Raine
The morning started with the usual chaotic rush of a Tuesday, even though I had barely slept a wink.
I had spent the entire night staring at the ceiling, watching the shadows shift across the room as my mind tossed and turned.
Every time I closed my eyes, I kept seeing Miguel’s name in bold black ink on that contract.
It was a terrifying shock, but as the sun finally came up, I forced the fear down and washed the exhaustion off my face.
I refused to let him disturb my peace.
Miguel was thousands of miles away in the northern territory, completely wrapped up in his own pack life.
There was no way I was going to let the ghost of my past destroy what I had spent four and a half years working so hard to build.
I had built a real life here from nothing, and I wasn’t going to let him shake me.
By seven o’clock, the kitchen was a loud, familiar mess of spilled cereal, running feet, and the welcoming smell of fresh coffee.
“Liam, eat your toast, please.
Leo, put your shoes in your backpack, not on the kitchen island,” I called out, using a damp cloth to wipe a sticky streak of strawberry jelly off the marble counter.
“I’m putting them away, Mommy,” Leo murmured quietly, sliding his small sneakers into his bag with a serious expression.
Liam, on the other hand, was busy trying to drive a toy car across the kitchen table.
Once both boys were fed, dressed, and coated in a fresh, thick layer of the specialized scent-masking ointment, I guided them out the door.
We took the elevator down to the underground garage, where my black SUV was parked.
I buckled them securely into their car seats in the back, hopped into the driver’s seat and started the engine.
The drive to their preschool took about fifteen minutes.
I kept the radio playing softly, listening to them chatter in the backseat about the playground and their friends.
Lena had texted me earlier to let me know she would handle picking them up from school later this afternoon and watching them at our place while I finished up my workday, which took a huge weight off my shoulders.
I pulled up to the drop-off lane, unbuckled them, and walked them right to the front doors.
I gave them each a tight, lingering hug, watching them run inside to join the other children before heading back to my car.
By nine o’clock, I had parked in the executive lot beneath my office building and made my way up to the top floor.
I sat at the head of the large glass conference table, fully focused on the day ahead.
This was what I was good at, no one can take it away from me.
Not even Miguel.
During the morning meetings, I made a conscious effort to push all thoughts of him completely out of my head.
He didn’t belong in my world anymore, and I had a company to run.
“The regional distribution data looks good, David, but we need to tighten the delivery window for the East Coast clients,” I said, leaning forward and pointing to the spreadsheet projected on the wall.
“If we can’t guarantee a two-day turnaround, we lose our competitive edge.”
”We can pull the extra staff from the logistics division, Ms.
Argent,” David replied, nodding quickly as he adjusted his glasses and took notes on his legal pad.
“It will increase our operating budget by about four percent for the quarter, but the volume of orders will cover it easily.”
”Do it,” I said, checking my watch and flipping to the next file.
“Let’s review the marketing presentation next.”
For the next three hours, I handled the fast pace, the corporate structure, and the endless stream of decisions with ease. Find the original chapter at g.com.
It was a busy, fulfilling morning, and I felt completely satisfied with everything I had built since arriving in the city.
I was safe here.
I was in control.
At around one o’clock, the final meeting wrapped up.
The employees cleared out of the conference room, talking quietly among themselves about the new budget, leaving me alone to gather my tablet and paperwork.
I walked back into my private office, feeling a deep sense of accomplishment.
The day was going perfectly.
I sat down behind my sleek desk, intending to quickly check my inbox before grabbing my purse and heading down to the lobby cafe for a quick sandwich.
Then, the chime of a new email broke the silence of the room.
I clicked it open, and the breath completely left my body.
*From: Miguel Harrison (CEO, Harrison Global Holdings)
Subject: Performance and Competence Review
Ms.
Argent,
As you are aware, my company has recently acquired The Vance Group, making us the primary investors in Argent Solutions.
I take my investments very seriously, and I like to know exactly who I am working with.
I need to ensure your firm is competent enough to handle our expansion.
I am currently in New York for the week.
I will be stopping by in the coming days to review your operations personally.
Be ready.
Regards,
Miguel Harrison
CEO, Harrison Global Holdings*
The text blurred before my eyes.
My hands went completely cold, dropping onto the hard wood of the desk.
He wasn’t just a distant name on a contract anymore.
He was here, in the city, breathing the same air.
And he was planning to walk right into my building.
If he showed up unannounced, he would see my face.
He would realize the ex-wife he discarded was running the company he just invested millions into.
Worse, with his sharp Alpha senses, if he caught even a faint, lingering trace of the boys’ scent in my office, my entire world would crumble.
If he discovered my children, he would use his power to take them away from me.
Panic started to tighten around my throat.
I grabbed my cell phone, my fingers flying across the screen as I pulled up my text messages.
I tapped on the one person in New York who could truly understand me.
He’s here.
I pressed send, my heart hammering furiously against my ribs.
My phone buzzed almost instantly in my hand.
*Breathe, Raine.
I’ve got you.
I’m actually downtown at ‘The Grande’ right now.
I’m just about to wrap up a lunch meeting with a client.
Pack up your things, come out, and have lunch with me.
Let’s talk about this face-to-face and find a solution.*
I looked at the clock on my computer screen and realized it was right in the middle of the lunch break.
A sudden wave of relief washed over me.
I didn’t have to sit here in the quiet room, drowning in my own fear.
*Okay.
See you in a few minutes.*
I closed my laptop, grabbed my trench coat and purse, and walked quickly out of my office.
I told my secretary I would be out for an hour, took the elevator down to the underground garage, and got back into my car.
The drive to the restaurant was a blur.
When I arrived at ‘The Grande’, the hostess guided me through the beautifully decorated dining room toward the back section.
As soon as I got close to his seat, Joshua was already on his feet with his hands wide open.
I didn’t waste any time.
I closed the gap between us and held him tight, just like I had always done whenever the world felt too heavy to carry alone.
He was my safe haven, the one who had looked out for me and my boys for years now.
He patted my back slowly, his large hands warm and steady against my coat.
“It’s fine, baby.
You’re fine.
I’m here for you, love,” he whispered into my hair.
He pulled away from the hug, held my two cheeks gently with his hands, and kissed my forehead before pulling me right back into another comforting embrace.
As we hugged, my chin rested over his shoulder, and my eyes casually darted across the busy restaurant.
Suddenly, all the blood in my veins completely froze.
My breath locked tight in my throat, and the world around me seemed to go entirely silent.
Right across the room, sitting at a table with a clear view of us, was a face I recognized instantly.
I locked eyes with the last person I ever thought I would see here.