Elena sat in the backseat of Damian's car on unlit streets. The leather was cool on her back as he had already set her skin on fire with his earlier touch.
Why did she go with him? Although she felt danger in every part of her being, there was something alluring about Damian Steele—something more than his power and his cold, ruthless character.
Her apartment complex, humble and small, appeared in front of her, which is considered to be a part of the ghetto. The driver of the car came out and opened the door for her.
"Miss Carter," he addressed with a slight nod.
"Thanks," Elena said, her legs weak as she exited the car and reached the ground.
Before she took another step, her phone dinged in her purse. When she pulled her phone out and saw the name, she froze.
Damian Steele.
She was given a chance to reply. As her heart raced, she struggled to choose to take his call. But before she could decide further, the ringing stopped to be replaced by a text.
Damian: Goodnight little birdie Don't make me return to get you.
Her breath hitched. It was not a threat but a promise.
Elena stuffed her phone into her bag and headed up the stairs, while the seems of Damian's words weighed heavy on her chest. As soon as she walked into her flat, the difference between her ordinary life and his extravagant life struck her like a ton of bricks.
The place wasn't very big but warm. It was rustic with second-hand furniture, and pile of books she could never let go of. This was her place of refuge from the world. But tonight, not even here could she shake that feeling.
She secured the door and the window and sat on the couch, exhaling a shaky breath.
What did I get myself into?"she expressed softly, addressing no specific person.
Her head played the events of the night on repeat. The fire in Damian's eyes and the way he talked to her like she was the only one that mattered. He was definitely dangerous; there was no doubt about it. But something else lurked inside him, something intriguing just beneath the surface.
A knock at the door interrupted her thoughts.
Her heart raced fast from fear. Who could have possibly knocked at this hour?
"Elena?A voice shouted from the other side.
She relaxed slightly. It was her old neighbor Mrs. Harper.
Elena opened the door and saw the pleasant lady with a plate of cookies.
"Sorry to bother you so late, dear," said Mrs. Harper. I made more than I needed, so I thought of you.
Elena gave a forced smile as she was thankful. "Thank you, Mrs. Harper. Thank you for saying that.
The elderly lady stroked her palm. Elena, you work too hard. You need to give yourself special attention.
Elena's smile faltered. Mrs. Harper had no idea whatstorm her life has turned into.
Elena shut the door after chatting for a while and placed the cookies on the countertop. However, her short break didn't last long.
Her phone buzzed again.
Didn't you lock the door, Damian asked?
Her blood ran cold. How did he know?
She typed out a reply but her hands shook.
Elena: Why do you know where I stay?
The answer came after a while.
I have all the knowledge about you.
She felt a shiver down her spine. She ought to have been very angry and demanded to know things; instead, she was pleased. Excitement. Fear. Curiosity.
What sort of man had she allowed into her life?
---.
Meanwhile….
Damian stood at the window in his study with a glass of scotch in his hand. The lights of the city sparkled in the distance, yet he was lost in thoughts of her.
Elena Carter.
Damian, lost in thoughts of Elena, turned back to the window. She was owner, even if she didn't know it yet. No opponent will be a threat and take her from him.
She was different than anyone he ever met. Sweet yet fiery. Intelligent yet naïve. She doesn't belong in his world but I won't let her go.
"Sir," a voice interrupted.
Damian looked over to see his right hand Victor standing in the door.
"What is it?"Damian queried with a terse tone."
The Santiago family has made a move. They are sniffing around our operations in the south," he said.
Damian's jaw tightened. The Santiagos were a rival crime family always on the lookout for a weakness.
Damian instructed with coldness, "Send a message." Show them what doing that will entail, make them understand.
Victor nodded, but hesitated. "Sir, if I may…this woman you've been seeing, Elena…she's a problem."
Damian's fingers tightened on his glass, his eyes narrowing.
"Victor, choose your next words carefully," he says, his voice a low growl.
Victor held his ground. I'm just saying, if the Santiagos find out about her, they'll use her against you. You have an idea how things work.
Damian put his glass down deliberately, moving slowly and smoothly. "Elena is untouchable. Some people might call this unilateral harm. If anyone so much as looks at her in the wrong way, they will wish they were never born. Is what I said clear?".
Although Victor nodded, his eye showed concern.
Damian swung back to the window as Elena came to his mind. She belonged to him despite not knowing that yet. And no one would take her away from him.