chapter 3

Ruby’s POV

(Ten years later...)

I stared at my reflection, studying the face I had worn for the past ten years. It was still strange, even after all this time. Kairo had chosen it for me; it was a face that wouldn’t draw too much attention, yet beautiful enough to slip into any room unnoticed until it was too late.

The changes weren’t drastic. A nose job to soften my features, liposuction to refine my jawline and my once-blonde hair was now dyed black. I dragged a hand through the strands, letting them fall over my shoulders. The woman staring back wasn’t the girl I used to be. That girl had died along with her family.

Now, I was someone else. I was The Ghost.

That was what they called me in the mafia underworld. It was a name that was whispered with fear. A name I had earned through blood and fire. Kairo had trained me to be untouchable, ruthless and precise. And when the time came, I would make sure Richard and Jason Harlow paid for everything they had done.

But first, I had to step into their world.

A knock sounded at the door. “Miss Ruby, Don Siegel summons you!” A guard's voice came through.

I pulled my dress off the hanger and slipped it on. It was a white dress that hugged my body just right. It was beautiful and professional, but with just enough seduction to make an impression. First impressions mattered. I knew that if I fucked this up, I wouldn’t get a second chance.

I fastened my heels and stalked out of the room. The scent of coffee and fresh bread filled the air as I entered the dining room, but I wasn’t hungry. I could never eat before a mission.

Kairo sat at the head of the table, his sharp eyes studying me as I approached. He gestured toward the plate in front of me. “Eat, Ruby.”

I shook my head. “I’m not hungry...”

“Eat,” he repeated, cutting off my protest. "This mission is important. You cannot starve yourself like you always do."

I lowered myself into the chair and took a small bite of toast. He watched me for a moment before speaking. “You know what you need to do today.”

I chewed, swallowed and nodded. “I remember.”

“If you get the chance, sleep with him tonight.”

I set the toast down. “I’ll try.”

“No,” Kairo retorted. “Don’t try. Do it. Get him to trust you. Make him want you. The closer you are, the easier it will be to destroy him.”

I met his eyes. “I understand, Kairo.”

He gave me a satisfied nod. “Good.”

“I should go.” I pushed my chair back and stood to my feet.

Kairo nodded. “I trust you’ll do a good job.”

"I will do my best, Kairo" I replied, then turned to walk away. It was time to step into the lion’s den.

********

The building hadn't changed. It was just as it had when I was a child. Whitmore Enterprises, my father’s empire.

Now, it belonged to Richard Harlow. It was now called Whitmore and Harlow Enterprises. How annoying that he hadn't gotten rid of my father's name. He slapped it on beside his own name, like they deserved to be beside each other. It made me so angry that I fought the urge to grit my teeth.

I paused at the entrance, gripping the strap of my purse. The last time I was here, I was a little girl running into my father’s office, eager to tell him about my day. Gabriel used to tease me. He used to say that I would take the company from his hands one day, because I knew the ins and outs more than he did. My mother would laugh, shake her head and tell me not to bother my father too much.

Those days were gone forever.

I sighed deeply and stepped inside.

The lobby was the same. The same marble floors and high ceilings. Polished desks with receptionists typing away. It smelled of wealth, of power and of childhood memories I had buried.

“Miss Katherine Powell?”

I turned to see a woman in a navy suit smiling at me. “The president would like to see you now.”

I nodded and followed her down a hallway. I had trained for this. Ten years of waiting and planning. I wouldn’t lose control now.

The woman stopped at a large mahogany door and knocked. A deep voice answered from inside. “Come in.”

She pushed the door open, and I stepped inside. And there Richard Harlow was, sitting in my father’s chair.

Something sharp pressed against my ribs. The rage I had buried for ten years dragged its way to the surface. I wanted to fix a gun to his head and put an end to it all right here.

I forced myself to breathe. Not yet, Ruby. Chill.

Richard Harlow barely glanced up. “You’re the new secretary?”

I nodded and kept my voice even. “Yes, sir.”

He gestured to the chair in front of him. “Sit.”

I did, My hands rested on my purse and the notepad in my lap, but all I could think about was how easy it would be. A gun, a blade, the heel of my shoe. Even my bare hands.

Not yet, Ruby.

“I have a packed schedule,” he continued. He still hadn't looked up at me. “Meetings, calls and video conferences. I need someone that is efficient enough for the job.”

“I understand.” My pen pressed against the notepad as I took notes.

He listed appointments, but his words blurred into each other. My focus stayed on his face. The man who stole everything from me.

Then he paused. His eyes finally lifted to mine, studying me for a moment too long. Suddenly, his tone moved from professional to seductive. I saw him shift in his seat, and I knew he was fighting a boner. My make-up and exposed cleavage was doing the job perfectly.

I already knew this was going to happen.

“Miss Katherine Powell,” he murmured, “how about dinner tonight at my private suite? We can talk more about your new job there.”

The moment I had been waiting for.

I smiled slowly, the way I had been taught. "Will there be any talking being done?"

"We can do anything you want to do." Richard Harlow replied.

“Of course, sir.” I purred. "Wouldn't miss it for the world."

"9pm." He ordered. "Don't be late."

I nodded and stood to my feet. Richard Harlow would die at my hands soon.