Chapter 7
PERCY’S POV
It’s been a week. A whole damn week.
And I’m pissed at myself.
I let work swallow me. Meetings. Calls. Paperwork. All of it. And now here I am, standing in front of my mirror, adjusting my tie and cursing under my breath. I should've called Kat days ago. Should've reached out the second I had a second to breathe. But by the time I realized how much time had passed, it felt... wrong. Late. Like I missed my window.
Still, I can't stop thinking about her.
Her voice, that spark in her eyes, the way she challenges me without even trying. She has this fire I can't explain. And I want more of it.
So, I dress in a dark tailored suit and head out. I have a meeting at Sypher—some high-profile investment talks with the CEO. A chance to buy shares. It’s important, but honestly, I’m hoping I don’t run into my overbearing nephew, Matt. He’s got his claws in too many corners, and the last thing I need is him ruining my day.
I arrive at the Sypher building, walking up the stone steps, adjusting my cuffs when I hear someone laugh. It’s soft and familiar.
My heart stalls when I see who it is.
Kat.
What’s she doing here?
She’s standing just outside the entrance, talking to a woman I don’t recognize. Her hair catches the morning sun, and for a second, I forget how to breathe. She looks... different.
Confident. Poised. Her eyes shine with something fiercer than I remember. Not anger. No. It’s something deeper. Like she knows exactly who she is now and doesn’t give a damn what anyone thinks.
She’s dressed in a lovely black fitted dress that hugs her curves. She pairs the look with a red Hermes bag and black heels. Her hair is straightened to perfection.
God, she looks incredible.
I walk up slowly to her. I can practically feel my pulse skipping.
"Kat," I say, smiling.
She turns, startled, but her lips curl into a soft smile the moment she sees me. "Percy?"
"What a coincidence," I say. "Didn’t expect to see you here."
"Likewise," she says, adjusting the strap of her purse. "You’re dressed for war."
I chuckle. "More like a corporate ambush. I have a meeting with Sypher’s CEO."
"Fancy," she teases, tilting her head. "You clean up well."
I let my eyes roam, taking her in. That dress. The way it hugs her curves, the subtle slit that shows just enough leg. I’m almost dizzy.
"I should be the one saying that," I murmur. "You look... sexy."
She raises an eyebrow, amused. "Sexy, huh? Is that why you’re looking at me like you want to rip this dress off?"
I smirk, stepping closer. "That’s exactly why."
Her breath catches slightly, but she doesn’t move back. Doesn’t retreat. Her chin tilts up instead, defiant and playful.
"You didn’t call," she says softly.
"I know," I admit. "And I’ve spent every day regretting it. Thinking about you."
The air between us tightens. There’s a charge, a magnetic pull that makes it hard to think straight. Her eyes flicker to my lips and back, and I swear if she gives me one more second, I’ll kiss her right here in front of everyone.
"Well, well, well..."
A voice cuts through the tension like a blade.
Matt.
I blink and turn.
He strolls over, hands in his pockets, eyes on Kat. There’s a smirk on his face—the kind that makes my skin crawl.
"Didn’t think I’d see you here," he says in a mocking tone.
Kat stiffens. I feel her body go tense next to mine.
"You two know each other?" I ask, looking between them.
Matt laughs, but it’s bitter. "Oh, we know each other very well."
I don’t like the way he says it. Something in his tone makes me feel uneasy.
"Matt," I warn, narrowing my eyes. "Stop."
He raises his hands in mock surrender. "Relax, Uncle. I’m just saying hello."
He walks off, but not before giving Kat one last lingering look.
I turn to her. "What was that about?"
She looks up at me. I can see the hurt in her eyes and it makes me feel sorry for her. Then she says quietly, "That’s Matt. My ex-husband. The one I told you about."
My heart stutters.
What?
Kat is my nephew’s ex wife? Wait…what?
"He’s your... ex?"
She nods once. "Yep."
I run a hand through my hair, shocked. "Shit. He’s my nephew."
Now it’s her turn to blink in surprise. "You’re kidding."
"I wish I were," I mutter.
The air grows awkward, both of us trying to process this tangled mess.
My phone buzzes.
The meeting. I don’t have time to process everything.
I sigh. "I have to go. But... when can I see you again?"
She studies me for a moment, then smiles softly. "Soon enough."
I nod, stepping back reluctantly. "Hold me to that."
She doesn’t say anything more as I walk away, but I can feel her eyes on my back the whole way to the elevator.
And somehow, that one coincidence has shaken me more than any boardroom ever could.
-
I step into the conference room, straightening the cuffs of my suit jacket. The room is filled with men and women in expensive suits murmuring to one another. I recognize a few faces—old rivals, potential allies, corporate vultures. All of them waiting for the main event.
I'm here to finalize my investment in Sypher. But the air feels heavy today, tense, like something bigger is about to drop.
The door opens.
A man steps in and instantly, the entire room goes silent.
He’s tall, powerfully built, with the kind of presence that swallows a room whole. His suit is immaculate, tailored to fit a body forged by war or discipline or both. His silver hair is cropped close, and his eyes scan the room.
This man doesn’t walk. He commands.
"Ladies and gentlemen," he begins "I am Grant Ford."
People’s eyes widen in recognition. I hear a few murmurs. I blink. Grant Ford? The name is familiar. Very familiar.
He continues. "I am the sovereign ruler of Rosario, a small but sovereign European country with longstanding economic influence. You may have heard whispers, but allow me to confirm it myself. I am here in Maddox for personal reasons."
He pauses, letting us process his words.
"I have a daughter. My heir."
Every executive in the room stiffens. Heads turn toward the young woman standing quietly at his right. She’s striking—tall, blonde and very well dressed. Her beauty is obvious, but her expression is hard, almost cruel, like she's just tasted something sour.
Some in the room glance at her, assuming she must be the heir in question.
But I see it.
The scorn in her eyes.
She’s not happy. She’s not proud. She’s furious. That means… she's not the heir.
Grant Ford doesn’t look at her. Instead, he turns his back to the room and signals with one hand.
The door opens. I barely breathe.
And then… she walks in.
Kat.