Elena sat in her apartment with a cup of steaming tea in her hands. Elena could not stop to think about everything that happened last night. The texts, seeing Damian outside her window, and him telling her 'You're mine'. There was something about him that made her stomach twist.
That was because there was more to him than his possessive nature and his infuriating confidence. It was like he knew everything about me—my address, my routine, when I was out of it. But how?Although she was curious, she was also uncomfortable. What's the real story on Damian Steele? How did she end up where he was?She was pulled back into her thoughts by her buzzing phone. She looked at the screen half-expecting it to be him but it was a work text. She let out a shaky breath, trying to convince herself to focus on anything but him. But the silence of her apartment betrayed her.
Despite all her efforts to not think of him, Damian always came to mind.---Meanwhile…Damien was at his desk in his study, his fingers tapping against the dark wood as he sat in a dimly lit space. The room was filled with leather-bound books, but that was the last thing on his mind. A manila folder was laid open in front of him, full of photos and papers. At the top of the pile lay a picture of Elena smiling as she stood in front of her bookstore illuminated by sunlight.
She appeared so innocent, so blissfully unaware of the storm that was upon her.Victor walked into the room. "You're still at it," he commented, looking at the folder. "Like I said before," Damian said, not bothering to look up, "I want to know everything about her." Victor sighed, but didn't argue. You already have a complete file. What is it you require?Damian leaned back in the chair crossing his arms with the glint of his dark eyes, an obsession. "I don't need it. I only want to get the picture. "Understand what?Damian's glance, brow softening inexplicably for anyone outside of this room, left a photo of Elena in indifference. "Why her?Months ago, while Damian was in one of his clubs, where everything was money and power and people, something had begun to happen.
He had grown weary of all of that same old stuff. His life, despite its opulence, had become a monotonous blur. Then he saw her. It was by chance, a brief encounter that should have meant nothing. She was walking by the club with a load of books and disheveled hair. He hadn't meant to stare. But Damian was fixated on the unknown girl. He tried to distract himself, but he couldn't divert his attention from her. Unlike the women who usually frequented his circles, she was not dressed in designer clothing and covered in diamonds. She was simple, unassuming. But, as she walked away, Damian was strangely captivated. He found it hard to look away from her.As she walked away from the building, he took a mental note of her face. He wanted to remember that beautiful face.
Over the next few weeks, he saw her again. Also, he saw her a few more times after that. He began seeing her often despite having never seen her before.
Damian had people for that sort of thing, of course. A simple command, and he possessed everything he desired: her name, her address, her routines. Elena Carter, who owns a little book store. No crimes committed and no links to him. She was clean. He attempted to disregard the feeling that was growing in him, at first. But as the days became weeks, he recognized that it was more than that. Elena was no passing fancy. She was unique and Damian always found something different difficult to resist.---Victor's throat clear roused Damian from his thoughts. The Santiagos are still exploring our lands. "You need to pay attention to your work, Damian." "I am paying attention." "You are paying attention to her."
Damian smirked. "You don't understand, Victor. She's not a distraction. She's my salvation."Victor frowned. "Salvation? "I don't think of you in such terms," Damian said, resting his chin on his steepled hands. The first true thing in years is Elena. Genuine. She doesn't want anything from me. She doesn't even know what to make of me. And that makes her mine," Victor said as he shook his head. "You play a dangerous game." "I always do," Damian replied, tone final. "However, I never lose."----Back at Elena's ApartmentThe next day, Elena decided she needed answers. She couldn't bare being confused and uncertain all the time.
She was taken aback when her phone buzzed mid-morning, and it was a text from one of them. Just the word: Dinner. (27) Tonight. I'll send a car. She stares at her screen pondering. She was thinking about saying no to stop this before it got worse. But another part of her—the part that wanted him—wanted to go. Why are you acting weirdly towards me?It took him a moment before mentioning the words.Damian: Because you're mine, little bird. I make sure nothing happens to my possessions.
Damian Steele was a man who didn't take no for an answer, and Elena was starting to discover that no of her own would satisfy him.