Between the sheets of power

Bethany's stomach churned as the helicopter swooped low over the trees. Below her stretched vast acres of lush grand canyon, its thick green canopy forming a protective shield concealing the enigmatic wonders of the forest floor. Under normal circumstances, she would have been mesmerized by the untamed beauty of her surroundings, but her mind was consumed by thoughts of the impending meeting with the enigmatic man.

She couldn't fathom why she found herself dressed in this uncomfortably hot and scratchy suit, soaring above the Majestic Grand Canyon, willingly subjecting herself to a man who seemed oblivious to the concept of mercy - Jeffrey Benson.

Brilliant, dangerous, and damaged were just a few words that crossed her mind when she thought of him, none of which conveyed a sense of calm or comfort. Rumored to possess astounding wealth and wielding even more power than monarchs and presidents, he was reputedly a genius with numbers, earning comparisons to a walking computer by the financial press. Bethany couldn't help but feel pessimistic about this, given her aversion to technology, as she clung to her seat.

Below her, the trees separated to reveal a swollen river winding through a deep gorge, cascading over rocks in an explosion of frothy white. "With properties all over the world," she turned to the pilot, her mind bubbling with queries, "why has he chosen to make a home in such a remote location?"

"Because the man values his privacy, the world can't seem to leave him alone," responded the pilot, his eyes fixed on the treetops.

This explanation aligned with what Bethany had heard about him: ruthless, unemotional, and unsentimental - the list of uncomplimentary adjectives seemed endless. Despite his aversion to interviews, information about him was plentiful. "Is he a solitary individual?" she inquired.

The pilot, finger tapping at the controls, glanced in her direction before replying. "Well, I wouldn't exactly describe him as warm and fuzzy, if that's what you're asking. But women don't seem to mind. There's something about being bad and dangerous that attracts them. Not to mention the power. Women can sniff out power from a mile away. Power and money." His statement made Bethany ponder, momentarily questioning how anyone could mistake her for a billionaire's girlfriend. Suppressing the urge to laugh, she clarified, "I have a meeting with Mr. Jeffrey. His company initially invested in my business." The investment had indeed transformed her life. "He's what they call a business angel, though I'm sure you're aware of that since you work for him."

"Angel?" The pilot burst into laughter, causing the helicopter to swerve precariously close to the treetops. "Mr Jeffery Benson - an angel?"

"It's a figure of speech. It signifies that he invests in small businesses that pique his interest." And he had been interested in hers, until recently. The familiar sickness gripped her stomach, prompting Bethany to place her briefcase on her lap and softly stroke its surface, attempting to restore her shattered confidence.

The pilot couldn't stop laughing. "Angel. I don't know how he earns his money, but let me tell you one thing," he said as he focused on the horizon and adjusted the controls, "the man is far from being an angel." Determined not to be intimidated, Bethany straightened her posture in her seat. "I don't believe everything that's written in the papers," she asserted. "Obviously," the pilot glanced at her, and there was a faintly pitying smile on his craggy and weathered face, "otherwise, you wouldn't be here. I can tell you're a courageous girl with a strong mind, and that will serve you well in the jungle." Bethany downplayed attending the business meeting as an act of courage. "That depends on who you're dealing with," the pilot replied. As they flew through the mountains and the helicopter glided through a lush green valley, he continued, "and where. Not many people have the bravery to visit the wolf in his den." Despite her determination to remain open-minded, Bethany felt her mouth go dry. "You call him the wolf?" she asked. "Not me. That's the nickname everyone else has given him. I simply refer to him as the boss." The pilot adjusted the controls, causing the helicopter to descend. Feeling her stomach turn and her nerves spike, Bethany briefly closed her eyes and focused on not losing her lunch. Roller coasters were never her forte. "I'm sure Mr. Jeffrey is a reasonable man," she said, attempting to reassure herself. The pilot fixed his gaze on a spot far beneath them. "Are you?" he asked. "Then you clearly haven't met him yet. Brace yourself. We're going down."

"Descending?" Bethany's expression shifted from concern over sickness and the dangers posed by Jeffrey Benson to a more urgent worry at the pilot's ambiguous statement. "Does that mean we're landing or crashing?"

The pilot remained silent, his eyes squinting and his jaw tight as he manipulated the controls. They appeared to be heading straight for the trees, causing Bethany's anxiety to peak. Yet, at the very last moment, a small landing pad materialized, and he skillfully brought the aircraft down, landing it with a grace that seemed almost unnatural in the tight space between the trees.

"Definitely not crashing," Bethany quipped, her smile revealing the tension she had been holding in. "I had a mental picture of complete chaos."

The pilot responded, his voice laced with seriousness, "If you're meeting Jeffrey, be prepared for some chaos. I've seen even the toughest men reduced to tears in just a few minutes with him. My advice? Stand your ground. The boss despises weakness. Welcome to the Grand Canyon, Miss Sinclair, one of the world's most endangered ecosystems."

"Are you leaving me here, in the middle of nowhere?" Bethany's voice quivered with a mix of awe and disbelief as she caught sight of the lodge outside the window. It appeared to be constructed almost entirely of glass domes and weathered wood, blending seamlessly into the forest like a natural extension. "Oh," she breathed, her gaze rising to the suspended walkways high above the forest floor. "It's absolutely breathtaking. Incredible."

The pilot chuckled to himself. 'Jeffery Benson -angel.' Still grinning, he wiped his forehead, removing the beads of sweat. 'Now, please step out and keep your head down until you're clear of the blades ma'am. I'm flying back to Miami to pick up a package and then heading to New York.'

Bethany remained in her seat, reluctant to leave her last connection with civilization. 'You're not waiting? He said I could only have ten minutes...'

It seemed utterly absurd to have traveled this far for only ten minutes, but she had no other option. It was this or give up, and there was no way she was giving up. Her only hope was that he might agree to give her more time, as she knew that ten minutes wouldn't be sufficient to get herself out of the predicament she had fallen into.

'If there's anything left of you when he's done, I'll come back and collect you. Take the path to the left and, whatever you do, stay on it. This is the wilderness, not an amusement park. Be cautious of the wildlife.'

'Wildlife?' She had been too preoccupied with her impending meeting to consider wildlife. She gazed skeptically into the dense forest surrounding them. Some areas were completely shaded, while in others, the sun pierced through the thick canopy, casting spotlights onto the forest floor. Was it her imagination, or was everything moving?

'You mean insects?'

He grinned mischievously. 'Over two thousand different species at the last count. And those are just the ones we've identified.'

Attempting not to dwell on all those legs scuttling toward her, Bethany smoothed her skirt over her knees and wished she had worn trousers. 'And what about snakes?'

"Indeed, there are snakes," the pilot grinned, eyeing her choice of shoes, "and then there are the giant hyenas, tigers, racoons, and-"

Bethany interrupted him with a breathless smile, not wanting to hear more about the potential dangers. Any moment now, she thought she might beg him to fly her back home. "I'm sure Mr. Jeffrey wouldn't live here if it were that dangerous."

The pilot chuckled heartily. "You clearly don't know much about him. He lives here because it's that dangerous, baby doll. He has a low boredom threshold and likes to live life on the edge, so to speak."

The condescending term "baby doll" irked Bethany, pushing her past her nerves. Throughout her life, she had been patronized and underestimated. She had faced doubt and dismissal, and she had proven people wrong repeatedly. But now, she was in danger of losing everything she had worked so hard for, and she couldn't allow that to happen. This was perhaps the most crucial battle of her life, and she was determined to win. Despite her self-doubt and the fact that she was probably the least qualified person to negotiate with a billionaire with a computer-like brain, she was resolved to succeed.

Bethany had to clear her mind of everything except the dire consequences of failure and the livelihoods of those depending on her. If she faltered, her employees would lose their jobs; it was as straightforward as that.

Should Jeffrey Benson decide to call in his loan, it would be the end of everything she had built.

The oppressive, humid heat clung to her like an unwelcome shroud, and she pushed aside a damp strand of hair. Her gaze drifted up to the towering trees, rising to such magnificent heights that they made her surroundings feel like a remote and exotic paradise.

"Isn't he afraid, living out here?" Bethany wondered aloud.

The pilot, chewing gum, offered a wry smile. "Jeffrey? He isn't afraid of anything."

Dreading any further discussion about Jeffrey, Bethany stumbled out of the helicopter, her legs trembling. She couldn't determine whether she feared the jungle or Jeffrey Benson more at that very moment.

In a world obsessed with celebrity and image, Jeffrey scorned both, rejecting any invitation to discuss himself. He had no need to do so, as others gladly filled the void. The tabloids brimmed with stories of his relentless pursuit of wealth, his prowess as a lover, and his steadfast refusal to indulge in "happily ever after."

Once. Once he'd done that and the news of his glamorous wife's

departure from his life after less than three months of wedded bliss had

filled the newspapers with stories that had lasted longer than the marriage.

He'd been impossible to live with.

He'd ended their relationship by email.

He was only interested in making money. And more money.

The speculation had been endless but if any of it was to be believed

then Jeffrey Benson was little more than a machine and she knew, she

just knew, even before she had to fight for her business, that he was

going to be just the sort of man that brought out the worst in her.

She wouldn't look at him, she promised herself. If she didn't look at him

she wouldn't become tongue-tied or stammer. She'd just pretend that she

was in her small sitting room at home, talking to the mirror as she

always did when she had an important presentation to memorise.

Grace felt her stomach lurch again and this time the feeling of sickness

that enveloped her had nothing to do with the helicopter and everything

to do with her past. At times like this-times that really mattered-the

memories rolled up behind her like a giant wave, waiting to engulf her.

For her this was the ultimate test. And she wouldn't fail. She just

couldn't.

Too much was at stake.

There was no reason to be afraid of Jeffer Benson, she assured

herself as she stroked a hand over her straight, formal skirt and forced

herself to move forward onto the wooden walkway that was suspended

above the forest floor.

His personal life, no matter how dark, wasn't her concern. This

meeting was about business and, whatever murk hovered around the man, he was a businessman, like her father. When she showed him her

plans for taking the business into profit, he'd be positive. He'd change

his mind about calling in the loan. She would save everyone's job and

then she could fly home and leave the hyenas s, the snakes and the

billionaire businessman to their secluded jungle retreat.

The intense tropical heat caused Bethany's suit to cling uncomfortably to her body, making her realize how ill-equipped she was for this encounter. She felt uneasy in her clothes, which added to her growing apprehension. As she stooped down to release her shoe from the grip of the wooden planks, she tightly clutched her briefcase and wished she had reviewed the figures one more time during the helicopter ride. However, she quickly reasoned that it wouldn't have made a difference. With her father's assistance, she had already memorized all the details.

With her shoe freed, she regained her balance and straightened herself. And then, she saw him. Standing directly in front of her, he exuded an air of darkness and danger, resembling a creature that might emerge from the depths of the jungle. With his still demeanor and attentive eyes, he seemed to be observing her closely. Completely unprepared for the physical impact of his presence, Bethany found herself holding her breath. The sounds of the helicopter, and her concerns faded into the background as her focus narrowed solely on him.

His tarnished reputation had painted such vivid mental pictures that were utterly detached from reality. For a moment, Bethany found herself in a state of transfixed awe, just as countless women before her surely had. When his eyes locked onto hers, they possessed a captivating intensity, akin to a lethal weapon, leaving her momentarily breathless. It felt as though her mind had been emptied, and she struggled to remember anything about herself, her purpose here, or her surroundings. An inexplicable languor overcame her, and warmth seemed to slowly envelop her limbs like thick treacle.

"Miss Sinclair?" His deep, masculine voice snapped her out of her reverie, and she flinched, hoping that he hadn't noticed her disconcerting reaction. Her aspiration to maintain a composed and professional demeanor had crumbled. The plan to avoid looking at him was shattered, as his striking physical presence and movie-star looks demanded attention. She stood there in stunned silence, struggling to remind herself that this man was reputed to be ruthless and unfeeling. In her view, that was not a winning combination of character traits.

As she gazed into his deep, cynically piercing eyes, she sensed that his cold scrutiny made him more menacing and intimidating than all the jungle predators combined. She swiftly recognized that, on one matter at least, his pilot had spoken the truth-this man was far from an angel.

Summoning her legs into motion, she advanced toward him, clutching her briefcase in one hand while the other sought comfort in the rough rope handrail. Even without the opulence of billions of dollars, Jeffrey Benson possessed the charisma to captivate women. His hair was raven-black, combed back from a face that exuded both ruggedness and attractiveness. The golden undertone in his sun-kissed skin hinted at his American roots, and the soft fabric of his casual shirt clung to shoulders that were broad and robust.

Observing his response to her arrival, Bethany found no hints of emotion. There was no trace of a smile on his lips, and his eyes, dark and brooding, gave no indication of a welcoming demeanor. He appeared as inhospitable as he was attractive, and the way he scrutinized her made her contemplate a hasty retreat up the walkway, with thoughts of leaping back into the departing helicopter.

Although she had no reason to believe she had upset him, she couldn't help but wonder about the cause of his hostility. It seemed implausible. They had never met before, so his unfriendliness was evidently a facet of his personality rather than any specific issue with her. He simply wasn't inclined toward social interactions, and it was evident that he wasn't willing to make an exception for her.

However, none of that mattered, she reminded herself sternly. She didn't require his affability. Her sole objective was to secure his agreement not to withdraw his financial support. With this in mind, she took the final steps, placing herself directly in front of him. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Jeffrey."

His mouth tightened, and his eyes sparkled with impatience. "This isn't a social visit or a children's party, Miss Bethany Sinclair. I don't seek or expect pleasantries. I have no time for small talk or niceties. Weather or the details of your journey are of no concern to me. If this approach to business is challenging for you, you may consider leaving now."

____________

She thought to herself, "And a good afternoon to you, too," while trying to conceal her growing distress. In that moment, she strongly desired to do exactly as he suggested. Staring into his dangerous, dark eyes, the urge to leave overwhelmed her. However, the helicopter was already high above them, and the reason for her visit remained safely tucked away in her briefcase. She couldn't abandon her task. There were people counting on her.

"I can provide you with facts and figures," she swiftly stated, hoping to hide the trembling in her legs. "I have all the necessary documents in my briefcase. Everything you'll need to make an informed decision."

"I've already made my decision. It's a no," he replied, his jaw accentuated by a shadowy stubble. She observed a twitch in his lean cheek.

"But you made that decision before speaking with me," she continued, wiping a moist hand on her skirt, determined not to let him dampen her natural optimism. "I'm hoping that once I explain the situation, you might reconsider."

"Why would I do that?" he asked, causing unease to bloom within her.

"Once you see the figures and our future plans, I thought you might change your mind about withdrawing the finance," she explained hopefully, searching for any sign of receptiveness to further negotiation. She desperately sought any indication that her visit hadn't been a waste of time.

However, he remained silent, offering no reassurance or encouragement. There was no hope in his expression. He merely observed her, while a shrill cry emerged from the trees behind her, followed by what sounded like sinister laughter.