Chapter 7 A Dangerous Game

Elena spent the rest of the morning avoiding Damien.

She scrubbed the marble countertops harder than necessary, rearranged perfectly placed vases, and focused on anything that kept her from thinking about the way his smirk had made heat curl low in her stomach.

She hated him. She despised him.

So why was she reacting to him like this?

It was the power, she told herself. The sheer dominance he carried, the way he looked at her like he could see straight through the mask she wore. It wasn't attraction. It was a battle. And she was losing.

By the time the afternoon rolled around, she had finally calmed the storm inside her. Until-

"Come here."

Her fingers tightened around the feather duster. She turned slowly, finding Damien leaning against the doorway of his study, dressed in his usual dark suit, the top button undone, his tie loose like he'd just come back from a meeting.

He wasn't asking.

Elena exhaled slowly and stepped forward, keeping her head down, playing the part. "Yes, sir?"

"Look at me when I speak to you."

Her jaw clenched. She lifted her gaze, meeting his stormy gray eyes.

Damien watched her for a long moment, his expression unreadable. Then, he held out a tablet.

"Take this."

She hesitated before reaching for it. The screen displayed a list. A detailed schedule, staff orders, inventory-things far beyond a maid's responsibilities.

Her stomach twisted. What was this?

"I need someone competent managing the penthouse staff," Damien said smoothly, watching her reaction. "You're the only one who doesn't annoy the hell out of me."

Elena blinked. Was this a promotion?

"You want me to manage the staff?" she asked carefully.

"You're not stupid, Elena." He tilted his head, smirking slightly. "You knew I'd notice that. Yes. You'll answer to me directly. Unless you'd rather scrub floors all day?"

It was a trap. It had to be.

Damien Sinclair didn't do things out of generosity. If he was giving her more authority in the penthouse, it meant he wanted something from her.

This was dangerous. But it was also an opportunity. More access to his private life, his schedule, his secrets.

She lifted her chin, masking her turmoil. "I'll do it, sir."

His smirk deepened. "Good girl."

The words sent an unwanted shiver down her spine.

She ignored it, gripping the tablet tighter as he turned and disappeared back into his office.

This was it.

She was inside his world now.

And if she played this right...

She'd be the one to destroy him from within.