Amelia didn't sleep.
She spent the rest of the night reviewing the security reports from the dock watching the footage on a loop, replaying the moment Leo's fist connected with the man's jaw, the way his body moved sharp, controlled violence wrapped in tailored silk.
Leo Vance wasn't just dangerous. He was practiced. Calculated.
And that meant one thing:
He had done this before.
Her father had called at 7:00 AM sharp. No praise. No thanks. Just a cold directive:
"Fix this."
And now here she was perched on the edge of the Roth Tower rooftop garden, coffee in hand, watching the early morning light crawl over the city skyline.
The door behind her clicked open.
She didn't have to turn to know who it was.
Leo's footsteps were unmistakably slow, deliberate, the soft scrape of Italian leather against concrete.
"You're late," Amelia said coolly.
"I didn't know we had a meeting."
"You didn't need to."
Leo's smile was faint as he crossed the rooftop, hands tucked into the pockets of his dark slacks. He stopped beside her, gaze drifting toward the skyline. "Hell of a view."
Amelia's gaze didn't shift. "Did you come up here to admire the view or to explain what the hell happened last night?"
Leo's eyes sharpened. "I already told you what happened."
"They knew about the shipment." Amelia's voice was steady, but the edge beneath it was razor-sharp. "How?"
Leo's mouth curved. "That's what we're going to find out."
"And how exactly do you plan to do that?"
Leo turned toward her, his gaze dark beneath the pale morning light. "You're asking the wrong question."
Her eyes narrowed. "What's the right one?"
Leo's mouth curved faintly. "Who inside your company wants to see it burn?"
Amelia's breath sharpened.
Her father. The board. Key stakeholders.
She had spent years protecting Roth Industries from external threats but Leo was right. The real danger wasn't coming from outside.
It was already inside.
"And when we find them?" Amelia's tone sharpened.
Leo's smile was slow and dangerous. "Then we cut them out."
Her pulse quickened. "That sounds like a threat."
Leo's gaze slid over her face, down to her mouth, before lifting again. "It's a promise."
The heat between them simmered sharp and electric. Amelia hated how aware she was of him, the way her pulse spiked whenever he stood too close, the way her breath hitched when his gaze lingered too long.
She took a step back. "This is business. Keep it that way."
Leo's smile widened. "You think you can separate the two?"
"Yes."
Leo's gaze darkened. "Liar."
Her pulse hammered. "Careful, Leo."
"Or what?"
Amelia's breath hitched.
Leo's hand brushed her wrist light and deliberate. "Tell me to stop."
Her chest rose and fell. "Stop."
Leo's gaze sharpened. "You don't mean that."
Her throat tightened. "You don't know what I mean."
Leo's hand slid lower, his thumb brushing over the soft skin at the inside of her wrist. "You forget I know you better than you think."
Amelia's breath caught. She forced herself to pull away. "This isn't happening."
Leo's smile was slow and lethal. "We'll see."
She turned toward the exit, heels clicking against the rooftop floor.
"You're running," Leo said softly.
Amelia's spine straightened. "I don't run."
Leo's voice followed her as she opened the door.
"No?" His smile sharpened. "Then why are you walking away?"
Amelia didn't answer.
She couldn't.
Roth Tower – Conference Room
(Two Hours Later)
Amelia sat at the head of the conference table, the glow from the recessed ceiling lights casting a cold sheen over the room.
The executive team sat in tense silence. The security breach at the dock was a firestorm, media speculation was already brewing, and investors were asking questions.
Leo sat beside her legs crossed, fingers steepled a study in casual indifference.
"We've reinforced security at all major shipping points," Amelia said coolly. "All employee access has been restricted, and background checks are being re-run on all division heads."
"And the leak?" one of the executives asked.
"We're handling it."
"And how exactly are you handling it?"
Leo's mouth curved faintly. "We've set a trap."
Amelia's gaze sharpened toward him. "Don't speak for me."
Leo's smile didn't fade. "It's cute that you think you're still in control."
Her eyes narrowed. "I am."
"Of course you are."
Amelia's jaw clenched.
The head of security Richard Holloway shifted uncomfortably in his seat. "With all due respect, Miss Roth… how can we be certain Mr. Vance isn't part of the problem?"
Leo's gaze sharpened. "Careful, Holloway."
Richard's mouth tightened. "I'm just saying we don't know how deep this runs. And Vance Enterprises has been"
"Enough," Amelia said coldly.
The room went silent.
Amelia's gaze swept across the table. "I don't care how deep this runs, I care how fast we cut it out. And until I say otherwise, Mr. Vance is part of the solution."
Richard's jaw tightened. "Understood."
Amelia's gaze sharpened. "This meeting is over."
Chairs scraped back as the executives filed out.
Leo lingered.
Amelia rose from her seat, hands smoothing down the front of her navy skirt. "Don't undermine me in front of the board again."
Leo's smile curved. "You say that like you're not enjoying this."
Her eyes narrowed. "Enjoying what?"
Leo stood, stepping toward her close enough that the heat from his body slid beneath her skin.
"Playing with fire."
Her breath sharpened. "I'm not playing."
Leo's hand brushed her hip a light, calculated touch. "Then what are you doing?"
Her pulse hammered.
His hand skimmed higher over the curve of her waist, beneath the edge of her jacket.
Amelia's breath hitched.
She should stop this. She should walk away.
But her body wasn't moving.
Leo's mouth lowered close enough that her pulse kicked painfully against her ribs.
His breath teased her skin.
"Careful, sweetheart," Leo murmured. "You might start liking it."
Her breath caught.
Leo's gaze sharpened.
And then
Amelia's phone buzzed.
She stepped back, chest rising and falling, pulse thundering in her ears as she pulled it from her pocket.
Her heart seized.
Unknown Number: Stop digging.
Amelia's blood ran cold.
Leo's gaze darkened. "What is it?"
She handed him the phone.
Leo's mouth tightened.
"You think it's them?" she asked.
Leo's gaze sharpened. "Only one way to find out."
Amelia's pulse hammered.
Leo's smile was slow and dangerous. "Looks like the game just got interesting."
Her heart kicked painfully beneath her ribs.
And for the first time in her life Amelia wasn't sure if she wanted to win.
Leo's thumb hovered over the message on Amelia's phone.
"Stop digging."
His jaw tightened. "This isn't random."
Amelia's breath sharpened. "I know."
She crossed her arms, trying to steady the cold surge of adrenaline beneath her skin. Her mind was already calculating the possibilities of insider leaks, rival companies, corporate espionage but the fact that they had her number?
That made it personal.
Leo's gaze darkened as he passed the phone back to her. His fingers brushed over hers light, brief but the heat that followed curled through Amelia's veins with sharp precision.
"What's the play?" Leo's voice was low.
Amelia's mouth pressed into a thin line. "Control the narrative."
Leo's gaze sharpened. "And the threat?"
Her chin lifted. "We make them regret it."
Leo's smile widened faintly. "I love it when you're ruthless."
Amelia's pulse quickened. "Don't mistake this for bonding, Vance."
Leo's eyes glinted darkly. "Sweetheart, if I was trying to bond with you you'd know it."
Her breath caught. "Stop calling me that."
"Why?" Leo's voice lowered. "Because you like it?"
Her pulse hammered. "Because it's unprofessional."
Leo's smile sharpened. "And yet…"
Amelia's jaw tightened. "Enough."
Leo's gaze slid over her face, dark and dangerous. "We're not going to solve this from your office."
Amelia's eyes narrowed. "And where exactly do you suggest we go?"
Leo leaned in, his breath teasing her ear. "Somewhere quieter."
Her pulse skidded dangerously. "I'm not leaving this building with you."
Leo's smile was slow and lethal. "Of course not."
Her phone buzzed again.
Leo's gaze sharpened. "Answer it."
Amelia hesitated, then raised the phone to her ear. "This is Roth."
A low, distorted voice slid down the line: "You're making a mistake."
Amelia's grip tightened. "Who is this?"
"You know who."
Leo's gaze darkened.
Amelia's breath sharpened. "If you think you can intimidate me"
"This isn't a threat." The voice was low and calm. "It's a warning."
Amelia's jaw clenched. "What do you want?"
"To give you a choice."
Her pulse hammered painfully. "And what choice is that?"
"Step down from the company or watch it burn."
Amelia's blood went cold. "Who are you working for?"
The line crackled. "You already know."
The call ended.
Amelia lowered the phone slowly, her hand trembling beneath the controlled veneer of her expression.
Leo's gaze sharpened. "Well?"
"They want me out." Amelia's voice was steady, but her pulse was screaming beneath the surface.
Leo's jaw flexed. "That's not happening."
Amelia's gaze hardened. "And why exactly do you care?"
Leo stepped closer too close, his heat bleeding into the space between them. "Because I'm not in the habit of letting people threaten what's mine."
Amelia's breath hitched. "I'm not yours."
Leo's smile was dark. "Aren't you?"
Her pulse skidded. "Careful."
"Or what?"
Her breath quickened. "You'll find out."
Leo's eyes gleamed. "Looking forward to it."
That Evening
(Roth Estate – Private Library)
The Roth Estate sat high above the city, a sprawling stone fortress of glass and steel.
Amelia's father's study was tucked behind a set of ironwood doors, the room lined with dark bookshelves and leather furniture.
William Roth sat behind the heavy oak desk, his expression carved from stone.
"I assume you've handled it," William said.
Amelia stood in front of the desk, back straight, hands clasped behind her back. "For now."
William's gaze narrowed. "And the source of the leak?"
"We're working on it."
William's mouth tightened. "You mean he's working on it."
Amelia's gaze sharpened. "Leo is a strategic asset."
William's eyes darkened. "Leo Vance is a liability."
Amelia's pulse quickened. "You were the one who forced me to work with him."
"And now I'm questioning that decision."
Her father's gaze sharpened.
"You're slipping," William said. "Letting emotions cloud your judgment."
Amelia's jaw tightened. "My judgment is intact."
"Is it?" William's gaze cut toward her. "Because from where I'm standing Leo Vance is doing more than just handling business."
Amelia's chest tightened. "Whatever you're implying, stop."
William's eyes glinted coldly. "Keep control of the situation, Amelia. Or I will."
Amelia's pulse hammered.
Her father's gaze darkened. "And don't make the mistake of thinking Leo Vance will save you."
Amelia's chin lifted. "I don't need saving."
William's smile was thin. "Good."
Amelia turned toward the door.
"And Amelia," William's voice followed her, cold and sharp. "If you let him get too close… don't expect me to protect you when he turns."
Amelia's pulse hammered.
She walked out without looking back.
Vance Enterprises – Penthouse
(Midnight)
Leo was sitting on the leather couch, a glass of whiskey in his hand, when Amelia's knock sounded at the door.
He opened it, his eyes glinting with faint amusement. "Couldn't sleep?"
Amelia stepped inside. "We need to talk."
Leo's mouth curved. "Of course we do."
She crossed the room, stopping in front of the floor-to-ceiling window overlooking the city.
"The call today, it wasn't just a warning," Amelia said. "It was personal."
Leo's gaze sharpened. "How do you know?"
Amelia's throat tightened. "They knew my number. Knew details about the shipment that weren't on record."
Leo's jaw flexed. "Someone close to you."
Amelia's mouth tightened. "It could be anyone."
Leo's gaze darkened. "Then we start eliminating possibilities."
Amelia's eyes narrowed. "How?"
Leo set down his glass and crossed the room. He stopped behind her, his hands sliding down to her waist. "Simple." His mouth brushed the shell of her ear. "We push them out of hiding."
Amelia's breath hitched. "You think you can make them slip?"
"I know I can."
"And what if they push back?"
Leo's smile was sharp against her ear. "Then we burn them."
Amelia's pulse hammered painfully beneath her skin. His breath was warm against her neck and her body was betraying her, leaning into him despite the part of her brain screaming to pull away.
Her breath sharpened. "We can't afford to lose control."
Leo's hand slid lower, over the silk of her blouse, his thumb brushing the edge of her hip. "We already have."
Her breath hitched.
Leo's gaze darkened. "Tell me to stop."
Her mouth parted.
Leo's hand curled against her hip.
"Amelia," he murmured, his breath ghosting over her neck.
Her pulse hammered.
But Amelia said nothing.
Leo's smile was slow and dangerous.
"That's what I thought."