For some reason, I felt a bit lighter. Maybe it was because ric had just opened up to me about the woman who broke his heart, or because he told me that he stopped being in love with her a long time ago.

Or maybe–maybe it was because he practically told me that he would choose me over his own mother. Of course, it wasn’t the first time he was saying something like that.

ric’s breath hitched when I ran my thumb over the metal bar under his tip. I pressed another kiss to his neck, moving down slightly.

“You’re fucking unbelievable,” he muttered, although his voice was hoarse.

“I just want to touch you, that’s all,” I breathed, stroking him again. “And put you in my mouth, of course. But only if you want me to.”

His gaze narrowed. “Since when are you so damn bold?”

I bit down on my bottom lip, fighting a smile. “Probably the fever.”

ric huffed out an amused breath, and it turned into a groan when I stroked him again. His hand shot out to grab my wrist, halting my movement. My gaze flicked up to his, and even under the dim lighting in my room, I could see the darkness that had clouded his eyes.

“Don’t test me, Meadow. You’re burning up.” He swallowed, pausing. “Bleeding. The only reason I’m not on top of you right now is because I don’t want to break you.”

The corners of my lips turned up into a small smile as a shiver ran down my spine. “Break me, then,” I whispered.

“Nice try.” A muscle ticked in his jaw, chest rising and falling hard, and as my thumb swiped over the head of his cock, he jerked slightly.

“Christ,” ric hissed, gently moving my fingers from his pants and pressing it t against my stomach. Do you have any fucking idea what you do to me?”

Leaning upward, I brushed my lips against his. “Maybe.”

He kissed me once. “You should fucking rest, baby.”

“1

Drama with my family, with rissa… I never considered those as bad days. Those were just minor

inconveniences.

But todayb? /b

Somebody was going to end up regretting why they ever applied to work at mypanyb–/bif they even lived to regret it, that is.

Fifty million dors. That was what someone had moved from thepany’s ount to the wrong beneficiary.

“I didn’t authorize this, sir.” Dana breathed, looking straight into the screen of myptop with her brows pulled together. She nced at me nervously, and I watched her throat bob as she swallowed, turning

back to face the screen.

Whatever expression I had on my face was enough to make her fidget. And I watched her every move.

The way her fingers dug into the edge of the mahogany desk, the light sheen of sweat that had coated her

face.

Dana wasn’t guilty–I knew that. But she was still terrified of what I might do.

b“/bI p–promise, I… I don’t know how this happened. It was just an hour ago I received an email from Mr.

Morales-”

“So why are byou /bshaking, Dana?” I asked firmly. She nced at me again, her eyes widening as she stood

upright. I leaned back in my seat. “bIf /byou didn’t authorize this, why do you look so guiltyb?/bb” /b

“I’m not guiltyb, /bI’m nervous.” Her jaw was set tight. “I’ve been working here long enough to know what happens to those who cross you. And to be honest…” Her gaze dropped. “You’re looking at me like you’re

certain I did it.”

My jaw tightened. “I’m certain someone did it.” My gaze shifted to the door as three knocks sounded on it. “And it looks like he’s here. That’ll be all for now, Dana,” I muttered. “Have the tech department trace the

scam ount.”

The money was gone, and it was going to take everything inside of me to control my anger around bmy /bfucking assistant.

I hadn’t spoken to him yet, but bI /bknew it was him. I fucking knew it.