Evan Leigh's POV
Kian Silver was on my last nerve.
Which was impressive considering he had only worked for me for four days.
Four.
Days.
Most people spent years trying to get my attention.
This one spent every waking moment trying to ignore me.
I should have found it irritating.
Instead, I found it fascinating.
"Too sweet."
Kian's eye twitched.
I took another sip of the coffee.
"Actually... now it's too bitter."
The eye twitched again.
Interesting.
"Make another one."
A vein appeared near his temple.
Even more interesting.
Without saying a word, he turned around and marched toward the office kitchen.
The door closed behind him.
Five seconds later, my assistant leaned toward me.
"Sir."
"Hm?"
"I think he wants to murder you."
I looked toward the kitchen.
"That's the healthiest reaction he's had all week."
My assistant sighed.
I smiled.
Life was good.
For the first time in weeks, I almost forgot about Aiden Frost.
Almost.
Unfortunately, reality had a habit of returning.
And when it did, it usually came carrying problems.
A lot of problems.
Which was why, when evening arrived and everyone began leaving the office, I pressed the intercom.
"Kian."
A few seconds later, he entered.
Holding coffee.
Again.
I took a sip.
Perfect.
Naturally, I said nothing.
Kian narrowed his eyes suspiciously.
I ignored him.
"Sit."
"I'd rather stand."
"Sit."
"No."
I smiled.
He sat.
Excellent.
"Starting today," I said casually.
"You'll be living with me."
Silence.
Then:
"What?"
"You're moving into my house."
"What?!"
"There it is."
"The what?"
"The emotion."
Kian stared at me.
I stared back.
Eventually, he spoke.
"No."
"Yes."
"No."
"Yes."
"No."
"Unfortunately for you, yes."
Kian looked ready to throw the coffee directly at my face.
I admired the restraint.
"Why?" he demanded.
I leaned back in my chair.
For once, my expression lost its playful edge.
"Because people connected to me have a tendency to attract danger."
Kian frowned.
I continued.
"Whether I like it or not, you're involved now."
"How?"
"You're working for me."
"Making coffee."
"Exactly."
"That makes no sense."
"It rarely does."
His eye twitched again.
Magnificent.
I folded my hands together.
"There are people I'd rather keep alive."
Kian stared.
I continued.
"And right now, you're one of them."
For a brief moment, surprise flashed across his face.
Then it disappeared.
"You're weird."
"I've been called worse."
"I'm not moving in."
"You are."
"No."
"Yes."
"No."
I smiled.
"You really enjoy losing arguments."
His glare could have melted steel.
Unfortunately for him, I was immune.
"Pack your things."
"I'm not—"
"Pack them."
"I'm not moving."
"You are."
"Kian."
"What?"
"Your grandmother enjoys her room, doesn't she?"
Silence.
The fight vanished immediately.
I hated using that card.
But I wasn't giving him a choice.
Not this time.
Not when Lucien Blackwood was moving pieces around the board.
Not when Aiden Frost was still missing.
Not when danger was approaching.
Kian lowered his gaze.
"...Fine."
Victory.
But only partially.
Because his next words nearly made me laugh.
"Fine. I'll stay at your house."
"Good."
"But I still hate you."
"Naturally."
"And don't think this means we're friends."
"I wouldn't dream of it."
"And if you annoy me—"
"I will."
"And if you keep acting arrogant—"
"I will."
"And if you—"
"I think you get the point."
Kian groaned.
I smiled.
A very productive conversation.
Two hours later.
Leigh Estate.
The front gates opened.
Kian stepped out of the car.
His eyes widened slightly.
Not much.
Just enough for me to notice.
The mansion stretched across acres of land.
Fountains.
Gardens.
Private security.
Everything a reasonable person would consider excessive.
Which meant it was perfect.
Kian looked around.
Then looked at me.
Then looked around again.
"People actually live like this?"
"Some of us."
His expression screamed:
I hate rich people.
Fair.
I probably would too.
If I wasn't one.
"Come."
I led him inside.
The servants greeted us.
Kian immediately looked uncomfortable.
Another interesting discovery.
Most people loved being served.
Kian looked like he wanted to apologize to every employee personally.
I led him upstairs.
Past the guest rooms.
Past the private suites.
Past the west wing.
Until we reached a steel security door.
Kian blinked.
"What is this?"
"My basement."
"That's not a basement."
"Technically it is."
The door opened.
Kian froze.
Good.
That was the correct reaction.
Rows of monitors lined the walls.
Servers.
Digital tracking systems.
Private networks.
Encrypted databases.
Equipment worth millions.
A hacker's paradise.
Or nightmare.
Depending on perspective.
Kian slowly walked forward.
Speechless.
I enjoyed every second of it.
Finally.
For the first time.
I had managed to shut him up.
A remarkable achievement.
"You..."
His voice sounded distant.
"...you own all this?"
"Yes."
"Why?"
I shrugged.
"Because I can."
Kian looked like he regretted asking.
I walked past him.
"This is your actual workplace."
His attention snapped back.
"My what?"
"Your real job."
I pointed toward the monitors.
Toward the servers.
Toward the digital fortress.
"You're not here to make coffee."
"Then why have I been making coffee?"
I smiled.
"Because watching you suffer is entertaining."
The glare returned.
Excellent.
Balance restored.
I leaned against a desk.
"Your first job is following me to the office."
Kian nodded reluctantly.
"Your second job is finding Aiden Frost."
His expression immediately became serious.
"That one is important."
I continued.
"And your third job..."
Kian narrowed his eyes.
Already suspicious.
Smart.
Very smart.
I stepped closer.
A slow smile forming on my face.
"I find you fascinating."
His expression somehow became even more suspicious.
"Okay..."
"Make me fall for you."
Silence.
Absolute silence.
The servers hummed softly in the background.
Kian stared.
I stared back.
A full ten seconds passed.
Then:
"What?!"
I repeated calmly.
"Make me fall for you."
"..."
"..."
"...Are you insane?"
"A little."
Kian took a step back.
"No."
"Yes."
"No."
"Yes."
"No."
I smiled.
"Again with the losing arguments."
His jaw tightened.
I continued before he could explode.
"don't forget your grandmother is getting the best treatment available."
His expression changed.
Immediately.
I struck while the iron was hot.
"You'll live with me from now, for security purposes."
Still silent.
"And a monthly salary of five hundred thousand dollars."
Kian nearly choked.
"Five hundred what?!"
"There it is."
"What?!
"The emotion"
"The emotion?."
Kian looked horrified.
I looked pleased.
Balance.
Perfect balance.
For a long moment, he simply stared at me.
Thinking.
Calculating.
Fighting.
Losing.
Eventually, he exhaled slowly.
Very slowly.
"...Fine."
I smiled.
Victory.
Then he ruined it.
"But I'll never fall for you."
The confidence in his voice was almost admirable.
Almost.
I stepped forward.
Close enough for him to meet my gaze directly.
"That's not up to you, I'm afraid."
His eyes narrowed.
I smiled.
The kind of smile that usually worried people.
"Because I always get what I want."
For the first time since meeting Kian Silver...
He looked genuinely nervous.
And for reasons I couldn't quite explain...
I found that adorable.