All Chapters of Under His Command : Chapter 11 - Chapter 20

Riley's POVThe dim lighting softened the room’s walls and ambiance, but nothing could dim the intensity of the disgust already sitting in my gut. I forced a polite smile as the old billionaire, Sheffield, continued to eye me with a gaze that made my skin crawl. His thin lips turned up in a smirk, the kind of smile that said he’d seen and taken all he wanted in life without a second thought. And tonight, I was apparently just one more thing for him to admire and consume.Meanwhile, Jaxon was talking, going on about the company’s latest venture, weaving the tale of success he hoped Sheffield would buy into. But Sheffield’s attention was only half on the conversation, his gaze repeatedly flickering back to my face as though he were examining a new piece of art he planned to add to his collection.I clenched my jaw, struggling to keep my emotions in check. I hadn’t expected anything like this when I was told to come here tonight. My thoughts flickered back to the arrangements Jaxon

Riley’s POVI lingered a few steps behind Sheffield and his bodyguards, my jaw clenched tight. My irritation simmered under the surface, threatening to boil over. Every sound he made only fed my growing hatred for the person responsible for this debacle: Jaxon.My fists clenched at my sides as I replayed his words in my mind.Jaxon didn’t care about me or what this would cost me. He only cared about the contract, the money, and proving to the world that he could make anyone bend to his will—even me.I bit the inside of my cheek to stop myself from groaning aloud. If only I’d never met Jaxon. If only I could go back in time and erase him from my life. But I couldn’t. And now here I was, trailing behind an old man who was visibly struggling to climb a flight of stairs, all because Jaxon had decided this was my problem to solve.“You’re doing great, sir,” one of the bodyguards said, his voice cheerful.“Don’t patronize me,” the old billionaire snapped. He paused on the next step, grip

Riiley's POVThe conference room buzzed with the low hum of murmurs as my colleagues and I filed in. The heavy glass door swung shut behind me, and I reluctantly took a seat near the back, hoping to avoid any unwanted attention. At the front of the room, Jaxon stood like a king surveying his court, his crisp navy suit hugging his broad shoulders. His presence was magnetic, commanding respect and silence as soon as he opened his mouth. I stared down at the notepad in front of me, willing myself to keep my expression neutral as he began his speech. “Ladies and gentlemen,” Jaxon began, his deep voice cutting through the chatter like a blade, “I called this meeting because I want to commend the team for their hard work. Yesterday marked a significant milestone for Steele Enterprises.” His eyes swept across the room, pausing momentarily on me. My stomach twisted, but I kept my face blank. “We successfully secured Sheffield’s investment,” Jaxon continued, his tone measured, confi

Riley's POVThe restaurant was warm and inviting, with soft lighting that cast a golden glow over the polished wood tables. A faint hum of conversation filled the air, blending with the gentle clinking of cutlery against plates. The smell of freshly baked bread and simmering sauces drifted through the space, wrapping me in a ball of comfort. Eric and I were seated in a cozy corner booth, the kind that made you feel a little more at ease, shielded from the rest of the world. It was the first time in a long while I felt I could breathe without the weight of someone’s expectations crushing down on me. “So,” Eric began, his tone warm and inviting as he leaned forward, resting his arms on the table. “How’ve you been these past few days, Riley? Really been meaning to check in, but things have been a little hectic on my end.” I smiled, appreciating his genuine concern.It was refreshing—different from the suffocating control Jaxon wielded over me like a weapon. “I’ve been managing,”

Jaxon's POVThe tension in the air was palpable the moment Riley had stepped into the room. His shoulders were stiff, and his jaw was set tightly, though his eyes darted around the suite as if he were looking for an escape route. It was pathetic, really—how easily he was undone by the weight of my presence. A flicker of amusement curled at the edges of my lips, though I quickly masked it with the cold, impenetrable demeanor I’d perfected over the years. Riley was like a tightly coiled spring, his nervous energy radiating off him in waves. The effect was intoxicating. It wasn’t the first time I’d seen fear flicker in someone’s eyes because of me, but with Riley, it was different. It wasn’t just fear; it was uncertainty, vulnerability, and an undeniable spark of something deeper. Something he couldn’t quite name but that I knew all too well.“Do you have any idea how long I’ve been waiting?” I said, my voice cutting through the silence like a blade. "You know I hate waiting for an