INTO HIS WORLD

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 shirt undone. He didn’t need effort to exude authority it was woven into him.

His gaze flickered over her, a slow, measured sweep.

The air between them tightened.

Sienna shifted under his scrutiny. “What?”

His lips curled slightly. “You clean up well.”

She rolled her eyes, stepping past him. “Was that an actual compliment?”

He followed her down the hall. “Observation.”

She sighed. “You make it so hard to like you.”

He chuckled. “Good.”

They reached the elevator, and Damien pressed a code into the keypad.

As the doors slid shut, Sienna folded her arms. “Where are we going?”

“My main office.”

She frowned. “And what exactly am I supposed to do when we get there?”

Damien turned his head slightly, his gaze settling on her. “Watch. Listen. Learn.”

Sienna narrowed her eyes. “I don’t like being paraded around as some kind of trophy.”

His expression remained unreadable. “You’re not a trophy.”

“Then what am I?”

Silence stretched between them.

Then, finally, he said, “Mine.”

Sienna’s breath caught.

The word shouldn’t have sent a shiver down her spine.

It shouldn’t have made her feel something dangerously intoxicating.

But it did.

Before she could process it, the elevator stopped, and the doors opened.

The moment they stepped into the sleek, glass-walled building, Sienna felt eyes on her.

Whispers. Stolen glances.

Damien barely acknowledged them as he led her through the grand lobby, his presence commanding the space.

“Mr. Cross.”

A tall man in a navy suit approached, holding a tablet. His gaze flicked to Sienna, then back to Damien.

“Your schedule is set. The executives are in the boardroom waiting.”

Damien nodded. “Good.” He turned to Sienna. “Stay close.”

She arched a brow. “Afraid I’ll wander off?”

His lips twitched. “Afraid someone will try to take what’s mine.”

Heat curled in her stomach.

She shouldn’t enjoy the way he said that.

But damn it, she did.

With nothing more, Damien started walking, and Sienna followed.

The boardroom was massive, floor-to-ceiling windows showcasing the city skyline. A long table stretched through the center, occupied by a group of powerful-looking men and women.

As Damien entered, all conversation stopped.

Sienna wasn’t sure if it was out of respect or fear.

Maybe both.

Damien took his seat at the head of the table, motioning for Sienna to sit beside him.

She did.

“Let’s begin,” Damien said, his voice smooth but firm.

For the next hour, she listened as high-level discussions unfolded strategic acquisitions, billion dollar negotiations, expansion plans that would shift industries.

She had never seen business conducted this way ruthless, efficient, absolute.

And Damien?

He was at the center of it all.

He never hesitated. Never faltered.

Every word, every move was calculated.

It was intoxicating to watch.

And the way he commanded the room…

It sent a shiver down her spine.

Sienna had been silent the entire time, simply observing.

But then, the conversation shifted.

A senior executive Mr. Vaughn spoke, his tone laced with skepticism.

“I’m not sure this new investment is viable. The market is too unstable.”

Damien remained impassive. “It’s a risk I’m willing to take.”

Mr. Vaughn scoffed. “That’s easy to say when it’s not your money.”

The tension in the room spiked.

Sienna felt something shift beside her.

Damien didn’t get angry.

Didn’t even raise his voice.

But when he spoke, his words cut like a knife.

“Every dollar in this company is mine.” He leaned forward slightly, gaze razor-sharp. “So tell me, Vaughn how much of your salary do you want to bet against me?”

Silence.

Mr. Vaughn’s throat bobbed as he swallowed. “I—I didn’t mean”

“Then don’t speak.”

Then, slowly, Mr. Vaughn nodded, sinking into his seat.

Damien turned to the rest of the room. “Does anyone else question my judgment?”

No one said a word.

Sienna exhaled slowly, feeling heat curl low in her stomach.

Damien wasn’t just powerful.

He was dangerous.

And yet, the way he wielded that power…

She had never seen anything like it.

The moment they stepped out of the boardroom, Sienna turned to him.

“You do that often?” she asked.

Damien arched a brow. “Do what?”

“Make grown men shrink in their seats.”

He smirked. “Only when necessary.”

She shook her head. “I don’t know whether to be impressed or terrified.”

“Both are acceptable.”

She narrowed her eyes. “And what about me? Was this just a game to see if I’d flinch?”

Damien studied her for a long moment.

Then, unexpectedly, he reached out, brushing a stray strand of hair behind her ear.

Her breath hitched.

“No, Sienna,” he murmured, his voice dangerously soft.“You were never a game.”

Her heart pounded.

Before she could respond, his phone buzzed, breaking the moment.

He glanced at the screen, his expression darkening.

Sienna frowned. “What is it?”

His jaw tightened. “A problem.”

She swallowed. “What kind of problem?”

Damien’s eyes met hers, and for the first time since she met him, she saw something flicker behind his gaze.

Something almost like anger.

“You’re about to find out.”