Page 23 of The CEO

Both of these women are lethal, but even more than that, they’re graceful, able to control their emotions and reactions far better than the others.

The Skull shifts uncomfortably beside me. “Sir, while I understand your interest in Miss Thorne and her connections,” he pauses under my watchful eye, choosing his words carefully, “doesn’t bringing her to Eden pose a significant security risk?”

“Risks I’ve calculated and accepted.” My tone ends any further discussion on the point. “Her presence this weekend will be confined to the main house and gardens. The underground facility remains secured.”

I don’t like my decisions being questioned, especially when it involves The Shadows. While Victor might have laid the groundwork for the organization, it wasn’t until I stepped in that it became the international powerhouse it is now. I’ve dedicated my entire existence to this organization since I was nine years old, and there’s nothing I would do to put that in jeopardy.

Yet there’s an uncomfortable truth I refuse to acknowledge aloud: my fascination with Eve Thorne has evolved beyond strategic interest into something dangerously close to obsession. I find myself checking the surveillance feeds more frequently than necessary, studying her routines, her habits, the way she tucks her hair behind her ear when she’s concentrating. It’s no longer just about what she knows or what threat she might pose . . . it’s about her.

This realization disturbs me more than Foster’s thinly veiled insubordination. In fifteen years, I’ve never allowed emotion to compromise my judgment. Everything, every decision, every elimination, every strategic move, has been calculated with cold precision. Until now. Until Eve walked back into my life with her camera and her questions and her stubborn determination to uncover truths better left buried.

“And if you can’t control her and she discovers more than you intend?” That comes from The Raven, our intelligence specialist whose networks rival government agencies.

“I’m counting on it, actually. It’s precisely what makes her valuable.”

“Valuable for The Shadows?” The Phantom interjects. “Or valuable to you personally, Damien? Because your elusive and vague answers aren’t easing any of our concerns. Not to mention,” he says softly, “you haven’t given us a single detail about what the endgame is here.”

The question hangs in the air, and my patience is growing thin with the lack of trust in this group.

“Both,” I answer honestly. “I’ve been monitoring Eve Thorne since before The Shadows existed in its current form. Her intuition is valuable and she will be a great asset to this organization.” I keep my voice calm as I slowly stand from my position at the head of the table. The room grows silent, the information I just revealed clearly shocking to the members.

“Why weren’t we told about her before?” The Skull materializes from his seat in the shadows.

My fingers curl into fists at my sides as I lean forward slightly, lowering my voice to make sure my tone conveys exactly what I’m about to say.

“If the six of you need a reminder about who the fuck I am as the head of this organization, and who it was that brought you into it, I will be more than happy to remind you. But this is your only warning when it comes to Eve Thorne—this is an operation that far exceeds any of you. You have one choice in this matter: either you follow my leadership or I will ensure you cease to exist.”

After a long moment of silence, The Skull clears his throat. “What exactly is your plan for her, sir?”

“Integration. Gradual exposure to our methods, the same way each one of you was inducted. Alliance through mutual interest.” I pause, wondering how much to reveal at this point. “Based on her experience and past, with proper guidance, she could become one of our most effective intelligence assets.”

“And if she refuses to be ‘guided’?” The Heiress raises a perfectly sculpted eyebrow.

“Everyone can be guided with the right incentives, Heiress. You should know that better than anyone.” Her smirk vanishes. “I’ve made my decision and itisfinal. You are either with me or you’ve just become my enemy. Make your decision wisely.”

One by one, they nod their approval—any reluctance that was there a moment ago now gone.

Only The Skull remains after the meeting concludes and the others depart. Now that it’s just the two of us, I can see the concern on his face.

“Permission to speak freely, sir?”

“When have you ever needed permission, Foster?”

He approaches, lowering his voice despite our privacy. “I’ve served beside you for twelve years. I’ve never questioned your judgment or your methods.”

“Until now,” I finish for him.

“Until now,” he agrees. “This woman . . . she’s different. I’ve seen how you look at photos of her. There’s something there you’re not saying.”

I consider denying it. “Does that concern you?”

“It does when the man who taught me that emotion is weakness suddenly makes decisions based on . . . whatever this is.”

“There’s a difference between emotions and being controlled by emotions.That’sthe weakness.” I move to the wall panel that conceals the elevator to my private quarters. “Having emotions isn’t weakness; don’t confuse the two. Eve is merely part of the evolution of The Shadows. Even the most efficient systems adapt over time to survive.”

He nods. “Just be careful, Mr. Knox. People aren’t the plants you grow in your greenhouse—even with the right cultivation, you’ve seen them grow in the wrong direction.”

“And those are always my favorite ones, aren’t they?” I smile. “You know my penchant for the ones that take a little extra attention and care. That’s what makes them interesting to me: a desire to go against the rules.”

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