Amelia Harper hated elevators. The mirrored walls, the fluorescent lighting, the oppressive silence—they all conspired to amplify her nerves. But today, the sleek, stainless-steel cage hurtling her upward felt more like the jaws of a beast, ready to swallow her whole.

Her reflection stared back at her: a young woman with auburn hair swept into a professional ponytail, crisp blazer, and wide hazel eyes that screamed imposter syndrome. She smoothed the imaginary wrinkles on her skirt and took a deep breath. This was it. Her big break. The exclusive interview with Dominic Kane, the elusive billionaire every journalist dreamed of profiling—and every journalist had failed to pin down. Until now.

The elevator chimed softly as it reached the top floor. The doors slid open to reveal a reception area so opulent it could have been plucked from a royal palace. Polished marble floors gleamed under a crystal chandelier, and an oversized window offered an uninterrupted view of the city skyline. Yet, the room felt eerily sterile, as if it had been designed to intimidate rather than welcome.

Amelia stepped out, clutching her notebook like a lifeline. At the far end of the room, a woman in a sleek black suit sat behind a massive oak desk, typing with mechanical precision. She looked up, her icy blue eyes scanning Amelia with the efficiency of a security system.

“Ms. Harper?”

“Yes,” Amelia said, her voice a touch breathless.

The woman nodded and stood, motioning toward the double doors behind her. “Mr. Kane will see you now.”

Amelia’s heart skipped a beat. She’d expected to wait, to be left stewing in her nerves for at least an hour. But there was no time to second-guess. She walked forward, each step echoing in the cavernous space, and pushed the heavy doors open.

The office was nothing short of magnificent. Floor-to-ceiling windows framed the city like a living painting, while minimalist black-and-gray furniture exuded power and sophistication. But none of it held her attention for long, because sitting behind a sleek glass desk was Dominic Kane.

He didn’t rise to greet her. He didn’t need to. His presence alone was commanding enough to fill the room. Tall, broad-shouldered, and impeccably dressed in a charcoal suit that looked custom-made to complement his chiseled features, Dominic radiated authority. His dark hair was neatly combed back, but it was his eyes—piercing, almost predatory—that pinned her in place.

“Ms. Harper,” he said, his deep baritone sending a shiver down her spine. He gestured to the chair opposite him. “Sit.”

Amelia moved on autopilot, lowering herself into the chair and placing her notebook on her lap. She felt like prey under his gaze, but she refused to let it show. This was her moment to prove herself.

“Thank you for agreeing to this interview, Mr. Kane,” she began, her voice steadier than she expected.

“Don’t thank me yet,” he said, leaning back in his chair. “I have conditions.”

Amelia blinked. “Conditions?”

“You’re not here to write the same recycled drivel the press has been churning out about me for years,” he said, his tone clipped. “If you want the full story, the real story, you’ll have to play by my rules.”

She frowned. “And what exactly are your rules?”

He leaned forward, his elbows resting on the desk, and for a moment, she thought she saw a flicker of amusement in his otherwise unreadable expression. “You’ll come to my island. Spend one week there. No phone, no internet, no outside communication. You’ll observe, listen, and—if I deem you worthy—I’ll give you the answers you’re looking for.”

Her heart thudded in her chest. “One week? On your island?”

“Take it or leave it.”

Amelia’s mind raced. A week with no communication? It was unthinkable. But this was the opportunity of a lifetime. A story like this could catapult her career to heights she’d only dreamed of. She swallowed hard and met his gaze.

“I’ll take it.”

Dominic’s lips curved into a faint, almost predatory smile. “Good. My assistant will provide you with the details. Be ready by tomorrow morning.”

He stood, signaling the end of the meeting, and extended a hand. Amelia rose and shook it, her smaller hand dwarfed by his firm grip. The contact sent a jolt of heat through her, but she ignored it, determined to stay professional.

As she walked back toward the doors, her mind buzzed with questions. What exactly had she just agreed to? And why did it feel like she was walking into a trap she couldn’t escape?

When the doors closed behind her, she exhaled sharply, clutching her notebook to her chest. Whatever lay ahead, one thing was certain: this was no ordinary assignment. And Dominic Kane was no ordinary man.