Trapped with the Ruthless CEO

Chapter 2

Jack’s POV

The meeting ended exactly how I expected.

With silence.

Tense, suffocating silence.

I didn’t bother looking back as I walked out of the conference room. If they were smart, they’d fix their mistakes before I saw them again. If not…

They wouldn’t be back.

Simple.

“Mr. Dorian.”

I didn’t stop.

Her heels clicked faster behind me until she caught up, stepping in front of me like she always did, deliberately.

My assistant.

Or rather… the woman who kept forgetting that was all she was.

“Do you need anything else for tonight?” she asked, her voice softer than necessary, her body angled just enough to be noticeable.

Intentional.

Always intentional.

My gaze dropped to her for half a second before lifting again, unimpressed.

“No.”

She smiled anyway.

Of course she did.

“I could stay late,” she added, lowering her voice slightly. “In case you need… anything.”

I stared at her.

Blank.

Unmoved.

She wasn’t even my type.

Too obvious. Too eager. Too desperate to be noticed.

And I didn’t like people who tried that hard.

“I don’t,” I said flatly.

The smile on her lips faltered, just slightly.

Good.

I stepped past her without another word.

By the time I got to the lobby, I could already feel the irritation settling in.

Unnecessary distractions.

That’s all they were.

I didn’t have time for that.

I didn't want it.

I didn't need it.

Not anymore.

The car door was already opened before I reached it.

I got in without a word.

“Home, sir?” the driver asked.

“Yes.”

The door shut.

And we moved.

The city lights blurred past the window as I leaned back slightly, my mind finally quieting.

Meetings. Numbers. Decisions.

Control.

That was all that mattered.

Not people.

Not feelings.

Not…..

The car jerked violently.

Then stopped.

My eyes snapped open, irritation flashing instantly.

“What is it?”

“Sorry, sir,” the driver said quickly. “There’s someone on the road.”

I frowned, looking ahead.

And then I saw her.

She was on the ground.

Barely moving.

And three men were running toward her.

Fast.

Aggressive.

Wrong.

My expression hardened.

“What the hell…”

One of them reached her first.

She tried to move.

Weak.

Slower than she should have been.

Another one pulled something out

A cloth.

Pressed it against her face.

Her body went still.

Something cold settled in my chest.

“Stop the car.”

“We already….”

“I said stop.”

The driver went silent.

I was out of the car before it fully settled.

“Hey!”

My voice cut through the air, sharp enough to make all three of them turn.

They froze.

For a second.

Then one of them cursed under his breath.

“Let’s go,” another muttered.

They didn’t argue.

Didn’t hesitate.

They ran.

Cowards.

I stepped forward, my gaze dropping to her.

Up close, she looked worse.

Bruises.

Faint but visible.

Her breathing was shallow.

Unconscious.

My jaw tightened slightly.

I bent down and picked her up.

Light.

Too light.

Like she hadn’t been taking care of herself.

Or no one had.

“Open the door,” I said.

The driver rushed to do it.

I got in, settling her carefully against the seat.

“Where to, sir?” he asked.

“Home.”

The rest of the drive was quiet.

I didn’t look at her again.

I didn't need to.

This wasn’t… anything.

Just a situation.

Temporary.

Irrelevant.

By the time we got to the house, the staff was already waiting.

“Prepare the guest room,” I said as I stepped out.

No questions.

Just movement.

Efficient.

I carried her upstairs myself.

I didn’t trust anyone else to do it properly.

The room was ready when I walked in.

Clean. Neutral. Controlled.

I placed her gently on the bed, stepping back slightly as one of the staff handed me a cold towel.

I took it without a word.

Pressed it lightly against her forehead.

Her skin was warm.

Too warm.

For a moment…

I just stood there.

Looking at her.

Up close, she didn’t look like someone who belonged in my world.

Too soft.

Too… real.

Even with the bruises, there was something about her face that didn’t match the situation she was in.

Something that didn’t belong in dark alleys and broken streets.

My gaze dropped.

Her lips.

Full.

Soft-looking.

I stilled.

Then immediately straightened.

“What the hell are you doing?” I muttered under my breath.

I stepped back, irritation flashing through me.

Unnecessary thoughts.

Pointless.

Irrelevant.

I placed the towel properly on her head, turning away without another glance.

“This changes nothing,” I said quietly to myself.

It didn’t.

It wouldn’t.

I walked out of the room and straight to mine.

By the time the shower water hit my skin, the night already felt distant.

Or at least…

That’s what I told myself.