Chapter 4

Chapter 4

Cece loitered near the reception of Falcon House.

She strolled in circles with her phone to her ear, like she was on a call. When all she was doing was replaying her mother’s message to her earlier that day.

‘Hey honey, I’m spending time with my old school friends at the club today. I just wanted to let you know Joseph concerns me a little. He’s not home often, and he doesn’t talk to me when he does come in. He takes calls from strange people and shouts at them. It seems the investigation isn’t going well. He’s also forgotten to top up the shopping card, so I’m using the money you and Liam gave me. He leaves me alone most of the time, so don’t you worry. I hope this season will pass soon; he’s driving me bonkers. That said, I’m so proud of you for making a life for yourself and Mace. Without needing a man to come to your rescue.’

There was a short sigh, then, ‘Love you darling and speak to you soon.’

Cece pressed her lips together, lost in thought. She could do little to help her mother besides listen, hoping she still had access to her secret bank account.

Cece made an impulsive decision and dialled her brother’s number.

It went to voicemail, and Cece bit her lip, unsure what to do.

Just then, a voice cried out.

She reared around to see a pregnant woman about her age rushing past. She was struggling as her rounded belly slowed her charge toward the Eatery.

‘What’s wrong?’ Cece called out.

‘My daughter,’ the woman panted. ‘She escaped as we were loading up the car. Now she’s headed for the pool.’

Cece whipped around to look through the Eatery’s glass walls and door.

Indeed, a small, chubby figure was toddling past seated guests towards the inviting blue water beyond.

Cece calculated in that instant that the mother would not reach the child in time.

‘I’ll get her,’ she called out to the distressed woman, slipping her phone into her pocket.

After a few steps, it became clear her hot pink Identità heels were not up to the task. So she paused at an empty console outside the restaurant, kicked them off, and sprinted on.

Barefoot, she nimbly wove between tables as curious breakfast diners followed her trajectory.

Summer’s sultry heat swamped Cece as she launched herself through the open doors of the restaurant. She glanced around, her eyes honing on the target.

The giggling, blonde-curled girl was just seconds from the pool’s edge. Her plump arms were reaching out. Just as she was about to dive bomb into the cool waters, Cece snagged her from behind and swooped her into the air.

‘Gotcha, gorgeous girl.’

The surprised little human let out a yelp as she squirmed. Her tiny face scrunched into a scowl, ready to open her mouth and rip.

Until Cece turned her around and made a funny face.

To her satisfaction, the almost howl turned into loud giggles.

‘Esme,’ Cece heard. ‘You gave mummy a scare.’

She turned with the child still in her arms. The woman she’d encountered earlier was rushing in her direction, arms outstretched.

‘Mama,’ the child gurgled, wriggling like mad.

‘Here you go,’ Cece said, handing the precious bundle to her relieved mother.

‘Thank you so much. I wouldn’t have made it.

Cece smiled. ‘All good. I’m well versed in the two-year-old streak.’

Both women laughed in shared camaraderie. ‘My son was an escape artist,’ Cece added. ‘He almost made it to the end of my street one day.’

‘Thank you again,’ the woman said. ‘Come baby girl. Grandma has a treat for you in the car.’

The chubby girl waved at Cece as her mother stuck her to her hip and left.

Cece took a deep breath and followed, seeking her discarded shoes.

She uncovered one in the corridor between the restaurant and reception; the other was under an occasional table. Glancing around, she determined no one was looking in her direction. So she crouched, got on her knees and reached for the shoe.

She backed out, turning just as she sensed a presence.

Looking up, her eyes met a jade-coloured gaze.

She cursed under her breath.

He raised a brow, his eyes sliding to the pink heels in her hand.

‘Problem?’ he rasped.

‘Just in a barefoot mood,’ she tossed back.

His lips twitched. ‘Your boss OK with walking you around without shoes while at work?’

‘Why would you care? I was helping a guest, so I needed them off.’

The brow rose even higher. ‘I see.’

‘I think you see what you choose to,’ she flipped back, leaning down to slip on her right shoe. She managed to get her toes in before she lost balance and almost fell over.

Until a strong arm came to her rescue.

‘Fuck,’ she whispered.

Not so much at the stumble but that he had to be the one to save her from it. Her heart stuttered, roaring as his arms steadied her.

‘Relax, babe,’ he murmured, reaching for her other shoe.

He placed both on the floor next to each other and swung an arm around her waist to lift her into them.

She yelped in surprise as she settled into the heels.

His arms lingered, and the feel of his corded strength sent a wave of arousal through her.

Pushing off him, she stuck her hands in her hair and fluffed her curls. A habit of hers when she got flustered.

‘You’re welcome,’ he murmured. His eyes flicked over her in a vexing mix of cool disdain and amusement.

She sighed. ‘Thank you. For the save, carry, lift.’

‘Call me anytime you need a rescue in those heels.’

‘You like them?’ she said in an unexpected rush.

His lips twitched, curving upwards in a hint of warmth. ‘They’re something else,’ he rasped, turning on his heel to walk away.

‘You’re something else,’ she called out, unable to help herself.

‘Never a truer sentiment,’ he rumbled, not breaking his stride and powering out the doors to the front of the hotel.

Her eyes lingered on his hips and delicious tight, muscled butt in the trousers as he stalked off. Such a waste of a gorgeous bod on such a rude boor of a man.

She realised then he was decked out more formally than she’d seen him before. Instead of his customary casual work shorts and torn tee, he wore a crisp, fitted white shirt.

One moulded to his broad chest and tucked into contoured light-coloured slacks. Hiding nothing of his delectable derriere and thick thighs and calves. With feet tucked in a pair of gorgeous RM Williams leather boots.

She wondered who he was once more. She should have asked her colleagues by now, but unsure of his status at Falcon House, she’d hesitated. Unwilling to have them cast aspersions on her curiosity.

For a handyman, he had some balls, that was for sure.

But was he the hotel’s jack of all trades?

Or king of all spite? Because why did he have such a bee in his bonnet for her?

She had questions but wasn’t sure whether they’d ever get an answer.

Yet, he lingered no matter how much Cece tried to push him out of her mind. Like a ghoul going out of its way to piss her off for the rest of the day.

She was a tad riled up later when she walked into the conference room. The Team Sync was about to kick off, and she took her place next to Rachel, who gave her a reassuring smile.

Denise, onscreen via Zoom, began the meeting, going through the progress of bookings over the next few months. Cece listened, taking notes and offering suggestions where appropriate.

As the meeting progressed, she couldn’t help but feel disappointed that Ash Falconer wasn’t present. She was curious to meet the company’s owner, keen to meet the man associated with her stepfather.

Suddenly, the door opened, and a man stalked in.

Cece’s eyes widened in surprise as she recognised her nameless nemesis. Her heart pounded as she took his dark hair and chiselled jawline.

He gazed around the room, and his piercing jade-green eyes met hers, flaring before icing over.

A flash of heat rushed through her body, biting her inner lip to disguise her reaction to him. She cast one more look in his direction. He pulled his eyes from her, a tic in his jaw.

Cece shivered, wondering whether he, too, felt the same jolt.

‘Ash, nice of you to join us.’

Denise greeted the man sliding into her view onscreen with a smile full of affection.

‘Hello, everyone,’ he said, his voice deep and smooth. ‘I apologise for not being able to join earlier. I had some pressing matters to attend to.’

He was Ash Falconer?

Cece’s mind reeled. Her cheeks flamed as surprise and embarrassment washed over her.

The man who had been driving her insane with his unyielding attitude was none other than the CEO of Falcon House.

It now made sense, and she kicked herself for not seeing it. He carried himself with an air of conviction that only someone in his position of power possessed.

Cece tried not to let his presence distract her, but she couldn’t deny the electricity in the air.

At one point, his eyes lingered on her for a moment. Cutting. Tearing into her.

She didn’t know whether to be intimidated or exhilarated by it.

Annoyed by how much he was affecting her, she met it with a chilly gaze of her own.

He flicked his eyes away and gave her no more attention.

When Denise opened the floor to miscellaneous business, Cece’s junior raised her hand.

‘Yes, Laila?’ Denise called out.

The young woman beamed. ‘I want to report that I sent all our past guests a newsletter. The theme focused on the new wedding services, and I’ve had an awesome response from them already.’

As Denise congratulated her, Cece’s blood ran cold.

For the past few days, the girl had brought up excuse after excuse whenever Cece asked Laila for the email draft.

Laila had claimed she was finalising other marketing projects and how snowed under she was. The other zinger was that she’d sent the draft to Cece, but it must’ve gotten lost in spam.

Now, here she was, flaunting the distribution of an unauthorised newsletter. Cece sucked her teeth, irate that she had no idea whether it was on brand.

Or if it was laid out well. It certainly didn’t include the key messaging she’d been working on for days, that was for sure.

Laila had pipped her to the post, jeopardising Cece’s efforts.

She huffed in annoyance as Laila met her puzzled look with a triumphant smile. Cece snapped her eyes away only to clash eyes with her intractable CEO.

His gaze was a cool assessment; she met it with defiance and a tip of her chin.

Because wtf?

So she’d been played by a junior.

Cece clenched her jaw and vowed to be on guard with Laila moving forward.

She also made the choice not to confront her junior about the email newsletter. There was nothing she could do about it now. Admitting she’d been bested on such a small matter would also be a poor power play.

So Cece chose her battles and decided to take a hit this time. While vowing never to let the young woman humiliate her again.

Despite her irritation with Laila and, more so, Ash, Cece’s eyes drifted back to him.

Drawn to his magnetism, the way he took subtle control of the room without effort. His baritone, too, was a dream. It rasped as if dragged over rough-hewn rocks, leaving everyone in a trance.

When he turned his head, his face went from shadow to light. She lingered on his profile, chiselled and set with purpose. On his jaw, steady and firm, his cheekbones carved like a statue.

He was a force to be reckoned with; she suspected he was aware of it. He was potent, bending all and sundry to his will. There was quiet confidence, sometimes even a menace that made the hairs on her body stand to attention.

But Cece was not one to be intimidated. She needed to let him know she was not to be underestimated.

So when the meeting ended, and Ash stood up to leave, she made her move.

Heart thumping, she drew up close to him. ‘Mr Falconer, a moment, please?’

Ash paused mid-step and turned to her, his eyes locking onto hers, his face cold and unyielding. ‘Miss Mirren.’

Cece took a deep breath, trying to steady herself. ‘I just wanted to let you know I didn’t realise who you were before. I hope I didn’t insult you in any way.’

He gave her a hooded look. ‘Takes a lot more than that to offend me. That said, you should have done the legwork.’

She closed her eyes, feeling the sting of his reprimand. ‘Yes. I should have.’

He stared at her for a beat, his eyes enigmatic. ‘I’ll let it go if you will.’

‘Of course.’ She nodded, keeping her expression neutral despite her fast heartbeat.

‘One more thing, I don’t suffer fools, Miss Mirren. So here’s hoping you don’t turn out to be one.’

She cocked her head, her eyes widening in disbelief. Maybe Laila’s underhandedness had hit the mark if the big boss himself was questioning her abilities.

‘Just focus on doing a good job moving forward.’

He jerked his chin at her and walked out of the boardroom, prowling away with his long legs.

‘I’m not saying I hate him,’ she whispered. ‘But that man is becoming the Monday of my life.’

Her incredulous eyes followed his departure. Capturing how well his ass moulded his trousers.

Her traitorous mouth watered at the sight of his muscled back and broad shoulders as he powered through the office.

With a shake of her head, she checked herself, noting how every woman in the place was giving him surreptitious looks, admiring his form.

Dragging her eyes away, Cece sat back at her desk.

Moments later, she caught Penn and Rachel talking about him in hushed tones, sharing tidbits about his wealth and reputation as a man of mystery.

She’d never been much for gossip or digging into people’s privacy, so she shut out the whispers.

Yet it didn’t do away with the fact that the pull to him was visceral. Regardless of the mad attraction to him, she was annoyed about her missteps around him.

She had to convince him he hadn’t made the wrong choice in hiring her, but she couldn’t shake the feeling that there was a chasm between them.

One filled with unspoken mystery and ambiguity she couldn’t fathom.

Which she was sure had nothing to do with the fact she’d mistook him for a plumber lash handyman. Not that there was anything wrong with that.

Ever the practical woman, Cece pushed him out of her mind; dwelling on him would not pay the bills.

Determined to turn around the close call with Laila this morning, she emailed Denise to clarify her junior’s reporting structure.

‘You’re her manager. She reports to you,’ Denise confirmed in writing a few minutes later.

Satisfied, Cece set Laila a set of tasks. Nothing too tricky. All quite reasonable. However, Cece suspected Laila lacked the imagination to pull them off or would try and fob them to someone else. Only time would tell.

Cece set herself an ambitious plan, pouring over details and brainstorming new ideas for her remit. Of which she’d be careful about sharing with her backstabbing junior.

She wanted to ensure that she’d never be caught on the back foot and that Ash Falconer would never have an excuse to fault her again.

Ash decided to take an early morning beach run.

The sun was golden and warm on his skin. Above him, seagulls took flight, their gleaming feathers reflecting against the sky’s cerulean gloss.

The white sand sifted under his feet, while beyond the shoreline, the crystal clear blue waters of the Pacific Ocean rippled towards the shore.

His soul and mind hummed as he raced along the coast.

Freedom, beauty, peace.

This was what he’d fought so hard for, what many had no concept of.

He never took any of it for granted.

An hour later, he walked into the Falcon House VIP Villa, where he sometimes overnighted during the week.

The architecturally designed beach house sat on a ridge. One that towered above the iconic beach below.

Designed to make the most of the stunning views, space, and natural light, the house showcased Byron Bay’s natural beauty.

It had two spacious open-plan living areas, a designer kitchen, and four bedrooms. Each with its ensuite, plus a guest bathroom. Making it the perfect hideaway spot.

It was sometimes rented by Hollywood A-listers, celebrities, billionaires, and socialites.

Especially those seeking a more laid-back lifestyle. Drawn to the beach town’s idyllic setting and relaxed culture, where everyone received equal treatment and privacy was cherished.

Churlish about influencers, wannabes and main character energy, residents left the stars to themselves. On any given day, one could find the most famous faces on the planet in the local grocer, with the freedom to wander around without worrying about paparazzi or stalkers.

The place had also attracted movie producers who’d set camp in the coastal town to film their TV and cinema creations. Some of which went on to make them billions.

The problem was that Byron Bay was now attracting the bottom feeders.

It was Ash’s mandate to keep them away.

He used a towel to dry himself after his ocean dip while he went into the study, checked his phone and saw a message from Saint.

He made a call, balancing his phone between his shoulder and ear.

Saint picked up almost at once. ‘Hey, man. You good?’

‘Got a lot on my mind, but all good.’

‘Ready for this?’

‘Hit me.’

Sovereign’s CEO sighed. ‘Jax uncovered something on Cece Mirren.’

Ash braced himself, sitting in his chair, running a hand through his wet hair. ‘Tell me.’

‘Three years ago, she began depositing two to five thousand dollars every month. In small denominations into an account, she’d set up in her mother’s name. The bank flagged the latest cash deposit, made just before she started working with you. Jax worked with the cops to study the bills. The money is tainted with coke.’

Ash whistled under his breath. ‘So she’s in on the game?’

‘Somehow she is, but to what extent we’re still not in the know.’

Ash sank deeper into his chair, pulling on his short beard with a sigh.

Fuck Cece and the puzzle she was proving to be.

He let out a hiss and gazed outside the massive windows, seeking peace in the stunning vista.

The beach house offered breathtaking panoramic views of Byron Bay, the northern coastline, the western hinterland, and Arakwal National Park. His eyes lingered on the waves beating against the distant golden shores, and the headache forming behind his left temple eased.

‘So she deposited these coke-dusted bills into an account for her mother? Where d’you suppose she found them?’

‘Not sure. Cash paid to her father by his lower-end dealers? Or direct, meaning she could be in the game. Regardless, she was handling drug money.’

‘Fuck.’

A wave of disappointment hit him. One so deep he realised he’d been hoping Cece was clean. He felt his chest constrict with tension, uneasy with his attraction to her in the face of mounting evidence that screamed stay away.

‘We also found something else.’

Ash groaned. ‘What?’

‘Her brother was or still is one of the Mirren’s gendarmes in Sydney. He’s a major dealer, and we think he’s getting his product from the general. He’s also been seen hanging out with some bikies caught up in the recent gang wars. But he’s gone underground in the last few weeks, disappearing from his regular haunts.’

‘Was he involved in the shootings?’

‘Maybe. Whispers are that Joseph and his Czech counterparts ordered the hits as a way to control Sydney’s drug market. All evidence points to them being behind the execution of Tony Hassan, the Turkish cocaine kingpin, a few weeks ago. The man was shot in the basement of a Coogee apartment block near Cece’s brother’s last known address.’

Ash cursed under his breath. ‘Didn’t this trigger a month-long round of killings? Five men died, for goodness sake.’

‘Liam Mirren may be trying to escape the heat,’ Saint said. ‘Given local and federal cops are under pressure to prove they have control of the streets.’

Ash sighed. Sovereign’s Defence contract was an urgent attempt to staunch the bloodletting they suspected the general was involved in. And Cece was their current and hottest lead to him.

He shook his head in disbelief. ‘Somehow, this is cutting me up more than I thought.’

‘Sucks, brother. How’s she working out at Falcon House?’

Ash scrubbed his face as he bent over his desk. ‘She’s excellent at her job, fearless in sharing her ideas. From what I can also see, she’s a good mother.’

‘What can I tell you? Tis the way the cookie crumbles, my friend. Her phone calls and wiretap have given us diddly squat, but let’s keep our ears to the ground. One thing,’ Saint mused. ‘Didn’t you say Mirren stated he might want a visit? Perhaps we can find a way to nail him when he’s there.’

‘You think?’

‘It’s a play. Find a way to invite him.’

Ash hesitated. ‘Can’t make it so soon. It’ll look suss. Let’s give Cece more time to settle in. I’ll find a way to get her to extend an innocent invitation to Joseph and see if he bites.’

‘Sounds promising. Later.’

‘Talk soon, brother.’

Ash hung up, flinching as a second call lit up his phone.

‘Reg.’

‘Sir. I know the source of the snow.’

Ash perked up as he flicked the call on speaker. ‘Do you, now?’

‘Yup. It’s a new mob in town. They’ve come in with a fleet of luxury vehicles, flashing cash, designer threads and diamonds. They’re spending big time at the bars. We’re also seeing them buy huge quantities of top-selling grog to lure in women, influencers and celebs. They’re flaunting their Byron pics and money on the Gram while dealing on the side. You’d think they’d stop making our job so easy.’

‘They Red Adder?’

‘Minions of. Caught them with snow packed in the brown packs with the crimson serpent stamp. Similar to what we found on Gil.’

‘Ballsy. Where are they parked?’

Reg named a luxury B&B house on the coast. A location notorious for hosting major parties a la Ibiza. ‘They’re using the place as their HQ, running the drugs into town using a young crew. Someone’s paid off the local council. Because they’re not being done for noise complaints from their neighbours.’

Violating sound levels was a severe issue in the Byron Shire.

Locals had even engaged Sovereign Allied teams to monitor their streets. If they deemed the disturbances from the road disruptive to the neighbourhood, the firm could shut down parties and hand out fines on behalf of homeowners.

This freedom to monitor neighbourhoods also gave Sovereign leverage when it came to scouting the homes of suspects.

‘We’ve done some surveillance,’ Reg continued, ‘and most of this new crew are just out of high school. They’re making deals on social media and funnelling the cash to two older handlers. Czech, going by their dress style and the language. They’re the moneymen and who the crew report to.’

‘All business is being conducted from this one premises?’

‘One hundred per cent.’

‘Sounds like we need a midnight raid.’

Reg grunted in approval. ‘Let’s introduce them to the real Kings of the East.’

The moniker was one given to the Sovereign crew by their federal cops and spy colleagues due to the firm’s high success rate at breaking up the operations of some of the most dangerous international gangs supplying Australia with drugs.

In recent wins, Sovereign’s crack team had infiltrated the underworld. They’d sent buyers packing back to the jungles of Colombia and intercepted hitmen sent to the lucrative East Coast market by foreign cartels.

The firm had also worked with federal cops to listen in on global crime groups using a fake encrypted app. One that Jax, their badass IT genius, had designed.

Sovereign’s intelligence led to a doubling of cocaine seizures around the world.

The app’s reach had sent global drug syndicates into a panic. Importations dropped, and drug consumption hit a record low.

However, the gangs were unrelenting. In recent months, Byron Bay had become a flash point in the war, being a coastal town that attracted high listers and A-list celebrities. Ash’s work in the area included identifying new players looking to make a play here and shaking them down with carte blanche on how he went about his ops.

Just last month, he and Reg intercepted a yacht offshore carrying over 300 kilos of coke bound for Byron Bay. They’d made the discovery from the Sabre, Sovereign’s offshore surveillance ship that kept an eye on the oceans.

‘Let’s get ‘em in a good ol’ ambush.’

‘This is the way.’

Despite his gloomy mood, Ash chuckled. It was a well-known fact that Reg was a Mandalorian tragic. ‘Get the crew prepped. Please research the best night we can hit all of them, then feed it back to me. I’ll give Saint a heads-up in Sydney. In case there’s any fallout.’

‘I’ll put it in drive, boss.’

The next day, Cece waded through a mountain of supplier contacts, making calls and securing meetings.

After powering all morning, she glanced at the clock on the wall: 12:15 p.m.

Lunchtime. Her stomach growled in agreement, but she first needed an urgent pit stop.

She headed toward the ladies’ bathroom down the hall, where the navy frame and frosted glass door glinted under the chandelier lights.

It brought back memories of her first day here and her initial sighting of Ash. She let her mind linger on him for a moment, remembering his intense, jade-piercing eyes.

How he eyed her sometimes made her feel like she was being stripped bare, vulnerable and utterly at his mercy.

She shook the thought away, chastising herself for letting her mind wander during work hours.

Focus, Cece, she told herself.

She opened one of the stalls and did her business.

At one point, she heard footsteps outside and thought nothing of it.

When she was done, she pulled open the stall door and strode out.

Cece’s eyes widened as she caught sight of her young assistant in the mirror’s reflection.

Bent over the long bathroom counter, Laila was sniffing a line of white powder up her nose.

Cece’s heart hammered against her rib cage, her mind racing to process.

‘What are you doing?’ Cece tried to keep her voice steady but failed.

Laila jerked upright, her eyes wide with shock and fear as she locked eyes with her manager in the mirror. ‘Cece! I-I didn’t hear you come in.’

‘You don’t say,’ Cece said, her voice tight as she struggled to suppress her anger. ‘Care to explain yourself?’

‘Explain what?’

Laila’s cheeks flushed as her pupils dilated.

The feigned innocence act didn’t fool Cece. ‘Cut the crap, Laila.’

She stepped closer, her mind racing about how to handle the situation. Was this happening? At work, no less?

‘Look, it’s not what you think.’ Laila stammered, her voice shaky, betraying her nerves.

‘Really?’ Cece raised an eyebrow. ‘Because it looks like you’re snorting up in the office.’

‘Okay, fine!’ Laila snapped, her facade crumbling. ‘It helps me get through the day, alright? It’s not a maj deal.’

Cece stared at her. ‘You do realise this is unacceptable, right?’

‘Of course I do!’ Laila said. ‘It’s not like I’m hurting anyone.’

‘You are. Yourself.’

Cece’s soft retort was laced with concern for her junior, outweighing her anger for a moment. ‘There’s also your job to consider. Your workmates will suffer, too, because there’s no way you’ll be focused now. It’s also a violation of your work contract. The Falconers have a strict code on substance abuse in the workplace.’

‘What are you going to do?’

Laila’s voice was small, a stark contrast to her earlier bravado.

Cece hesitated, torn between her manager’s responsibility and empathy for the young woman. ‘I don’t know,’ she admitted as she shook her head. ‘I’ll need to think about it. That said, I can’t have this happening at work. It goes against our corporate ethics and behaviours. Whatever you do in your personal life is your business, but at work, this is a no-no.’

‘I don’t see the big deal,’ Laila muttered, looking down at her shoes and crossing her arms. ‘It’s just a bit of fun. Everyone does it.’

Cece huffed. ‘I don’t.’

Her junior paused for a beat, then capitulated. ‘I promise it won’t happen again.’

There was fear in her eyes - a vulnerability that made Cece’s decision even more difficult.

‘See that it doesn’t,’ Cece warned, her heart heavy. ‘However, you’ll have to give me that baggie.’

A brown package lay on the sink, and Laila curled her fingers around it, shuffling her eyes between it and Cece.

‘Hand it over to me now.’

The young woman’s eyes narrowed. ‘What do you want it for?’

‘It’s half full, Laila. I need to trash it.’

‘No, you won’t! I paid a hundred and fifty for it.’

Cece’s patience broke at the defiance and attitude rolling over the young woman in waves. ‘Please don’t tell me what to do.’

Cece marched over to Laila, held out her hand and waited until Laila placed the bag in it.

The red snake emblazoned on it seemed to coil around itself, a sinister symbol of danger and temptation.

‘Get back to work, Laila.’ The paper crinkled beneath Cece’s grip. It felt like a lead weight in her hand. ‘Now.’

Laila’s expression turned belligerent, and she took a step to leave. ‘Whatever!’

‘Get rid of the lines before you go.’ Cece was firm, waving a hand at the leftover substance on the bench.

Laila’s mouth twisted, and a gleam developed in her eyes. Then she bent down and blew away the remaining coke dust.

Most of it landed on Cece’s shoes.

The younger woman stood up straight with a smirk and flounced away.

‘The hell?’ Cece murmured as Laila disappeared out the door.

Pulling a bunch of dry paper towels out of the wall unit, she wiped the coke off her heels.

‘They’d better not be sniffer dogs in Byron,’ she muttered to herself, annoyed she’d need to give her shoes a thorough clean later.

When she was done, she threw the wad of towels away and lifted the empty baggie, staring at it.

What to do with it,she wondered. Talk to Denise or keep the find to myself?

Her mind raced as she considered the implications of either choice. Reporting Laila would risk the younger woman’s career. On the other hand, Cece had a duty of care as a manager.

Cece recalled all the times she’d made foolish mistakes in her early twenties. Maybe all Laila needed was a second chance. Yet, for a fleeting moment, Cece wished she had never stumbled on her coked-up junior.

‘Damn it,’ she whispered, clutching the edge of the porcelain sink. With a shaky exhale, Cece pushed away from the counter.

She rushed out of the bathroom into the corridor, buzzing with the overflow sounds of clattering keyboards and busy movement, adding to the turmoil that raged inside her.

Ignoring her surroundings, she grappled with the weight of her decision.

Inattentive for a second, her fingers loosened around the baggie.

She groaned as it fell from her hands onto the floor. The red snake pack slithered across the tiles, fluttering along, kicked up by the draught going through the corridor.

She bent over to nab it when a booted foot stepped over it.

Her eyes hit a pair of black RM Williams boots. Her heart jolted.

She tracked higher still, and her gaze clashed with a familiar jade scrutiny.

‘Why do we keep meeting this way, Miss Mirren?’

Ash’s drawl sent a shiver through her as he lifted his foot away and nabbed the offending baggie.

His expression froze, his eyes narrowing as he studied the red logo branding before extending it towards her.

‘This yours?’

Ash’s voice cut like a blade, his tone taking on a harder edge.

She blinked at the assertion of guilt in his nuanced question.

Heat bloomed on Cece’s cheeks, and she swallowed hard, making a hard, fast decision. ‘Someone misplaced it in the women’s bathroom,’ she said, her words running over each other.

She extended her hand to take the bag back, her fingers brushing against his.

He lifted it away from her, keeping a hold on it. The unexpected touch and his reticence sent a shiver racing down her spine.

‘Who’s is it?’

She closed her eyes for a moment. ‘Can’t say.’

‘Or won’t say?’

He let the accusation hang in the air for a beat.

‘Interesting design,’ Ash added, raising an eyebrow as he glanced from the offending item to Cece. ‘One of a kind.’

‘It is,’ she admitted, her voice wavering. She forced herself to meet his gaze, determined not to let him see the panic that threatened to overcome her.

‘A rare find,’ Ash suggested, his eyes never leaving hers, one finger tapping the half-full pack. It was impossible to tell whether he believed what he was saying or was toying with her, testing her resolve.

Cece shrugged noncommittally, her heart pounding like a drum. She couldn’t shake the feeling he saw right through her flimsy facade.

He gave her an extended assessment before handing it to her without a word. ‘I think you should throw it out.’

He said the words with such emphasis that she suspected he was clued up about what it contained.

‘I will,’ Cece mumbled, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment as she took the incriminating evidence from him.

Her mind raced, searching for something—anything—to say to ease the tension that now hung between them.

‘Better get back to work,’ Ash said, breaking their intense stare-down.

As he turned to walk away, Cece let out a quiet sigh of relief.

‘Wait,’ she called out before she could stop herself.

Ash paused mid-step, his eyes narrowing in anticipation.

‘Thank you.’

He raised a brow, and she rushed to explain. ‘For picking it up,’ trying hard for nonchalance. Yet her heart hammered in her chest.

‘Of course.’ He nodded, his gaze never leaving hers. The intensity of his stare made her feel exposed and vulnerable.

Cece shifted her weight from one foot to the other, struggling to maintain her composure. Focus, she told herself. You can’t let him see through you now.

She plastered on a smile. ‘I should get going. Lunch is almost over.’

‘Right,’ Ash agreed, his voice still laced with curiosity. ‘Enjoy the rest of your break, Cece.’

‘Thanks, you too.’

With that, she turned on her heel and walked away, her heels clicking against the floor, echoing in her ears.

As she walked down the hallway, she heard his footsteps falter, and the heat of his gaze burn through her silk blouse.

Cece clutched the packet in her hand, her thoughts consumed by the implications of their encounter. Did he suspect anything?

She sighed, kicking herself once more for putting herself in his crosshairs. Worse still, she had no idea what to do with the find in her hand.

‘Great,’ Cece whispered, the word bitter on her tongue. ‘Just great.’

She had no clue whether her decision to overlook Laila’s infraction would have any ramifications down the line. Right now, though, she only wanted to sink into her office chair and wish the world away.

At the corner of the corridor, Ash paused, swivelled around and studied her walk away, his heart sinking.

He clamped back the wild emotion roaring to the surface of his icy demeanour, threatening to overwhelm him.

How the hell had Cece got a hold of a Red Adder baggie?

Was she using? Dealing? Or was her storygenuineabout someone else dropping it?

Ash cursed under his breath. He’d wanted so much to believe in her innocence.

However, the find, especially in light of what Saint had divulged the day before, was enough to put her under more scrutiny. It looked, reeked and screamed incriminating.

He felt his heart turn brittle over as he decided to avoid Cece at all costs.

With a bitter twist to his lips, he stalked away to log the incident, adding it to the growing evidence against her favour.