Chapter 3 THE SCARY CEO

The room was enormous, with dark furniture and floor-to-ceiling shelves of books. There was a large window overlooking the estate, and at the center of it all was a huge desk-his throne.

He strolled around the desk and leaned against it, staring at her with cool intensity. "Do you know why you're here?"

Her hands were tightly clenched at her sides. "I... I don't, sir."

His eyes, which were silver-gray, sparkled. "You've been avoiding me."

Her heart skipped a beat. Was this a trick? Was he seeking a denial?

"I haven't-"

"Don't lie to me, Ava."

Her breath hitched. The tone of his voice, the way he said her name, gave her the shivers. He was not loud, but the intensity of his presence made the atmosphere around her become dense and oppressive.

She swallowed. "I did not want to... interrupt."

A slow smile curled his lips. "You think a maid would be capable of upending my life?"

She winced inwardly. "No, sir."

His smile disappeared, his eyes growing dark. He stood up from behind the desk and slowly made his way toward her. "And yet, somehow, you did."

Ava's breath caught. He was standing too close. Too overwhelming.

She backed away, and he advanced, closing the gap with an unnerving facility. He reached out, the tips of his fingers grazing the faded hem of her apron before raising his eyes back up into hers.

"You intrigue me, Ava."

Her heart pounded so loudly that she was sure he could hear it. "I... I don't mean to."

"But you do."

The room felt impossibly small, the air thick with unspoken tension. She knew she should lower her gaze, keep her eyes downcast like she always did. But for the first time, she couldn't bring herself to avert her eyes from him.

He looked at her for a moment, then finally stood back, his expression impassive once more.

"I've decided," he said, returning behind his desk. "You will be directly assigned to serve me from now on."

Ava's stomach dropped. "What?"

"You will see after my meals, my studies, my quarters. Whatever I may need." He regarded her, his voice leaving no room for dispute. "You will be my personal maid."

Ava felt the ground shift beneath her feet. This was not possible.

"Sir, I-"

"Do you have a problem with that?"

She hesitated, her mind racing. Saying no wasn't an option. But saying yes...

"I... No, sir."

A satisfied smile spread across his lips. "Good."

She forced herself to nod, but panic churned in the pit of her belly.

She had spent the whole time trying to stay out of his way.

And now, she was part of his world.

Ava had prepared herself for life at the Blackthorn mansion being difficult, but this was something else entirely.

The moment Dylan had declared her his personal maid, everything was altered. Before, she was just one of the nameless maids at the house, someone whose presence could be easily ignored. Now, she was at his beck and call, being brought into his presence, made to serve his every caprice. And the most infuriating thing? He enjoyed watching her squirm.

Her day of direct service with him started early. She was summoned before breakfast, barely having time to fasten her apron before being escorted into his private study.

The moment she stepped in, she could feel the intensity of his gaze.

He sat behind his vast mahogany desk, reading a stack of papers with a look of absolute authority. The early morning light cut across the high windows, casting long shadows that only helped to make him seem even more formidable. In a crisp black suit, with his silver-gray eyes flashing up at hers, he was the quintessential ruthless CEO-and the menacing mafia lord lurking just below the surface.

"Good," he said quietly, setting down his papers. "You're learning to be punctual."

Ava lowered her head. "Sir, what would you like me to do?"

He leaned back in his chair, watching her. "You will see to everything concerning me. That includes my meals, my study, my quarters... and whatever else I decide."

A shiver ran down her spine. The measured tone with which he had said those last words made her stomach turn.

"Yes, sir."

He smirked at her acquiescence, as if measuring just how much further he could push. "Pour me a drink."

Ava hesitated for a fraction of a moment before making a beeline for the bar cart in the corner of the room. She grabbed a crystal glass and a bottle of aged whiskey, pouring a measured shot before bringing it carefully to him.

He did not take it immediately. Instead, his fingers brushed against hers as he accepted the glass, his hand lingering a fraction of a moment longer than required. Ava froze but forced herself not to move.

He grinned, sipping slowly. "You flinch every time I touch you."

Her breath caught in her throat. "I-"

"Why?"

She swallowed. How could she possibly answer? Because he scared her? Because being near him was like standing on the brink of a precipice?

"Respect, sir," she said softly, keeping her gaze on the ground.

Dylan chuckled, the sound dark and amused. "Respect. Interesting choice of words."

He set the glass down, rising from his chair. Ava instinctively took a step back, but he was faster, closing the distance between them with smooth precision.

He reached out, catching a stray strand of her hair between his fingers. "You've been running from me since the moment we met," he murmured, his voice dangerously smooth. "And yet, here you are."

Ava forced herself to remain still. "Because it's my job."

His gaze darkened. "That's not the only reason."

She bit down on the inside of her cheek, unwilling to let it show. But Dylan was reading her all too easily. He tilted his head, as if attempting to crack the mystery of Ava Hayes.

"You're different from the others," he mused. "They fear me. You do too, but not in the same way."

She didn't know how to respond.

Before she could speak, a sharp knock on the door interrupted the moment. Vincent's face transformed instantly-back to cold indifference.

"Enter."

The door opened, and a well-dressed, tall man stepped inside. He was a commanding figure, with dark eyes that darted for a moment toward Ava before focusing on Vincent.

"Sir, there's an issue with the shipment," the man reported. "It's urgent."

Vincent's jaw tightened. "I'll handle it."

The man nodded brusquely and left as abruptly as he had come.

Dylan turned back to Ava, his expression unreadable. "You will stay in my quarters while I'm gone. Do not leave."