Chapter Nine
Sebastian Maddox
I don't get jealous.
Jealousy implies insecurity.Insecurity implies competition.
I eliminate competition.
Kevin laughs too easily.
That's the first thing I notice when I pull up the security feed from the executive floor. My brother stands in his glass office, sleeves rolled up, tie loosened—performing warmth like it's second nature.
Ray sits across from him.
Too close.
She's holding a tablet, explaining something, eyes bright with focus. She nods when he speaks. Smiles when he jokes. That same soft, unguarded smile she thinks is harmless.
My jaw tightens.
Kevin leans forward, resting his forearms on the desk. He says something that makes her laugh—actually laugh—and something dark and violent coils low in my gut.
He has no idea.
Kevin Maddox is the face.The voice.The acceptable version of power.
He shakes hands. He remembers names. He charms.
I clean up what charm creates.
"Zoom in," I say quietly.
The image sharpens.
Ray tucks a loose strand of hair behind her ear. Kevin's eyes follow the movement. Not lingering—but noticing.
That's enough.
I stand, shrugging into my jacket, movements controlled despite the fury crawling under my skin. I don't storm offices. I don't make scenes.
I appear.
The door to Kevin's office opens without a knock.
Both of them look up.
Ray startles first.
Her smile fades instantly, color draining from her face like she's been caught doing something wrong—something she doesn't even understand yet.
Kevin grins. "Seb. Didn't know you were in today."
I don't look at him.
My eyes stay on her.
"Come here," I say.
Two words.
Ray hesitates.
Just a fraction of a second.
That hesitation is a mistake.
Kevin notices. "She's just finishing up—"
I finally turn my head.
The room goes cold.
"She's done," I say calmly.
Kevin blinks. "Sebastian—"
I take a step forward.
Kevin stops talking.
Ray stands so quickly her chair scrapes against the floor. She doesn't meet Kevin's eyes as she walks toward me. Smart.
I place a hand at the back of her neck—not squeezing, not gentle. A reminder. A claim.
Her breath stutters.
"Did he make you laugh?" I ask quietly.
Kevin frowns. "What the hell is that supposed to mean?"
Ray shakes her head immediately. "It was just work. He was helping me—"
"Helping you," I repeat.
My thumb presses lightly into the sensitive spot beneath her ear. She freezes.
"You don't need help," I murmur. "Especially not from him."
Kevin straightens. "You don't get to talk to her like that."
I smile.
It's not pleasant.
"I get to do whatever I want," I say evenly. "You get to sit in the chair I allow you to sit in."
The silence that follows is thick. Heavy. Kevin knows better than to push. He always has.
Ray's eyes shine with unshed tears. "Sebastian, please—"
"Quiet," I say softly.
She obeys.
That's the part that ruins her later.
I guide her toward the door, fingers tightening just enough at her neck to make my point clear. Kevin watches us leave, anger burning in his eyes—but underneath it, fear.
He remembers who built this empire.
The hallway swallows us.
Ray finally pulls away once we're out of sight, chest heaving. "You embarrassed me."
I turn on her slowly.
"You embarrassed yourself," I correct. "Smiling. Laughing. Letting him think he has access."
"He's your brother," she whispers.
"And you're mine," I reply.
Her breath catches painfully.
I step into her space, backing her gently—but relentlessly—against the wall. My hand comes up, gripping her jaw this time without pretense.
"Listen carefully," I say, voice low and lethal. "There is no man in this building who gets you. Not my employees. Not my brother. Not anyone who breathes without my permission."
Tears spill over.
"I can't live like this," she cries softly.
I lean in until my forehead nearly touches hers.
"You already are."
I release her abruptly and step back, composed once more.
"Go home," I say. "I'll see you tomorrow."
She stands there shaking as I walk away, heels echoing behind me like a countdown.
I don't look back.
I don't need to.
Because Ray Chen can smile at the world—
But she will never belong to it.
Not while I'm watching.