Craving My Ruthless Ceo novel Chapter 25

Chapter 25

Anna’s POV

I lifted my chin even though my knees were weak. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“Don’t.” He leaned in until his breath brushed my mouth. “Don’t lie to me.”

My heart was going crazy in my chest.

But I forced the words out. “I’m not lying.”

“Do you think I didn’t notice the way Laurent looked at you? The way you looked back.”

“I wasn’t looking at him in any particular way.”

You were smiling”

“So?”

His eyes darkened. “So you don’t smile at clients like that.”

“Like what? Like a normal human being?”

“Like you’re interested.”

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A humorless breath left me. “I can’t control how people treat me, Mr Blackwood. Maybe you should try treating me better

too.”

His grip on my wrist tightened. Not painful, but possessive. It made my stomach flip.

And then it hit me.

He was jealous.

Roman Blackwood. My cold, distant boss. Jealous.

A rush of heat shot through me. After weeks of him pushing me away, pretending he didn’t want me near him, now he was losing control because Laurent paid attention to me.

Good.

Let him feel the mess he put me through.

“The lingerie question,” he said, his voice low. “Why did you answer it?”

“He asked me directly. About the deal you were about to close. What was I supposed to do?”

“Deflect. Say it wasn’t right to talk about lingerie with you sitting there. Or better, tell him to ask me. I was right there.”

I leaned a little closer. “Maybe he wanted a woman’s view. And that’s why I answered.”

“You don’t get it.” He ran a hand through his hair, frustrated. “Laurent wasn’t interested in the answer. He was pushing you. Testing you. Seeing how far you’d go. And you just gave him exactly what he wanted.”

“Then maybe you should’ve stepped in instead of watching me handle it.”

“I shouldn’t have to.” The anger in his voice broke through. “You should know when a man is crossing a line.”

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15:50 Fri, Jan 23 GG

Chapter 25

Heat rushed up my neck. Anger. Embarrassment. A sting in my chest that I hated feeling.

“Fine. Next time I’ll sit there quietly like a pretty decoration while the men handle the world.” —

We stared at each other. The air changed. Heat rolled between us the kind that made it hard to think.

I found my voice. “And you know what? I should be the one offended.”

His brow lifted. “You?”

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Yes.” I pushed against his chest, needing space to breathe. He didn’t budge. “Why did you tell Laurent I was your date? You didn’t even ask me.”

“Because you’re not going with him.”

“That wasn’t your decision.”

“It was. You’re my assistant. I decide where you go and who you go with when it involves business.”

My anger rose fast. “But you told him I was your date. Now I’m your assistant again?”

His eyes darkened. “So you’d rather go with him? With that fake French act he puts on?” He huffed. “Is that what you want?”

“I just want a say in decisions that involve my life,” I shot back. “That’s all.”

His reply came fast. “As long as you work for me, you don’t question my decisions. You don’t challenge me in front of clients. I set the rules. You follow them.”

The words lit a fire in my chest. I opened my mouth to let it out, to tell him I wasn’t a child he could order around.

My phone buzzed.

The sound cut through everything.

I fumbled with my bag, fingers searching until I finally found the phone wedged at the bottom.

Roman stepped back, just enough to give me space.

I pulled it out, and the screen lit up.

Drago.

The message opened.

Listen carefully, little brat. The location has changed. The amount is now three hundred thousand dollars. Bring it to Dragon Club by midnight, cash only. Come alone.

Try anything stupid, call the cops, bring backup, and your mother and sister die.

The world tilted. All the blood drained from my face. My hands went weak. The phone almost slid from my grip.

“Anna?”

Roman’s voice cut through the ringing in my ears. “What’s wrong?”

I couldn’t breathe right. My chest felt locked. My thoughts scattered.

“Anna.” His hand closed around my shoulder, tenderly, pulling me back into my body. “Talk to me. What’s going on?”

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15:50 Fri, Jan 23 D G G

Chapter 25

I shook my head and tried to swallow, but there was a lump blocking my throat.

I couldn’t tell him. This wasn’t his problem. This was mine. My family. My mess.

“Nothing. The word barely came out. “It’s nothing.”

“That’s not nothing. You look like you’re about to pass out.”

I hid the phone behind my back. “I’m fine.”

“You’re not.”

“I am.” I straightened, even though my legs felt weak. “I just need to ask you something.”

His eyebrows drew together. He was both concerned and suspicious.

“What?”

“The payout. Can I get it in cash? Tomorrow?”

The concern vanished, then his eyes widened.

“Are you serious right now?”

“Yes.”

“That’s what you’re worried about?” His voice rose. “Money? After everything that just happened?”

He didn’t understand. He couldn’t. He had no idea what was at stake.

“It’s kind of urgent.” I lifted my chin and looked him in the eye. “That’s why I’m worried.”

He stared at me like I was a stranger. Like he’d never seen me before.

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“I already told you, my driver will get it to you tomorrow.” His tone was firm. “I keep to my word. You have nothing to fear.”

“Okay. The word came out small. “Thank you.”

Roman’s eyes narrowed. “Get in the car.”

“What?”

“The car. Get in.”

I looked at the SUV. Then back at him. He was furious. Every muscle in his body was tense, like he was holding himself back from exploding.

This was a terrible idea.

“I can find my way home.”

“Now, Anna.”

The way he said it jolted me. My body moved before my mind caught up.

He stepped past me and pulled the door open.

I got in and settled onto the seat.

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15:50 Fri, Jan 23 GG ·

Chapter 25

The door slammed shut behind me.