Beneath His Shadows

The next morning, her alarm rang earlier than usual, but Elena was already awake. Sleep had been impossible after yesterday's events. The warehouse, the envelope, the mysterious man—it all played on a loop in her mind. What exactly had she gotten herself into?

She stood in front of the mirror, adjusting her blouse and straightening her skirt. No matter what, she had to act normal. She was just an office worker… nothing more.

Or at least, that's what she kept telling herself.

---

The Unexpected Summon

The moment she stepped into Kane Industries, the usual office chatter died down. People were staring at her. Some whispered behind their hands, others simply glanced and looked away.

Her stomach twisted. Did they know?

She hurried to her desk, trying to ignore the unease settling over her, but before she could even turn on her computer, a deep, commanding voice shattered the silence.

"Ms. Green."

She froze.

Slowly, she turned to see Xavier Kane standing by his office door, one hand casually in his pocket, the other holding a black envelope. His cold gaze locked onto hers, sending a chill down her spine.

"Inside. Now."

---

A Dangerous Proposition

She stepped into his office, her heart hammering. The door shut behind her with a quiet click. The tension in the air was almost suffocating.

Xavier leaned against his desk, watching her with the same unreadable expression. Then, without a word, he extended the black envelope toward her.

"Take it."

She hesitated before reaching for it. It felt heavier than it should.

"Inside is a document," he said, his voice calm but edged with something dangerous. "You'll deliver it to a man named Dorian Black. No questions. No mistakes."

Her fingers tightened around the envelope. Dorian Black? That name sounded dangerous.

"But I—"

"You wanted this job, didn't you?" His voice was low, almost amused. "Then prove you can handle it."

Her stomach dropped. There it was—the test he had warned her about.

---

The Drop-Off

An hour later, she found herself in a private lounge of an upscale club, the dim lighting casting long shadows across the velvet seats. Everything smelled of expensive cigars and whiskey.

A tall man in a tailored suit sat at the far end, his sharp, calculating eyes locking onto her the moment she entered.

Dorian Black.

"So, you're Kane's new messenger?" he drawled, his voice smooth but laced with something sinister.

She swallowed hard and stepped forward, placing the envelope on the table. "I was told to give this to you."

Dorian didn't take it immediately. Instead, he studied her. Scrutinized her.

"You're new to this, aren't you?" he mused, tapping a finger against the glass in his hand. "Do you even know what you're delivering?"

Elena kept her expression neutral. "I was told not to ask questions."

Dorian chuckled. "Smart girl."

He finally picked up the envelope, opening it with careful precision. As he read the document inside, his smirk deepened.

"Interesting," he murmured before glancing back at her. "Tell Kane he's playing a dangerous game."

Her breath caught. What did that mean?

But she knew better than to ask. She simply nodded and turned to leave.

---

The Aftermath

Back at the office, she stepped into Xavier's office without knocking—her nerves too rattled to care.

"The drop-off is done," she said.

Xavier didn't even look up from his desk. "And?"

"Dorian Black said you're playing a dangerous game."

For the first time, something flickered in his eyes. Not surprise. Not fear. Amusement.

"Of course he did."

Elena clenched her fists. "What was in that envelope?"

Xavier finally leaned back, regarding her with an almost predatory look. "You're asking questions now?"

Her pulse quickened. She shouldn't have spoken.

He stood and walked toward her, his presence overwhelming. Stopping just inches away, he tilted her chin up, forcing her to meet his gaze.

"You did well today," he said softly, dangerously. "But don't overstep, Elena. I decide what you need to know."

Her breath hitched. The intensity in his eyes sent a shiver down her spine.

For the first time, she truly understood—working for Xavier Kane meant stepping into a world she could never escape.

And she wasn't sure she wanted to.

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