A DANGEROUS PROPOSITION

Sienna didn’t sleep that night. Not even a little. Her body may have been wrapped in the luxurious sheets of the guest room Damien had offered, but her mind refused to rest. It spun in anxious circles, replaying his words like a haunting melody.

You belong to me now.

What had she done?

She stared at the dark ceiling until morning broke. Then she rose, showered, and stepped into the clothes his assistant had left for her—designer labels she couldn’t even pronounce. The soft silk blouse hugged her curves too perfectly. The pencil skirt clung to her hips like it had been tailored by the devil himself.

When she finally walked into the penthouse’s dining room, Damien was already seated at the long glass table, sipping espresso as if he hadn’t just altered the course of her life the night before.

“Sleep well?” he asked without looking up from his tablet.

“I didn’t sleep.”

“I didn’t expect you to.”

Sienna sat across from him, her posture stiff. “What’s next?”

Damien placed the tablet down and looked at her. Not just looked—he studied her, like a collector examining a new piece he was about to place on a shelf.

“We need to make this look real,” he said. “You and me. Together. Happy. In love.”

She swallowed the bitter taste rising in her throat. “And how exactly do you suggest we do that?”

He smiled, but there was no warmth in it. “We begin by announcing our engagement.”

“What?” Her heart jerked. “You said—”

“I said fiancée. What did you think that meant?”

“I thought it was just for appearances at events.”

“And this is part of it,” Damien said coolly. “We’ll attend a gala tonight. High-profile. The press will be there. You’ll be introduced as my future wife.”

Sienna’s pulse thundered. “That’s moving too fast.”

Damien stood and walked over to her, pausing beside her chair. “You signed the contract. You gave me permission to use you however I see fit. You don’t get to choose the pace. I do.”

She looked away, her fists clenched in her lap.

“Don’t worry,” he said, his voice a low murmur behind her. “You’ll look perfect. My stylist will handle everything. Your only job is to smile and act like I’m your entire world.”

“And what do I get in return?”

Damien leaned closer, his breath brushing her ear. “You get to save your mother’s life. Isn’t that worth a little pretending?”

She stood suddenly, needing space, air—anything but the suffocating scent of his cologne.

“Just tell me what I have to do tonight.”

“You’ll wear the dress I send. Let me put the ring on your finger. Let me hold your waist in public. And when the cameras come, you’ll look at me like you’ve been in love for years.”

Sienna didn’t respond. Because she couldn’t. Her words were trapped somewhere beneath the fear and fury she couldn’t afford to show.

Later that evening, a black velvet box arrived. Inside, a diamond ring sparkled so brightly it hurt her eyes. Along with it was a crimson dress—floor-length, backless, and dangerously seductive.

She slipped it on with trembling hands, barely recognizing the woman in the mirror. She looked powerful, flawless, untouchable. But beneath the makeup and silk was still the same girl who couldn’t pay rent two weeks ago.

When Damien entered the room, his eyes roamed over her without apology.

“You clean up well,” he said.

“You make a convincing devil,” she replied.

His smirk was razor sharp. “Let’s go.”

The gala was held at a hotel that looked more like a palace than a venue. Gold chandeliers glittered overhead, and the room buzzed with wealth, power, and silent judgment. As soon as they stepped in, all eyes turned.

Damien didn’t just walk—he commanded. And Sienna had no choice but to follow, his arm curled possessively around her waist like she was something he’d bought at auction.

They made their rounds—senators, CEOs, celebrities. Each person they met accepted the lie with smiles and congratulations. Sienna said all the right things. Laughed when prompted. Nodded like she belonged.

And then came the moment.

Someone handed Damien a microphone. “A few words, Mr. Blackwood?”

He took it with a practiced ease and turned toward the crowd.

“Ladies and gentlemen,” he said, voice smooth as silk, “I don’t usually make speeches, but tonight I’ll make an exception.”

Sienna’s breath caught.

“I’ve made a lot of deals in my life,” he continued. “But none quite like this one.”

He turned to her, reached into his pocket, and pulled out the ring.

Sienna froze.

“In front of all of you,” he said, “I’d like to introduce my fiancée, Sienna Carter.”

Gasps filled the room as he slipped the ring onto her finger. His hand was warm, steady, commanding. Her heart felt like it was about to explode.

She looked up at him, the cameras flashing around them.

“Smile,” he whispered.

And she did.

Because she had no choice.

Because this wasn’t just a contract anymore.

This was a dangerous proposition that had already pulled her deeper than she could escape.