Page 27 of The Billionaire's Vow

"Also, I’m moving your office closer to mine," he added, watching as her mouth opened—probably to argue—before she snapped it shut again, eyes narrowing.

"That’s not necessary, sir," she said tightly, clearly trying to maintain control of the situation.

Dimitri barely held back a laugh.She actually thought she had a say in this.Adorable.

She opened her mouth to speak, but a sharp knock at the door cut her off.

Saved by the bell.For now.

“Come in,” Dimitri called.

Mike stepped into the office, his expression smooth, professional—as always.But when Dimitri said, “Cancel my next meeting,” something flickered across the shorter man’s face.Small.Controlled.But there.

A hesitation.

“Of course, sir,” Mike replied evenly, though his voice carried the faintest strain.His eyes shifted—too quickly—to Giselle.They lingered a fraction longer than necessary before he forced them back to Dimitri.

Dimitri didn’t like that.

Mike had worked for him for years, precise as clockwork, never sloppy.But right now?There was an edge beneath the surface.A shadow.Irritation?Resentment?Or something else entirely?

Dimitri’s gaze tracked the subtle movement as Mike adjusted his cuffs—pointless, fidgeting.“Something wrong?”he asked lightly, his tone almost conversational.

Mike’s head snapped up.“No, sir.”Too fast.Too sharp.He smoothed his face into neutrality, but the seams were visible.“Shifting everything last-minute may cause… conflicts.”

Dimitri arched a brow.“Are you saying you can’t handle it?”

Mike’s throat worked as he swallowed.“Of course not.I’ll take care of it immediately.”

Still, he didn’t leave.His fingers drummed once against his thigh.His jaw flexed.And again—his gaze flicked to Giselle.Not long, not obvious.But Dimitri saw it.He always saw it.

And then there was Mike’s glance toward Dimitri’s desk—the files stacked neatly on the corner.Mike’s lips pressed thin, like he wanted to speak but thought better of it.

Interesting.

“Giselle,” Dimitri said smoothly, his eyes never leaving Mike, “pour yourself some coffee.We’ve got a long morning ahead.”

Giselle scoffed lightly.“That won’t be a problem, sir,” she replied primly, her eyes glinting with mischief.

Dimitri let his mouth curve into the ghost of a smirk—but his attention was fixed on Mike.His assistant’s shoulders tightened at the exchange, just barely, but enough.

Out of the corner of his eye, Dimitri watched Mike finally move, clearing his throat.“I’ll shift those meetings now,” he muttered.His words were clipped.Controlled.But the rigid set of his body spoke louder.

And then he was gone.

The door clicked shut, leaving behind silence—and tension thick enough to taste.

Giselle seemed oblivious, blowing lightly over the coffee as she poured two cups, unaware of the current that had just swept through the room.

Dimitri, however, wasn’t oblivious to anything.Mike was unsettled.And it wasn’t just the schedule.He didn’t want Giselle here.Didn’t want her digging.

The only question was why.

Because he wanted her for himself?

Or because she was about to find something he didn’t want uncovered?

Either way, Dimitri intended to find out.