"Zie feels ready to face her demons and apparently I'm one of them." I shrugged. "Laura has assessed her case and believes this will provide closure for her client."

"Thought you didn't believe in closure?"

"No, but I do believe in at least finding some solution to pain. There's guilt on my part. And Zie needs to be handled."

"You have my support. Whatever you believe is best."

I took her hand in mine. "Mia, I want you to know there's no residual feelings for Zie." She went to speak and I rested my fingertips on her lips. "I love you, and what is testament to how wonderful we are is us sitting here and talking calmly."

"Yes, I do love how easy you are to talk to." She rummaged in her handbag. "And I suppose now's a good a time as any. I made a few amendments." She handed me the folded up piece of paper.

I unraveled it and stared down at the non-disclosure agreement Dominic had emailed to Mia.

This very document had been provided to all previous girlfriends and contained the legalese ensuring that should we ever end our relationship, my personal life would remain so and not find its way in a tabloid or worse still on some TV expose. The settlement provided after the dissolution of a relationship was overly generous, or so Dominic had told me. A formality I didn't deal with.

Mia had scribbled on the form.

"I don't want your money." She pointed. "I signed it, scanned it, and emailed it back to Dominic. He told me I have to talk to you about the pay off."

"Pay out, Mia, not payoff. It's to compensate you."

"I don't want your money, Cameron. I've told you that. In fact that was the other thing I wanted to talk to you about."

I raised my gaze to meet hers. "Go on."

"I want to keep working at Enthrall."

I sat back, feeling as though the air had been sucked out of me. With her out of my sight, I couldn't watch over her. She'd be vulnerable.

"With Richard as your boss?" I said.

"Of course."

"Out of the question."

"Well I can't work at Chrysalis," she said. "I can't date my boss again. It put everyone in an awkward position."

Yes, well there were mitigating circumstances, including and not limited to using Mia to trap my best friend into a relationship. Richard could ignore the girls at the high-end bars but he'd have been hard pushed to ignore the innocent attending to his every need as his secretary. And those FMB's Mia had unwittingly worn provided a splash of genius.

Jealousy swept over me that Richard had ever touched her.

"As the director, I decide on which employees work where." I rose and moved over to my desk. "I profile and ascertain who is the best fit and where."

Mia realized I was serious. She pushed to her feet. "I need to make a living, Cameron."

I shook the mouse to awaken my computer and searched my files.

"You were just saying how wonderful it is we can talk?" She moved over to me. "I need to be independent."

"No, you think that, but in reality life will be much easier for you if you let me take care of everything."

"Are you saying I can't work?"

I caressed my brow. "We had this conversation, remember? In London."

Confusion marred her face.

I turned toward her. "I warned you that should you become mine the experience would be one of intense ownership. That I would possess you beyond all understanding."

Mia gazed up at me.

"I distinctly recall telling you I'd overpower every aspect of your life. Completely dominate you, and while I was at it I'd most likely fuck you half to death." I smirked.

Her eyelids fluttered as she teetered toward subspace.

She broke from it and whispered, "What about what I want?"

"Mia, you are not my prisoner." I gestured to the door. "I won't prevent you from doing what makes you happy."

"Unless it's where I work."

"For now, yes."

I wanted to tell her I had to keep her safe and my possessiveness was about protecting her. Not wanting to scare Mia, I turned away and opened a file. I needed the distraction for this conversation to end.

"Don't go cold on me," she said.

"I'm not, sweetheart." I pulled her into my chest and hugged her.

"I feel safe with you." She wrapped her arms around my waist. "I don't want to leave you."

"You're been transferred over to Chrysalis," I said. "You're my executive assistant now."

Mia's demeanor shifted and she stepped back. "What about Enthrall?"

I lifted the receiver and speed dialed Richard's office.

"Booth," answered Richard sharply.

"Hey," I said. "How are you?"

"Missing a secretary."

"That's why I'm calling."

Silence.

"Scarlet's on it," I said. "Any requests?"

"This is my sandbox. Find your own toy. Oh wait, you did. Mine."

"I have tickets for the Lakers."

"Always did like you."

"Good. Please inform Ms. Lauren of her transfer."

He scoffed. "How's your day going? Interestingly annoying as well by the sound of things?"

"How are you?"

"Why'd you call me?"

"I'm handing the phone over to Ms. Lauren."

Mia took the phone. "Hello, Richard. We were just discussing me coming back to Enthrall."

Her frown deepened as she listened. "Can we talk about it?" Her eyes darted to mine.

I circled my finger for her to hurry it up.

She handed the phone back.

The line was dead. Richard had hung up.

"Well?" I said.

"He fired me."

"Glad we got that squared away."

She rested her hands on her hips. "What will my duties be?"

"Your secretarial duties will continue. As will your training. Also, your lessons. Your future is my priority."

She swallowed her nervousness. "Will I be allowed to wear clothes?"

That visual threw me off.

No, was a tempting answer.

The hum of the printer called my attention. I picked up the fresh version of the non-disclosure Mia had amended and handed it to her. "If you ever tamper with any legal document of mine in the future, there will be consequences, Ms. Lauren."

She stared down at the fresh agreement. "But I don't like it."

"Irrelevant. This-" I pointed to it-"ensures your financial security, should things not work out between us."

"You don't think things will work out?"

"Mia, this is business. Sign it and let's forget about it."

She held it up. "Don't you think we're telling the universe we're not going to make it?"

"It also protects me should you ever decide to sell your story-"

"Not after everything you've done for me."

I caressed my brow. "Mia, perhaps talk with Dominic about this? He handles the legalese."

She moved over toward the shredder and turned it on. "I'm not a business dealing."

I narrowed my gaze. "Don't even think about it."

The shredder ate the form.

I glared at her. "That was your first mistake, Ms. Lauren."

She drew her teeth over her bottom lip and sucked it.

That really wasn't helping.

A step closer. "Perhaps you might be interested to know your second mistake?"

Her subtle nod.

"You have forgotten who I am," I said darkly.

She neared me and her eyes widened, her lips slightly parted.

I reached out and tipped her chin up. "I will not be defied. By anyone."

"Yes, sir," she breathed.

"This world has the potential to destroy your soul. I will not stand by and allow anyone to hurt you. Ever. I will always watch over you."

Mia twisted her mouth thoughtfully.

"Usually Dominic deals with these details, but I can see you need persuading. Let's go over this-" with a click of the mouse, I printed off another form -"line by line until you understand its importance."

"I won't sign anything that mentions you giving me money," she said. "So delete that bit and I'll sign it right now."

"Mia, it gives me peace of mind to know you'll be taken care of."

"I love you for you."

"Mia, please-"

"Perhaps I'll go and work for Cole Tea," she said. "Maybe Henry wasn't joking about the job offer."