She’d forgotten who was in charge.But she was about to remember.
He followed her at a careful distance, watching as she made her way across town.Of course.She was headed to his enemy’s turf.That towering glass-and-steel skyrise.That bastard’s monument to stolen power.
Saif al-Sintra.The asshole who’d thrown Mark out of the very companyhe’dbuilt from the ground up.
No, it wasn’t Overlock.That could wait.Mark had plans for them too.Plenty of plans.Legal threats.Leaks.Maybe something a littlelesslegal.A little more...persuasive.
Sure, there had been a contract.Sure, he’d agreed to keep profit margins within a certain window in exchange for a payout and stock options.But that was then.That wasbefore.Before the economy turned.Before the clients dried up.Before he got...distracted.
Two years.Maybe three.That wasn’t long in business terms.
He could’ve fixed it.He stillcould.If they’d just given him another chance.If that royal prick hadn’t swooped in with all his righteous fury and power suits and fake morality.
So what if he’d skipped a few meetings?So what if he’d skimmed a little off the top?A man deserved to enjoy his life—especially a man who’dbuiltsomething.A few rounds of golf.A few afternoons with his mistress.Was that a crime?
But they’d treated him like garbage.Tossed him out like a washed-up loser.
And now—now—that woman.Thatsecretary.That little nobody who used to fetch his coffee and pretend to take notes.Shewas in charge?
She wasn’t built for power.She was built for looking good in a pencil skirt and smiling when told to.Not making decisions.Not managing men.Anddefinitelynot running a company.
No.No, she wasn’t going to last.Not with him watching.
He would teach her.He’deducateher in the proper place of a woman.
Mark’s smile twisted, sickly and slow, as he licked his lips.
He wasn’t sure exactly what he was going to do yet—not the particulars.But it would be unforgettable.It would be thorough.And it would be...corrective.
She wouldn’t be strutting around in luxury cars and designer shoes when he was finished.She wouldn’t be brushing past him like he didn’t exist.She wouldn’t be smiling with that false confidence, pretending she was better than him.
No, he’d wipe that fake power right off her smile.
He’d take her apart, piece by perfect little piece, until she remembered what it meant to be afraid.Until she understood just how far a real man would go to remind a woman of her place.
And when she begged—when that proud, prissy mouth finallybegged—maybe then, he’d consider being merciful.
Maybe.
But probably not.
Chapter 29
Walking into Saif’s office the following morning wasn’t the most difficult thing Jemma had ever done.
Burying her mother—who might still be alive if they’d been able to afford better healthcare—held the top spot on that list.
Walking away from Saif a year ago, heart shattered, probably came second.
Giving birth to Jayla soon after her mother’s funeral… That had been both beautiful and brutal.
But stepping into Saif’s office today, knowing he would expect an answer about moving into his home…
That ranked somewhere high.Maybe not top three, but close enough to make her stomach ache and her palms damp.
Itwasthe right thing—for Jayla, for Saif.
Saif could offer their daughter comforts Jemma couldn’t yet afford.Stability.Protection.Presence.Jayla hadn’t lacked for love.But now, she could have both her parents.
