Sienna’s pulse was still erratic as she squared her shoulders, planting her feet firmly on the mat.
She wasn’t about to let Damien Cross throw her around like a rag doll without a fight. He stood opposite her, a knowing smirk playing on his lips as if he could see the fire burning behind her eyes. “Ready?” he asked. She lifted her chin. “Try me.” His smirk deepened. This time, she anticipated his movement. The way his body shifted. The sharp flick of his wrist. But just as she thought she had him figured out, he changed direction in an instant, sweeping his foot behind hers. She gasped as her balance wavered, but before she could hit the floor, Damien caught her again his arm locking around her waist, pulling her against him. Her breath hitched. “Still too slow,” he murmured, his voice like gravel and silk all at once. Sienna’s fingers curled into his shirt before she realized what she was doing. She could feel the heat of his body, the steadiness of his breath. Damn him. “Let go,” she demanded. “Say please.” Her jaw clenched. “Let. Go.” His grip tightened for a second before he released her, stepping back. She exhaled sharply, hands clenched into fists. “I see what this is.” Damien arched a brow. “Do you?” “You’re trying to make me feel powerless.” His expression didn’t change. “Am I?” She crossed her arms. “You enjoy control. You thrive on it. You push until people break, just to see if they will.” He didn’t deny it. Instead, he took a slow step toward her, his eyes unreadable. “And are you going to break, Sienna?” A chill ran down her spine. She didn’t know. And that terrified her. She forced herself to hold his gaze. “No.” Damien studied her, and for a split second, she thought she saw something flicker in his eyes something dark. Something intrigued. Then, as if flipping a switch, he turned away. “That’s enough for today.” She frowned. “That’s it?” “For now.” He grabbed a towel from the bench and tossed it to her. “Shower. Change. Breakfast will be in an hour.” She caught the towel, still trying to read him. “And what happens after breakfast?” His lips curved slightly. “You’ll find out.” Then, without another word, he walked off, leaving her standing there frustrated, breathless, and more entangled in this game than she had ever intended to be. An Hour Later… Sienna entered the dining room feeling rested but on edge. The space was just as cold and refined as the rest of the house long table, modern lighting, not a single thing out of place. Damien was already seated at the head, sipping black coffee. He barely looked up as she sat across from him. A plate of food was waiting for her fresh fruit, eggs, and toast but she hardly noticed. “Are you going to tell me what’s next?” she asked, her voice steady. He set his cup down. “You’re impatient.” She exhaled. “You’re withholding information on purpose.” He smirked. “Maybe.” She clenched her jaw. “Damien.” Something flickered in his gaze at the way she said his name. He leaned back in his chair, watching her. “I have business meetings today. You’ll be joining me.” Sienna frowned. “Meetings?” “Yes.” He took another sip of his coffee. “I want to see how well you can hold your own in my world.” She stiffened. The contract hadn’t mentioned business. She had assumed her role was more… personal. “I don’t know anything about your company,” she admitted. “You’ll learn.” She swallowed. “And if I fail?” Damien set his cup down and stood, walking toward her. When he reached her, he leaned in, one hand bracing the table beside her. His proximity sent her pulse into a frenzy. “If you fail,” he murmured, voice dripping with promise, “you’ll have to make it up to me.” A rush of heat flooded her body. She hated how easily he could unravel her. Hated the way his presence commanded something from her she didn’t understand yet. She forced herself to hold his gaze. “Then I won’t fail.” His lips curved. “We’ll see.” And just like that, he walked away. Leaving her breathless, again.Sienna had never been more aware of her reflection than in this moment. She stood before the full-length mirror in her room, smoothing down the tailored black dress Damien had provided. The fabric was sleek, elegant meant to make a statement. She wasn’t just attending his meetings today. She was meant to be seen. And that realization sent a wave of unease through her. She had spent years keeping her head down, working tirelessly to build something for herself without relying on anyone. But now, in the span of a single day, she was being thrust into his world. A world of power, dominance, and unshakable control. Her fingers curled into the fabric at her sides. I can handle this.A sharp knock at the door made her inhale. “Sienna.” His voice was deep, steady cutting through the silence like a blade. She exhaled slowly before stepping forward, opening the door. Damien stood on the other side, dressed in a perfectly tailored charcoal suit, the top button of his shi
Sienna’s hands trembled as she knocked on Damien’s penthouse door. A part of her hoped he wasn’t home, that she could turn around and walk away before she made a mistake she couldn’t take back. But deep down, she knew she wouldn’t. She needed answers. The door swung open, and there he was—Damien King, standing tall and commanding in the dim light. His shirt was unbuttoned at the top, sleeves rolled up, exposing the muscular forearms she’d once imagined tracing with her fingers. His dark eyes flickered with something unreadable as he leaned against the doorway, one brow arched. “Sienna,” he murmured. Just the way he said her name sent a shiver down her spine. She took a steadying breath. “We need to talk.” He stepped aside, allowing her in without a word. The penthouse was as sleek and breathtaking as she remembered. Floor-to-ceiling windows displayed the dazzling city skyline, and the scent of expensive cologne and whiskey lingered in the air. She turned to face him, her h
Sienna didn’t know if she had made a mistake by coming here, but she did know one thing—she couldn’t walk away now. Her body still tingled from Damien’s kiss, her mind at war with itself. He wanted her. He had admitted it. But he had also made it clear that wanting her terrified him. That their connection was dangerous. She knew she should turn around and leave. She should protect herself before she fell even deeper into something she might never recover from. But she didn’t move. Instead, she stood there in the dim glow of Damien’s penthouse, her breathing uneven, her heart slamming against her ribs as she looked up at him. Damien’s jaw was tight, his hands clenched into fists at his sides, as if he was physically restraining himself. “You should go, Sienna.” Her stomach twisted at the words. “Is that what you really want?” Silence stretched between them. His dark eyes burned into hers, full of something unspoken. Something she wasn’t sure if she should fear or surrende
Sienna’s heart pounded as she stood frozen in Damien’s office, his piercing gaze locked onto hers. The air between them was charged, thick with unspoken words and unresolved tension. She had told herself she wouldn’t let this happen again—that she wouldn’t let him get under her skin. And yet, here she was. “You’re running from me again,” Damien said, his voice calm but firm. Sienna crossed her arms over her chest, trying to create some kind of barrier between them. “I’m not running. I’m making the smart choice.” Damien took a slow step toward her, his eyes never leaving hers. “And what’s that?” “Keeping my distance.” A smirk ghosted across his lips, but there was something else in his expression something that looked a lot like frustration. “Funny. You say that, but you’re still here.” Sienna hated that he was right. She should have left the moment she realized they were alone in his office. But something about Damien made her want to stand her ground, even when she knew i
Sienna’s heart raced as she stepped into her apartment, shutting the door behind her with more force than necessary. The moment she was alone, the reality of what had just happened with Damien hit her like a storm. She paced the length of her living room, her mind playing back every second of their last encounter. The way he had looked at her, the dominance in his touch, the way his words sent shivers down her spine. Her phone buzzed. She snatched it off the table, already knowing who it was. ‘Damien; We’re not done. Her breath caught in her throat. Of course, they weren’t. How could they be? He was relentless, and no matter how much she tried to resist, he always found a way to break through her defenses. She typed a response before she could stop herself. Sienna;Yes, we are. She stared at the screen, waiting for the three dots to appear, but they never did. Maybe he had finally given up. Or maybe… this was just the calm before the storm. She ran her fingers through
Sienna’s breath came in short, ragged gasps as Damien’s lips moved against hers with a slow, deliberate hunger. Every touch, every caress sent a wildfire through her veins, consuming her in ways she never thought possible. She should stop this. She should push him away. But instead, she clung to him like he was the only thing keeping her upright. Damien’s hands roamed down her back, molding her to him, his body a wall of heat and raw dominance. His grip tightened around her waist, pulling her flush against him, leaving no space between them. A broken sigh escaped her lips. He growled low in his throat, his mouth trailing down to her jaw, then to the sensitive spot just below her ear. He nipped at her skin, sending a delicious shiver down her spine. “Damien…” her voice was breathless, pleading. He pulled back just enough to look into her eyes, his dark gaze filled with intensity. “Tell me to stop,” he murmured, his thumb tracing her lower lip. She swallowed hard. Sa
Sienna couldn’t sleep. She had tossed and turned all night, but no matter how many times she shut her eyes, Damien's words echoed in her head. "I won’t force you, but don’t think for a second that this is over."Her body still tingled from his touch, from the way he had looked at her—like she was the only thing that mattered. It scared her how easily he got under her skin, how he made her question everything she thought she wanted. With a frustrated sigh, she sat up in bed, hugging her knees to her chest. This had to stop. She had worked too hard, built too many walls, to let a man like Damien Pierce tear them down. But deep down, she knew it was already too late. A sharp knock at her door made her jolt. Her heart slammed against her ribs. Was it him? Slowly, she climbed out of bed, her bare feet padding against the cold floor as she moved toward the door. She hesitated for a moment before opening it. To her surprise, it wasn’t Damien. It was Olivia. Sienna’s b
Sienna spent the rest of the morning trying to convince herself that this lunch wasn’t a big deal. It was just a meal. Just food. With her boss. Who happened to be the most powerful man she’d ever met. And who made her heart race with nothing but a look. Her nerves didn’t settle as she stood by the curb, waiting for Damien’s driver to arrive. The sleek black car pulled up smoothly, and a suited chauffeur stepped out, opening the door for her. “Ms. Carter,” he greeted. She hesitated for a second before sliding into the leather seat. The moment the door shut, she felt trapped. Like she was being taken straight into the lion’s den. She exhaled, trying to ignore the way her palms felt sweaty. This was a mistake. A huge mistake. But it was too late to back out now. When the car pulled up to an exclusive restaurant one that she knew had a waitlist stretching months Sienna’s stomach clenched. She barely had time to compose herself before the driver opened her
Back in Damien’s penthouse, the silence between them was no longer thick with doubt but with fire. The kind that smolders deep in the bones, dangerous and determined.Sienna stood by the window, the night skyline glittering behind her like a taunting illusion of peace. In her hands, the recorder still felt warm. The sound of her mother’s voice echoed in her head like a phantom she couldn’t shake. The words were etched into her like a scar.Damien poured two glasses of whiskey, the amber liquid swirling as if the glass couldn’t contain its rage. He handed her one, but Sienna didn’t drink.“We have proof,” she said flatly. “Proof that your mother orchestrated everything. My mother’s death. The threats. Maybe even more than we know.”Damien downed his drink in one sharp motion. His voice was rough. “We also have a problem. My mother isn’t someone we can take down easily. The moment she realizes we have this, she’ll strike.”Sienna turned to him, fire blazing in her eyes. “Let her. I’m no
The luxury car sped through the outskirts of the city, Sienna seated beside Damien in the backseat, clutching her mother’s notebook tightly to her chest like a lifeline. The silence between them was thick with everything unspoken truths too dangerous, fears too real.Damien’s jaw was clenched, his eyes forward, but Sienna could feel the tension rolling off him in waves.They weren’t just chasing ghosts anymore.They were preparing for war.“I can’t believe your family did this,” Sienna said quietly, flipping to the last few pages of the notebook. “Everything in here points to one person pulling the strings, and I think it was never just about power. It was about control. Control over your father. Control over you.”Damien finally looked at her. His voice was low, a little hollow. “That’s exactly what it was. My mother always wanted to be the one holding the reins. Even when it meant destroying everyone in her way.”Sienna’s fingers tightened around the notebook.“Your mother threatene
The next morning was quiet too quiet. The kind of silence that settles after a storm, or before the chaos that’s about to descend. Sienna sat on the edge of the bed, her hands gripping her mother’s old notebook as though it might slip away from her at any moment.The pages inside were yellowed with age, but the words were sharp burning with truths Sienna had never dared to uncover. The journal revealed fragments of conversations, cryptic notes, and warnings her mother had left behind. It was clear now. Sienna’s mother hadn’t died by chance.One line jumped out at her, written hastily and almost as if her mother had feared being interrupted:If anything happens to me, don’t trust Damien’s family. They will bury the truth.Sienna’s breath caught in her throat.She needed answers. She needed to confront Damien. But she also needed to know if Alec’s claims had any shred of truth.She paced the room, wrestling with the heaviness in her chest. How could Damien someone she had given so much
The night air outside the penthouse was cool and crisp, but inside Damien’s world, the heat of revenge and danger simmered beneath the surface. He couldn’t sleep. Not with Alec still breathing. Not when he knew this wasn’t over.Sienna stirred beside him, sensing the tension in his body as she slowly blinked awake.You’re still up?Damien didn’t answer immediately. He was staring at the encrypted message that had just hit his private line an anonymous email with one chilling sentence:You haven’t buried all your secrets, Damien. Some were only sleeping.Attached was a video file. One he hadn’t yet opened.Sienna sat up, her voice soft but alert.What is it?He looked at her and for a moment, considered lying.Then he handed her the phone.Watch it with me.They pressed play together.The footage was grainy but clear. It showed a much younger Damien barely out of his twenties standing in what looked like a luxury hotel room. Another man appeared on screen, face blurred, voice distorted
The air at the dock was thick with salt, smoke, and silence. Alec stared at the man standing in front of him the one he believed had disappeared for good.Luther Kane.Damien’s former security chief.Fired. Exiled. Silenced after a scandal Alec had orchestrated years ago to bury a major cover-up.You were supposed to be dead, Alec said slowly.Luther smirked.I was supposed to stay quiet. But you made one mistake.Alec narrowed his eyes.And what’s that?Luther stepped forward.You forgot I kept receipts.He pulled a slim flash drive from his coat and tossed it to Alec.On there are voice notes, signed contracts, offshore wire transfers, and about seven different crimes that would make the FBI salivate.Alec’s jaw clenched.You think blackmailing me will end well for you?This isn’t blackmail, Kane said, voice cold. It’s justice.I’m not handing it to the police.I’m handing it to Damien.Alec lunged, grabbing Luther’s collar, but the man barely flinched.Try it, and I’ll leak the fil
The courtroom was suffocating.Damien adjusted the cuffs of his suit, his expression unreadable as he stood before a judge that already seemed to be sizing him up like prey. The gallery behind him was packed reporters, investors, corporate spies in tailored suits pretending to be concerned citizens.But he didn’t care about the whispers.Not when Alec was sitting just a few feet away, smirking in his corner like a predator who believed the trap had finally snapped shut.The charges read like a death sentence to any empire: corporate fraud, tax evasion, money laundering, illegal international transfers. All carefully constructed. All rooted in truth that Alec had twisted like poisoned wire.Sienna sat behind Damien, eyes locked on him, chin held high. Her presence alone gave him strength. He could feel it her fire, her loyalty, her love burning behind him like a shield no courtroom could tear down.The judge’s voice echoed.Mr. Blackwood, how do you plead?Damien stepped forward.Not g
Damien stood at the edge of the rooftop helipad, the wind tugging at his coat as the city lights flickered beneath him. It was past midnight, but sleep was a luxury he hadn’t known in days.Behind him, Logan approached cautiously.We traced the leak. The person who sent the courtroom footage to Alec works for one of your oldest affiliates someone you trusted.Damien didn’t even flinch.Name?Brent Lawson.Damien’s jaw clenched. Brent had been with the company for over seven years. Quiet. Reliable. Efficient.Or so he thought.Logan continued, Alec paid him to dig into old employee files, financial records, sealed case histories. Everything.How much did he take?Enough to ruin you.Damien turned slowly, eyes sharp like a blade.Then it’s time we start taking things back.Downstairs, Sienna sat cross-legged on the bed, surrounded by papers, files, and old court documents she hadn’t seen in years. The ones Alec was now threatening to release.Her heart ached, not from the pain of her pa
The walls were closing in.Sienna sat on the edge of her bed, the envelope Alec had sent still open beside her. Her eyes were fixed on the photograph a man in a hospital bed, frail and bruised, but alive. Her fingers curled tightly around the frame, knuckles white.It couldn’t be real.He was supposed to be dead.Her father.The man who broke her. The man who taught her fear, pain, and silence. She had testified against him. She had helped lock him away. She had built her entire life from the ashes he left behind.And now Alec was using him as a ghost from the past to shatter her future.Her phone vibrated on the nightstand.Damien: I saw the footage. I know everything now. Come home.She didn’t respond. Not yet.There was too much weight on her chest, and it felt like if she moved too quickly, she’d collapse under it.She stood up, shoved the photo back into the envelope, and stormed into the bathroom. Cold water hit her face. Hard. Jarring. She needed to wake up. She needed to think
The city buzzed with noise, but inside the penthouse, it was too quiet.Damien sat on the edge of the bed, his elbows on his knees, staring down at the cryptic message Alec had posted. His phone dimmed and brightened again. Notifications were flooding in investors asking questions, journalists poking around, old acquaintances reaching out as if they had always cared.But none of that mattered.What mattered was the chill in Alec’s words.Just wait.Sienna walked in from the bathroom, her damp hair wrapped in a towel, her robe tied loosely around her waist. She saw the look in Damien’s eyes and knew instantly.He’s retaliating, she said.Not with facts. With fire. And shadows.Damien turned the screen toward her.Sienna read the words again, slowly. Her stomach twisted.This isn’t just a threat to you, Damien.I know.He’s going to come after me, she whispered.Damien stood and cupped her face in his hands.Let him try. I will bury him before he lays a single finger on you.She nodded,