She went back to her desk, feeling the weight of Leo's confession on her mind. His hidden past, his pain, had softened the icy barrier she'd usually seen, but it also made her realize how high the stakes were. One wrong move, and she could lose more than just her job.
Her thoughts were interrupted by a knock on the office door. Leo appeared, tall and imposing, his expression unreadable. He held a folder in his hand.
"We need to talk," he said, voice sharp yet controlled.
Immediately, Lia stood. "About the investigation?"
He shook his head. "About you." His gaze was intent and steady. "I want to make a deal. One that protects both of us."
Her brow furrowed. "Agreement?"
He handed her the folder. Inside were documents outlining access privileges, safety measures, and rules for her role in uncovering the sabotage. But there was one line that made her heart skip: Any personal involvement with the CEO or interference in his private life is strictly prohibited.
Lia blinked. "You mean… You're drawing boundaries?
"Exactly," he said, his tone ice-cold. "You get access to the investigation. You get protection. But you follow my conditions—no personal entanglements, no emotional distractions. One mistake, Lia, and this ends."
She felt a mixture of frustration and… excitement. The challenge. The danger. The closeness.
"I can agree to that," she said carefully. "But don't expect me to ignore everything else that comes with the job."
Leo regarded her for a long moment, his usual stoicism breaking into something softer. "I wouldn't have it any other way," he admitted, just barely above a whisper.
Lia signed the contract, feeling the electric tension in the room. It was a deal, all right—strict, dangerous, and personal.
And for the first time, she realized boundaries between them were meant to be tested.