Chapter 5 Cracks in the Armor

Elena was already deep in her work the next morning when Damian entered the study. She didn't look up, her laptop open and notes scattered across the polished oak desk. The faint scent of his cologne reached her before his voice did, sharp and cutting.

"Miss Carter, I didn't realize you'd be rearranging my study like it's your personal office."

Her fingers froze over the keyboard. She looked up, meeting his stormy gaze. "I thought we agreed I'd need space to work."

"Space, yes. Chaos, no." He gestured at the papers fanned out across the desk.

Elena felt heat rise in her cheeks but refused to back down. "It's called organizing. If that's an issue, I can move to the kitchen or one of the forty other rooms in this house."

Damian's jaw tightened, his expression unreadable. "Don't be dramatic. Just try to keep things professional."

"Professional?" She stood, crossing her arms. "That's rich, coming from someone who seems to think intimidation counts as leadership."

The words slipped out before she could stop them. Damian's eyes darkened, and for a moment, she thought he might retaliate with a scathing remark. But instead, he stepped closer, his presence overwhelming.

"Intimidation gets results," he said softly, his voice low and dangerous. "And results are all that matter."

Elena's breath caught, her pulse pounding in her ears. For a moment, the tension between them was almost unbearable, the air crackling with something neither of them wanted to name.

But then he stepped back, his expression carefully neutral once more. "Get back to work, Miss Carter. We don't have time for distractions."

She sank back into her chair, her heart racing as she watched him leave.

Later that day, Elena was in the middle of a brainstorming session when the sound of heels clicking against the marble floors drew her attention. She looked up just as a tall, striking woman with sleek black hair entered the study.

"Darling," the woman said, her voice smooth as silk.

Elena's stomach churned as Damian appeared in the doorway, his expression shifting to something unreadable. "Victoria," he said evenly.

The woman-Victoria, apparently-crossed the room with an air of effortless confidence, placing a manicured hand on Damian's arm. "I didn't realize you had company," she said, her sharp gaze flicking to Elena. "New employee?"

Elena forced a polite smile. "Elena Carter. Marketing consultant."

"Ah," Victoria said, her tone dripping with condescension. "A consultant. How quaint."

Damian's jaw tightened. "What do you want, Victoria?"

Victoria's smile didn't waver. "I'm in town for a few days. Thought I'd stop by and see how you're doing. Unless, of course, you're too busy." Her eyes lingered on Elena for a fraction too long.

Elena returned to her notes, trying to ignore the uncomfortable knot in her stomach. Whatever was happening between Damian and Victoria was none of her business.

But as Victoria's laughter echoed through the halls, Elena couldn't shake the feeling that this woman was a part of Damian's life-and his past-that she hadn't anticipated.

That evening, Elena found Damian in the library, staring out at the snow-covered grounds once again."Was that your girlfriend earlier?" she asked, the question slipping out before she could think better of it.

Damian turned, his eyes narrowing. "Victoria is a business associate. Nothing more."

Elena raised an eyebrow. "She didn't seem like just a business associate."

His expression hardened. "And what exactly are you implying, Miss Carter?"

"I'm not implying anything," she said, her tone sharp. "But if you're going to bring me here to work on this project, maybe you should focus on the work instead of entertaining 'business associates.'"

The room seemed to grow colder as Damian stepped closer, his gaze locking onto hers. "Let me make something very clear, Elena. What I do in my personal life is none of your concern. You're here to do a job. That's it."

Her cheeks burned, but she refused to look away. "You're right. It's none of my business. Just like my methods for getting results aren't yours to criticize."

For a moment, they stood there, the tension between them thick and unrelenting. Then Damian exhaled sharply, running a hand through his hair.

"This project is bigger than either of us," he said, his voice softer now. "Don't let personal feelings get in the way."

Elena blinked, caught off guard by the sudden shift in his tone. "I'm not the one letting personal feelings interfere."

Damian's eyes softened, and for a moment, she thought she saw something like regret flicker across his face. But then he turned away, his back to her.

"Good night, Miss Carter."

And just like that, the walls were back up.