“BK&C is one of the leading private equity firms in the country. We oversee billions in assets, specializing in acquisitions, high-level investments, and security—both financial and digital. Our clients expect discretion, reliability, and most of all, protection.”
The assistant walks briskly beside me, her heels clicking against the marble floor as we pass the sleek, glass-walled offices.
She shoots me a knowing glance. “That’s where you would come in.”
I nod, trying to focus on her words rather than the nerves trying to take over. This is the kind of job I’ve been dreaming of. High stakes, top-tier systems to play with, and the resources to build a cybersecurity framework unlike anything I’ve done before.
The assistant glances down at her tablet, then back up at me with a small smile. “You should know, the CEO has taken a special interest in this hire. He’ll be conducting your interview personally.”
“The CEO?” Most companies of this scale don’t have their CEO sitting in on interviews, even for high-level positions.
She nods. “Well, this position is for the head of cybersecurity. It’s an essential role, and Mr. Bellacino likes to be directly involved in all matters of security.”
My stomach flips. “Mr. Bellacino?”
She doesn’t seem to notice the giant lump I just swallowed. “Dante Bellacino,” she clarifies, tapping something into her tablet. “He can be a little intimidating, but he’s brilliant. He built this firm into what it is today.”
My heart lurches, the ground tilting beneath me for a fraction of a second.
I’ve done my research on BK&C, but I never bothered to look up the man at the top. It never even occurred to me that Dante Bellacino could be the CEO.
My pulse pounds in my ears as we stop in front of a pair of heavy oak doors. The assistant gives me a pleasant smile, completely unaware of the war raging within me. “He’s expecting you.”
I should walk away.
Every logical part of my brain is screaming at me to turn around and get the hell out of here before this goes too far. But my feet stay rooted to the floor, my breath shallow as the assistant knocks once and opens the door.
He’s sitting behind a massive desk and stands as I approach, extending a hand. “Ms. Smith.” His voice is smooth, the faintest smirk tugging at his lips.
I swallow hard as his hand grips mine just a little too firmly.
“Mr. Bellacino,” I say, my tone perfectly professional. “Didn’t expect to see you again.”
His smirk deepens. “Oh, I’m full of surprises.” He gestures for me to take a seat in one of the plush guest chairs in front of his desk.
I sit before my knees betray me, crossing my legs and setting my folder on the polished mahogany desk between us. He watches every movement, gaze lingering a second too long on my legs before he sits, leaning back in his chair like he owns the world.
Which let’s be honest, he kind of does.
He steeples his fingers. “Let’s get to it, then. Your resume is very impressive.”
“I know.”
His brow quirks. “Modest, I see.”
“No point in false humility. You wouldn’t have called me in if I didn’t have the qualifications.”
He nods as he raises a brow, a small smile forming on his lips. His expression shifts to something more serious, more curious.
“I have to say, I’m not in the habit of hiring straight out of college, especially not for a position of this caliber.”
I don’t hesitate. “I’ve been working in the field since I was barely a teenager.”
His eyes sharpen. “Freelancing?”
I nod. “Hacking, penetration testing, cybersecurity consulting. You name it, I’ve done it. I’m mostly self-taught, but my degree greatly refined my skills.”
His fingers tap idly against the desk. “Which means you were lying about your age back then. No one would hire a child for that kind of work.”
I shrug, offering him an easy smile. “I lied. But only when I had to.”
His gaze darkens, and I can tell he likes that I’ve broken rules. Bent them. Maybe even rewritten them when necessary.
“Fair enough.” He flips through my portfolio. “Your work in cybersecurity is cutting-edge. You single-handedly patched a vulnerability in JP Morgan’s firewall that could have cost them billions.”
“Not just patched. I built a dynamic threat mitigation system that detects and isolates intrusions before they reach critical assets. I made their security adaptive instead of reactive.”
“And you did all of this while working on your CS degree.” His eyes gleam with interest. “Tell me exactly how you would apply that here.”
I lean forward. “Your company’s infrastructure is good, but not impenetrable. You’re running a hybrid-cloud setup, which means if someone gains access to one sector of your network, they could pivot into more sensitive systems.”
He nods, arms folding over his broad chest. “And how would you fix that?”
“Two ways. First, a segmented micro-perimeter defense with zero-trust architecture. That means every single access request is authenticated, even from within your own servers. Second, I’d implement a behavioral-based anomaly detection system—think of it like an AI watchdog that monitors all network activity. If something even smells wrong, it isolates the breach before it spreads.”
Dante’s eyes flash. Interest. Amusement. Respect. Lust.
“You’re brilliant, Eva,” he says. The way he says my name sends a shiver down my spine.
I swallow hard. Focus.
I sit back, adjusting my blazer. “I know that. But now that I’m aware you’re the CEO, I’m not sure this is the right fit for me.”
Dante tilts his head. “Oh?”
“You and I both know the risks of working for a company like this. With your affiliations, I imagine your enemies wouldn’t hesitate to attack through cyberspace. That makes me a target.”
His jaw flexes slightly. “I would never let anything happen to you.”
The way he says it—firm and absolute—sends a strange warmth through my chest.
Still, I force myself to remain logical. “That’s a nice sentiment, but it doesn’t change the fact that my name will be tied to BK&C’s cybersecurity. If someone wants to make a statement, I’ll be the one in their crosshairs.”
Dante exhales, watching me for a long beat. Then, slowly, he stands. “How about this?” He rounds the desk and sits in the chair beside me. He smells like sandalwood.
“Before you say no, take a tour of the office. Meet the team. Then decide.”
I should refuse.
I should get up and walk out of here before I make the stupidest decision of my career.
But instead, I nod. “Fine. A tour.”
“Good.” His lips brush close to my ear. “Because I’m not ready to let you go just yet.”
Dante leads me through the sprawling offices. The atmosphere is thick with wealth and power, glass-walled conference rooms filled with men in sharp suits, women in crisp pencil skirts tapping away at high-end workstations. Everything radiates efficiency and control.
Dante moves with predatory confidence, his hand lightly resting at the small of my back as he introduces me to various executives.
It’s subtle—the possessiveness, the silent claim—but I can feel it. And I’d be lying if I said it didn’t make my pulse race.
My expression is neutral while shaking hands, smiling politely and offering crisp, professional answers when asked about my experience.
Dante slows near a corner where a group of executives are chatting, and just as I think I might get through this tour unscathed, the universe decides to screw me over.
“Eva?” The surprise on Luca’s face quickly shifts into something more like amusement.
Oh, for fuck’s sake.
Dante’s entire body shifts. His dominance sharpens, his posture becomes more territorial, his presence dark and commanding in a way that makes my stomach tighten.
“Luca.” His tone is cool and professional.
Luca folds his arms, grinning. “Didn’t expect to see you here.”
My throat tightens. “Neither did I.”
Luca tilts his head, eyeing me like I’m an interesting puzzle. “You working here now? Or can you just not stay away from me?”
Dante responds before I have the chance to. “Ms. Smith is considering an offer.” His voice is clipped and businesslike, an underlying edge to it.
Luca blinks, then lets out a short laugh. “Never thought you’d go corporate.”
I narrow my eyes. “Why? Because I’m too smart for this place?”
He chuckles, shaking his head. “No, because you hate sitting still. I remember you complaining about how office jobs are just modern-day cages.”
Dante crosses his arms, his gaze locked on Luca. “Unlike you, Luca, Eva actually has marketable skills.”
Luca’s smirk falters. “Wow. Thanks, Dad.”
Dante’s expression remains stoic. “Just stating a fact.”
I bite the inside of my cheek to keep from grinning. That was more satisfying than it probably should’ve been.
Luca exhales sharply, but he doesn’t push back, his gaze sliding back to me. His eyes flick down briefly but just enough for me to catch it.
“You clean up well.” He gestures vaguely at my tailored blazer and high-waisted slacks. “Not the usual look for you.”
Dante’s reply is curt with an undercurrent of warning. “Are you commenting on my new cybersecurity lead’s body, Luca?”
Dead silence.
Luca’s face blanches. “I–what? No, I just…”
Dante takes a step closer to his son. Suddenly, Luca doesn’t look so cocky anymore. “You sure? Because it sounds a lot like you are.”
It feels as if the entire office is holding its breath.
Luca stammers, completely thrown off. “It was just a joke.”
“Then it wasn’t a very good one.” Dante’s tone is low, icy.
I have never seen Luca look more uncomfortable. I glance at Dante, tilting my chin up just enough to convey pure, unshakable confidence.
“You know what?”
Dante turns to me, his eyes still burning with restrained fury.
I smile. Slow and sweet. “I think I’ll take the job after all.”
