3

The Bar on Fifth was exactly the kind of place Sophie would have expected Lisa Harrison to choose – exclusive enough to ensure privacy, but not so trendy that they'd have to shout over music to be heard. Sophisticated without trying too hard, like Lisa herself.

Sophie arrived fifteen minutes early, another habit she couldn't shake. The hostess led her to a secluded booth with a good view of both the entrance and the bar. Old instincts died hard.

"Bourbon, neat," she told the waitress. She'd need the warmth to get through this conversation.

Lisa arrived precisely on time, looking as polished at 7 PM as she had at that morning's meetings. She slid into the booth with elegant efficiency, ordering a martini before turning her full attention to Sophie.

"So," Lisa began, "I suppose I owe you an explanation about yesterday."

Sophie traced the rim of her glass. "About Alexander Reid's surprise appearance, or about why my hiring paperwork went through your department instead of HR?"

A slight smile curved Lisa's lips. "Both. Though I suspect you've already figured out most of it."

"He orchestrated my hiring." It wasn't a question.

"Yes." Lisa studied her carefully. "Though I had to fight to keep you in my department. He wanted you reporting directly to him."

The bourbon suddenly felt acidic in Sophie's stomach. "Why?"

"That's the interesting part." Lisa leaned forward slightly. "He never said. And Alexander Reid always has reasons for everything he does."

The waitress returned with Lisa's martini, giving Sophie a moment to process this. She thought back to Alexander's visit to her office the previous evening, his accusations and that moment of raw pain in his eyes.

"How long have you worked with him?" Sophie asked carefully.

"Since before he moved operations here from Silicon Valley." Lisa sipped her martini. "I was one of his first executive hires when Reid Technologies expanded east. Back when everyone thought he was crazy for trying to compete with the established players."

Sophie remembered those days – the excitement of being part of something growing, something revolutionary. Before everything went wrong.

"He was different then," Lisa continued, watching Sophie's face. "Brilliant, of course, and driven. But there was a... lightness to him. That changed about three years ago."

Sophie's hand tightened on her glass.

"He became harder," Lisa said softly. "More focused, if that was possible. Built Reid Technologies into what it is today through sheer force of will. But something was missing." She paused. "Or should I say, someone?"

"Lisa—"

"I'm good at my job, Sophie. Part of that is knowing how to read people. And part is knowing how to research potential hires." Lisa's gaze was penetrating. "Including where they worked three years ago."

Sophie felt the blood drain from her face. "Did you tell him?"

"He already knew. In fact, I suspect he's known every move you've made since you left Vertex Technologies." Lisa's voice held no judgment, just curiosity. "The question is, do you know why he's brought you back into his orbit now?"

Before Sophie could respond, movement at the bar caught her attention. Her heart stopped.

Alexander Reid had just walked in with a stunning redhead on his arm.

"Ah," Lisa murmured. "Right on schedule."

"What do you mean?" Sophie forced herself to look away from the way the redhead's hand rested possessively on Alexander's arm.

"He's been here every Tuesday for the past month with a different woman." Lisa's tone was carefully neutral. "Always beautiful, always accomplished, always gone by the weekend."

Sophie took a larger sip of bourbon than she'd intended. "His personal life is none of my business."

"No?" Lisa raised an elegant eyebrow. "Then why are you shredding that napkin?"

Sophie looked down at her hands, surprised to find strips of white paper scattered on the dark wood table. She forced her fingers to relax.

"The board meeting tomorrow," she said, deliberately changing the subject. "What should I expect?"

Lisa allowed the deflection. "They'll be looking for blood. Q3 projections are down, and two of our biggest competitors are circling. One in particular seems to have inside information about our new product line."

"Vertex," Sophie whispered.

"You remember them." It wasn't a question.

"They're hard to forget." Sophie risked another glance at the bar. Alexander was saying something that made the redhead throw back her head in practiced laughter, exposing a graceful throat adorned with what looked like Cartier diamonds.

"Sophie." Lisa's voice drew her attention back. "Whatever happened between you and Alexander – and I'm not asking – it's clearly unfinished business. But you need to know something."

"What?"

"Reid Technologies is more than just Alexander's company now. We employ thousands of people. If this personal drama affects the business..." She left the threat unspoken.

"I'm good at my job," Sophie said firmly. "Whatever else you might have discovered in your research, you know that's true."

"I do. It's why I fought to keep you in my department." Lisa finished her martini. "Just remember – Alexander Reid didn't become who he is by leaving things to chance. Every move he makes is calculated."

"Including hiring me?"

"Especially that." Lisa stood, dropping enough cash to cover both their drinks. "The board meets at ten. Wear something bulletproof."

Sophie watched her leave, mind racing. From the bar came another burst of elegant laughter, followed by the deeper rumble of Alexander's voice. She refused to look.

Instead, she pulled out her phone, opening the files she'd prepared for tomorrow. If Alexander wanted to play games, fine. But she hadn't spent the last three years rebuilding her career just to become a pawn in his revenge fantasy.

Tomorrow she would prove her worth to the board. And maybe, just maybe, she'd start to unravel the real reason Alexander Reid had brought her back into his life.

Her phone buzzed with a message. Unknown number.

"The shade of jealousy suits you even better than I remembered."

Sophie's head snapped up. Alexander was still at the bar, seemingly engrossed in whatever his companion was saying. But his free hand held his phone, and even across the room, she could feel his awareness of her.

She typed back before she could think better of it: "Jealousy requires caring. I left that behind three years ago."

His response came instantly: "Did you? Then why are you still here?"

Sophie gathered her things, careful not to look toward the bar as she stood. She paused only long enough to type: "Because running once was enough. This time, I stay and fight."

She felt his eyes on her all the way to the door, but she didn't look back. She couldn't afford to show weakness, not when tomorrow would require all her strength.

What she didn't see was the way Alexander's grip tightened on his glass as she left, or how quickly he excused himself from his companion. She didn't see him watch her cab pull away, or the way he smiled – a real smile, brief but genuine – at her last message.

The game was officially on. And neither of them was prepared for where it would lead.