Chapter 1: The Assignment

Sienna Raye adjusted the strap of her leather satchel as she stepped out of the taxi, her sharp hazel eyes fixed on the towering glass monolith before her. The Aurelius Tower—headquarters of the elusive billionaire Kieran Drax. The city's heartbeat pulsed around her, but all she could hear was the steady rhythm of her own anticipation.

This was more than just another assignment.

It was a dangerous game.

For months, whispers had swirled through the highest circles of power—whispers of illicit deals, hidden scandals, and a past Kieran Drax had gone to great lengths to erase. As an investigative journalist, Sienna had built her career on unraveling the carefully spun webs of the rich and powerful. But this time, the stakes felt different.

Because this wasn't just about the story.

This was about him.

Two years ago, their paths had crossed at a masquerade gala, a night drenched in stolen glances and words that lingered like embers in the cold. She had known who he was, of course. The dark prince of the business world—untouchable, unattainable. But that night, beneath the shimmer of golden chandeliers and the heady scent of aged whiskey, Kieran had leaned close, his voice a low, decadent promise against her skin.

"Some secrets, Miss Raye, are meant to stay buried."

And then he was gone.

Now, she was about to walk into his world once more. But this time, she wasn't here for fleeting words or unspoken temptation. She was here to uncover the truth.

Sienna inhaled deeply, pushing back the flicker of nerves. She had faced billionaires, politicians, and criminals before. Kieran Drax was just another story.

Or so she told herself.

She crossed the marble foyer, her heels clicking against the polished surface as she approached the receptionist's desk. A poised woman in a sleek black dress looked up, her expression perfectly professional.

"Miss Raye," she said, her tone neutral. "Mr. Drax is expecting you."

Sienna's pulse skipped. So he knew she was coming. Not surprising. Men like him always stayed a step ahead.

"Lead the way," she replied coolly.

The elevator ride was silent except for the soft hum of movement. Floor by floor, the city dropped away, and anticipation coiled in Sienna's chest.

When the doors finally slid open, she stepped into a world of understated opulence. The top floor was a masterpiece of modern design—floor-to-ceiling windows revealing a panoramic view of the skyline, dark mahogany furniture exuding quiet power. The air smelled of leather and something darker, something unmistakably him.

Then she saw him.

Kieran Drax stood by the window, his silhouette cut against the evening glow. Tall, devastatingly composed, with the kind of presence that turned men into legends. His jet-black hair was slightly tousled, as if he had run his fingers through it in thought, and his tailored charcoal suit fit like a second skin.

He turned, and the moment their eyes met, Sienna felt it.

The pull. The unspoken dare. The dangerous, slow burn of a game neither had acknowledged—yet.

"Miss Raye," Kieran murmured, his voice smooth as aged scotch. "I should have known you wouldn't stay away for long."

Sienna lifted her chin, refusing to be drawn in by the quiet challenge in his tone.

"I'm here for the truth, Mr. Drax," she said, forcing her voice to stay steady.

He smiled then, slow and knowing.

"Are you?" he mused, stepping closer, his gaze never leaving hers. "Or are you here for something else?"

Heat curled low in her stomach, but she ignored it. She wasn't here to play his game.

She was here to win it.