Who are you?

“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 willingly bringing a Blake into your inner circle?”

Ethan sighed, drumming his fingers against the desk. “I don’t trust her entirely”

“Then cut her loose.”

Silence stretched between them.

Liam groaned. “Fuck, Ethan. You don’t want to trust her, but you’re also not willing to let her go. That’s a problem.”

Ethan knew Liam was right.

Every instinct told him keeping Elena close was dangerous. But something about her, the fire in her eyes, the way she challenged him just now made it impossible to turn away.

“I need to know what she’s up to,” Ethan finally admitted.

Liam’s expression darkened. “So, what? You’re going to keep her close and hope you figure it out before she stabs you in the back?”

Ethan smirked. “Something like that.”

Liam let out a heavy breath, pinching the bridge of his nose. 

“Fine. But don’t say I didn’t warn you when this all blows up in your face.”

Ethan’s smile faded. “I don’t plan on letting it.”

Liam gave him a long, measured look before shaking his head. “Just be careful.”

As he turned to leave, he paused at the door. “One more thing.”

Ethan raised a brow.

“I looked into her.” Liam’s voice was quieter now, cautious. “She's trying to cut ties with her father. But I don't have enough evidence to that yet” 

Ethan stilled. “What do you mean?”

Liam hesitated. “She’s been cutting ties, making moves that go against everything Vincent built. And if Vincent finds out…”

Ethan’s grip tightened around the edge of his desk.

If Vincent found out, Elena wouldn’t just be in danger. He might be in trouble too. 

If she's working against her dad, it means they have a common goal. 

And suddenly, Ethan felt like he wasn’t just keeping her close to figure her out.

He was keeping her close to protect her.

But from what?

Or worse… from whom?

*****

Elena’s heels clicked against the pavement as she exited Calloway Corporation, her mind spinning with everything that had just transpired.

She knew it.

She had seen it in his eyes, the way his sharp businessman’s mind dissected every word she said, searching for cracks. Ethan Calloway was no fool, but she hoped he believed her.

The air outside was crisp, carrying the distant hum of city life. New York never truly slept, and tonight was no exception. Cars honked in the distance, neon signs flickered, and the streets pulsed with restless energy.

Elena tugged her coat tighter around herself, slipping into the backseat of a sleek black car waiting at the curb. The driver didn’t speak, he knew better than to ask questions.

As the vehicle merged into traffic, Elena’s phone buzzed. She glanced at the screen.

Unknown Number.

Her stomach clenched. Only a handful of people had this number, and most of them weren’t the type to call for friendly conversation.

She hesitated for a moment before answering. “What?”

A deep chuckle rumbled through the speaker. “That’s no way to greet your father.”

Elena’s blood ran cold. 

“Are you visiting today?” His voice was smooth, but there was an unmistakable edge beneath it. “I was beginning to think you were avoiding me.”

Elena gritted her teeth. “I’ve been busy.”

“He tsked in mock disappointment. “You know don’t need to work, Elena. You have everything you could ever want.”

“I want to build something for myself, Dad.”

“You can always work anywhere else. Come work for me” 

Silence.

Then, Vincent let out a slow, amused sigh. “You always were the rebellious one.”

Elena’s fingers tightened around the phone. “If that’s all, I have things to do.”

“You do,” Vincent agreed. “Like answering one very important question.”

Elena braced herself. “What question?”

“Why did Ethan Calloway tell you?”

Her heart skipped a beat.

She forced her voice to stay steady. “what?.”

Vincent hummed, unconvinced. “You could have chosen anywhere, but you walked straight into Calloway’s den. Why?”

“I told you,” she said, her grip on the phone tightening. “I want a life outside of your world.”

Vincent chuckled, but there was no humor in it. “You know, Elena, I’ve let you play this little game for long enough.” His voice dropped, laced with warning. “But you need to remember something, no one walks away from this family.”

Elena’s chest tightened.

“I have heard that countless times, Dad?”

Her pulse pounded in her ears. “Stay out of my business.”

Vincent laughed, dark and knowing. “I would worry less about me and more about what happens when he finds out the real reason you’re there.”

Elena’s stomach twisted. “I'm not your spy and I have no reason to be there than build my career”

“I hope he believes that” he chuckled 

Goodbye, Dad.”

She ended the call before he could say anything else, shoving the phone into her lap as she stared out the window.

The lights of the city blurred as a single thought echoed in her mind.

“She hopes Ethan believes her”

*******

It was the weekend, Elena sat on the couch of her small apartment, staring blankly at the dim glow of the city lights filtering through her window. Her father’s warning still echoed in her head.

"Be careful, Elena. You don’t know the kind of man you’re dealing with."

She exhaled sharply, rubbing her temples.

Vincent Blake was always dramatic, always weaving danger into the shadows of her life. But for once, she wasn’t sure if he was wrong.

Ethan Calloway was a different breed of powerful. Controlled. Unpredictable. And now, after that unexpected moment in his office, after she confessed she wanted to be free from her father’s influence, he was paying more attention to her. Too much attention.

She was afraid of what her father might do to him if he found out. But she was ready to prove to Ethan that she wasn't like her father. 

Her doorbell rang.

Elena stiffened. No one visited her unannounced. Since she left her father's mansion, no one visited her. 

Her fingers curled into the couch as she slowly stood and moved toward the door, heart pounding. She peered through the peephole.

A man.

Tall, broad-shouldered, with piercing green eyes and a sharp, confident stance. He was dressed in a sleek gray suit, his blond hair neatly styled.

A stranger.

Elena’s pulse quickened. She debated ignoring him, but something told her he wouldn’t just leave.

She unlocked the door but didn’t open it fully. “Who are you?”