Chapter 6: Seductive Moves

Dinner with Max Thorne.

Just the thought of it sent a shiver down my spine, a blend of curiosity and caution twisting in my gut. After the unsettling disappearance of Malcolm, the last thing I wanted was to be anywhere near Max.

Yet, here I was, sitting in my car outside one of the city’s most exclusive restaurants, trying to convince myself to go inside.

I wasn’t sure what compelled me to accept his invitation. Maybe it was the lure of answers, the need to know what game he was playing. Or perhaps it was something darker, something I didn’t want to admit to myself—a magnetic pull toward his dangerous charm.

With a sigh, I checked my reflection in the rearview mirror. I’d opted for a simple yet elegant black dress, something that would make me feel confident and in control. But as I caught my own gaze, I saw the uncertainty lurking behind my eyes.

“Come on, Sera,” I muttered to myself, taking a deep breath. “You’re stronger than this. You’re here to get answers, not to fall under his spell.”

I stepped out of the car, my heels clicking on the pavement as I made my way to the entrance. The restaurant’s façade was understated elegance, a beacon of luxury that only the city’s elite could afford. As I walked in, I was immediately enveloped by the warm, ambient lighting and the soft murmur of conversations.

A maître d' with a perfectly tailored suit and a polished smile greeted me. “Good evening, ma’am. Do you have a reservation?”

“Yes, under Thorne,” I replied, my voice steady, masking the nervous flutter in my chest.

He nodded, checking his list before gesturing for me to follow. “Right this way, please.”

I followed him through the restaurant, weaving between tables occupied by well-dressed patrons, each one absorbed in their own private world of fine dining and hushed conversations.

As we reached the back of the restaurant, I saw him. Max sat at a secluded table, his back straight, his posture exuding confidence. He wore a dark suit that looked custom-made, every line and fold perfect, just like the man himself.

He rose as I approached, his eyes locking onto mine with that same intensity that always seemed to unsettle me.

“Sera,” he greeted, his voice smooth as silk. “I’m glad you came.”

I forced a smile, slipping into the chair opposite him. “I thought it might be…enlightening.”

He chuckled, a low, rich sound that sent a shiver down my spine. “I hope I can live up to your expectations then.”

As he sat down, a waiter appeared with a bottle of wine, pouring us each a glass before disappearing just as quickly. Max raised his glass, his eyes never leaving mine.

“To new beginnings,” he said, his tone filled with a strange kind of promise.

I hesitated for a moment before clinking my glass against his. “New beginnings.”

We sipped our wine in silence, the tension between us almost palpable. I could feel his gaze on me, studying me, trying to read me like a book.

“You seem on edge, Sera,” he said finally, his voice low and smooth. “Is something bothering you?”

I met his gaze, refusing to let him see how unnerved I really was. “Let’s not play games, Max. You didn’t invite me here for small talk. What do you really want?”

He leaned back in his chair, a slow smile spreading across his lips. “Straight to the point. I like that about you, Sera. But you’re right. I didn’t invite you here just to talk about the weather. I wanted to discuss the proposal I sent you.”

I raised an eyebrow, taking another sip of wine. “The proposal that feels more like a takeover attempt than a partnership? That proposal?”

His smile widened, but there was something predatory in his gaze. “It’s not a takeover, Sera. It’s an opportunity. Your company has so much potential, and I have the resources to help you take it to the next level. Together, we could create something incredible.”

I shook my head, setting my glass down on the table. “I’m not interested in being absorbed into your empire, Max. Seraphina Luxe is my creation, my vision. I won’t let anyone take that away from me.”

He leaned forward, his expression softening slightly. “I’m not trying to take anything away from you, Sera. I want to help you. You’re talented, driven, and I respect that. I just think you could use someone in your corner, someone who understands the game.”

I stared at him, searching for any hint of sincerity. “And you think you’re that person?”

He nodded, his gaze unwavering. “I know I am. But it’s not just about business, Sera. I’m intrigued by you, by your passion and your strength. I want to get to know you, to understand what makes you tick.”

My heart pounded in my chest, a mix of fear and something else I didn’t want to acknowledge. “And what if I don’t want to be understood, Max? What if I just want to run my company and live my life without someone like you trying to control me?”

His eyes darkened, a flicker of something dangerous crossing his face. “Then I suppose I’ll just have to find another way to convince you.”

Before I could respond, the waiter reappeared with our food, placing the dishes in front of us with practiced precision. The smell was intoxicating, but I found I’d lost my appetite.

Max picked up his fork, his eyes never leaving mine. “Please, Sera. Eat. I promise, the food here is exceptional.”

I picked up my fork reluctantly, taking a small bite of the seared scallops in front of me. They were delicious, but I could barely taste them over the tension that hung in the air.

“So,” Max said casually, as if we hadn’t just been discussing the potential hostile takeover of my company. “Tell me about your father.”

I stiffened, my fork clattering against my plate. “My father? What does he have to do with this?”

Max’s expression remained calm, but I could see the intensity in his eyes. “I just find it interesting, that’s all. He was a successful businessman, much like myself. I imagine he taught you a lot about the industry.”

I swallowed hard, my mind racing. What was he getting at? Was this just small talk, or was he trying to dig deeper?

“He taught me a lot,” I said cautiously. “But he’s been gone a long time. I don’t see what relevance he has to this conversation.”

Max leaned back in his chair, his gaze never leaving mine. “I think he has more relevance than you realize, Sera. Sometimes, the past has a way of influencing the present in ways we don’t expect.”

I felt a chill run down my spine, his words echoing Malcolm’s warning. Was he hinting at something? Did he know about my father’s connection to him?

Before I could press him further, a waiter approached the table with a folded note on a silver tray.

“For you, ma’am,” he said, setting the note in front of me.

I glanced at Max, but his expression was unreadable. With trembling hands, I picked up the note and unfolded it.

Trust no one.

My heart skipped a beat as I read the words. I looked up at Max, but he was watching me with that same intense gaze, as if waiting for my reaction.

“What is this?” I demanded, my voice shaking.

He shrugged, but there was a flicker of something in his eyes—amusement, maybe. “I have no idea. But it seems like someone wants to keep you on your toes.”

I clenched the note in my hand, my mind racing. Who could have sent it? Was it a warning, or a threat? And why here, now?

As I looked around the restaurant, searching for any sign of who might have sent the note, I felt a growing sense of unease. The shadows seemed to close in around me, the walls pressing in.

Max watched me closely, his expression unreadable. “Are you alright, Sera?”

I nodded, forcing myself to stay calm. “I’m fine. Just…a little on edge, I guess.”

He smiled, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “I understand. These things can be unsettling. But remember, Sera, I’m here to help you. You can trust me.”

I wanted to laugh at the irony of his words. Trust him? After everything I’d heard, everything I’d seen? But as I looked into his eyes, I couldn’t help but feel a strange pull, a magnetic attraction that made me want to believe him, even though I knew I shouldn’t.

“I’ll keep that in mind,” I said finally, setting the note aside. “But right now, I think I need some air.”

I stood up, grabbing my purse, and turned to leave. As I walked away from the table, I could feel Max’s eyes on me, watching my every move.

As I stepped outside into the cool night air, I took a deep breath, trying to clear my head. But the words on the note kept running through my mind, a chilling reminder of the danger I was in.

Trust no one.

I knew I couldn’t trust Max, but who could I trust? Malcolm was gone, and I was alone, caught in a game I didn’t understand.

And as I stood there, staring out into the night, I realized that this was just the beginning. Max Thorne wasn’t going to give up