Page 20 of Claimed By the Boss

“Ms.Taylor,” I say quietly. “Well done.”

Her brows lift just slightly. “I didn’t do anything.”

“You did more than half my department heads,” I say.

She doesn’t smile, but her mouth twitches like she’s trying not to.

I glance around once, ensuring no one is watching us too closely, then lower my voice even further. “I’d like a word. In my office. One hour.”

Her throat bobs as she swallows, but she nods. “Yes, sir.”

7

LYRA

It’s only my first day, and I’m already being called to the CEO’s office. That can’t be a good thing. Even though Damien said it calmly, I can’t help feeling like I’m already in trouble. I’ve barely been here long enough to mess anything up, though. I was still working on my onboarding forms when those shady guys strolled in.

I can’t stop replaying it, even as I try to focus on setting up all my programs before I head to Damien’s office. It’s impossible. I keep wondering if it’s even worth learning any of this if he’s about to fire me in a few minutes anyway.

When I finally can’t sit still anymore, I stand and head for the hallway that leads to the private elevator. Halfway there, I hear footsteps behind me.

“Hey, new girl.”

I force myself not to flinch.

Rick. Again.

I plaster on a polite smile and turn to face him. “Hey,” I say, noncommittal.

His grin turns wolfish. His posture is too relaxed, too close.

“Are you heading somewhere important?” he asks, gesturing at the private elevator.

“I have a meeting,” I say.

“With who?”

I shouldn’t answer. I know that. But something in me wants to shut him down cleanly, so he never tries this again.

“Mr. Morozov.”

That does it. His eyebrows twitch upward, but then he recovers with a smirk.

“Big promotion already?”

“It’s a routine check-in,” I say, keeping my voice flat.

He steps closer. “Well, if he ever starts riding you too hard, you know where to find me.”

I blink at him, offended. “Excuse me?”

“You’re hot. He’s not blind,” Rick says with a shrug. “He probably hired you for more than your resumé. That kind of shit happens all the time.”

I take a breath, steady and slow. “You’re being inappropriate.”

He doesn’t back down.

“Relax. I’m just saying, if you ever want a guy who’s closer to your age and doesn’t treat you like property?—”