You’re too handsome to be alone,” my six-year-old daughter announced in the middle of the executive hallway, staring straight at the coldest billionaire in Manhattan. “I think you should be my daddy.” Every person around us froze, while I stood there absolutely certain my career had just ended.

I dropped my phone on the floor of the elevator in sheer panic. Adrian immediately picked it up, his gray-blue eyes scanning the terrifying photograph. "Someone was in my office while I was in the meeting," I choked out. Adrian’s jaw clenched so hard a muscle ticked in his cheek. He immediately dialed his head of security, demanding a full lockdown of the executive floor. "No one gets in or out without my personal authorization," Adrian barked into the phone. He turned to me, his expression softening just a fraction to reassure me. "You are under my protection now, and I do not lose what belongs to me." The possessive weight of his words sent a strange shiver straight down my spine. We bypassed the lobby entirely and took the private garage elevator to his armored SUV. The flashing cameras of the paparazzi were already waiting outside the glass doors of the building. Adrian shielded my face and lifted Mia into the safety of the vehicle. As the heavy doors slammed shut, I finally allowed myself to breathe. "We are going straight to my penthouse," Adrian announced, pouring us both a glass of water. "It is a literal fortress, and no one can breach the security grid." Mia happily drank her juice, completely unaware of the deadly game we had just entered. We arrived at his lavish Park Avenue residence, which overlooked the entire glittering city. The penthouse was beautiful but felt incredibly cold and empty. Adrian ordered his private staff to prepare a bedroom for Mia and a master suite for us. "We have to share a room to make this look authentic to my board of directors," he explained. I nodded nervously, acutely aware of how overwhelmingly attractive he was up close. Later that evening, after Mia was safely asleep, I stood by the massive glass windows. Adrian walked up behind me, wrapping a surprisingly warm blanket around my shivering shoulders. "I will not let David or the Volkovs hurt you," he promised in a low, gentle whisper. For the first time in years, I actually felt incredibly safe. I leaned back slightly into his solid chest, closing my eyes. Suddenly, the massive glass window in front of us shattered into a million tiny pieces. A small drone flew into the living room and dropped a metal canister onto the expensive rug. Thick, choking green smoke instantly began pouring out of the device.