Chapter 13: The Edge of Control

Chapter 13: The Edge of Control

The tension from the previous night still clung to Elena as they boarded the jet that morning. The storm had delayed their journey, forcing them into that unexpected layover, but now they were back on course. Jason sat across from her, reviewing documents on his tablet, his face unreadable.

She tried to focus on her own notes, reminding herself why she was here. This wasn't just about enduring Jason Sinclair—it was about securing her mother's legacy, keeping her boutique afloat. And for Jason, this was about something far bigger: the merger that would solidify his control in the industry. Neither of them could afford distractions.

But last night had been a distraction.

The lingering memory of Jason's touch, the way his voice had softened in the dark—it unsettled her. She couldn't afford to lose sight of what this was: a business arrangement.

They landed in the bustling heart of Ravenshore, where the real work awaited them. The sleek black car waiting outside the airport whisked them to the high-rise hotel where Jason had scheduled meetings with top executives from Harrington Industries. This was the battlefield where deals were made or broken.

Elena exhaled, steeling herself as they entered the grand lobby. The weight of expectation settled over her. She had a role to play—one she couldn't afford to mess up.

A Face from the Past

As they walked toward the elevator, a voice called out from behind her.

"Elena Vasquez?"

She turned sharply, her heart stuttering for just a second. Nathan Carter.

Nathan had once been a familiar face—an associate of her father's, a man who had lingered in the periphery of her life before everything had crumbled. He had been one of the few who hadn't turned his back on her family when the Vasquez name had fallen from grace.

He smiled, though there was curiosity behind his gaze. "It really is you."

Elena forced a polite nod. "Nathan."

His eyes flickered briefly to Jason, then back to her. "I heard about your marriage. Didn't believe it at first."

Jason, who had been silent until now, suddenly stepped closer, his presence unmistakable. "Believe it," he said smoothly, his tone leaving no room for doubt.

Nathan's lips twitched in amusement. "I suppose congratulations are in order."

Elena could feel Jason's gaze burning into the side of her face, but she refused to react. "Thank you, Nathan. I hope business has been treating you well."

"Quite well," he responded, his expression unreadable. "In fact, Carter & Co. is currently in talks with Harrington Industries."

Jason's demeanor didn't shift, but Elena knew him well enough to sense the change beneath the surface. Nathan was competition.

Jason's hand settled at the small of her back, a clear reminder of their arrangement. "We should get going."

Nathan's gaze lingered, but he nodded. "Of course. I'm sure we'll see each other again soon."

As the elevator doors closed, Jason's grip on her waist tightened ever so slightly before he let go. The message had been clear.

The Warning

Once inside their suite, Jason set down his briefcase with deliberate calm before turning to her. "Stay away from him."

Elena arched a brow. "Excuse me?"

"Nathan Carter is not someone you should be engaging with."

She scoffed. "Because he's your competition? Or because you don't like seeing me speak to another man?"

Jason's jaw tightened. "This merger is delicate, Elena. I don't need unnecessary distractions jeopardizing it."

Elena inhaled, her fingers curling at her sides. She wanted to fight him on this, wanted to rebel against the possessiveness in his voice. But then she remembered—this wasn't just his business deal at stake. If Jason lost, so did she.

She let out a slow breath, forcing herself to be rational. "I understand. I won't do anything to compromise what we're working toward."

Jason's gaze flickered with something unreadable, but he only gave a small nod. "Good."

But Elena wasn't blind. Jason Sinclair was always calculating, always ensuring he had the upper hand. Whatever his reasons for keeping her away from Carter, they were undoubtedly strategic—nothing more.

The Edge of Something Else

The rest of the afternoon was a whirlwind of meetings. Elena remained by Jason's side, watching as he maneuvered through negotiations with practiced ease. It was impossible not to admire his precision, his control.

Yet, despite his focus on business, Jason's attention snapped back to her whenever Nathan entered the room. A possessive edge lingered in his demeanor, barely concealed beneath his usual cool exterior.

By the time the last meeting ended, they had secured another step forward in the merger. Jason was pleased—but his mood hadn't lightened.

As they walked back toward their suite, his fingers wrapped around her wrist, stopping her.

"Jason—"

"I meant what I said," he murmured, his voice dangerously low. "Carter isn't someone you should trust."

Elena searched his face, trying to decipher what lay beneath his words. Was this just about business? Or was there something more?

She hated the way her pulse quickened at the intensity in his eyes.

"Why do you care?" she asked softly.

Jason's grip tightened for just a second before he let go. "Because I do."

The admission sent a shiver through her.

Jason Sinclair didn't say things like that. He didn't allow himself to feel.

And yet, here they were—standing too close, staring too long, toeing the edge of something dangerous.

A challenge lingered in his eyes, daring her to push back, to test the limits of this strange, growing tension between them.

Elena swallowed hard, stepping back just enough to breathe. "You're impossible."

Jason's smirk returned, but it didn't reach his eyes. "And yet, here we are."

And as Elena walked away, her pulse erratic, she couldn't shake the feeling that they had just crossed a line neither of them were ready for.