May’s perfume filled the room, sharp and floral. 

"This is it?" she gestured at the small table and two chairs. "This is what they gave us?" 

Her eyes clearly were hinting at a challenge to Harper, but no one answered her, so she forced her smile bigger.

"At least, is it temporary?" May stepped further into the room gazing over the cramped quarters. "Ivan, I've seen broom closets with more space. Where exactly am I supposed to work? On the floor?" May crossed her arms.

Ivan gestured vaguely toward the hallway. He snapped upright in the chair, but he kept his features controlled as he opened the envelope.

He scanned the letter. Harper raised her head from her files as a slow satisfaction spread through his chest. 

"Affirmative." He folded the letter and slipped it into his jacket pocket.

“Great!” May’s tone was too sweet.

“Excuse me,” Harper’s voice was tight. “Am I out of the loop?”

Ivan glanced at her, then back at May. "Side hustle. Networking with some heavy hitters to boost.”

"Side hustle that requires official correspondence?" Harper's tone was carefully neutral, but Ivan caught the edge of irritation underneath.

"Outstanding matters that need resolution."  Ivan's voice was flat, revealing nothing. "Some formalities."

He felt tension sharpen. 

She stood abruptly. "I should go check on my clients as well. 

Ivan studied her face, noting the tight line of her mouth, the way she avoided eye contact. "We can reconvene tomorrow. One office, one team."

“We need more people for the transition. But team doesn’t mean babysitting your fan club,” she nodded at May. “Make a list of who would be suitable.”

“Don’t worry, Ms. Owen.” May’s smile stayed firm, but her eyes sharpened. “I’ve got Ivan covered.”

Ivan felt his shoulders relax for the first time today as Harper Owen shut the door behind her. And May noticed immediately.

Before speaking Ivan waited a full thirty seconds. 

"Report."

May settled into a newly vacated chair. "The research you requested on the Owen’s Group is complete. Interesting data."

"I'm sure."

"Henry’s patterns show a clear preference for firms like LV. Typically for the first year, he retains key family members in advisory roles. Then they will be removed."

“Expected."

"There's more. Financing for this acquisition is heavily leveraged. They're more vulnerable than they appear."

"To what extent?"

"Worse than I thought. The buyout put them on thin ice. One major setback and they're finished."

Ivan absorbed the information, filing it away with everything else he'd learned about Henry Owen and his business practices. 

"And Oliver?"

May darkened slightly. "Thinks he’s the star of every room. He’s got the board eating out of his hand."

She leaned closer, her voice conspiratorial. “But you’re smarter.”

"Hhh." Ivan chuckled.

"Ivan..." 

"He's a liability." Ivan's tone was final. "One that needs to be managed."

May tilted her head slowly. 

"The trip is still scheduled for Sunday?" She asked softly.

“Yes. They confirmed it yesterday."

May tapped something on her phone.

"And they’re aware of the new development?"

"Will be. And you'll be there to..."

"Observe. Learn exactly how much rope they need to hang themselves."

“Monitor who they’re talking to."

"All set?" He asked.

"As planned." She paused. "Ivan, if they realize what you're after..."

"They won't." Ivan's confidence was absolute. "Oliver sees what he wants to see. And Henry thinks he's dealing with a family outcast."

"And Harper?" May's voice carried a note of caution. 

Ivan paused. That was the variable he hadn't fully accounted for. 

"You've been wound tighter than a watch spring before she left," she observed. "Rough morning with the ice queen?"

"Don't call her,” Ivan said automatically, then paused, surprised by his reaction. “...that." 

May's eyebrows rose. "Defending her now?"

"... she's not what I expected." Ivan ran a hand through his hair, a gesture May recognized as his tell when he was conflicted about something.

"Meaning?"

Ivan was quiet for a moment, staring at the letter in his hands. 

"She's more complicated than we anticipated."

"Complicated how?"

Ivan trailed off, shaking his head. "Never mind."

May studied his face with the intensity of someone who'd spent three years learning to read his moods. 

“Ivan?..”

He met May's eyes. She saw through him better than anyone. 

The way Harper had looked at him and May earlier was running it through his head. She was all fire and plans, but her glare when May walked in? That was new. Keeping Harper with her knowing his family business close was risky. 

"Harper is focused on the acquisition."

"Are you sure about that?"

"I’ll deal with her."

"Will you?" 

 "Because from where I'm sitting,” May leaned forward slightly. “And if she starts asking the right questions..."

"She won't."

"How can you be sure?"

Ivan was quiet for a long moment. How could he be sure? 

"She has as much to lose as anyone if this falls apart. She won't gamble with it for idle curiosity."

May didn't look convinced. “We have to ensure Henry walks into what you want him to."

"We've got enough time."

"And if something goes wrong?" May saw the exhaustion he'd been hiding.

"I won’t let it fail now." Ivan's smile was as cold as winter. 

He pulled out his phone and scrolled for the number he wanted. "I need to make some calls. Handle the flight arrangements for Sunday, please."

"Already done. Morning departure and return in the evening."

“Thanks.” 

May stood, smoothing her skirt. "Ivan?"

"Yes?"

"Where is your actual office?” May's voice rose slightly. “The one with your name on the door? At LV’s? Will you be back to..?"

"We decided to keep this one shared with Harper."

“What?” May walked around the small table, her expression growing more incredulous with each step. 

"So let me understand this correctly. You're sharing your executive office with the ice queen, and I'm relegated to whatever corner of this room you're not using?” She sighed. 

"..."

“And we're both supposed to maintain professional appearances?" May was talking to the air. "Ivan, I have a lot of stuff. Where exactly do you propose I put all of that?"

Then she laughed.

"Right. And when clients call asking for you, should I tell them you're in the executive office you may or may not have access to, depending on Ms. Owen's schedule?"

Ivan rubbed his temples. "May..."

"No, seriously. Because I need to know how to reach you.” 

She continued. “Are you here? Are you there? Maybe wandering the halls searching for a quiet space?"

The frustration in her voice was obvious, and Ivan couldn't blame her. The situation was far from professional.

"It is a torture. Let’s get back."

"This arrangement works for me, so I can keep tabs on Harper. She needs to think we're partners while I figure out exactly how much she knows."

Ivan looked around the small room, then back at May's expectant face. "We adapt."

"It's forever like this with you." May's tone was fond rather than accusatory. "But we have bigger things to worry about right now."

Ivan groaned, sinking back into his chair he began to sway in it. May stopped him.

"You've been building toward this, so don’t make emotional decisions." She held his arm, and Ivan glanced at her. 

May Peterson started as a temp and became his greatest ally. She showed him support when he doubted it himself. She was easy, safe. 

"Do you have any idea how hard it was to keep my hands to myself with her sitting right there?" She breathed, moving closer to him. 

Ivan remained seated, watching May approach. 

She moved behind his chair, her hands settling on his shoulders. Her fingers began working the tension from his neck, and Ivan's eyes drifted closed for a moment.

"You're so tight," May murmured, her touch trailing down to his collar.

"Can't afford to relax."

She walked around to face him. "Ivan, look at me." Her skirt rose slightly as she perched the desk. 

"You don't have to carry it alone." Ivan's eyes met hers, dark with need but her voice was gentle. 

"I know you're here."

"Do you?" May's fingers caressed his jawline.

Ivan caught her hand. "I could never forget that."

“The cleaning crew won't be here till midnight." May's lips brushed against his ear. 

"May..." Ivan's voice was rougher now. She always was his rock, constantly smoothing his chaos, but her touch felt off today. The moment hung between them, heavy with unspoken words. 

"I know." She pulled her hand away, straightening. She picked up her purse, pausing at the door. "Just... don't shut me out completely.” Her voice was shaky.

After she left, Ivan stayed alone in the small office; his game was finally beginning with a crucial call.

"It's Ivan."

"..."

"Sunday's confirmed. They'll be there."

"..."

"One setback and they're finished."

"..."

"She's an obstacle."

"..."

"Which makes her useful."

"..."

"No room for sentiment in this business."

"..."

The line went dead. He scrolled for another name in his contacts.

"Michael? It's Ivan Vernon. Yes, that Vernon. I need a favor."