chapter 4

KEYDEN

The building was exactly what I expected.

Tall. Cold. Expensive.

I stood outside for a second, staring up at it like it might give me answers. Glass walls reflecting the dull Manchester sky, people walking in and out like they actually had their lives together.

Yeah… definitely not my world.

I adjusted my jacket and stepped inside anyway.

The lobby hit me with that clean, corporate silence—the kind that made you feel like you didn’t belong unless you were wearing a suit and carrying a million-dollar deal.

“Good morning,” the receptionist said with a polite smile.

“Morning,” I replied casually, sliding my hands into my pockets. “I’m here to see Madden.”

She nodded, typing something into her computer. “Do you have an appointment?”

“Yeah. Name Kayden Kant.”

Before she could say anything else, a voice came from behind me.

“He’s with me.”

I turned—and yeah… I wasn’t ready for that.

She was standing there like she owned the place without even trying. Not loud, not flashy… just calm. Effortlessly beautiful.

For a second, I forgot what I was supposed to say.

“Hi,” she said, her lips curving into a small smile. “You must be Kayden.”

I smirked automatically. “And you must be the reason this place looks this good.”

She raised an eyebrow, clearly amused. “That’s your opening line?”

“Depends,” I said, taking a step closer. “Is it working?”

She let out a soft laugh. “Maybe a little.”

Good enough.

She held out her hand. “I’m Ella.”

I took it, letting my fingers wrap around hers. Warm. Soft. I held it just a second longer than necessary.

“Kayden,” I said, my voice a little lower.

There was a moment—small, but there—and then she pulled her hand back.

“Come on,” she said, turning. “I’ll take you to Madden.”

I followed beside her, my attention barely on the office around us.

“So,” I said, glancing at her, “how long have you been working here?”

“Not long,” she replied. “Still getting used to everything.”

“You seem like you fit in,” I said. “Too calm for a place like this though.”

She looked at me. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

I smiled slightly. “Means you look like trouble pretending to be professional.”

She laughed, shaking her head. “You talk too much.”

“Only when I’m interested.”

She didn’t answer that—but I saw the corner of her lips lift.

Yeah… she heard me.

We stopped in front of a large office door.

She knocked. “Mr. Madden? Kayden is here.”

“Send him in,” a deep voice replied.

My chest tightened instantly.

I didn’t show it.

Ella opened the door and looked at me. “Good luck.”

I leaned closer as I passed her. “I might need it.”

She smiled faintly, but there was something in her eyes—curiosity, maybe.

Or something more.

---

I stepped into the office…

…and everything hit at once.

He was standing behind the desk.

Levy.

Madden.

Whatever name he went by now… it didn’t matter.

The same person I hadn’t seen in 19 years.

For a second, I couldn’t move.

Because the kid I remembered? He was gone.

This man in front of me was different.

Taller. Broader. Sharper in every way. Confidence rolled off him like it was built into his skin. His jaw was tighter, his posture stronger…

But his eyes?

Same.

Still the same eyes that used to look at me like I mattered.

Madden stared at me like he was seeing a ghost.

“Kayden?” he said slowly.

I swallowed, forcing myself to move forward. “Yeah.”

He ran a hand through his hair, clearly thrown off. “I didn’t expect…”

“Me to show up?” I finished.

“No,” he said, his gaze dragging over me. “I didn’t expect you to look like this.”

I smirked, leaning slightly. “Good or bad?”

He let out a breath, almost like a laugh. “I haven’t decided yet.”

There it was.

Tension.

Thick. Heavy. Sitting right between us.

“You’ve changed,” he said.

“So have you,” I replied.

And I meant it.

Because whatever we were before… this wasn’t that anymore.

Not even close.

His expression shifted, like he was reminding himself where we were. Who we were now.

“Sit,” he said, his voice more controlled.

I dropped into the chair across from him, leaning back like I owned the place.

“So,” he continued, “you’re here about the investment.”

Straight to business.

Of course.

“Yeah,” I said casually. “Figured we’d start there.”

His jaw tightened slightly. “This isn’t personal.”

I tilted my head, watching him. “You sure about that?”

Silence.

For a second—just a second—something cracked in his expression.

Then it was gone.

“We keep this professional,” he said firmly.

I smiled slowly. “If that’s what you want.”

But even as I said it, I knew the truth.

Nothing about this was going to stay professional.

Not with him.

Not after everything.

---

When I stepped out of the office later, Ella was at her desk.

She looked up—and for a second, her eyes met mine again.

There was something there this time.

Not just curiosity.

Something warmer.

Something dangerous.

I walked over, leaning lightly against her desk. “So… how bad did that sound from out here?”

She smiled faintly. “Hard to tell. You both looked intense.”

“Intense?” I repeated.

“Yeah,” she said. “Like there’s history.”

I let out a quiet laugh. “That obvious?”

She didn’t answer right away.

Instead, she studied me for a second longer than necessary.

“Maybe,” she said softly.

I leaned in just a little. “You curious?”

She held my gaze.

“Maybe,” she repeated.

I smiled.

Yeah… this place?

Definitely not going to be boring.

And something told me—

This was just the beginning.

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