Page 53 of Claimed By the Boss

“Yes. And distant,” I say.

She gives a soft shrug. “I’m just trying to keep things professional,” she says. “I don’t want anyone thinking I got this job because of my association with you.”

I smirk, and a slight weight lifts off my chest. I was hoping it was just something like that.

“Lyra, anyone who would think that is a fool. You’re ten times more qualified than half the people on the floor.”

Her lips twitch, like she wants to smile but doesn’t quite let it land. “Still. I don’t want to cross any lines.”

I lean forward, folding my arms on the desk. “That line’s imaginary. I’d burn this whole company down before I let you feel like you’re less than you are. You’re brilliant. And I trust you.”

She looks at me and something flickers behind her eyes, but it’s hard to decipher what it means. It’s not the same heat I’ve come to expect from her.

“I appreciate that,” she says. “Really.”

I don’t push further. Not yet. Instead, I pivot to business, which seems like the safest course of action right now.

“I’ve got a confidential project that I need help with,” I say. “It’s extremely high-profile, and I need the best brain in the company on it.”

She straightens a little, and I don’t miss the flush of her cheeks at my words. “Okay. What kind of project is it?”

“It has to do with signal interference,” I say. “We’ve got a client dealing with some serious jamming issues. They’re working in a secure environment, but the area is saturated with interference. They need a program that can identify suppression points, override encrypted jammers, and reestablish clean connections in real time.”

Her brows draw together thoughtfully as she considers this. “That sounds like a nightmare.” She laughs, sounding a little nervous.

“You’re the only one I trust to do it,” I say, and it’s the truth.

She hesitates for a moment, seemingly taken aback, before she speaks again. “So, it’s like a high-grade anti-jamming tool?”

“Exactly.” I nod. “Do you think you’re up for it?”

She leans back, her fingers lightly tapping her thigh. I watch her think, her gaze drifting to the windows behind me like the answer might be hidden there.

“There’s already a base-level protocol in our system,” she says slowly. “The company developed it two years ago for secure building transmissions. It wouldn’t take much to modify it into something stronger and more aggressive. It would need a rewritten signature database, a modular input analysis script, and probably a dynamic frequency response algorithm to adjust in real time. It would be a challenge, but I can definitely handle that.”

I nod, pleased. “That’s good to hear.” I smile. “Also, Lyra, I want this handled quietly. You’re the only one allowed to touch it. Like I said, I need someone I trust, and only that person.”

She seems to bristle at that, and her gaze sharpens slightly. She looks suspicious, and for a moment, I’m worried that she may say no.

“Why so secretive?” she asks carefully.

I meet her eyes. “Because too many hands on this can fuck it up,” I say, which isn’t a total lie. “Plus, this client is extremelyimportant to this firm, and they require the utmost discretion. The job needs to be perfect.”

Her mouth tightens just a bit. She still looks somewhat suspicious, and it rattles me in a way I can’t name.

“All right,” she finally answers. “I’ll start putting together the framework.”

“Today,” I say.

“I can start now,” she replies. Then, after a breath, she adds, “Is there a deadline?”

“As soon as humanly possible.”

She rises from the chair, and I do the same, walking her to the door. My hand brushes her lower back out of habit, and she doesn’t move away, but she doesn’t lean into it either. When she looks up at me, her eyes are cool and quiet.

“I’ll let you know when I have something functional,” she says.

“Thank you.”