Chapter 5

Chloe couldn't breathe. The world had narrowed down to the man standing five feet away from her. The man who had seen her naked. The man she had paid fifty thousand dollars. The man she had called a hooker.

He wasn't a hooker. He couldn't be. Not standing there, flanked by the Vice President of Aura Airlines, looking like he owned the place.

"Gentlemen," Finch said, his voice suddenly smooth and deferential. "I'd like to introduce you to our new Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Emilio Gillespie."

The words hit Chloe like a physical blow. CEO. The CEO of her airline. The man who signed her paychecks. The man who held her career in his hands. She had treated him like a piece of meat. She had thrown money at him like he was a toy.

Her legs felt like jelly. She swayed slightly, and Kate, still sniffling, shot her a weird look. Brennen just stared at the new boss, looking terrified.

Emilio Gillespie didn't look at anyone in particular. His gaze swept over the office, assessing, calculating. He didn't acknowledge Chloe. He didn't even blink. It was as if the night they spent together had never happened. As if she were a stranger.

That was somehow worse. The complete erasure of their intimacy was terrifying. It meant he was in control. It meant he was deciding the rules of this new game.

Frank Novak practically tripped over himself to intervene. "Mr. Gillespie, I apologize for the disturbance. Just a minor disagreement among staff. It won't happen again."

Emilio ignored Frank. He walked further into the room, his expensive shoes silent on the carpet. He stopped right in front of Chloe, Kate, and Brennen. He looked at Kate's new blazer, then at Brennen's protective stance, and finally, his eyes settled on Chloe.

She felt the weight of his stare like a physical touch. Her skin prickled with heat and shame. She wanted the floor to open up and swallow her whole.

"You," he said, his voice low and commanding, the same voice that had told her to come with him last night. "What is your name?"

He knew her name. He had seen her ID. He had returned it. This was a test. A trap. Chloe's mouth opened, but no sound came out. Her tongue felt like sandpaper.

"I asked you a question," he said, a hint of impatience in his tone.

"Chloe," she finally managed, her voice a hoarse whisper. "Chloe Carr."

Emilio nodded slowly, as if filing the information away. He turned to Vice President Finch. "I expect professionalism in my company, Mr. Finch. Personal drama is a distraction. I want it handled. Immediately."

"Of course, sir," Finch said, nodding vigorously. "I'll take care of it right away."

Emilio didn't look at Chloe again. He didn't look at anyone. He simply turned and walked toward Frank's office, his entourage following him like a flock of well-dressed sheep.

The moment he was gone, the room erupted in whispers. Chloe stood frozen, her heart hammering against her ribs. She was dead. She was absolutely dead. She had slept with the boss. She had insulted him. She had made a complete fool of herself.

Kate nudged Brennen. "Who does he think he is?" she muttered, but her voice was shaky. Even Kate was intimidated.

Finch turned on them, his face purple with rage. "My office, now! All three of you!"

Chloe followed Finch, her legs moving on autopilot. She couldn't process what had just happened. The escort she hired was her boss. The CEO of the airline. It was impossible. It was insane.

And yet, the look in his eyes when he asked her name-that cold, calculating look-told her it was very, very real. She had walked into a trap, and she had no idea how to get out.