Every Step She Takes

[James's POV]

I stood in front of the floor-to-ceiling window in my office.

The city lights stretched out below me.

My reflection on the glass showed no emotion.

There was a knock at the door.

"Come in."

My assistant, Leo, walked in with a tablet in his hands.

"Sir."

I didn't turn around.

"Speak."

"Alistair Black's plan worked." Leo's voice was steady. "Rose Lang agreed to take her sister's place."

I kept looking outside.

That old fool finally got something right.

"There's more," Leo said, with a pause in his tone. "The darknet monitoring system picked up a high-priced request."

I turned to face him.

"Someone offered half a million dollars for all records on you and the Black Group."

That actually got my attention.

"Who?"

"Rose Lang."

I couldn't help it. I smiled. Just a little.

A soft laugh slipped out.

A wounded little cat.

Trying to scratch a lion.

More interesting than I expected.

"Tell our people," I said, walking back to my desk. I sat down and tapped my fingers on the surface.

"Anything dirty on the Black Group—if she wants it, give it to her. Help her dig deeper."

Leo hesitated. "And your files, sir?"

"Package up the good stuff. My polished résumé. The charity records. The Harvard interview."

I leaned back in my chair.

"Find a way to sell it to her."

Leo had been with me for ten years.

It was the first time I saw real emotion on his face.

He wanted to say something. But he held it in.

I looked straight at him.

"Speak."

He cleared his throat. He seemed a little braver.

"Sir, you've been letting the PwC audit team leave on time. You had admin send them lunch and afternoon tea."

He paused, watching my expression.

"I heard the coffee was the brand you always drink."

"Are we going to have a—"

He didn't finish. But I understood.

Ms. Watson.

I liked the title.

He thought I would be angry.

"Leo."

"Sir, sorry. I spoke too much."

"Double your quarterly bonus."

Leo's eyes lit up. He couldn't hide his smile.

"Thank you, sir."

"Leave."

He walked out. His steps were lighter.

Now I was alone again.

I looked out the window.

The city below was like a massive system.

And I was the one running it.

Rose Lang.

You think you're fighting back.You think you're getting revenge.You think you've found a way out.

But every step you take is on the path I built.

Every bit of information you've "found"—I handed it to you myself.

Come on.

Faster.

Walk straight to me.

I want to see your face when you realize—Every bit of your struggle only brought you closer to me.