The Desperate One

The marble foyer of the Blackwood Empire gleamed like an oil painting. The hush was almost cathedral-like, broken only by the soft click of heels and the low murmur of phones. It was built to intimidate and remind visitors whose name sat above the skyline.

The glass door swung open and Runes stood in the middle of the reception area, eyes scanning the room with false patience. His hand swept over his tailored navy suit as though trying to calm himself down for what he was about to do.

He hated waiting. He hated needing anyone, least of all Seth Blackwood. How the hell could he have forgotten who that man was? Runes had always thought Seth Blackwood looked awfully familiar but now, it was clear where they had met.

It only made his reason for cancelling their partnership clearer to him now. It's only fair that he met him in person and talked things out.

A young man with a clipped accent approached. “Mr Sterling?” he asked. “Dante Valen, Mr Blackwood’s assistant.”

Runes gave him a once-over. Dante looked like every top-tier gatekeeper: slim, poise, an iPad tucked under one arm. “Where’s Seth?” Runes demanded.

“Mr Blackwood is in a meeting.” Dante’s voice was polite but firm. “If you’ll tell me the nature of your business, I’ll pass it on.”

“It’s personal,” Runes said. “Tell him it’s Runes Sterling and it’s urgent.”

Dante hesitated for exactly one second, then inclined his head. “Please wait here.”

He turned on his heels, a look of disbelief crossing his eyes. The audacity of that pest to call Mr Blackwood by his first name like they were pals! That low-life piece of shit!

Runes watched Dante stride toward the bank of elevators. Around them, the Blackwood Empire’s receptionists glanced up, whispered, and looked away again. Even in this fortress of power, gossip travelled fast.

Runes tried to distract himself with the magazines set in the sitting area around the lobby area. He wasn't heels for them, he was here to see Seth and get answers to his questions. Could Seth have targeted Thea on purpose, knowing she was his fiancee?

He froze as realisation started to dawn on him, a chuckle of disbelief escaping him. Thea was a pun in Seth's games? The sheer irony of that!

The glass doors spun again and Thea walked in.

She looked nothing like the woman he’d proposed to and promised to marry months ago. Her hair was swept into a smooth chignon, her dark coat belted at the waist. She moved like she belonged here, and the guards at the door barely glanced at her as she crossed the marble floor, heading straight for the elevator.

A slim folder hung at her side.

Usually anyone heading towards the elevator needed to make a stop at the reception desk but she was Seth's wife. She was Ms Blackwood.

Runes stepped into her path before he could think better of it. “Thea.”

She stopped, her eyes widening on seeing him. What the hell is he doing here? “Mr Sterling.”

“Don’t be formal,” he said. “You know why I’m here.”

“I don’t,” she said coolly, “and I don’t care.”

His mouth tightened. “Seth cancelled the merger with no prior notice. I know you had something to do with this but be logical for once..”

Thea scoffed, Runes was very much still a bastard. “Logical?”

“The deal was perfect. He had no reason to turn down that offer. I know you're upset that I moved on to your sister but this is unfair. You can talk to your husband and..”

“I’m not your messenger,” she cut in.

Runes’ eyes flickered. “Stop being selfish Thea! This is upu being petty and upu knows it. You used to run Balmero didn't you? I'm sure you've seen the partnership deal...”

“I didn't. Seth cancelling your partnership has nothing to do with me.”

“For fucksake!” Runes snapped, startling the people working by bit Thea remained calm, unmoved by his sudden display of anger. “Thea, my company needs that partnership. Things aren't going so well for the Sterling company.”

She shifted her folder to the other hand. “Then perhaps you shouldn’t have built your company on sand.”

He took a step closer. “Don’t do this.”

“I’m not doing anything,” she said. “I’m walking past you.”

She tried. He moved with her, blocking her way to the elevators.

“Move,” she said, her voice dropping.

“You have to listen me.”

“I’ve listened enough,” she said. “If you have business with Seth, take it up with him. Leave me out of it.”

Desperation flickered across his face, souring into anger. “You think you’re untouchable now? Because you married him?”

Her jaw set. “Move out of my way, Runes.”

He reached out and caught her arm just above the elbow. “You don’t walk away from me.”

Thea stiffened. “Release me. Now.”

Around them, the lobby had gone silent. The receptionists had frozen, phones forgotten. Two security guards at the far end began moving toward them, but slowly, uncertain how far to intervene.

Runes’ fingers tightened. “Tell Seth I’ll get my merger one way or another.”

“You’re making a mistake,” she warned.

A deep voice answered from across the foyer: “Yes, you are.”

Runes turned.

Seth Blackwood was descending the grand staircase that split the lobby, one hand trailing the polished banister. He was still in his suit from the boardroom, tie loosened just enough to hint at motion. His eyes locked on Runes’ hand gripping Thea’s arm and went dark.

He crossed the marble floor without hurrying, fist clenched and every step was a warning. The crowd seemed to part around him. Dante appeared from behind, having just come back from upstairs, his expression a mixture of alarm and relief.

“Let her go,” Seth said when he reached them.

Runes straightened but didn’t release her. “This is between me and your wife.”

“No,” Seth said softly. “It isn’t.”

He reached out and pried Runes’ hand off Thea’s arm with a grip like steel. She stepped back immediately, rubbing the spot where his fingers had dug into her skin. Seth moved into the space she’d left, standing between them.

“Touch her again,” he said, voice like gravel, “and you’ll regret it.”

Runes sneered. “Or what? You’ll call security?”

Seth’s mouth didn’t even twitch. “I don’t need security.”

He moved before Runes could blink. an open-handed shove that sent the man stumbling back against the reception desk.

Runes recovered fast, swinging at him. Seth ducked easily, his own fist coming up in a clean, brutal arc that connected with Runes’ jaw. The crack echoed in the marble foyer.

Runes reeled, clutching his face. “You…”

Another punch caught him in the gut, doubling him over. Seth seized him by the lapels, yanked him upright, and spoke low enough that only Thea could hear: “You ever put your hands on her again, I’ll do worse.”

He shoved Runes back. The man staggered, eyes watering, but this time he didn’t try to swing. The two security guards had arrived and now each took an arm, none too gently.

“This isn’t over,” Runes spat, voice ragged.

“It is here,” Seth said. “Get him out.”

They hauled Runes toward the doors. He tried to twist free, but Seth took a step forward and he went still. A moment later, the glass swallowed him, and the revolving doors spun shut behind him.

Silence settled over the lobby, broken only by the soft hiss of the HVAC. People stared openly now: assistants, visitors, guards. Seth turned to Thea. His hands were still curled into fists; he forced them to relax before he touched her.

“Are you all right?” he asked.

She nodded, though her heart was still thudding. “He didn’t hurt me.”

His eyes flicked to the faint red marks on her arm. “He tried.”

“I’ve dealt with worse,” she said quietly. “But thank you.”

He searched her face for a moment, then let out a slow breath. “Dante,” he said without looking away from her, “clear my schedule for the next hour.”

“Yes, sir,” Dante said softly.

Seth offered Thea his hand. “Come upstairs.”

She hesitated, glancing at the watching crowd. “Everyone’s staring.”

“Let them,” he said.

What was the point? Half the entire world knows that she was Ms Blackwood now. There was no need to pretend.

She slipped her fingers into his and let him lead her toward the elevator bank. The doors closed behind them, cutting off the murmur of the lobby. Only then did she exhale, some of the tension leaving her shoulders.

“You didn’t have to do that,” she said after a moment.

He looked at her. “I did.”

“He’s desperate,” she said. “He’ll try again.”

“He won’t touch you again,” Seth said. “Not while I’m breathing.”

She studied him in the mirrored panel of the elevator, the composed exterior, the flicker of anger still in his eyes. For the first time that day, she felt something unexpected: safe.

The elevator chimed. As the doors slid open onto the executive floor, Seth’s voice dropped. “Next time, you tell Dante before you come down. Or I’ll come get you myself.”

She managed a small smile. “You make it sound like I’m a prisoner.”

“No,” he said. “You’re my wife. And no one manhandles my wife.”

The way he said it, quiet, fierce, sent a shiver down her spine. She followed him into his office, the folder still clutched in her hand, and for the first time since signing the contract that morning, she felt not just powerful, but protected.