Chapter 3: The Devil's Deal

This can't be happening to me right now.

My purse hit the floor, the sound echoing like a gunshot in the massive, silent office. I couldn't breathe. I couldn't move. I just stared at him.

Lucian Black leaned against his mahogany desk, holding up the pathetic little hotel note I had left. His gray eyes burned with dark, predatory amusement.

"You," I breathed, my voice barely a whisper.

"Me," he said smoothly. His voice was just as deep and commanding as it had been in the dark. "Imagine my surprise when I walked into my office this morning and saw the name Seraphina Vance on my interview schedule."

Oh my God. The room tilted. I gripped the back of the leather chair to keep from fainting.

"I... I have to go," I stammered, turning toward the door. "I'm not qualified for this job."

"Stop."

That single word cracked through the room. My feet froze against my will.

"You're not going anywhere, little angel," Lucian said. I heard him walk toward me, the soft click of his expensive shoes on the marble floor. He stopped right behind me, his towering frame casting a shadow over me.

"Please," I whispered, squeezing my eyes shut in humiliation. "Just let me leave. I'll find another job. We can pretend last night never happened."

"Pretend?" His breath brushed my ear, sending a violent shiver down my spine. "I don't pretend. And I don't let go of what's mine."

"I'm not yours," I said, finally turning to face him.

He was so close. His chest was inches from mine. The scent of sandalwood and power wrapped around me, choking me.

"You're right," he said, his voice dropping to a dangerous murmur. "Not yet."

He walked back to his desk and opened a thick black folder. He slid it across the polished wood toward me.

"What is that?" I asked, my voice shaking.

"Your employment contract. You're going to be my executive assistant."

"I can't work for you," I argued, shaking my head. "This is insane."

Lucian let out a dark chuckle. "You don't have a choice. When you fell asleep in my bed, I ran a background check on you. I know your father owes the Ivanov family ten million dollars. I know they are going to break his legs next week if he doesn't pay up."

My knees buckled. I gripped the chair to keep from collapsing. "How do you know that?"

"Because I own the debt now," he said softly. "I bought it this morning."

He bought my father's debt? My heart pounded against my ribs.

"You're a monster," I whispered, tears burning the back of my eyes.

"I'm a businessman," he corrected. He walked around the desk, moving toward me again. "And right now, I am your only lifeline. Sign the contract, Seraphina. Become my assistant. Be available to me twenty-four hours a day. And I will pay off every single cent your family owes."

I stared at the black folder. It was a deal with the devil. But if I didn't sign it, my parents would lose everything.

"What do you want me to do?" I choked out.

He stepped right into my space, his hands gripping my waist. He lifted me effortlessly, setting me on the edge of his desk.

"First," he murmured, his hand sliding up my thigh, pushing my skirt up. "I want you to admit you didn't want to leave this morning."

"I..." My eyes fluttered shut. His fingers brushed against the thin lace of my panties.

"Say it," he demanded, his voice rough.

"I didn't want to leave," I confessed, a tear slipping down my cheek.

"Good girl."

He picked up a pen from the desk and pressed it into my trembling hand. He guided my hand to the signature line on the contract.

"Sign it," he commanded.

I couldn't breathe. I looked into his cold, beautiful eyes, and I knew my life would never be the same. With a shaking hand, I scribbled my name.

The moment the pen touched the paper, Lucian tossed the contract aside. He grabbed my face with both hands and crushed his mouth against mine.

It wasn't gentle. It was a branding. A claim. His tongue swept into my mouth, demanding and dominant. I gasped, my hands flying up to grip his shoulders. He pushed me back against the desk, his body covering mine, his hands pulling at my clothes.

"Tonight," he growled against my lips, "you will come to my penthouse. And I will show you exactly what happens to girls who sign their lives away to me."

A fierce, terrifying thrill shot straight to my core.

"Mr. Black," I breathed.

A loud buzz shattered the intense moment.

Lucian froze. His jaw clenched, a terrifying muscle ticking in his cheek. He pulled away from me, straightening his suit jacket as if he hadn't just been about to take me on his desk.

"What?" he snapped into the intercom.

"Mr. Black, there's a man here to see Miss Vance," the receptionist's voice filtered through. "He says his name is Julian Sterling. He claims to be her fiancé."

My blood ran completely cold.

Lucian’s eyes snapped to mine. The lust in his gaze vanished, instantly replaced by something dark, ruthless, and terrifyingly possessive.

"I'll handle it," Lucian said, his voice like ice. He turned and walked toward the door, his strides long and dangerous.

Wait. No.

"Lucian, wait!" I scrambled off the desk, pulling my skirt down.

He didn't stop. He threw the heavy office doors open.

I rushed after him, my heart in my throat. We stepped out into the reception area. Julian was standing there in a wrinkled suit, his face pale and panicked.

The moment Julian saw me, he lunged forward. "Seraphina! Thank God. I've been looking everywhere for you. You have to come home—"

Before Julian could take another step, Lucian stepped in front of me, blocking me completely.

"I believe I told you to lose her number, Sterling," Lucian said, his voice echoing in the silent lobby.

Julian froze, his eyes widening in shock as he recognized Lucian. "You? What the hell are you doing with my fiancée?"

"Your fiancée?" Lucian let out a low, dangerous laugh. He reached back, grabbing my waist and pulling me roughly against his side.

I gasped, my face burning as everyone in the office turned to stare at us.

"Julian, you need to leave," I said, my voice trembling.

"Seraphina, this man is a monster! He ruins people for fun! You are just a pawn to him!" Julian yelled.

"Watch your mouth," Lucian warned, his voice dropping to a lethal octave.

"The engagement is over, Julian!" I snapped, finding a sudden reserve of strength. "Just go!"

Julian's face contorted with rage and humiliation. He looked at Lucian, then back at me. "Fine. But don't come crawling back to me when he breaks you."

Julian turned and stormed out of the office.

The room was dead silent.

Lucian turned to me, his gray eyes blazing. He reached into his suit pocket and pulled out a small black box. He opened it. Inside was a massive, blinding diamond ring.

"You might want to wear this," he said, his voice cold and commanding. "Just in case he comes back."

He grabbed my left hand and slid the cold, heavy metal on to my ring finger. It was a perfect fit.

"Now," he said, a dark smirk playing on his lips. "Let's finish what we started in my office.”