Chapter 6 - The Door He Finally Left Unlocked
Vale's records changed everything.
Within days, his organization began collapsing under the weight of its own secrets.
Victor never told me exactly what happened.
I didn't ask.
Liam entered a rehabilitation program for gambling addiction.
For the first time in years, he stopped asking me for money.
One month later, I visited him.
He looked healthier.
“Victor paid for this place, didn't he?”
“No.”
Liam frowned.
“Then who?”
“You.”
He laughed.
“Claire, I'm broke.”
“You had money left in an account.”
“What account?”
“The one Victor found when he audited the payments you made over the last three years.”
Liam stared at me.
“You're kidding.”
“You'd paid more toward the original debt than anyone told you.”
His expression changed.
“So Victor—”
“Returned the difference.”
Liam looked down.
“I hated him.”
“I know.”
“Do you?”
“Yes.”
He studied me.
“You don't anymore.”
I didn't answer.
Liam smiled faintly.
“Oh, wow.”
“Don't.”
“You like Victor Hayes.”
“Stop.”
“My little sister likes a crime boss.”
“I said stop.”
“You're blushing.”
I threw a pillow at him.
For the first time in years, we laughed together.
That night, I returned to the Hayes estate.
Not in uniform.
Victor was in his study.
The mahogany door was open.
I knocked against the frame.
“You left it unlocked.”
He looked up.
“For you.”
“That sounds dangerously sentimental.”
“Don't tell anyone.”
I walked inside.
He had recovered completely. The shoulder wound had become a thin scar crossing part of the tattoo on his upper chest.
“Paul said you wanted to see me.”
Victor closed the folder on his desk.
“I have something for you.”
“If it's money, I'm leaving.”
“It isn't.”
He handed me a document.
I read the first page.
Then the second.
My eyes widened.
“What is this?”
“Employment agreement.”
“I already quit.”
“Not for cleaning.”
The position was administrative coordinator for the Hayes Foundation.
The salary was almost triple what I'd earned before.
I looked at him.
“You can't hire me because you like me.”
“I didn't.”
“Victor.”
“You managed eighteen-hour shifts, your brother's finances, Vale's intimidation, and me.”
He leaned back.
“Frankly, you're overqualified.”
I laughed.
Then I noticed another page.
Tuition reimbursement.
I had mentioned once that I'd dropped out of college.
Once.
“You remembered?”
“I remember everything you say.”
The laughter faded.
Victor stood.
“That's actually becoming a problem.”
My heartbeat quickened.
“Why?”
He approached slowly.
“Because you're in every room even when you're not there.”
I didn't move.
“That's terrible security.”
“Yes.”
“You should fix it.”
“I've tried.”
“And?”
“Unsuccessful.”
We were standing inches apart.
“Claire.”
“Yes?”
“If I kiss you, I don't want there to be confusion about why.”
I looked at him.
“No debt.”
“No.”
“No job.”
“No.”
“No obligation.”
“None.”
“And if I say no?”
“I open the door and you walk out.”
I glanced toward the mahogany door.
Wide open.
Then back at him.
“You're getting better at asking instead of ordering.”
“Slowly.”
I stepped closer.
“Then ask.”
His voice dropped.
“Can I kiss you?”
“Yes.”
Victor kissed me carefully.
Nothing like the dangerous man everyone described.
His hand touched my cheek as if I were something he was afraid to damage.
When we separated, I smiled.
“That was surprisingly normal.”
Victor frowned.
“I can try again.”
I laughed.
He kissed me again.
Then Paul appeared in the doorway.
He immediately turned around.
“I saw nothing.”
Victor closed his eyes.
“Paul.”
“Already leaving.”
I laughed against Victor's chest.
He looked down at me.
The last time I'd rested there, I'd been exhausted, terrified, and trapped by someone else's debt.
May you like
This time I stayed because I wanted to.
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