Amber POV: Two weeks later

I woke up earlier than usual, switching off the alarm before the first beep could slice through the silence. Today was going to be a long day, and I needed my routine to keep the lingering shadows of my mind at bay. After changing into joggers and a worn-out tee, I stepped out into the crisp morning air to jog through my neighborhood.

In the fourteen days since that night, I had been aggressively practical. I’d told my friends no more drinking on weekdays and ruthlessly edited the reckless "List" of its filthiest items, replacing them with quieter goals. I was turning thirty soon; I needed a trip to an island, not another descent into chaos.

As I made my way back to my apartment, a prickle of unease crawled up my spine and it felt like I was being watched. I slowed my pace, glancing over my shoulder to scan the environment. There was nothing significant except for a small black car parked across the street, with windows so dark they looked like ink sat idling. Though it felt out of place in this sleepy neighborhood, there was no noticeable movement so it probably belonged to an overnight guest.

Shaking off the chill, I hurried upstairs to continue my preparations.

By 7:30 a.m., I was already at Lumena Entertainment, placing a fresh coffee on Mr. Gems’s desk. I retreated to my own station to prep for the day’s main event: a high-stakes business proposal from Artisan Scents. The company was home to high end luxury fragrances that cost more than my monthly rent.

They were on the look out for a suitable entertainment company to collaborate with, which would be a massive win if Lumena secured. The executives had been on edge for two weeks since the offer arrived, which meant the support staff, including me, had been the target of their mounting frustration.

Luckily, Mr. Gems remained relatively calm, until the clock hit nine.

“Amber,” he said briskly, shedding his winter coat as he moved like a whirlwind. “Have you reviewed the brief for the meeting?”

“Yes, sir. I’ve sent a summary to your email,” I replied, moving to hand him his tablet.

“Good, because you’re sitting in with me.”

I froze in my tracks. “Huh?”

He smiled at my stunned expression. "The CEO requested a minute-taker with high efficiency so I put your name forward. Don’t look so panicked; it’s a great opportunity."

I nodded, beaming at the compliment despite the sudden weight of extra work. He checked his watch and hurried me toward the executive floor. Just as we reached the heavy oak doors of the conference room, he cursed under his breath.

“I forgot the legal addendum for the Romano contract. Legal needs it by ten, or we lose the filing window.” He looked at me pleadingly. “Amber, please. Run back, grab it from my top drawer, and drop it at legal. Then come straight to the meeting.”

I didn’t hesitate, sprinting back to his office immediately, sorted through his files, and delivered the document to the Legal department with minutes to spare. By the time I made it back to the executive floor, I was twenty minutes late. My heart hammered against my ribs as I approached the conference room.

Guarding the door was a man who looked less like a corporate security guard and more like a human tank. His black suit was tailored to hide a massive frame, and his eyes were cold as ice.

“Good day. I’m supposed to be in the meeting,” I said, trying to steady my breathing.

He didn’t check a clip-board or call inside. He simply looked me over with an unsettling intensity. “Are you Miss Amber Ross?”

“Yes,” I answered, taken aback.

He stepped aside, pulling the door open for me before I could raise a question. I slipped into the darkened room, my tablet hugged to my chest like a shield. The lights were dimmed for a presentation, casting long, sharp shadows across the faces of the city’s most powerful executives. I scurried to the empty chair beside Mr. Gems, keeping my head low as I began typing notes.

The presentation ended, and the lights flickered to life. I blinked, adjusting to the brightness, and that’s when I smelled the scent of leather and clean smoke.

My blood turned to ice, and I looked toward the head of the table. Seated beside our CEO, Mr. Kennedy was the man from the bar… my one night stand.

He sat with his jacket draped over the back of his chair, sleeves rolled back to reveal powerful forearms. His gaze wasn't on the documents or Mr. Kennedy who was seated next to him; it was locked on me with a terrifying focus.

“I hope you find our company suitable after this presentation, Mr. Toretto,” Mr. Kennedy said, his voice dripping with eagerness.

I looked down at my tablet, my fingers trembling as I finally looked at the name I had ignored all morning. Bold, black letters stared back at me: Dominic Toretto.

The man from the bar wasn't just a stranger. He was the CEO of Artisan Scents, and he was currently watching me like I was the only person in the room.

“Ah, Miss Ross,” Mr. Kennedy cleared his throat, noticing the heavy silence. “You’ve finally joined us.”

“Yes, sir. I apologize for the delay,” I forced out, my voice sounding thin to my own ears.

Dominic didn’t look away. “No issue.”

His voice was a deep, lethal vibrato that resonated in the pit of my stomach. “Artisan Scents finds Lumena Entertainment quite suitable. However, we are selective about the face of our brand.”

He leaned back, his hands folding over his chest. He looked polished, but there was an underlying current to his stillness that made my skin hum.

“This partnership will require total coordination,” a representative from his side continued. “We will be moving into the onboarding phase immediately. We require discretion and staff who can handle high pressure environment and confidentiality.”

“Of course, Mr. Toretto,” Mr. Kennedy assured him. “We will provide our most efficient team.”

Dominic’s eyes flicked to mine, a slow smirk ghosting his lips. “Good.”

The rest of the meeting was a blur of signatures and handshakes. I buried myself in my work, my fingers flying across the screen, desperate to remain invisible. When the chairs finally shifted, signaling the end, I moved to bolt. I gathered my things, weaving through the chattering executives toward the exit.

I was three inches from the door when his voice stopped me dead.

“Mr. Gems,” Dominic’s voice rumbled through the room, cutting through the noise like a blade. “Please have your secretary send the minutes of this meeting to my private server.”

I didn't turn around, shutting my eyes as the inevitable finally caught up to me.

Oh shit.

Amber’s POV

By Saturday night, I was at my wit’s end.

Handling the sheer volume of administrative tasks for the Artisan project was one thing, but Mr. Toretto’s relentless persistence was another beast entirely. Now, I sat in a corner booth at a downtown bistro, forced to recount the week’s ordeal to my three best friends. They were leaned in so close our foreheads nearly touched.

"Okay, pause! Let’s get the facts straight.” Ginny raised her hand. “You hooked up with a man who turned out to be the CEO of a luxury brand and your company’s latest client?"

"And he’s been sending you designer gifts every single day?" Jane added, popping a French fry into her mouth.

“Yes,” I nodded, and they exchanged wide-eyed glances.

“I fail to see the issue here, Amby… a kind gesture can’t hurt,” Lilah shrugged, her eyes twinkling with mischief I knew too well.

I ran a hand through my hair, exasperated.

“You know it’s not just a ‘kind gesture,’” I said, making aggressive air quotes. “Besides, do you know how awkward it is to receive a delivery every day in front of the entire office? The gossip is off the charts.”

They burst into laughter at my intense grimace. Lilah’s eyes twinkled. “I don't know, those heels you showed us were gorgeous. Plus honestly? They’re a huge upgrade from your old ones!”

“That’s not the point,” I countered, thanking the waiter as he finally served our food. “I’m tired of his pestering. I have made it clear to him that I want a professional relationship, but the gifts arrive regardless.”

The scent of melted cheese and garlic wafted up, momentarily soothing my frayed nerves. I picked up my fork, taking a mouthful of pasta as if I could drown my anxiety in carbs.

“Maybe he’s just… intense. Some men are like that, and seeing how well you two clicked at first it makes sense” Jane emphasized, a dreamy sparkle in her eyes. “I’m telling you, he’s your soul mate.”

I gripped my wine glass, taking a slow sip. “There’s no such thing. What I’m considering right now is a trip. I want my thirtieth birthday to be free of men, gifts, and bosses. Just me, you guys and the sea."

I reached into my purse and pulled out the brochure for St. Jude’s Cay. It was a tiny island reachable only by private charter. It was quiet, disconnected, and most importantly, away from Dominic Toretto.

“What do you think?” I asked.

Lilah took the brochure, her eyes widening as she scanned the prices for the private charter and the villa. "Amby... this is a lot, the price is astronomical."

"She’s right," Jane added, leaning in, her voice hushed. "We want to celebrate with you, but we can take a more affordable trip."

I took a slow, deliberate sip of my wine, looking them each in the eye. "It’s okay, I'm paying for the villa using the wedding savings."

The table went dead silent, and they shared uneasy glances.

“Are you sure about this?” Ginny questioned, a flicker of uncertainty in her eyes.

"I’m sure," I replied, my voice firm. "That money is a result of my hard work, and what I’d been planning for four years turned out to be a lie. I withdrew half from the joint account yesterday. Liam already took his half for whatever he’s doing so I’m spending my half on this."

A slow, supportive smile spread across Jane’s face. "The 'F-you' fund. I love it."

Seeing their warm expressions, I continued. “I’ve put in for a short leave. If it’s approved, we leave Thursday morning.”

“Your birthday isn’t until Saturday, though,” Ginny pointed out.

“The earlier, the better,” I replied firmly. “I need to wash the 'office' off me before the actual day.”

"Do you think they’ll approve it?" Lilah asked softly. "With the project just starting?"

"I already cleared the dates with Mr. Gems," I said, a small sense of victory rising in my chest. "By the time I get back, maybe his obsession will have moved on to something or someone else. He's a billionaire; surely he has a short attention span."

"Then we’re in," Lilah declared, raising her glass. "To the best thirtieth birthday ever. No men, no gifts, and no ghosts of the past!"

After clinking glasses, we spent the rest of the night planning the itinerary, laughing as we reviewed outfit ideas.

The bistro suddenly felt quieter and I felt my hairs stand as the air shifted in the room and I felt a faint itch built at the back of my nose

I sneezed once, sharp and sudden, startling even me.

“Bless you,” Lilah said immediately.

“It’s just allergies,” I muttered, rubbing my nose as I forced a laugh.

But the feeling didn’t leave with the sneeze.

If anything, it settled deeper like something had already decided not to let me go.

I glanced around the room but saw nothing out of ordinary and with a sigh I reached for my bag. “I should head out. I need sleep before I start overthinking nonsense.”

Still, as I stepped into my apartment, I couldn’t stop myself from glancing over my shoulder once.

******

Dominic’s POV

She was there, I could see it too clearly.

Tilting her head back and letting out a deep laughter just like that night at the bar.

Her expression filled with ease like she had no care in the world, that is, until she looked at me

And then she frowned and my before I could process... the mirage was gone.

The gala was a hive of useless chatter. Waiters moved through the crowd like ghosts while government officials tried to buy my favor with empty smiles. I stood on the mezzanine, watching the scene with a glass of neat bourbon, listening to a minister drone on about a new development deal.

Rafe appeared in my peripheral vision, waiting. I gave the official a curt nod. “We’ll talk in detail at my office. Excuse me.”

As the man scurried away, Rafe moved closer. "The Romano shipment was intercepted, Boss. We burned the warehouse and seized their men."

"Good," I replied blankly. “Extract the information, then handle the rest. I want no loose ends.”

Before I could continue, a soft rustle of silk sounded behind me. A pair of dainty arms wrapped around my waist.It was a model I’d seen on a billboard earlier that week; she had a dainty, practiced smile as she peeked around my shoulder.

“Good evening, Mr. Toretto,” she purred, her voice dripping with artificial sweetness. “You looked so stressed. I thought you might need some company.”

She slipped her hand into mine, leaning her weight against my bicep. The scent of heavy, synthetic vanilla invaded my nostrils. I looked across the room and caught the government official’s glinting eyes. This was his "incentive"; a gift to make me consider his proposal.

Normally, I would have accepted the distraction for an hour or two but tonight, the feeling of her skin against mine made my body tighten with visceral repulsion. Her curves felt wrong, her scent gave me a headache… it wasn't her.

I grabbed the woman's wrist in a grip that made her gasp, her eyes widening in terror.

"Leave," I ordered, my voice a lethal rasp.

Her features contorted into confusion. "B-but I thought you…"

"Get out before I have you tossed from this balcony."

She didn't wait. She scrambled away, her heels clicking frantically against the marble.

I turned back to Rafe. “Inform the official that I will not be doing business with him. Ever.”

I downed the bourbon, the burn doing nothing to soothe the itch under my skin. As my driver pulled the car onto the expressway later that night, I pulled out my phone. I watched the GPS ping over a small bistro. I stared at the dot, my chest tightening with a possessiveness that was becoming a physical ache.

She was still there, laughing with her friends, trying to erase

“Whether she likes it or not,” I murmured, “I’m done seeking 'options.' I want her.”

“According to our intel, Miss Ross is planning a trip for her birthday, Boss,” Rafe added, handing me a tablet. “St. Jude’s Cay. They depart Thursday morning.”

I scrolled through the images of the brochure she had been holding.

“Thursday?” I mused. “Her birthday isn't until Saturday morning.”

"She wants to leave early to avoid any... distractions," Rafe said hesitantly.

An amused smile tugged at my lips. I didn't need him to say it, my little Ember was trying to run. She thought a few miles of ocean would be enough to put out the fire she started.

"Book the neighboring estate for Saturday," I commanded. "And have the yacht prepped and moved to the harbor. If she wants to play in the sand, it’s only fair that I’m there to catch her when she falls."

"The Romano situation is still volatile, sir," Rafe cautioned. "Leaving now could..."

"Did I ask for your opinion?" I snapped, my gaze turning ice-cold.

Rafe bowed his head immediately. "No, Boss. I’ll handle the arrangements."

I reached into my pocket, my fingers brushing the scrap of black lace.

“You’re not running away, Amber,” I thought, watching the GPS dot stop at “… you’re just getting closer to where I need you.”