Elena Blake sat in the corner of a cramped café, with her fingers trembling as she refreshed her inbox for what felt like the hundredth time that morning.
Her breath caught when a new email appeared. Calloway Corporation Interview Invitation.
Her pulse pounded. This was it. A chance to escape she had been waiting for. A real job, far away from her father’s suffocating empire.
She scanned the email. Her Interview was scheduled for 10:00 AM tomorrow. Executive Suite, Calloway Tower.
Calloway Tower is the heart of a corporate empire that owned half the city.
She’d never set foot inside, never imagined she’d even get the opportunity. She exhaled shakily, gripping the coffee cup between her hands.
This job was her ticket out.
Meanwhile, Across the street, a black car idled. Behind its tinted windows, a man watched her.
Ethan Calloway leaned back in his seat, fingers steepled, lips curving into a satisfied smirk.
‘The mouse had taken the bait.’
****
Elena Blake stood outside the towering glass skyscraper of Calloway Corporation , her pulse drumming in her ears.
The building was a fortress of steel and ambition, a far cry from the decaying mansion she had spent her childhood in, the house that belonged to Vincent Blake, the infamous crime lord.
Dressed in her most professional attire a fitted navy-blue blazer and modest pencil skirt, she squared her shoulders and stepped inside.
The marble floors glistened, high ceilings arching overhead. Employees in tailored suits hurried past, exuding the efficiency of a well-oiled machine.
This interview was her chance. A chance for her to escape the life she had been born into. A chance to build something for herself.
If they found out who she was, she’d be out the door before she could finish saying her name.
She exhaled slowly, gripping the strap of her purse. No one knew. No one had to know. She was just another applicant, another woman looking for a job.
With a deep breath, she stepped forward, pushing through the revolving doors.
A receptionist, crisp and polished, glanced at her. “Miss Blake?”
Elena nodded and smiled faintly
“Mr. Calloway will see you now.”
Her stomach twisted. She thought it was unusual for a CEO to personally conduct interviews. But she pushed the thought away. She needed this and she silently prayed she impressed the CEO
She followed the receptionist to the top floor, where a private elevator hummed softly as it carried her up, up to where power sat behind a polished desk.
*****
Hgh above, in an office that overlooked the city, Ethan Calloway watched the security feed with an unreadable expression.
His sharp blue eyes traced the figure of the woman walking through his lobby.
Elena Blake.
His fingers drummed lightly against his desk. He had expected this moment for years, but he hadn’t expected it to come so easily.
The daughter of the man who had ruined his life, stepping willingly into his territory.
He had seen her name on the applicant list and recognized it instantly. The surname had nearly made him laugh.
Did she think she could hide? That the world had forgotten the sins of her father?
If the world did, he would never do.
A slow smirk curled his lips.
This was an opportunity he hadn’t anticipated. An opportunity for revenge.
He pressed the intercom button. “Cancel the rest of my meetings for the morning.”
“Yes, Mr. Calloway,” his assistant responded.
Ethan leaned back in his chair, the leather creaking under him. Let the game begin.
He stood at the floor-to-ceiling window, hands in his pockets, his imposing six-foot-three frame radiating authority. His jet-black hair was neatly styled, his tailored charcoal suit flawless. Every inch of him screamed control, precision, danger.
When the elevator doors opened, he turned.
Elena Blake.
The name alone made his blood run hot. The daughter of Vincent Blake, the man responsible for his parents' deaths.
She stepped into his office, cautious but determined. Up close, she was striking.
Dark auburn hair cascaded over her shoulders, green eyes sharp and observant.
She carried herself with quiet resilience, but he saw the hesitation in the slight twitch of her fingers, the way she clasped them tightly together.
She was nervous. Good.
He smiled, a slow, deliberate expression, calculated to disarm.
Elena sat in the sleek, minimalist office, her hands folded neatly in her lap. The air smelled of expensive cologne and polished wood.
The door opened.
Ethan Calloway stepped inside.
Elena had seen pictures of him before, he was impossible to avoid in the business world. Billionaire. Ruthless. The kind of man people feared and respected in equal measure.
But in person?
He was more intimidating than any photograph could capture.
Tall, broad-shouldered, with a tailored navy suit that fit his powerful frame effortlessly. His chiseled jaw was clean-shaven, his features sharp, commanding. But it was his eyes, icy blue and piercing, that sent a chill down her spine.
“Miss Blake,” he said, his voice smooth, almost amused. He extended a hand. “Ethan Calloway.”
Elena thought it was unusual for a CEO to offer to shake and applicant, so she hesitated for a fraction of a second before shaking it. His grip was firm, strong. A businessman’s handshake. A powerful man’s handshake.
“Good morning, Mr. Calloway,” she said, forcing her voice to remain steady.
He gestured for her to sit. He moved with confidence, a man who owned the world and knew it.
“I reviewed your application,” he said, settling into his chair. “Impressive. You have a background in finance, yet no previous employment history. That’s unusual.”
Elena kept her expression neutral. “I was self-employed for a while. Freelancing.”
His lips twitched in something close to a smirk. “Is that so?”
She nodded
You applied for the executive assistant position.” He leaned forward slightly, resting his elbows on the desk. “Tell me, why Calloway Corporation ?”
She swallowed, forcing herself to hold his gaze.
“I’m looking for a fresh start. Your company represents stability, and I want to be part of something that builds rather than destroys.”
Ethan’s smirk deepened. Interesting choice of words, considering who her father was.
He glanced at her résumé, he already knew every detail about her life, but he let her believe he was reading it for the first time.
“Since you have an impressive academic background, but limited experience in corporate settings.” He tapped the paper lightly. “Why should I take a risk on you?”
Elena’s back straightened. “Because I won’t waste the opportunity.”
He liked her fire. It would make the game more entertaining.
“I admire your ambition,” he continued, tapping a pen against his desk. “And I believe in second chances.”
Elena frowned slightly. “Second chances?”
His eyes locked onto hers, intense, unreadable. “You’d be surprised how many people are trying to escape something.”
Her heart skipped. What was that? Was that a coincidence? Or did he know more than he was letting on?
Before she could respond, he leaned forward. “The job is yours, Miss Blake. Effective immediately.”
Her breath caught. “You’re offering me the position?”
“Unless you’d rather decline.” His tone was smooth, almost teasing. But beneath it was something else. A challenge. A trap.
Elena forced a smile. “I accept. Thank your Mr Calloway”
Ethan’s smirk deepened. She had no idea what she had just walked into.
He extended his hand. She quickly and happily took it with smiles
Her skin was warm against his, and for a fleeting second, something unexpected flickered through him.
But he buried it.
She had no idea she’d just walked into his trap.
****
Elena exited the building in a daze. She’d done it. She had a job. A real chance to carve out her own path.
A chance to build her own and live a life of her own outside have father’s empire.
The interview had been too easy. Too smooth.
As she walked toward the street, she had the unsettling feeling of being watched.
A breeze ruffled her hair as she stepped onto the busy sidewalk, lost in thought. She barely noticed the black SUV parked across the street.
********
High above, Ethan stood by his office window, watching her.
His fingers curled around a glass of scotch. She thought she was escaping her past.
She had no idea she had just walked into a cage.
And he was the one holding the key.
His smirk returned.
The game had begun.
And he always played to win.
Elena resumed her job at the sleek, towering structure of Calloway Corporation, the air crisp with the scent of polished wood and power. A hush settled around the lobby, the kind that belonged to empires, where people walked with purpose, heads down, eyes focused on deals that moved the world. The sharp click of her heels echoed against the marble floor, each step measured, controlled, a mask over the storm beneath her skin.She had played her part well in the interview, standing her ground against Ethan Calloway’s piercing gaze. But it was too easy. A man like him didn’t just hand out jobs to strangers, especially not to women with last names that carried blood and ruin.Vincent Blake’s daughter, working for Ethan Calloway.It was laughable.She knew he was her Dad's sworn enemy but didn't know what went down between them. She had caught her dad cussing every time his name popped up on his television screen whether in the news or an interview. And yet, here she was, standing at
Mr Calloway, is there something you want to ask me?” “‘Why do you think so?” he replied carefully observing her expression. ‘I’m sure my job doesn't involve reporting directly to you. You could’ve had anyone take this position,” she said carefully. “Why me?”Ethan studied her for a long moment. “Because you intrigue me.”She arched an eyebrow. “But it may not be what you are thinking, Mr. Calloway.”His smirk deepened. “You know what I think?.”“Are you afraid of me?” he added Elena leaned forward slightly, meeting his gaze. “I’m not afraid of you, Mr Calloway.”His gaze darkened, something unreadable flickering in his expression. “Good. Because working for me means stepping into the fire. And once you’re in, there’s no turning back.”The warning sent a shiver down her spine, but she didn’t back down.“Then let’s see if it is what you think it is.”She said, hoping he got her message. Ethan’s smirk faded, replaced by something more serious. “We’ll see.”A knock on the door interru
“Tell me you’re not actually considering keeping her around.”Ethan leaned back in his chair, exhaling slowly. “She’s smart, ambitious, and fearless. That’s exactly the kind of person I want in my company.”“That’s exactly the kind of person who can destroy your company.” Liam’s tone was edged with frustration. “She’s Vincent Blake’s daughter, Ethan. She didn’t just grow up in the mafia, she was trained by it.”Ethan’s jaw tightened. “You think I don’t know that?”“Then why the hell are you playing with fire?”Ethan rubbed his temples. “I don’t think she’s working for Vincent.”Liam scoffed. “And what makes you so sure?”Ethan hesitated, the memory of Elena’s unwavering gaze flashing in his mind. “She said so. And I felt the pain in her voice.”Liam shook his head. “Or she’s playing you so well you don’t even realize it.” He leaned forward. “You’ve spent years keeping Calloway Corporation clean, fighting off vultures who wanted to drag you into dirty business. And now, you’re willin
She unlocked the door but didn’t open it fully. “Who are you?”The man smiled, but there was no warmth in it. “Friendly visit.”Elena frowned. “A friendly visit from someone I’ve never met?”His expression didn’t change. “I’m Liam Hayes. Ethan’s best friend.”Ethan’s name sent a jolt of recognition through her. Still, she hesitated.“May I come in?”Elena eyed him warily before stepping aside. “Make it quick.”Liam walked in with casual ease like he owned the place. He took a slow look around, noting the small but tastefully decorated space, nothing like the luxurious life she had grown up in.She crossed her arms. “So, what does Ethan’s best friend want from me?”Liam turned to face her, his expression unreadable. “I want you to stop whatever you came here to do.”Her brows furrowed. “Excuse me?”“I know why you’re here, Elena,” he continued, voice calm but firm. “I won’t let you destroy Ethan again.”Elena blinked, caught off guard. “Again? What do you mean by destroy him again”Li
“So, do you now believe whatever I'm here to prove?” Elena held his gaze, her pulse drumming in her ears. She wasn’t entirely wrong. She had come to prove, to him, to her father, to herself, that she wasn’t some pawn in their war.She wanted him to believe her so badly. That way she could peacefully do her job without trying to please him or prove anything to him. But what unsettled her was the way Ethan looked at her.Like he saw right through her.Like he knew.The music slowed, the last notes lingering in the air as they came to a stop, still locked in each other’s hold. Neither moved, neither spoke.And then, just as the applause began around them, Ethan leaned in, his voice so low that only she could hear.“No, I don't, Ms. Blake.”Elena barely had a second to process his words before he released her, stepping back with that signature smirk of his.Leaving her standing there, heart pounding, breath uneven.And that was when she knew it would be hard to convince Ethan that she d
Elena tilted her head, letting her lips brush just slightly against Ethan’s cheek as she whispered, “You think you can beat my father to this game?”Ethan’s grip tightened. “You tell me.”She smirked. “Let’s find out.”She definitely was going to enjoy and see how this folded. But, she would never be a part of it. Her heart beats in a way she couldn't explain. At first, she was scared of being caught in her father's game. But now it seems she wants to protect this man from her father. But why?Is it love, lust, infatuation, or pity? She can't say. But she was ready to play the game with them and win. *******Elena sat at the long conference table, her fingers laced together as she listened to the financial projections being presented. She had been at Ethan Cross’s company for three months now, and while her position as an executive assistant had given her access to sensitive reports, she had remained careful, walking the fine line between her father’s expectations, Ethan's suspic
“What did you do?” she demanded.A pause. Then, a casual, “I’d check the news if I were you.”The call ended.Elena stood frozen in the hallway, her grip tightening around the phone.She tapped open a news app.BREAKING NEWS: LOCAL WOMAN ATTACKED IN ALLEYWAY, POSSIBLE ROBBERY ATTEMPT.She scrolled down. A grainy image of the victim loaded, and Elena’s breath left her in a sharp gasp.Her aunt. Her late mother’s younger sister.A thousand emotions slammed into her at once, rage, fear, guilt.She didn’t think. She just moved.Turning on her heel, she strode towards the exit, her heart pounding so hard it hurt.But before she reached the elevator, a voice stopped her.“Elena?”She turned to see Ethan walking towards her, watching her with narrowed eyes.She hadn’t even heard him step out.Something in his expression told her he had seen her reaction, her panic, the way her entire body had gone rigid.And Ethan didn’t miss details.“Where are you going?” he asked, his voice unreadable.El
“Why do you keep asking me if I believe you?”She turned back, her heart pounding.His gaze was sharp, piercing. She swallowed hard. “Because I want you to.”Ethan’s fingers drummed against the steering wheel. “Then you haven't been proving yourself enough. What's your plan?”Elena hesitated. She didn’t have one. Because she never thought she would need a plan to work in the corporate world. But she knew one thing for sure, she wasn’t going to let her father win.She met Ethan’s gaze, steel in her voice.“I’ll figure it out.”A long beat of silence stretched between them.Then, finally, Ethan nodded. “Yeah. I think you should”Elena didn’t know what to make of that.So she got out of the car, shut the door behind her, and walked inside without looking back.But she could still feel his eyes on her.And for the first time since this whole thing started, she wondered if Ethan Calloway was the only one keeping an eye on her.He had barely pulled away from Elena Blake’s apartment when
ONE YEAR LATERThe Calloway Private HospitalThe corridor outside the private maternity suite was bathed in soft golden light, the quiet hum of air conditioning the only sound breaking the stillness. Ethan Calloway paced the floor with restless energy, his gaze flickering between the closed doors and the clock on the wall. His sharp three-piece suit, though still impeccable, bore the signs of his agitation, his tie slightly loosened, his sleeves rolled up to his elbows. His usually composed demeanor was crumbling under the weight of anticipation.“Ethan, you need to sit down,” Liam Hayes said, leaning against the wall with an amused smirk. “You’re wearing a hole in the floor.”“I can’t,” Ethan muttered, running a hand through his hair. “What’s taking so long?”“It’s childbirth, man. Not a boardroom meeting,” Liam chuckled. “Relax.”Just then, the soft shuffle of approaching footsteps caught their attention. Clara entered the corridor, her own rounded belly pronounced beneath a fl
Elena nearly choked on her coffee. “Excuse me?”Ethan chuckled, clearly enjoying her reaction. “I meant what I said. Six months. No business, no interruptions. Just you and me, traveling the world.”Elena gaped at him. “Six months?”“Mm-hmm,” he confirmed, sipping his coffee like he hadn’t just dropped an insane proposal. “We’ll start here in the Maldives, then maybe head to Italy, Greece, Paris… anywhere you want.”Elena blinked. “Are you serious?”Ethan’s expression softened slightly as he set his cup down. “Elena, for years, our lives have been filled with chaos. We’ve been running, fighting, surviving. This is the first time we can actually just live.”Her chest tightened at his words. He was right. Their love had been forged in fire, tested by storms. Now, for the first time, they had the freedom to just be.She exhaled, shaking her head in disbelief. “I married a billionaire, didn’t I?”Ethan smirked. “Of course.”Elena laughed, shaking her head. “You really think we can disa
She tilted her head, her gaze locking onto his. The fire in his blue eyes sent a shiver down her spine, not of apprehension, but of absolute certainty.This was real.This was forever.The suite was bathed in soft, golden candlelight. The flickering flames cast shadows against the walls, creating an intimacy that wrapped around them like silk. Rose petals trailed from the entrance to the king-sized bed, their deep red hue a stark contrast against the crisp white sheets. A chilled bottle of champagne sat in a silver bucket near the bedside table, untouched. But there was no need for champagne. The intoxication was already there...in the way Ethan’s fingers slowly traced the curve of her back, in the way his lips hovered just inches from hers, promising, waiting.“You planned all this?” Elena whispered, her voice barely above a breath.Ethan smirked, that signature, devastating smirk that had once frustrated her, challenged her, consumed her. “You deserve everything, Elena,” he mur
Ethan’s lips curved into a smirk. “Only one. And I’m holding her right now.”The band transitioned into something slower, more sensual. The air between them thickened. Ethan pulled her closer, his breath warm against her ear.“You have no idea what you do to me, do you?” he murmured.Elena’s fingers tightened around his shoulder. “Maybe you should show me.”Ethan exhaled sharply, a dark chuckle escaping him. “Careful what you wish for, Mrs. Calloway.”The words sent a thrill through her. Mrs. Calloway. She was his. And yet, there was a part of her that still couldn’t believe it.A burst of laughter from a nearby table pulled them back to reality.At a round table draped in silk, Liam leaned back in his chair, swirling his glass of whiskey with a knowing smirk. Clara sat beside him, her emerald dress hugging her curves, her expression amused as she watched Ethan and Elena.“They look disgustingly in love,” Clara mused, taking a sip of her champagne.Liam chuckled. “Who knew the cold,
“It is time for your vows.”A hush fell over the crowd.Ethan inhaled sharply, his blue eyes locking onto hers.For the first time since she had met him, he looked…nervous.Not in the way most grooms were...there was no hesitation, no doubt. But there was weight behind his gaze as if the words he was about to say carried more significance than anything he had ever spoken before.Then, his voice came, steady but thick with emotion.“I spent my life chasing power, wealth, control.” He paused, exhaling slowly. “I built an empire from nothing. I was ruthless and strategic. I knew how to win. I thought that was all there was.”Elena’s breath hitched as his fingers tightened around hers.“But then I met you.” His voice dropped slightly, the rawness in it making her throat tighten. “And you showed me what it truly means to live.”The world disappeared.There was no sunset, no guests, no officiant standing between them.Just Ethan.Just the man who had once been her greatest mistake, then h
Liam barely contained his laughter. “Speak of the devil.”Ethan shot him a glare before running a hand through his thick, slightly disheveled hair. His chiseled jaw clenched, and his piercing blue eyes...usually calm and unreadable...were clouded with nervous energy.“Where’s Elena?” he asked, voice taut.“In her bridal suite,” Clara answered, flipping through her clipboard without looking up. “You’re not supposed to see her before the ceremony, so don’t even think about it.”Ethan let out a breath and muttered, “I wasn’t going to.”Liam smirked. “Liar.”Ethan ignored him and resumed his pacing. His mind was racing. It wasn’t cold feet...it was something deeper, something rawer. He had spent years building his empire, making high-stakes deals without breaking a sweat. And yet, standing here, on the precipice of marrying Elena...the woman who had unraveled him in ways he never expected...he felt a foreign sense of vulnerability creeping in.What if she changed her mind? What if she
“Running away already?”The deep timbre of his voice sent a familiar shiver down her spine.She didn’t turn. “Would you blame me if I was?”Ethan came to the scene, his warmth seeping into her. Dressed in black slacks and a white button-down, sleeves rolled up to his forearms, he looked every bit the man she had fallen for...confident, steady, devastatingly handsome.He wrapped his arms around her from behind, resting his chin on her shoulder. “Nervous? ‘Uncle, you are scaring my wife?” he added staring at his uncle Who just smiled and left. “Are you okay?” He asked Elena again with concern. She nodded, her fingers tightening around his wrists. “I don’t know if I can handle all of this attention. I'm not used to getting attention”Ethan pressed a kiss to the side of her neck, his breath warm against her skin. “We don’t have to do this tomorrow if you’re not ready.”Elena turned in his arms, searching his face. “I am ready,” she said softly. “I just don’t want to lose myself in t
But trust?Trust was a fragile thing. And even now, with Ethan, there was a part of her that flinched at the idea of giving someone else the power to hurt her.Her phone vibrated in her pocket, pulling her from her thoughts.Ethan.She hesitated before answering.“Elena.” His voice was sharp, and controlled, but she could hear the tension beneath it. “Where are you?”She turned a corner, glancing up at the towering glass windows of a familiar building.“I just needed fresh air,” she said softly. “I’ll be back soon.”A pause.“Elena,” he said, quieter this time. “Talk to me.”She swallowed hard, gripping the phone. “I will,” she promised. “Just… give me a little time.”Another silence.Then, finally, “Okay.”But she knew Ethan. He wasn’t the type to sit back and wait.And if he was looking for her, there was only one place he would never expect her to go.The cemetery.Where the past lay buried.***The cemetery loomed ahead, silent and vast. Fog clung to the damp earth, weaving throug
Ethan ran a hand through his hair, his frustration barely contained. “I don’t know. But I’m not going to sit back and hope nothing happens.”Liam studied him for a moment, then sighed, sitting forward. “Alright. What do you need me to do?”Ethan grabbed a file from his desk and handed it over. “I need you to personally oversee the security team. Make sure there are no weak spots. The guest list is final...no last-minute additions. No surprises.”Liam flipped through the documents, nodding. “Got it.”Ethan exhaled, some of the tension easing. “And I want two of our best men watching Elena at all times...discreetly. She can’t know.”Liam smirked. “Because she’d kill you if she found out?”Ethan gave him a look. “Because she’d insist she doesn’t need it. But I’m not taking chances.”Liam nodded, standing. “Alright, I’ll handle it.” He paused, studying Ethan with something almost amused in his eyes. “You know, for a guy who built an empire from nothing, you sure do freak out a lot when