Evan Leigh's POV
I stepped out of the elevator into the private underground parking lot of the Reed Corporation, the heavy folder pressed firmly against my ribs.
Raya Hospital.
Originally St. Agnes Hospital—before Diamant bought it out a few years ago and rebranded it under the Reed medical umbrella.
It was perfect.
I slid into the back seat of my waiting car, the door clicking shut with a satisfying thud, instantly sealing out the distant rumble of the city traffic.
My assistant looked back from the front passenger seat, his eyes dropping briefly to the folder in my hands.
"Is it done, sir?"
"Of course it's done," I said smoothly, tossing the folder onto the leather seat beside me. "Diamant likes to pretend he has a heart of stone, but he's incredibly predictable when you know which strings to pull."
The assistant nodded, pulling up his tablet. "The legal team is already standing by to finalize the registration under Leigh Enterprises. It will take less than an hour."
"Excellent. And Kian Silver?"
"He arrived at your office ten minutes ago, sir. He is currently waiting in the main lobby."
A slow smile curved my lips as I leaned back against the headrest, closing my eyes. "Let him wait. A little anticipation is good for the soul."
I could still taste the bitter tang of the espresso I had shared with and hidden from Diamant, but my mind was entirely focused on the storm brewing on the horizon.
Diamant was right about one thing.
The silence from Aiden Frost was deafening.
But while Diamant chose to fortify his walls and wait for the enemy to strike, I preferred a different approach.
If a storm was coming, I needed a shield.
And Kian Silver was going to be the most magnificent shield I had ever broken into shape.
Kian Silver's POV
The air conditioning in the lobby of Leigh Enterprises was freezing, but my palms were slick with sweat.
I sat on the edge of the minimalist white couch, staring down at my worn shoes, completely out of place among the pristine, high-end decor.
Every person passing by—sharp-dressed executives, elegant assistants—looked at me like I was a stray dog that had wandered into a museum.
I didn't care about their looks.
My chest felt tight, the phantom weight of my grandmother's hospital room and that terrifying termination text from my IT boss crushing the air from my lungs.
"Mr. Silver?"
I snapped my head up. A polished receptionist was gesturing toward the private elevator bank. "Mr. Leigh will see you now. Top floor."
I stood up, my knees feeling slightly weak. "Thank you."
The ride up was silent and dizzyingly fast. When the doors opened, I was greeted by a massive open-plan office that overlooked the entire financial district.
And there, standing by the massive glass window with his back to me, was Evan Leigh.
He didn't turn around immediately when the elevator doors closed. He just stood there, a silhouette of absolute power and control.
"You're late, Kian," he said, his voice smooth, carrying effortlessly across the quiet room.
"I... I was told to wait in the lobby," I said, hating how unsteady my voice sounded.
Evan turned around slowly, a faint, polite smile on his face that didn't reach his dark eyes. He walked over to his desk, picking up a pen.
"An excuse," he murmured softly. "But given the circumstances, I'll overlook it today."
I took a step forward, my hands clenching into fists at my sides. "Why did you do it?"
Evan raised an eyebrow, looking genuinely amused. "Do what, exactly? You'll have to be more specific. I do quite a lot of things in a day."
"My grandmother," I said, my voice rising slightly before I forced it back down. "And my part-time job. You forced my boss to fire me. You transferred her to a room I can never afford."
Evan chuckled, a low, melodic sound that made my skin crawl. He leaned against the edge of his desk, crossing his arms.
"Forced? No. I merely pointed out the legal liabilities of his hiring practices. He chose to protect his own skin," Evan said casually. "And as for your grandmother... I thought you would be grateful. She is receiving the absolute best care in the city. In fact, she is currently resting in a hospital that I now personally own."
My heart stopped. "What?"
"Raya Hospital," Evan smiled, tilting his head. "The papers were signed less than an hour ago. So you see, Kian, her health, her treatment, her very comfort... it all depends entirely on me now."
The room seemed to tilt.
He hadn't just cornered me at work. He had bought the very building keeping my family alive.
"What do you want from me?" I whispered, the fight completely draining out of me, replaced by a cold, numbing dread. "Just tell me what you want."
Evan walked over to me, stopping just a foot away. The scent of expensive cologne and dark coffee washed over me, heavy and suffocating.
He reached into his pocket and pulled out a black fountain pen, offering it to me along with a crisp, new contract resting on his desk.
"I want your absolute loyalty, Kian," Evan whispered, his eyes gleaming with a terrifying, predatory hunger. "You work for me now. Exclusively. You do what I say, when I say it, without question."
I looked from his face down to the pen.
I had no choice. There was no backup plan. No other job. No way to move my grandmother without risking her life.
With trembling fingers, I reached out and took the pen from his hand.
"Good boy," Evan murmured, his smile widening as I bent down to sign my life away.