CHAPTER 7: THE THIN LINE

"Telsa, you want to know what happens when you go too far?"

He spoke in a pleasant, almost humorous voice. However, I could tell by the expression in his eyes that this was no joke.

I swallowed, my stomach wrenched, but my face remained neutral. The air was keen with something unsaid, and the room felt colder.

With his elbows resting on his desk, Jeo leaned forward and watched me with that unreadable, piercing gaze. His black, clean suit gave him the appearance of the vicious man that everyone was whispering about.

He tapped his fingers on the desk and added, "This is the second time you've questioned my decisions." "I wonder if you're losing your location."

I forced my voice to remain steady as I straightened my shoulders. "I'm not asking you questions. I simply believe there is an alternative—

"There isn't." His final and unalterable words pierced my own.

Between us, the weight of them settled.

I clenched my fists, trying to hide my annoyance. "I just proposed—"

He continued, "You don't make suggestions," as he stood there, looming over me. "You comply."

The word "obey" made my skin crawl. It was something much more dangerous than dread. Our game was evolving, and I was no longer certain who was winning.

However, I was aware of one thing.

The distinction between submission and control, strength and weakness, was becoming increasingly blurred.

Additionally, I was strolling directly on its edge.

A Risky Act of Balancing

I had signed that contract two weeks ago. Observing Jeo as he steered his empire with icy accuracy for two weeks. He was brutal in negotiations and talks.

And me?

In his universe, I was learning how to live.

Tonight, however, was different.

I had gone too far tonight.

I simply had no idea if I was going to tumble or not.

With a hushed voice, Jeo remarked, "You told me you wanted to belong in my world." "However, you appear intent on challenging me instead."

My chin remained up. "Agreeing with everything is not a prerequisite for belonging."

He grinned, but his smile was cold. "It does in my world."

My heart was racing, but I was not going to give up.

His quiet spoke louder than words as he observed me for a long time. Then he circled the desk and came to a halt only inches away from me.

"You want power?" he whispered, cocking his head. "Then accept responsibility for the consequences."

I understood his meaning.

Words were not power. Consequences were at issue.

"You don't think I get that?" I inquired.

"You're still working it out, I believe." He briefly lowered his eyes to my lips before raising them again. Additionally, Telsa, you should use caution. What you discover may not be to your liking.

Something unspoken but indisputable coiled between us, something frightening.

The thin line.

That's the one I almost crossed wrong.

A Test I Was Unprepared for

When Jeo turned away and headed toward the bar at the corner of his office, the moment was cut short. The glass clattered when he poured himself a drink.

"You don't trust me," I said.

He laughed briefly and without humor. "Telsa, there is no such thing as trust in this world. By now, you ought to be aware of that.

The hurt of his words was swallowed by me.

He was correct.

Trust was a liability.

However, the way he tested me and looked at me left me wondering.

Why would he allow me to come this year if he didn't trust anyone?

Before putting the glass down, Jeo drained his drink all at once. His face was once more unreadable when he turned around.

He responded, "I have a job for you."

His tone tightened my stomach for some reason.

"What sort of job?" I inquired cautiously.

He moved slowly and deliberately as he made his way back to me.

"A test," he declared. "To determine whether you truly fit into my world."

My spine tingled at what he said.

Because I had barely survived the last test Jeo gave me.

The Game Is Now Different

An hour later, I was seated in a sleek, black automobile with tinted windows that let in the flashing city lights of Los Angeles.

I hadn't heard the specifics from Jeo.

Only a name. Pierce, Damon.

Joe wasn't willing to disregard the fact that the man had made a mistake when doing business with him.

Jeo's closest advisor, Eleanor, sat next to me with her usual cool and serene demeanor. She wasn't merely there to socialize. She was here to ensure my success.

As she observed me, she said, "You're nervous."

I said, "I'd be foolish if I wasn't."

She grinned. "At least you know."

I looked her in the face. "What precisely am I expected to do?"

"You'll learn soon enough."

I detested evasive responses. I was wise enough not to push, though.

With its golden sign shining in the streetlights, the automobile arrived at a private lounge.

The place was bustling with famous customers inside.

Eleanor guided me past the throng, pausing at a secluded booth occupied by a man wearing a fitted suit who was idly swirling his drink.

Pierce, Damon.

As we got closer, he raised his head, his grin growing.

"Well, well. "The renowned Telsa Reed," he sneered. "The helper who inadvertently turned into Jeo's little secret."

Despite clenching my jaw, I maintained a neutral expression.

I responded with ease, "I wouldn't call myself a secret." "I like to call it—indispensable."

Damon laughed, obviously amused.

He thought, "I understand why he keeps you around." "You're on fire."

Eleanor stepped forward. "She received a message from Jeo."

Leaning back, Damon extended his arms across the booth. "What would that be, then?"

I took a deep breath before I spoke.

"Betrayals are not forgiven by him."

For a brief moment, Damon's smirk wavered before he covered it up with a laugh.

He said, "You think I betrayed him?"

I said, "I don't think." "I understand."

The words lingered in the atmosphere.

A tight, slow silence.

Damon's laughter subsided. "Tell Jeo that he should take care of this himself if he wants to."

I cocked my head. "He's doing precisely that."

Something flared in Damon's eyes for the first time.

Uncertainty.

Because he was looking at someone other than Jeo for the first time.

Yes, I was.

And that had some significance.

It indicated a change in the game.

A Risky Action

Damon dropped his voice and leaned closer. "Take care, my love. There are other people with power besides Jeo Donald.

I didn't wince. Then you also need to exercise caution. Because there are others who are skilled players besides Jeo Donald.

Damon looked at me for a while.

Then he laughed.

It wasn't amusement, though.

Something darker was involved.

He got to his feet and said, "I like you, Telsa." "We'll see if you can make it through this world."

He then moved past me and vanished into the throng.

I let out a slow breath.

Eleanor turned to face me with a faint smile on her face. "Not too bad."

I looked at her sternly. "Was that a test?"

"It's all a test," she stated plainly.

I balled my hands into fists.

Knowing that I would need to prove myself, Jeo had pushed me into this.

And now?

I was now the target of someone.

I barged into Jeo's office back at his penthouse. He was using his tablet to read something behind his desk.

He didn't raise his head. "You've returned."

I slammed his desk with my hands. "You unexpectedly sent me into that."

When he finally looked up, I was astounded by what I saw.

Contentment.

Pride.

Something hazardous.

"You got it," he replied plainly.

I yelled, "That's not the point." "You placed me in a situation where things could have gone very wrong."

He stepped around the desk and stood directly in front of me.

He whispered, "You wanted to be in my world." "You are now."

I detested how his presence caused my heart rate to increase.

I detested not being able to determine whether this was a warning or anything else.

"Jeo, I refuse to be a pawn."

He raised his hand and moved it slowly down my arm.

With a lowered voice, he declared, "You're not a pawn, Telsa." "You play."

I gasped.

Since he was correct.

I was no longer only playing the game.

I took part in it.

Furthermore, there was no going back.