My Safest Danger

Marry me, Sky

Skylar’s POV

I rubbed the back of my neck, glancing at the pile of files on my desk. Even after staying up all night, the workload was nowhere close to being finished. My phone buzzed just as I pushed to my feet.

“I'm already done reviewing the documents you sent. They're only waiting for your signature. Are you busy right now?”

“You can bring them.” I adjusted the files on my desk. “Zack, what's the update on Damien's investigation?”

“Give me a minute, please.” He ended the call.

It would be a lie to say I knew anything about Damien. The only thing I had of him was his picture lying on my desk, the one we were able to get from the CCTV footage at the restaurant.

I paced around my office, my thoughts circling back to Jace and Ava. Nothing about it surprised me, but why the rush?

Or was she pregnant? The smugness in her tone was unsettling.

Zack stepped inside, files tucked under his arm and a cup in the other hand.

“Your eyes are almost closing. Can you even see me?” He waved a hand in front of my face as he got closer.

“Unfortunately, yes. What's that in your hand?”

He placed the cup between my hands. “Take it. It's coffee. Drink it while it's still hot.”

I wrapped both hands around the cup and took a sip. “A cup of ice cream would have been better.”

“You should be appreciative, boss. How many employees buy their own employer coffee with their hard-earned money?” He took a seat and set the file on the armrest. “Now, let’s talk about business.”

“Aren’t there coffee machines all over the office? But thanks for this anyway.” I placed the cup on the table and crossed over to him.

“I checked the database again after we got his picture. He flipped through the file. “There’s still nothing under his name.”

My brows pulled together. “You already have his picture. Didn’t you run it through facial recognition?”

He heaved a sigh. “We could, but it might take some time to get a match, especially if there’s nothing in the database to begin with.”

I studied the file before setting it down. "If he's not in the database, there are two possibilities. He's either a foreigner who isn't in the citizens' registry, or he's using a false identity.”

He nodded, then glanced at me.“We could let the cops handle it now. Since there's footage of him with you at the restaurant.”

“Don’t mention anything about the cops.” I narrowed my eyes. “He’s always going on about them, which leaves me with one conclusion: he has them wrapped around his fingers.”

"I'll run facial recognition then.” He picked up the file. “You can check out your new guard, I already sent his profile to your email.”

“I’ll look through it.” I nodded, reaching for the file he had left on the chair.

“These are the ones waiting for your signature.” He dropped another file beside it and tapped the top page. “Why don't you take a break first. You look like someone about to pass out.”

“I’ll rest when the work does.” I shrugged, placing the file on my desk. Picking up my glasses from the table, I turned to him, slipping them on.” Better now, right?”

He shook his head as he rose to his feet and headed for the door, leaving it swinging behind him.

I stood there for a moment and moved to the window. My thoughts somehow found their way back to Damien.

He had the nerve to invade my space whenever he pleased and always got away with it. I really needed to get rid of that pest before he ruined my mental health completely. How could someone be this clingy over a stupid kis-?

“Whatever.” I huffed, shaking my head.

And the fact that there was nothing about him in the database? That was even more unsettling. Who exactly was Damien Rodriguez?

The memory of yesterday came rushing back. I pressed my lips together as I tried to hide a smile. Seeing Jace all flared up was satisfying.

But then, there was also something weird about that Damien guy. He seemed to know everything about everyone. The way he had spoken to Jace, it was obvious he knew about Jace and Ava.

Oh God. I dragged both hands through my hair. “Damien is seriously driving me insane.”

There was a lot of work piling up on my desk, and I was seriously thinking about him. I took one last glance at the city, and a familiar scent suddenly filled my nostrils.

Was I seriously imagining him now? My head snapped toward the door.

Damien stood there, leaning against the doorframe. He lifted a hand and knocked twice before stepping in. His hand reached for the doorknob, and he locked it behind him.

I hurried to my desk and grabbed the heavy nameplate, gripping it tightly. “You’ll pay with your life if you take a step closer. I ain't joking.”

The coner of his lips lifted. “Are you threatening me with that, Skylar?”

“Don't test me,” I warned, tightening my grip on the nameplate.

His smirk widened. “Then go ahead, Sky. Let’s see how brave you really are.”

“If I do something stupid to you right now, no one would hear a thing. Not even the cops that work with you. By the time anyone realizes you're gone, you'll already be six feet under.”

He tilted his head, his gaze shifting briefly around the office. “So this place is soundproof? Meaning no one can hear us from outside, right?”

I blinked and lifted my chin. “Get out!”

He closed the distance between us. “Go ahead. Do what you were threatening to do.”

I swallowed but refused to step back. His gaze dropped to the nameplate in my hand. He calmly took it from my fingers, turning it over.

“Skylar Morrison,” he read aloud. “Wouldn’t Skylar Rodriguez fit better?” he murmured, his eyes lifting to mine.

My fingers curled into a tight fist at my side.

He walked to my desk like he owned the place and picked up my cup of coffee. His eyes flicked to the lipstick mark on the rim, and he took a sip from the exact spot, gulping it all down.

Who birthed this psycho?

His eyes went back to mine.“I have two pieces of evidence against you now.”

My eyebrows drew together. “What do you mean?”

He lifted the cup slightly as he sat on my desk. “First, you assaulted me in the club. Second,” he continued, setting the cup down, “you just threatened to kill me.”

I stared at him, completely dumbfounded. How did I get myself involved with this infuriating man?

“Come here.” He beckoned, glancing at his watch. “Let’s make this real quick. I have a meeting to attend.”

I heaved a sigh and rubbed my temple, making no move to go anywhere.

“This is something really important to you.” He reached inside his suit jacket and pulled out a document, waving it in the air. “It’s about your position. Wanna see it?”

The sight of my uncle’s name on the document made me cross over to him.

I yanked it from him and scanned through the page.

Everything was starting to make sense.

I had always sworn marriage was never my thing. My uncle, not liking the idea, introduced me to Jace. He had promised that whoever married first would gain control of a portion of his shares. How had I completely forgotten about that?

My stomach twisted as I looked up at him. “How did you know about this?”

He took the document from my hand and slipped it back into his suit jacket. “Does that matter?”

I squeezed my eyes shut. Ava’s power would become greater than mine after their wedding. I was supposed to inherit that, not her.

He cupped my chin, tilting my face toward his. “Let get married.”

I stared at him, waiting for the teasing smile or some sign that he was joking.

His thumb brushed lightly along my chin. “You don't need a man to make your life whole. I know that. I just want to be the man you choose when your heart finally wants someone. His eyes searched mine. “Marry me, Sky."