I struggle to stifle a yawn as I make my way into the office, the early morning light casting long shadows down the familiar corridor. My footsteps echo softly against the polished floor, mingling with the distant hum of photocopiers and the murmur of conversations starting to build in the cubicles.

Despite the weariness that clings to my bones, a smile tugs at my lips as my thoughts drift to Thea. She was a darling, always so considerate despite her own exhaustion. She'd offered to make me breakfast, even though she'd only caught a mere two hours of sleep herself. I can still see the determined look on her face as she insisted I sit with her and share a meal before I left for work.

A soft chuckle escapes me as I recall how she fell asleep with a piece of toast in her mouth, her head bobbing perilously close to the plate. If it weren't for my quick reflexes, she would've ended up face first in an omelette. The image of her, slumped over the table, her breathing slow and steady, brought a warmth to my chest that I couldn't quite shake.

I push open the door to my office and step inside, the familiar scent of paper welcoming me. As I settle into my chair, I let out a long sigh, the weight of the day ahead pressing down on me. But in the back of my mind, there's still Thea, her sleepy smile and the way she always makes everything feel just a little bit brighter.

Unlike my office back at the estate, my office in the city lacked any personal touches. There were no photo frames adorning the walls, no sign of my grandfather's cherished rocking chair, and not even a glimpse of my gun box. I wouldn't say I hated it, but I certainly didn't love it either. It felt sterile, a place designed for pure business and nothing more.

As I glanced around at the sleek sofa sets and modern coffee tables, I vaguely remembered selecting the designs over the phone. The space exuded a cold, clinical efficiency that served its purpose well. Here, there was no room for sentimentality or nostalgia. This was a place where decisions were made, deals were struck, and power was wielded.

Sitting in my high-backed leather chair, I could play god. The thought sent a shiver down my spine, a mix of exhilaration and unease. This office was a far cry from the comfort and familiarity of the estate, yet it was a testament to my authority and control in the business world. And in this chair, I could shape destinies with the stroke of a pen or the click of a button.

Hunter's here." Nate opened the doors to my office, stepping aside to allow a lean man to enter.

Hunter moved with a predatory grace, his eyes scanning the room with a quick, assessing glance. He was the kind of man who seemed to notice everything, and I could tell from the way his gaze flicked from one detail to another that he was taking in more than just the decor. His presence commanded attention, a silent declaration of his competence and confidence.

"Good to see you, Hunter," I said, rising from my chair and extending a hand. He grasped it firmly, his grip solid and unyielding. We exchanged a brief nod, the kind that passed for a greeting among men like us—efficient, devoid of unnecessary words.

"Likewise," Hunter replied, his voice low and steady. "What do you have for me today?"

I motioned for him to sit in one of the chairs across from my desk. Nate quietly closed the doors behind him, leaving us in the privacy of the office. Hunter settled into the chair, his posture relaxed but alert, ready for whatever I was about to throw at him.

"We have a situation," I began, leaning back in my chair. "One that requires your particular set of skills."

Hunter arched an eyebrow, a faint smirk playing at the corners of his mouth. "You always know how to make things interesting. What's the job?"

I reached for a file on my desk, sliding it across to him. "Inside, you'll find everything you need to know. The target, the timeline, and the expected obstacles. It's a high-stakes operation, but I have no doubt you're up to the task."

Hunter picked up the file, flipping it open with a practiced ease. His eyes skimmed the contents, and I watched as he absorbed the information, his expression never wavering. He was a professional through and through, and I trusted him implicitly.

After a few moments, he closed the file and looked up at me. "Consider it done."

I nodded, a sense of satisfaction settling over me. In this office, in this chair, I could orchestrate events with precision and control. And with men like Hunter at my disposal, there was little that could stand in our way.

Nate entered the office once again, this time accompanied by Finn, the private investigator who did the dirty digging for me. Concern etched his face as he approached.

"What did you do?" Finn asked as he eyed the back of Hunter's head, his voice tight with anxiety. Hunter turned around in his chair across from me, now facing Finn.

"Something you should've done a long time ago," I snapped, feeling anger rise in me. I grabbed a copy of the file and flung it across the room, watching as it landed at Finn's feet.

He bent down to pick it up, his hands shaking slightly. As he read the contents, the tension and fright on his face became unmistakable. "Boss, I—"

"Save it," I interrupted, raising my hand to stop him. I didn't want to hear his sorry excuses. "How did you miss such a big thing? Especially at a time like this? It almost cost us everything!" I slammed my hand against the custom-made ebony wood table, causing the stationary on it to clatter and some items to fall to the floor.

I shook my head, pinching the bridge of my nose in frustration. "Dalary has been feeding information to Miller, and I'm hearing this for the first time at four in the morning today."

Finn's face paled further, and he stammered, "Boss, I had no idea. I—"

"Exactly!" I cut him off again. "You had no idea, and that's the problem. Your job is to know, to uncover these things before they become a threat. Do you understand the gravity of this situation?"

Hunter watched the exchange silently, his expression unreadable. Nate stood by the door, his gaze fixed on the floor, as if he could disappear into it.

"We're on the brink of something huge," I continued, my voice low and dangerous. "And a betrayal like this can undo everything we've worked for. If it weren't for Hunter's timely intervention, we'd be in ruins by now."

Finn's eyes darted to Hunter, who gave him a curt nod. The private investigator's shoulders sagged as he realized the full extent of his failure.

"I'm sorry, Boss," he murmured, his voice barely audible.

"Sorry isn't good enough," I said coldly. "We need action, we need results. Find out how deep this betrayal goes and who else might be involved. And this time, don't let anything slip through the cracks."

Finn nodded, his expression resolute. "I'll get right on it."

"You'd better," I replied, my tone leaving no room for doubt. "Because next time, there won't be any second chances."

With that, I dismissed him, watching as he hurried out of the office. The room fell silent, the tension lingering in the air. I turned to Hunter and Nate, my mind already racing with plans to mitigate the damage.

"Let's make sure this never happens again," I said, my voice steely with determination. "We have too much at stake to let our guard down now."

Hunter briskly nodded, shaking Nate's hand as he walked out. Nate sighed, the dark patches under his eyes more pronounced as he came closer and replaced Hunter's seat. It didn't help that the party was last night, and so many things had come up overnight.

"Did you get a chance to look at Theodora's file?" Nate's eyes bore into mine.

"Not yet." I reached for a pen sitting on the table and spun it between my fingers. "I'll get to it when I do."

"I know you spent the night with her." The pen stopped spinning and fell to the ground as Nate's statement broke my concentration.

He didn't need to know my business with her. I knew the second he found out, he'd tattletale to my mother, and that wouldn't be a pretty sight. I also knew I couldn't stall much longer. I was the one who'd demanded the file; it was necessary for the clan, for the safety of my family. But the entire thing didn't sit well with my conscience, and guilt gnawed at me.

"It doesn't concern you."

"It does when you're not thinking straight." His eyes widened, surprised by his own boldness. My jaw clenched and my hands fisted. He'd crossed a line, and he knew it.

"You better choose your words carefully, Nate." I seethed through my teeth, anger boiling at my second-in-command's audacity to dispute my actions and private affairs. He gulped audibly, his knee bobbing up and down without his knowledge.

"You've never engaged with someone without thoroughly investigating them before. I don't understand why you're doing it now. Especially with your mother involved with her. I thought you'd be more circumspect."

I leaned closer, narrowing my eyes. "You don't know a thing about her."

"And you do?" Nate's voice trembled slightly but held its ground. "You think I haven't noticed how you've been acting lately? You're distracted, Conrad. We can't afford distractions right now."

His words struck a chord, though I'd never admit it. The truth was, Theodora was more than a distraction. She was a complication, one I hadn't fully untangled yet. And Nate's prying was only making things worse.

"I'm handling it," I said, more to myself than to him.

Nate shook his head. "I hope you are. For all our sakes." He sighed, standing up from his chair. "Anyways, your next meeting is in five."

As he walked away, I picked up the pen from the floor and stared at it, my mind racing. I couldn't let personal feelings cloud my judgment. The safety of my family, of the clan, depended on me being at my best. And right now, that meant facing whatever secrets Thea was hiding.

If she was.

END OF CHAPTER EIGHTEEN: UNDER THE TABLE
1816 words

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