BETWEEN THE LINES

5: A DANGEROUS OFFER

Ethan sat frozen in his chair, his pulse pounding against his ribs.

Lucas’s words lingered in the air like an unshakable force.

What if I told you I could change all of that?

It was an offer that any sane person in his position would take without question. Ethan had spent years clawing his way through life, working himself to the bone just to afford a single meal. And now, in the span of one night, a billionaire—a man he barely knew—was offering him a way out.

But why?

Ethan leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. “You keep talking about my future, but you still haven’t told me what you’re expecting in return.”

Lucas smirked, as if amused by Ethan’s hesitation. “Smart question.” He straightened, walking around his desk before taking a seat in his large leather chair. “I’m not giving you charity, Ethan. This is a job. A position only I can offer.”

Ethan narrowed his eyes. “And what exactly does this position entail?”

Lucas exhaled, resting his chin against his knuckles. “You’ll be working for me directly. No middlemen. No formal contracts.” His gaze sharpened. “You’ll be my personal assistant.”

Ethan frowned. “You already have assistants. I saw them downstairs.”

Lucas tilted his head. “They handle my professional affairs. But I need someone for… more personal matters.”

The way Lucas said it sent an unexplainable heat curling in Ethan’s stomach. His lips parted slightly before he quickly shook off the feeling. “Personal?”

Lucas’s smirk deepened. “Think of it as… being my right hand.”

Something about the way he said that felt off.

Ethan crossed his arms, leaning back in his chair. “You still haven’t told me why you chose me.”

Lucas was silent for a moment, studying him with an intensity that made Ethan’s skin prickle.

Then, he stood up.

Ethan’s eyes tracked his movements as Lucas slowly made his way around the desk again, stopping just in front of him.

Lucas placed both hands on the armrests of Ethan’s chair, effectively trapping him in place.

The air between them shifted.

Ethan’s breath hitched as he suddenly became very aware of the distance—or rather, the lack of it—between them.

Lucas was close. Too close.

The scent of expensive cologne and whiskey filled Ethan’s senses, and he hated how good it smelled.

Lucas’s voice dropped lower, a subtle challenge woven into his tone. “Because I see something in you that you don’t even see in yourself.”

Ethan’s throat went dry.

He didn’t know what was more suffocating—the weight of Lucas’s words or the way his gaze bore into him, like he was peeling away every defense Ethan had left.

Lucas’s lips curled into a small, knowing smile. “You’re special, Ethan.”

Ethan’s pulse jumped. He clenched his jaw, refusing to let Lucas see how those words affected him. “You don’t even know me.”

Lucas tilted his head. “Don’t I?”

His voice was smooth, teasing—but there was something else beneath it. Something dangerous.

Ethan swallowed. “I… I don’t get it. Why are you doing this? You could have anyone. Why me?”

Lucas straightened slightly, but he didn’t move away. Instead, he lifted a hand and brushed his fingers against Ethan’s jaw.

Ethan stiffened.

It was the softest of touches, barely there, yet it sent a sharp jolt down his spine.

Lucas’s lips quirked. “Because you’re the only one who hasn’t figured it out yet.”

Ethan’s breath came out unevenly. “Figured out what?”

Lucas’s gaze darkened, his voice dropping to a whisper.

“That you belong to me now.”

Ethan’s stomach twisted.

He didn’t know if it was fear, anticipation, or something far more dangerous.

But one thing was certain—his life would never be the same again.