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I shiver, not from fear, but from the intensity of his protectiveness.The way his body tenses when he hears Cian’s name.The way his eyes darken like he’s already thinking five steps ahead.

“I’ll handle it,” I say firmly.“Cian doesn’t know I’m on to him, and I can use that.I’ll find out what he’s really doing here.”

Eamon’s gaze lingers on mine for a beat, and then he nods, slow and deliberate.“Then you make him less careful.”

He moves to his laptop and pulls up the security feed, his fingers moving with practiced precision.It doesn’t take him long to find what he’s looking for.

“He’s at the bar now,” he says, voice low and dangerous.“Perfectly settled.Comfortable.That’s when men make mistakes.”

He turns the screen toward me, and I see Cian sitting casually, with a drink in hand and a relaxed posture.

“You want to find out what he’s really after?”Eamon continues.“Let him think he’s still in control.Let him underestimate you.Let him talk.The more you pretend to play his game, the closer you get to taking him off the board.”

“This is how we get to Ruairi,” he says, softer now but no less lethal.“Cian doesn’t even realize he’s the first crack in your brother’s foundation.Let him think he’s winning.Then we start pulling everything out from under him piece by piece until there’s nothing left.”

I swallow hard, adrenaline buzzing beneath my skin.For a brief moment, doubt crosses my mind, but I bury it quickly.This is what I signed up for, what I’ve fought for.

“If Cian’s here to stir up trouble, I’ll find out exactly what he’s planning.”My voice is steadier than before.I meet Eamon’s gaze without flinching.“I won’t just play the game.I’ll win it.”

“That’s my girl,” he murmurs, pride threading through the quiet rasp of his voice.But there’s heat behind it, too.

He steps closer, his gaze locked on mine.“Just remember, winning comes at a cost.Don’t let him get close enough to make you bleed.”His fingers brush my jaw, deceptively gentle.“But the second he crosses a line, I end it.No hesitation.”

I nod, though I know I won’t let that happen.“Understood.”

“Good,” he says, his voice softening slightly as his hand moves to cup my cheek.“I’ll never allow any harm to come to you.”

For a moment, the tension between us shifts, replaced by something far more vulnerable.I lean into his touch, letting his warmth steady me before I turn to get changed.

Once I’m in our bedroom, my uniform is the first thing to come off, discarded in a heap on the floor without a second thought.Stepping into the closet, I choose a sleek black dress that clings to my curves.The fabric glides over my skin, the hemline teasing just above my knees, while the neckline dips low enough to demand attention without giving too much away.I pair it with stiletto heels that make my legs look impossibly long and complete the look with a touch of red lipstick.

When I step back into Eamon’s office, his attention snaps to me immediately.His gaze rakes over me, slow and deliberate.He doesn’t bother hiding his approval.

“You’re killing me,” he says, his voice a deep rumble.

Feigning innocence, I reply, “It’s not for you.”My tone is light but teasing.

He leans back against his desk, crossing his arms over his chest.“That dress says otherwise,” he counters, his eyes lingering on me in a way that sends a rush of heat through me.

I let out a soft laugh, shaking my head as I step closer.“You’re impossible.”

“Can you blame me?You’re stunning,” he says, pushing away from his desk and closing the distance between us.His hand glides over the curve of my breast, slow and deliberate, his touch a whisper through the thin fabric.My nipples tighten beneath it, a sharp ache blooming in response.“You look lethal,” he murmurs like he wants to worship and destroy me in the same breath.

“Good,” I reply, my voice even though every nerve beneath his touch comes alive, aching for more.

“Don’t forget who you are, Aoife.You’re not just a pretty face at a bar.You’re the woman who could burn this whole place down if you wanted to.”

His words hang heavy in the air, sinking into my skin and settling in the pit of my stomach.The woman who could burn this whole place down.There’s a strange power in hearing him say it.In the way he sees me.To Eamon, I’m not someone he needs to protect or control.He recognizes I’m a woman capable of chaos and destruction.

I lift my chin slightly, meeting his intensity with my own.“Don’t worry,” I say quietly, the hint of a smile tugging at my lips.“I haven’t forgotten.”

“So, what’s your plan?”Eamon asks, the playfulness gone from his voice, replaced with something harder.

“To make him underestimate me,” I reply, meeting his gaze without flinching.“He already sees me as naïve.I’ll let him keep believing that while I get close enough to find out what he’s really doing here.”

His jaw ticks, a flash of something dark crossing his expression.“And how close is close?”

“As close as I need to be,” I say evenly.“He won’t see it coming.I’ll use exactly what he expects from me—sweet, compliant, harmless.And when he lets his guard down, I’ll be ready.”