The morning at Steel & Cross continued like any other, until Elena's phone buzzed on her desk.
She almost ignored it, assuming it was Nia or Tessa checking in, but then she saw the name flashing across the screen.
Damien Cross.
Her heart skipped. She hesitated a beat too long before answering.
"Yes?" she said, her voice too breathless, too small.
"Come to my office," Damien's low baritone commanded. "You're accompanying me to a meeting."
Her pulse jumped. "Me? I..."
"Ten minutes, Elena." He hung up.
She sat frozen, phone clutched in her trembling hand.
Marcy leaned over, eyebrows raised. "Did you just get summoned?"
Lily smirked. "The boss personally picking his assistant. Sounds like someone's moving up in the world."
Elena groaned, covering her face. "Please don't."
Aria's cool voice cut in. "Don't let Sophie hear. She'll rip your throat out."
Too late.
Sophie had been listening from across the floor, her lips curving in that cruel, knowing smile. "Enjoy your little promotion, Elena. Let's see how long it lasts."
Heat crept up Elena's neck. She grabbed her bag and headed for Damien's office, every step heavy with the weight of eyes following her.
The car ride to the client's office was suffocating. Damien sat beside her in the back seat of the sleek black car, his presence overwhelming.
She tried to focus on her notebook, flipping through her carefully organized pages, but his voice cut through her thoughts.
"You're nervous."
"I'm not," she said quickly.
"Liar." His hand brushed her knee, firm, possessive. "Relax. You're with me."
She bit her lip, staring out the window, trying not to shiver at his touch.
********************************************************
The meeting was held in a private suite at a luxury hotel downtown. The client, Mr. Albrecht, an older man with too much cologne and a smug smile, welcomed them with oily charm.
Damien introduced her curtly. "My assistant, Miss Hart."
Albrecht's gaze lingered on her too long. Elena shifted uncomfortably in her seat, taking notes as Damien began discussing numbers and contracts.
For the first half hour, she managed to stay invisible, focused, professional.
Then Damien's phone buzzed. He glanced at the screen, frowning. "I'll be a moment."
He rose, stepping out of the room.
The instant the door closed, Albrecht's smile turned predatory.
"You're very pretty for an assistant," he said smoothly. "Damien always did have good taste."
Elena stiffened. "I'm here to take notes, Mr. Albrecht."
He chuckled. "Of course, of course. But surely you do more than take notes. A man like Damien… he wouldn't settle for just typing and fetching coffee."
Her stomach churned. "Excuse me?"
Albrecht leaned closer across the table, his hand brushing hers. "Tell me, Miss Hart. Did you seduce him to get the job? Or is he the one seducing you?"
She yanked her hand back. "That's inappropriate."
"Inappropriate?" His smile widened. "Come now. Everyone knows how this works. You're a beautiful woman in a powerful man's office. You think no one notices?"
He reached across the table, fingers grazing her wrist. "Don't be shy."
Elena's heart raced. She pushed back her chair. "Stop. I..."
The door swung open.
Damien stepped in.
For a moment, silence crackled. His gaze landed on Albrecht's hand gripping Elena's wrist. Then he moved, fast. He yanked Elena back, pulling her behind him, his body a shield. His storm-gray eyes burned with lethal fury as he faced the client.
"Touch her again," Damien said softly, dangerously, "and you'll lose that hand."
Albrecht blanched. "Damien, I...I was just..."
"The deal is off," Damien cut in, his voice a blade. "Steel & Cross doesn't work with men who can't keep their hands to themselves."
Albrecht sputtered, "This contract..."
"Is nothing compared to what you just cost yourself." Damien's tone was ice. "Consider yourself blacklisted."
Without another word, he turned, guiding Elena firmly out of the room.
***************************************************
The car ride back was thick with silence.
Elena sat trembling, her notebook clutched in her lap. Finally, she whispered, "You didn't have to..."
"Yes, I did," Damien cut in, his voice low, sharp. "You're mine, Elena. No one touches what's mine."
Her breath caught. "I'm not..."
His hand caught her chin, tilting her face toward him. His eyes were molten steel. "Don't say it. Don't pretend. You belong to me, and I'll destroy anyone who forgets it. Do you understand?"
Her heart hammered. "Damien…"
His thumb brushed her lower lip, his gaze dark. For a moment, she thought he'd kiss her, but he released her abruptly, leaning back.
The rest of the drive was silence, charged, suffocating silence.
At her apartment, he walked her to the door.
"You don't have to..." she began.
He pressed her against the door, one hand braced above her head, the other gripping her waist. His mouth crashed onto hers in a bruising kiss, stealing her breath.
She whimpered against him, her knees weak, his body pressing into hers with searing heat. His hand slid down, squeezing her ass possessively.
"Don't forget," he growled against her lips. "You're mine, Elena. No matter how much you run, no matter who tries to touch you, you're mine."
Her pulse thundered.
Then, as suddenly as he'd kissed her, he stepped back, eyes blazing. "Goodnight."
He turned and left, leaving her trembling in the doorway.
Inside, Nia and Tessa were sprawled on her couch, watching TV. Both sat up immediately when they saw her flushed face.
"Well, well," Nia said, grinning. "Look who just got dropped off by Mr. CEO himself."
Tessa smirked. "And judging by that face, he didn't just drop you off. Spill, Elena."
Elena groaned, sinking into the couch. "I hate you both."
They crowded her instantly. "Tell us everything!" Tessa insisted.
After minutes of relentless teasing, Elena cracked. "Fine," she blurted. "We… we had sex. In his office."
Nia gasped, eyes wide. "No. Way."
Tessa squealed. "Oh my God. And you didn't tell us?"
Elena buried her face in her hands. "It was insane. I didn't plan it. It just… happened."
Nia leaned in, smirking. "So? Was it good?"
Heat flooded Elena's cheeks. "It was… it was incredible. I've never…" Her voice trailed off, shaky. "But it terrifies me. He terrifies me."
Tessa's expression softened. "Hey. You're allowed to be scared. He's intense. But don't let that ruin it for you. If it felt good, if you wanted it, then own it."
Nia squeezed her hand. "Exactly. You're not weak, Elena. You're stronger than you think. And maybe he sees that too."
Elena blinked back tears, whispering, "I don't know if I can handle him."
Tessa hugged her tight. "Then don't handle him. Make him handle you."
Nia laughed, the sound warm. "Besides, you're already in too deep. Might as well enjoy the ride."
They curled up together, dinner half-eaten on the table, a rom-com playing in the background. For a while, Elena let herself forget the danger, the whispers, Sophie's threats.
But when she finally lay in bed, her mind replayed Damien's words.
You're mine.
And deep down, she knew she was already lost.