Doris Elizabeth Corday

"You can't seduce him."

"Any man can be seduced."

"Not this one, Beth."

I shoved my borrowed uniform into Olivia's locker and pulled out tonight's dress.

"I didn't even plan on seducing him, but now I just want to prove you wrong."

The soft white fabric slid over my legs and snugly hugged my figure. Olivia handed me the heels I brought.

"I'm serious," she pressed. Her dark eyes darted to the door. With no other staff around, she continued. "I've catered at Illion parties for a while now. Nobody's allowed near this guy. Not even within arm's reach. The last girl that touched him got dragged off and I haven't seen her around since."

"So, what are you saying? He had her killed or something?" I asked while fixing my makeup in the locker's mirror.

When Olivia did not answer, I turned to her with a raised brow.

"Seriously?"

She scoffed and fiddled with a lock of curly hair.

"Some people say he's got blood on his hands."

"And I suppose that's why he's never seen without those infamous leather gloves?"

"I'm serious, Beth... There are rumors about him getting chummy with the Mafia and other criminal bloodlines..." she mumbled.

"Pfft, the Mafia, Liv? Seriously?" I stopped myself from laughing too loud. Don't want staff catching their newest recruit slipping into cocktail attire. I smiled at my friend. "Did you forget who I am?"

She rolled her eyes.

"Some nameless thief with a few lucky hauls."

"Hey, nameless thief means I'm doing it properly."

When Olivia did not laugh along, I turned to her with a tilt of my head.

"Look, you can believe rumors people throw around, or you can believe the facts."

I loosened my hair and shook it out.

"Fact, that posh idiot out there is wearing a forty-million-dollar pocket watch." Olivia handed me my necklace. "Fact, anyone dumb enough to walk around with the Cronos watch is basically asking to get robbed." I clipped the delicate necklace and wore earrings to match.

"Fact, I do my research. This guy isn't some untouchable Mafia don. He's just a bit of a clean freak."

Fully dressed for the company cocktail party, I turned to the staff room's full-length mirror.

Nothing about my features stood out. Skin that was neither pale nor tan. A nose neither small nor particularly large. Hair too light to be brunette but too dark to be blonde. And eyes that only upon close inspection revealed a pale green — the color of a dollar bill. These dull features were my greatest asset.

"And fact," I turned to Olivia. "I'm going to steal the Cronos from Rob B. Illion and get away with it."

Olivia shook her head.

"I've given up on you years ago."

"Love you too." I blew a kiss at her just like I used to do in high school.

Leaving my childhood accomplice behind, I exited the staff room and headed for the elevator. The hallway was decorated with dark gray marble, artificial plants, and floors so polished I could see myself walking.

My phone vibrated and I already knew who it was.

King: I hope you got this month's payment ready for me, Beth Baby

I cursed as the elevator reached the top floor. The guy really had a talent for screwing with me... Now was not the time to worry about my debt.

With a ding, the doors opened.

The night air swept at me along with the buzz of conversations and soft music. The rooftop was packed with people, all in their cocktail dresses and suits. Lights from the strung lanterns bounced off champagne glasses as waiters swerved between guests.

But what drew my eyes were the jewels in the sky. This high up in the city, I was closer to the stars than I had ever been. I nearly reached out to pluck a diamond from the sky when someone tapped my shoulder.

"Head in the clouds?" a slurred voice asked.

I turned toward the rosy-cheeked man and gave a polite smile.

"Yes."

His suit was designer. I could get those buttons sold for a decent return.

"I haven't seen you around," he said, eyeing me everywhere except my face. "Can I get little Miss a drink?"

Is that a wedding ring?

"Hahaha yes, I'm from a different branch." I took the drink he offered, my hand lingering for just a second.

"Oh, really? I work in this building. I don't mean to brag, but I'm—"

"Thanks for the drink!" I turned and walked away.

Disappearing past a few groups, I snuck a look at my prize. I would have to get an appraisal for the ring later this week, but my guess was 2k.

Ah, I love it when people make it easy for me.

I swapped my drink out with another from a passing waiter and waded toward the edge of the crowd. With the dazzling city view behind me, I leaned against the glass railing and scanned the faces that passed.

My target should be easy enough to find. He certainly had a look about him. But the easiest way to spot a man as rich as him was to follow the gazes of everyone else.

A group of women whispered to each other before sneaking a peek at the area to my left. A crowd blocked my view, so I leaned back with a breeze tugging at my hair.

There he was.

Standing near, but not touching the railing, was a man tailored in all black. His coat hung off his shoulders like he was born in it. His hair, as black as his expensive suit, was slicked back with but a single strand swept over his ever-present scowl. And his skin was nearly as pale as a corpse.

As if these features weren't enough, his black gloves were all I needed to confirm who he was.

Rob B. Illion.

Three men stood near him, shooting dirty looks at anyone who got too close. I took a sip of my champagne and bided my time. At least one person would be drunk enough to approach him.

Sure enough, when a group of ladies headed his way, I slipped past the crowd and stuck close by. One of the giggling girls pushed the other and she tripped over her heels, taking a few stumbling steps too close to the CEO.

Immediately, security caught the girl before she could fall on Mr. Illion himself. The man tossed her back at her friends and grumbled some stern words.

My jaw tightened.

It was not the first time I saw how people were treated when getting too close to Mr. Illion. Yet somehow this little fact seemed to evade the media. In articles and forums, he was simply portrayed as a charismatic bachelor who liked to keep to himself.

Ha.

I debated whether giving him my opinion on his attitude would ruin the mission, but froze as he pulled something from his jacket pocket. Gold glinted from his gloved hand.

There it was.

The Cronos.

It was a pocket watch custom made in 1918 when a rich noble fell in love. Though the story itself was amazing, the watch trumped it all. It was made of solid gold with 24 complications and 12 diamonds all around.

Most recently, the twenty-eight-year-old CEO of Illion Industries bought the timepiece for $40,000,000, making the Cronos the most expensive watch in the world.

And if all went well, the Cronos would make me the happiest girl in the world.

Just thinking about what I could do with that kind of money made the hairs on my body stand on end. Perhaps once I cleared all our debt, Mom would come back...

A shiver woke me up and I walked without thinking.

Mr. Illion raised a gloved hand at his security and said something to the girl. Whatever it was, it had her running in the opposite direction with her friends in tow.

He pocketed the watch and headed for the elevator while his guard dogs disappeared in a different direction.

No, no, no! I just arrived!

Panicked at my $40,000,000 leaving like that, I went into a fast-paced strut. At least a dozen guests tried pulling Mr. Illion in for a conversation, but all it took was a raise from his gloved hand and they instantly stepped aside.

I cursed his long legs.

When Mr. Illion reached the elevator, I was quick enough to see him select the floor just below, but not quick enough to get in with him.

Not letting tonight be in vain, I sprinted to the stairs, my heels click-clacking as I rushed. It took me little more than a second to get to the next floor, but when the elevator dinged, I still didn't have a plan.

My eyes scanned each end of the dark corridor. There was nothing save for a black door every couple of paces. Out of time, I only had one option left.

The elevator doors opened, and Mr. Illion stepped out.

"Oh, darn," I mumbled, stumbling into him.

Mr. Illion's body went rigid against mine, and I let myself fall back, pretending to lose my balance. But when nothing caught my descent, my eyes widened in shock. I reached for his shirt, but he sidestepped me effortlessly.

With a hard thud, I crashed onto the floor, pain shooting up my tailbone.

"Fuck," I gritted through my teeth. Before my break in character could be noticed, I mustered a dazed look instead. "Whoa, what... what happened?" I asked in an innocent voice.

When I looked up at Mr. Illion, my character nearly broke for a second time. That stoic, unphased expression did not spare so much as a blink. Dark brows scowled at me.

This was certainly not the scenario I gambled on...

Shouldn't a gentleman catch the girl as she fell instead of stepping back? And shouldn't he help me up instead of watching me sit on the floor?

Mr. Illion stepped closer, his shadow swallowing me. His eyes were cold and predatory as if I were nothing more than a speck of dirt.

"Do you have a death wish?" he asked, his voice low and lethal, like he was already weighing the answer.

Huh?

My brain failed to understand the situation, so I continued as though it was all going according to plan.

"Uh... Oh, shit, I'm pretty drunk. And I only had one drink," I mumbled as I rubbed my head.

The young CEO stayed perfectly still with one hand in his jacket pocket, exposing his black waistcoat. I recognized that gold pocket chain instantly. Money beyond my dreams was just a stretch away...

"Mind your language, would you?" Mr. Illion said flatly. His expression was like a bored executioner judging whether I was worth keeping around.

I had never met a man with so much and yet so little manners all at once.

Mistaking my genuine confusion for drunkenness, Mr. Illion crouched beside me, his shadow enveloping me.

"Do you need help getting up?" he asked, his voice unnervingly smooth.

From this close, I noticed how delicate his features were. One thing the media wouldn't shut up about was how handsome he was.

And I couldn't even argue with them.

His lashes were thick, his nose perfectly straight. And his pitch-black eyes had an intensity that would make any girl weak.

"Yeah," I answered, shaking off the dizziness that had crept up on me.

All I need is your shoulder to lean on while my hand slips past your waistcoat...

"Hmm, you'll have to wait while I call for someone," he said as he stood back up and took his phone out.

Wait, what?

"I- I can do it myself," I stammered as I got up.

This man is mental. He really could've just taken two seconds to help me up, but instead he tries calling someone? What a pompous ass!

I looked up and Mr. Illion now had his arms folded. He gave a sound of approval as he stepped away from me.

"You seem fine. Can you get home?" he asked.

"Uh, I'm not really sure where my lift is..."

"No, I meant, can you go home? I do not appreciate drunks at work gatherings."

I lost it. Right then and there, my jaw hung open.

What kind of manners were these supposed to be? I wanted to plant a fist right across that high cheekbone of his.

Come on, Beth, I told myself. Don't let this jackass distract you from the goal.

The Cronos.

"I don't... I don't feel so good," I whispered and pretended to lose my balance for a second. I took a step closer to Mr. Illion, but he simply took another step back.

Does he seriously plan on letting me flail helplessly on my own?

"I'm cold too," I said with a bit of a shiver. With nothing but my white cocktail dress, there was no way the guy could just ignore me.

"Do you need a jacket?" he asked.

There is hope!

"Oh, I couldn't possibly take your jacket," I said meekly, sending him a desperate look from under my lashes.

"No, you couldn't," Mr. Illion agreed in deadpan. "I could call for my secretary to send one over at a cost and escort you out."

JACKASS! SCUM OF THE EARTH MOTHER F—

"Oh..." I mumbled. "How nice."

"Would you like me to call?"

"No, I'm fine. Uh, could you show me where the bathroom is?"

"It's down the hall."

"Where?"

Mr. Illion turned to face the other end of the hallway and pointed in that direction. "It's down this hall and on your left," he explained, but with him turned away I got the opening I needed.

"Oh, fuck, I'm gonna puke," I said and fell against Mr. Illion.

He instantly tried to shove me off and though I made myself heavier for extra time, he was stronger than I thought. Mr. Illion gave one hard push, and I stumbled back, nearly falling on my ass again.

"I shall remind you to watch your language and please do not be within my vicinity when you feel the need to regurgitate," Mr. Illion said with a sneer. He dusted himself off as though I got dirt all over him. "I shall ask you to leave now and if you feel incapable, I shall ask someone to escort you."

Shit. I can't bring more attention to myself.

"I- I'm fine," I stuttered. "I'll leave."

"Are you alright on your own?"

"Always have been," I replied with a short salute as I headed to the elevator.

"The bathroom is that way."

"Ah, right."

I turned and walked to the bathroom instead. Mr. Illion stayed in place and only when I reached the end of the hallway did he disappear to the other side.

Did that actually work?

My legs shook as I walked. With no one else in the bathroom, I turned to the mirror with the biggest grin. In my hand was the most expensive watch in the world.

"It worked," I laughed. "It really worked!"

I spun around, unable to contain my excitement. Freedom was in the palm of my hand. No more debt! No more King! Mom could finally come back!

I stopped.

The job wasn't done. I couldn't celebrate yet — not until I was safely back in my apartment. Taking a steady breath, I slipped the watch into the folds of my dress and left the bathroom. Even without seeing any cameras, I kept up the drunken act. Just to be safe. Swaying on my feet, I approached the elevator.

Almost there... just a bit more...

Crash.

I froze. The noise was so faint I almost doubted it, but something deep inside me tightened with a sense of foreboding. I turned away from the elevator, eyes drifting down the hallway where Mr. Illion had disappeared earlier.

Crack.

The sound was louder this time, and I flinched, taking a step back.

What on Earth was that?

Going against my better judgment, I slowly stumbled my way around the corner, still feigning drunkenness. The corridor here was much darker. A single light burned from one of the boardrooms. I approached the frosted glass wall, barely able to see the figures on the other side.

"Please..." a voice coughed inside, and goosebumps spread over every inch of me.

Don't look, a voice inside me begged. Turn around and don't look back.

But I couldn't.

The walls were partitioned with thin strips of clear glass dividing the frosted panels. I peeked through with one eye and instantly regretted it. Suppressing a scream, I covered my mouth with both hands.

Inside were a dozen armed men, including Mr. Illion himself. They surrounded a chair with a bloodied man tied down. His face was brutally swollen and where his fingers should've been were bloodied stumps instead.

I swallowed my dinner back down.

"What did your leader ask you to steal from me?" Mr. Illion interrogated the man.

"I didn't take anything..." he coughed out, his voice barely audible from the raw rasping in his throat.

"Yes, but you were going to. What did Alister order you to take?"

"Go to hell."

The room went so quiet I thought they might hear my heartbeat.

"Very well then," Mr. Illion said as he turned. "I'll see you there."

He headed for the door as one of his men pulled out a gun and aimed it at the man's head. I looked away just as a soft whiz echoed through the room — followed by a lifeless thud.

The doorknob turned and my blood ran cold.

Mustering the last of my strength, I retreated into the shadows as quiet as a breeze and bolted to the elevator before anyone could find me.

All the while a question relentlessly drummed through my head.

Who the hell did I just steal from?