Chapter 8 Closer to the Fire

Elena stood frozen in the hallway, the weight of the tablet heavy in her hands.

She had expected Damien Sinclair to be ruthless. Manipulative. A cold, untouchable force.

She hadn't expected him to pull her closer.

This was dangerous. The more involved she became in his world, the harder it would be to keep her emotions locked away.

But she had come here with a purpose. And she wouldn't let herself forget it.

Taking a steadying breath, she walked toward the staff quarters, where the rest of the housekeepers and butlers gathered between shifts. The moment she stepped inside, the quiet hum of conversation halted.

All eyes turned to her.

She ignored the way the older maids exchanged glances, the way the butlers straightened slightly. They had noticed.

"Got a new job title?" one of the senior maids, Margaret, asked, raising an eyebrow.

Elena met her gaze evenly. "Mr. Sinclair wants me to manage the staff."

A murmur rippled through the room. One of the younger maids, Lily, bit her lip before hesitantly asking, "Why you?"

A fair question. One Elena didn't quite know how to answer.

Because I caught his attention? Because I challenge him? Because he knows I'm hiding something?

She settled for a shrug. "You'll have to ask him."

Margaret scoffed. "I don't need to ask. I've been working for him long enough to know what men like him want." She leaned in slightly, lowering her voice. "You should be careful, girl. Sinclair doesn't do favors without expecting something in return."

Elena knew that already.

But before she could respond, the sound of heavy footsteps echoed from the hallway.

A second later, Damien appeared at the entrance.

The room went silent.

His gaze flicked over the staff before settling on Elena. "Walk with me."

Not a request.

She set the tablet down and followed him out, hyper-aware of the eyes watching them leave.

As they stepped into the main hallway, Damien spoke without looking at her.

"They think I'm fucking you."

Elena's entire body locked up.

"What?" she blurted.

He smirked, sliding his hands into his pockets. "Don't look so shocked. You're the first maid I've promoted in years. The gossip was inevitable."

Her pulse hammered, but she forced herself to remain calm. "And you don't care?"

"Why would I?" His voice was smooth, arrogant. "Unless it bothers you?"

Elena clenched her fists. Bastard. He was playing with her again, watching her squirm just to amuse himself.

She lifted her chin. "It doesn't."

Damien's smirk deepened. "Good."

They stopped near the study doors, and for the first time, his expression turned unreadable.

"Stay out of my office," he said suddenly.

Elena stiffened.

The shift in his tone was subtle, but it was there. A quiet, unspoken warning.

His desk. His secrets.

She had been right-he was hiding something.

"I understand, sir," she murmured, lowering her gaze.

He studied her for a beat longer before nodding once. Then, without another word, he disappeared into his office, leaving her standing there, heart racing.

She was getting too close.

And she had the sinking feeling that if she wasn't careful...

Damien Sinclair would destroy her before she could destroy him.