’s expression flickered. Just for a second.

Then that smooth, corporate mask slid back into place.

“Of course. Shall we?”

Everyone settled around the massive conference table.

Kael at the head, Marcus on his right, David Chen next to him.

Jade took the seat across from Kael, her two executives flanking her like bodyguards.

I sat at the far end, laptop open, trying to be invisible.

“Let’s get straight to business,” Kael said, sliding a document across the table.

“The Riverside property. Sterling Enterprises made an offer last week that was, frankly, insulting.”

“That property’s been on the market for six months,” one of Jade’s executives said.

“The sellers are desperate.”

“The sellers are strategic,” Kael countered.

“They know what they have. A prime location, walking distance to three major transit lines, zoned for mixed-use development. Your offer of twelve million is at least eight million short of fair market value.”

“Fair market value according to whom?” Jade leaned forward, elbows on the table. “Your assessment? Or the one that benefits Thorne Enterprises?”

“According to three independent appraisals.”

Marcus slid papers across the table. “All commissioned before we made our offer.”

I typed furiously, trying to capture every word while also watching the dynamics. Jade kept looking at Kael like he was the only person in the room.

Her executives deferred to her constantly.

And Kael… Kael was in his element.

This wasn’t the man who stress-baked muffins at three in the morning.

This was the ruthless CEO who’d built a billion-dollar empire before he turned thirty.

Every word was calculated.

Every gesture deliberate.

It was terrifying.

And kind of hot.

Focus, Sage. Professional thoughts only.

“The appraisals are conservative,” Jade argued.

“That neighborhood’s trending downward. Crime statistics”

“Are being manipulated by your PR team to drive down the price,” Kael interrupted smoothly.

“I have the real data. Would you like to see it?” Jade’s jaw tightened.

“You’ve done your homework.”

“I always do.”

The meeting continued like that for the next hour thrust and parry, attack and defend.

Jade would propose something, and Kael would counter with evidence she couldn’t refute.

Her executives grew increasingly frustrated. David Chen took notes on potential legal issues.

And through it all, Jade kept watching Kael with an intensity that made my wolf bristle uncomfortably.

Around eleven-fifteen, Kael’s phone buzzed.

He glanced at it, and something shifted in his expression.

“Excuse me. I need to take this. Marcus, continue.”

He stood and left the room, and I felt the temperature drop about ten degrees.

Marcus cleared his throat. “So. The Riverside property. I think we can all agree that twenty million is a fair compromise—”

“I’m not here to compromise with your Beta,”

Jade cut him off. Her eyes were on the door Kael had just exited through. “When will he be back?”

“I’m not sure. But I’m authorized to”

“I want to speak with Kael. Not his second.”

Jade’s attention finally shifted to Marcus, then to me.

“Or his assistant.”

The dismissal in her tone made my teeth clench.

But I kept typing, kept my expression neutral.

Marcus handled it better than I would have. “Ms. Sterling, with all due respect, if you want this deal, you’re going to have to work with me. Kael trusts my judgment completely.”

“Does he?” Jade leaned back in her chair, crossing her legs.

“Tell me, Marcus. How long has Miss…” She gestured vaguely in my direction. “What was your name again?”

“Draven,” I said, keeping my voice level. “Sage Draven.”

“Right. Draven.” She studied me like I was a bug under a microscope. “How long have you worked for Kael?”

“A week.”

Her eyebrows rose. “A week. And you’re already sitting in on major negotiations?” Her laugh was light, musical, and condescending as hell.

“That’s… unusual.”

“Miss Draven is a quick study,” Marcus said.

“I’m sure she is.” Jade’s smile didn’t reach her eyes. “Tell me, Sage. What’s your background? Previous employment?”

I knew a trap when I heard one. “Various positions. Administrative work, mostly.”

“Fascinating.” Jade turned to her executives.

“Gentlemen, let’s take a break. Twenty minutes?”

They stood immediately. Jade rose gracefully, smoothing her skirt. “I need to make some calls. Marcus, perhaps we can resume when Kael returns?”

“Of course.”

She swept out of the room, her executives trailing behind her like ducklings.

The moment the door closed, Marcus let out a long breath. “Well. That was fun.”

“She hates me,” I said.

“She hates everyone Kael shows the slightest interest in.” Marcus rubbed his temples. “But yeah, she especially hates you.”

“Why?”

David Chen, who’d been silent this whole time, finally spoke.

“Because Kael just told us you’re exceptional. In the year I’ve worked here, I’ve never heard him say that about anyone.”

“Not even Jade?” I asked.

“Especially not Jade.” Marcus gathered his papers.

“Those two have… history.”

“What kind of history?”

“The kind that ended badly.” Marcus checked his watch. “I need to find Kael. You okay here for a minute?”

“I’m fine.”

After they left, I sat in the empty conference room, staring at my laptop screen. The notes looked professional. Comprehensive. Exactly what Kael would expect.

But underneath that professional exterior, my heart was racing.

She hates me. She especially hates you.

I didn’t need supernatural senses to feel JadenSterling’s animosity.

It radiated off her like coldfire.

And the way she’d looked at Kael…

Not your business, I told myself firmly. He’s your boss.

Nothing more.

Except that wasn’t true, was it? He was also the father of the baby currently making me nauseous at the most inconvenient times.

The door opened. I looked up, expecting Marcus or Kael.

It was Jade.

Alone.

“Miss Draven,” she said, closing the door behind her. “I was hoping we could chat. Just us girls.”

Everything in me screamed danger.

“Of course,” I said, keeping my voice pleasant.

“What can I help you with?”

She crossed to the windows, looking out at the city below.

“I’m curious about you. Kael doesn’t usually hire people without extensive experience. Yet here you are. One week in, already in his inner circle.”

“I don’t know about inner circle—”

“Don’t be modest.” She turned to face me, and her smile was sharp.

“A week ago, you were unemployed. Now you’re sitting in on negotiations worth millions. That’s quite the promotion.”

How did she know I’d been unemployed? I’d never mentioned that.

“I got lucky,” I said carefully.

“Luck.” Jade laughed. “Is that what we’re calling it?” She moved closer, perching on the edge of the conference table.

“Let me give you some advice, Sage. Woman to woman. Kael Thorne isn’t the kind of man who helps people out of kindness. If he hired you, it’s because he wants something.”

“He wanted a competent assistant.”

“Is that all?” Her eyes glittered. “Because from where I’m sitting, it looks like he wants something else entirely.”

My stomach dropped. “I don’t know what you mean.”

“Don’t you?” She stood, smoothing her skirt again. “I’ve known Kael for years. I know how he operates. And I know when he’s interested in someone.”

“You’re mistaken.”

“Am I?” She moved to the door, then paused.

“A word of advice, since you’re new here. Kael goes through assistants the way some people go through coffee. Three in the last year alone. They all thought they were special too.”

She left, and I sat there, shaking.

Three assistants in a year. All fired. And I was supposed to be different?

You are different, a small voice whispered.

You’re carrying his baby.

But he didn’t know that. And when he found out…

The door opened again. This time it was Kael, with Marcus behind him.

“Emergency’s handled,” Kael said, settling back into his seat. “Where’s Sterling?”

“She stepped out. Said she’d be back in twenty minutes.” Marcus glanced at me. “You okay? You look pale.”

“Fine. Just… hungry.”

Kael’s eyes narrowed slightly. “When’s the last time you ate?”

“Breakfast.”

“It’s almost noon.” He pulled out his phone, typed something. “I’m having lunch brought up for everyone. Sterling’s team included.”

“That’s not necessary”

“It’s necessary.” His tone left no room for argument. “Conference calls run long. No one makes good decisions on an empty stomach.”

Ten minutes later, an assistant I didn’t recognize wheeled in a cart loaded with food from that fancy restaurant on the ground floor.

Sandwiches, salads, fruit, bottles of water and designer soda.

Marcus’s eyes lit up. “You got the good stuff.”

“Sterling’s vegetarian,” Kael said. “Make sure the Greek salad is available when she returns.”

He remembered she was vegetarian. Why did that make my chest tight?

Stop it. It’s just business.

Jade returned with her executives at exactly 12:00. Her eyes widened slightly at the spread of food.

“Kael. You didn’t have to—”

“It’s noon. We’re all hungry. Shall we eat and continue?”

The rest of the meeting was less tense with food in everyone’s stomachs.

They hammered out the basics of the Riverside deal—eighteen million, with Sterling Enterprises handling certain permits and Thorne Enterprises managing construction.

It was still heavily weighted in Kael’s favor. But Jade looked satisfied as she signed the preliminary agreement.

“Pleasure doing business with you,” she said, shaking Kael’s hand. Her fingers lingered on his just a fraction too long.

“We should have dinner soon. Catch up properly.”

“I’ll have Margaret check my schedule.”

“Of course.” Her eyes slid to me. “It was lovely meeting you, Sage. I’m sure we’ll see more of each other.”

“Looking forward to it,” I lied.

After they left, Kael turned to me. “Your notes. Send them to me and Marcus within the hour.”

“Yes, sir.”

“And Miss Draven?” He was gathering his papers, not looking at me. “You did well today. Sterling’s notoriously difficult. You handled her questions professionally.”

Pride bloomed in my chest. “Thank you.”

“Don’t let it go to your head.” But there was something almost playful in his tone. “You’re still on probation. Three months.”

“I remember.”

He left, and I sagged in my chair.

Marcus whistled low. “That was intense.”

“Which part?”

“All of it.” He grabbed one last cookie from the catering cart. “But especially the part where Jade tried to intimidate you and you didn’t flinch.”

“I was terrified.”

“Didn’t show.” He headed for the door. “You’ve got spine, Sage Draven. You’re going to need it, working for Kael.”

After he left, I sat alone in the conference room, staring at my laptop.

Three assistants in one year. You’re pregnant with his baby. That changes everything.

Or did it? What if he fired me when he found out? What if he thought I’d gotten pregnant on purpose, to trap him?

My phone buzzed. A text from Margaret: How’d it go?

Survived, I typed back. Barely. Good. Now get back to your desk. He’ll want those notes ASAP.

I gathered my things and headed back to my desk. Through the glass walls of Kael’s office, I could see him on the phone again, pacing like a caged wolf.

Tell him, Margaret had said. Soon.

But how could I tell him when I was barely holding on to this job?

When Jade Sterling clearly wanted me gone? When everything felt so precarious?

I opened my laptop and started formatting my notes, trying to ignore the nausea creeping back up my throat.

Three months probation, Kael had said.

I just had to make it through three months.

Then maybe—maybe—I could figure out how to tell him he was going to be a father.