Chapter 6 Playing with Fire

Elena didn't sleep that night.

She lay awake in the small servant quarters at the back of the penthouse, staring at the ceiling, replaying Damien's words over and over.

"You look at me like you hate me."

Had she been too obvious? Too reckless?

She had spent years perfecting the art of keeping her emotions hidden-biting her tongue, swallowing her anger. But Damien Sinclair had a way of pulling it out of her.

That had to stop.

If she wanted her revenge, she had to be careful.

By the time dawn broke, she was already dressed and in the kitchen, preparing his coffee like Mrs. Holloway had instructed. Black. No sugar. No milk. Bitter-just like him.

She had just placed the steaming cup on the tray when a voice behind her made her jolt.

"You're up early."

She turned and-Jesus.

Damien stood in the doorway, dressed in nothing but low-hanging sweatpants and a towel slung over his shoulder. His skin was still damp from the shower, muscles taut and defined, his abs sharp enough to cut glass.

This wasn't fair.

Men like him shouldn't be allowed to look like that. Not when they were monsters.

Elena forced her gaze back to his face, schooling her expression. "Good morning, sir."

He smirked, leaning against the counter. "You always this formal?"

"I work for you," she replied coolly. "That's how it's supposed to be."

"Hm." He took the coffee from the tray, bringing it to his lips. She expected him to ignore her after that, but instead, he lingered, his gaze too knowing.

"You don't like me, do you?" he asked suddenly.

Elena's breath hitched. Shit.

She gripped the tray tighter, keeping her voice even. "I don't know you, sir."

Damien chuckled, low and rough. "Another lie."

Her pulse quickened, but she didn't let it show.

Instead, she tilted her head slightly, giving him a small, polite smile. "Does it matter what I think of you?"

His smirk deepened. "No. But it's fun to watch you pretend."

Arrogant bastard.

Elena clenched her jaw, hating the way heat coiled in her stomach. He was toying with her-pushing her, testing her.

She couldn't let him win.

"Will that be all, sir?" she asked, voice neutral.

Damien took a slow sip of his coffee, his eyes never leaving hers. Then, finally, he set the cup down.

"For now."

Elena nodded and turned away, forcing herself to move calmly even as her pulse thundered in her ears.

She needed to get out of here.

Because if she wasn't careful...

Damien Sinclair would burn her alive.