Violet thought Rowan Ashcroft was just her ruthless billionaire boss—the kind of man who notices results, not people. Then his attention shifts, and suddenly she’s at the center of an obsession she never saw coming. As her life falls apart, Rowan offers protection no one else can. The problem? Men like Rowan don’t protect what they love. They possess it.
Violet The phone starts screaming at 7:58 a.m., which is exactly when it always does-like it knows the building is awake and it’s time to ruin someone’s life. It’s my job to make sure that someone isn’t Rowan Ashcroft. “Ashcroft Industries, good morning,” I say, already typing with my free hand, already scanning the calendar,…
My headset is warm against my ear when the next call comes in and the screen flashes a number I don’t recognize-blocked ID, no company label, no name. Just the kind of call that doesn’t care about my schedule. I let it ring once. Twice. A controlled hesitation. Then I answer. “Ashcroft Industries.” A pause.…
I don’t respond. Silence makes men like him talk faster. “And listen,” he continues, launching right in, “the council’s moving forward with the bill. Hargrove’s backing it now. It’s good for your industry, but we’ll need your support My attention drifts before he hits the second sentence. Because Violet Pierce is standing at her desk…
“Yes.” “They cost time. They cost control.” “Yes.” “And I don’t keep people who cost me either.” “I understand.” Avery inhales sharply, like she’s waiting for the axe to fall. It doesn’t. Not yet. I look at Violet for a long moment. Long enough that she knows I’m deciding something. Then I say, “Return to…
“You don’t get called into his office unless something’s wrong,” she replies. “And you don’t come back looking like that unless it was personal.” 1 stare at the table for a moment, gathering my thoughts. Camille waits. She always does. “I made a mistake,” I say finally. Her eyes widen slightly. “You don’t do that.”…
“I think,” he replies, voice still calm, “that you’re very good at staying in control. And people who stay in control usually have a reason.” “Or a necessity,” I say. He tilts his head. “That job of yours. Ashcroft Industries. You ever see anything… questionable there?” “No.” “You sure?” “Yes.” “Because companies like that,” he…
“I’m telling you, if they ask about the quarterly projections again, I’m walking,” he says into the phone, then spots me and lifts two fingers in greeting. “Call you back.” He ends the call and smiles like it’s effortless. “Morning, Violet.” “Morning, Mr. Ashcroft,” I reply automatically. He winces. “Theo. Please. If my brother hears…
Camille nods. “By herself.” I file that away. “There’s more,” she adds. “I assumed.” But when personal chaos bleeds into my building, it becomes my problem. And Violet Pierce just became something I need to monitor more closely. Not because she failed. Because she didn’t. And people who endure that much pressure without breaking eventually…
I know that the moment Rowan closes his office door behind us and says my name like a directive instead of a reprimand. “You’re coming,” he says. I don’t answer right away. I’m still holding the itinerary, still mentally checking timing and routes and contingencies. “I’m coordinating logistics,” I say. “I don’t need to attend.”…
The car slows. Before the driver can open the door, Rowan reaches into his jacket and pulls out a card. Black. Matte. No logo. Just a name and a number embossed in silver. He holds it out to me. “What’s this?” I ask, already knowing it isn’t small. “My attorney,” he says. “Use him if…