Chapter 3

Three months ago. Las Vegas.

“It was good doing business with you, August.”

“The pleasure is all mine,” I replied, shaking his hand. “And I assure you your continuous patronage of TAG vehicles will never be a mistake.”

Baron Russo chuckled as he smoothed the crease in his jacket. “That was never in question. My family has used TAG for generations. This meeting was just… formality.”

“As expected,” I said smoothly. “Still, I appreciate the opportunity to host you here.”

We exchanged a few more pleasantries before the meeting wrapped up.

Another deal secured, at least the board members would get their foot off my neck.

By the time I returned to the suite, exhaustion had already settled into my bones.

I loosened my tie slightly, sinking into the chair and gulping down a glass of whiskey.

I winced as the liquid burned my throat before pouring another.

“Would that be all for today sir?” a voice asked.

Genesis.

I didn’t look at her immediately.

“You were right after all, my father handled legacy clients personally,” I replied. “It would have been inappropriate to do otherwise.”

The admission felt strange coming from me. I rarely acknowledged when someone else was right according to Esme anyways… was I drunk already? I thought, lifting the half full glass of whiskey.

“Obviously not,” I whispered as I refilled my glass.

Genesis didn’t reply, the sound of papers shifting. Files being arranged. Efficient. Precise alone filled the room.

She had always been like that.

Quiet and efficient enough to last over a year working for me, something no other assistant had managed.

And for the first time since she started working for me, she spoke back at me, shocking me.

She had suggested I come personally to meet Baron Russo, like my dad and his before him had always done.

I had ignored her, only to hear he was here in Vegas with our competitors sniffing around.

I finally understood why she had insisted but I had been too head strong to admit it until now.

I took the last gulp of whiskey, but strangely I was tipsy after only a second glass.

The alcohol sat heavy in my system, dulling my usual sharpness, blurring the edges of everything around me.

Including her.

For the first time, I really looked at her, not as my assistant.

But as a woman.

She stood a few feet away, her hair pulled neatly into a bun, her posture straight, professional as always.

Too composed. Too controlled.

And suddenly… noticeable.

Very noticeable.

Maybe it was the alcohol or something in the air dulling my judgement. Or maybe I had simply never allowed myself notice her before.

My gaze lingered longer than it should have.

Tracing the contours on her body, her gray eyes and long fluttering lashes.

“Mr. Thorne?”

Her voice pulled me back.

“I would leave you to rest. Your flight is scheduled for tomorrow morning. I’ll finalize the documents tonight and send them to the headquarters and…” She rambled on but I was barely listening, my gaze shamelessly stuck on her plum lips.

I hadn’t realised how openly I’d been staring until she spoke again.

“Mr Thorne, Is there anything you need me to do for you?” She asked, worry lines forming on her forehead.

I leaned back slightly, studying her.

“Be careful what you ask for princess,” I said, a little above a whisper.

A faint crease formed between her brows. “Sir?”

She looked confused now, uncertain whether I was joking or crossing a line.

“I heard something about you,” I said, my voice lower now, slower as I leaned forward.

“They call you ‘mini me,’ don’t they?”

A small, almost reluctant smile touched her lips, but it disappeared just as quickly.

“I think you are drunk sir, I’ll leave you to rest now,” she said, turning slightly.

The thought of her leaving suddenly didn’t sit right with me, so before I could stop myself…

“Stay.”

The word came out sharper than intended.

She paused.

Then turned back.

“I need to send these documents to the headquarters as soon as possible, sir.” she said nervously.

“August” I said and she only raised one brow confused. “Call me August.” I clarified and the flustered look on her face did something strange to me.

“Sir, I I…can’t, you are my boss and-”

“Good, so you'll listen to your boss then, Genesis.” I said cutting her off, reaching for the decanter on the table, pouring her a drink as she squirmed in her seat and somehow that, her losing composure felt oddly satisfying.

I extended the drink to her.

“I can't, I have-"

“It’s an order.” I cut her off.

Silence.

A flicker of something crossed her face, frustration, maybe.

Then she took the glass.

“Fine.”

She drank it in one go.

I watched her.

She moved closer only to pick up a file as my eyes never left hers.

My hand moved before I could think, closing around her wrist and stopping her mid-step.

I didn’t even realize I was reaching for her until my fingers closed around her wrist.

Grip tight, just enough to stop her from pulling away.

She froze.

“Mr. Thorne…”

I poured another.

And another.

Somewhere between the second and third drink, the room shifted.

The air changed.

The distance between us didn’t feel as… necessary anymore.

I couldn’t tell if it was the alcohol.

Or something else entirely.

We had both loosened up now, laughing easily, her voice was different now.

Lighter.

I leaned forward slightly, our faces almost touching.

“You should smile more,” I murmured, loosening her bun.

Her hair slipped slowly between my fingers, and for a second neither of us spoke, just staring into each other’s souls.

“And you should listen to your assistant more,” she said slowly, dragging out the words slightly like she was tempting me, as she pulled me in by my tie.

That made me laugh.

A low, unfamiliar sound.

For a moment, neither of us moved.

Then everything blurred.

Her laughter was the last thing I remembered before everything went dark.