Page 20 of If You Give a CEO a Chance
“Thanks,” Simon replies, his relief palpable. “I don’t want Bennett jumping to conclusions. You know how she is, especially now. A discovery like this could change everything.” And so could the fact that Lilith is my fated mate.
I don’t respond—there’s nothing more to say. His secret, and hers, is safe with me.
Simon breaks the silence with a small shake of his head. “Right, sometimes I forget I have to actually dismiss you. Go on, Bennett’s waiting.”
With a nod, I turn and stride toward Bennett’s office. Usually, her messages come when she needs something done quietly. So it’s odd that she summoned me in broad daylight, and through Simon, no less.
I knock lightly on the door and wait for her permission to enter. Headmistress Bennett sits at her desk, surrounded by towering stacks of paperwork that seem to grow every time I see her.
“You called for me?” I ask, taking up my usual spot by the door.
The air feels heavier than usual, tension hanging between us. Whatever’s on her mind must be serious. I stand there quietly as she continues scribbling, her Shadow watching silently from its perch in the corner. After what feels like an eternity, she finally sets her quill down and looks up, meeting my eyes.
“Firstly, I want to commend you for your success in eliminating those Rogues last week. Thanks to your efforts, our security protocols remain intact. Simon also reported takingdown another one last night,” Bennett says, a rare hint of approval in her voice.
But I can tell this praise isn’t the main reason for our meeting. The way she studies me, like she’s weighing her next words, confirms there’s more on her mind. I stay expressionless, waiting for her to get to the point.
“What’s your opinion of Lilith Knight?” she finally asks bluntly.
Well, damn. I was hoping we could avoid Lilith, especially since Simon is supposed to be her mentor. Why is she asking me of all people?
“I haven’t known her long enough to form a solid opinion,” I respond, my voice steady. Not a lie. “Besides, student evaluations are more Simon’s area—or even Vaughn’s. You know I prefer my solitude.”
“Simon has his hands full with other matters,” Bennett says, her eyes still fixed on me with that scrutinizing look. “He and Vaughn are exceptional at what they do, but they’re not like you. They haven’t experienced the cause in its entirety, not like you have. You know what the Rogues are capable of. You’ve experienced their depravity firsthand. That’s why your opinion matters so much to me.”
She’s circling around something, which isn’t like her. Normally, she’s far more direct.
I don’t react, keeping my expression neutral like always. “Lilith Knight seems more advanced than other first-years, but that’s expected, given who her father is. He probably trained her before she got here. That’s the only assessment I can give for now.” Still not a lie.
Bennett rises and strides to the window, her steps purposeful. She clasps her hands behind her back and gazes out into the distance. “I need more individuals like you—someone who can do what you do—”
“You mean, silently and efficiently eliminate Rogues without feeling a shred of remorse,” I cut in, bluntly acknowledging my role. Simon killed a man last night, and I know he’ll wrestle with it, but for me, each life I take is just another chapter closed and a Balance restored. I don’t linger on them, even if my hands feel a bit more tainted each time.
“I do as I’m told,” I say, my voice steady. And it’s not like I have a choice. Bennett saved me and took me in, I owe her my life. Spilling blood is my way of showing my gratitude, albeit in a decidedly fucked up way.
“I’ll need someone to step into your role next year and I’m considering Lilith… if she proves herself”
The bond within me twists and stirs; for the first time, I feel an unfamiliar emotion—worry.
It's a feeling so foreign that I struggle to grasp it completely. I know the weight of this position, the dangers it brings, and how deeply it taints the soul. The protective instinct rising within me fights against the idea of her being thrust into this dark world I inhabit—a realm of blood and shadows, where the lines between right and wrong blur into nothingness.
While I have no doubt she could handle it, I still want her as far away from the bloodshed as possible. It’s a conflicting thought, considering she’s my fated mate and will eventually be exposed to it now that she’s tied to me.
But I know better than to voice any of this.
“Understood.”
“Good. Keep me updated on any significant developments.” Bennett nods curtly, effectively dismissing me.
I rise and exit her office, my mind racing. The thought of Lilith stepping into my role and shouldering the burden of assassinating Rogues unsettles me in a way I’ve never experienced before. This unfamiliar protective urge clashes with my unwavering loyalty to Bennett and the cause.
Is this what it means to have a fated mate? To feel an overwhelming need to protect someone, even from a distance? Even if it conflicts with everything I’ve ever worked for?
As I navigate the stone corridors, my thoughts linger on Lilith—her strength, her power, the secrets that seem to envelop her like a cloak. I know I should keep my distance, focus on my responsibilities, and let fate unfold as it will. Yet the pull toward her is magnetic and undeniable, the bond between us alive and thrumming within me.
Almost without realizing it, I find myself at the training grounds, where I know Lilith is sparring with Simon.
I keep myself concealed in the shadows, watching as they train together. Simon, a skilled and patient instructor, guides Lilith through a series of drills and techniques. But it’s Lilith who truly captivates me. The way she moves, the determination in her eyes, the raw power radiating from her every pore—it’s nothing short of mesmerizing.
