Chapter 2 A Cage Of Gold

Helena was squished against the backseat of Damien Wolfe's black sedan. She could barely see the lights of the city due to the way her surroundings were moving out of the window.

Her thoughts collided and clashed - like an ever lasting thunderstorm.

Damien's voice broke through the silence, "I assume there is something you want to say." It was low and restrained.

She turned around, "Oh, I have plenty.

To begin with, what gives you the authority to accept a marriage proposal on my behalf without first speaking with me? "

Damien drummed his restless fingers on the driving wheel while he inhaled and exhaled.

"It isn't my fault that I french kissed you without warning. Your father had a business in mind, and I had one too. So, it seemed like we both were in agreement."

Sure, you did. Helena taunted, "A wedding ring in a bargain. How romantic."

"Helena," his voice remained steady but the stiffness in his face revealed the true emotion. He continued, "This is about more than just business."

"Damien," she let out a mocking laugh, "Oh, really, go ahead and inform me."

Both Damien and Helena walked towards the city center, with Damien taking the quieter streets. He threw her an annoyed look.

"Your father's company is sinking over debt. He requires my investment to keep afloat. This deal does not happen, and he goes out of business, which, unfortunately, includes you too."

Helena's breathing became shallow. "What do you mean, unfortunately, includes me?"

Damien paused before speaking. "Your father owes money to some very ruthless people."Marrying me ensures your safety."

For the first time that evening, genuine fear threaded through her anger.

She knew that her father's business had faced failures, but she did not know that it was serious.

"She never puts me in danger," she whispers, as if it would be true to say it is loud.

Demian's face became more severe. "You will be surprised what a desperate man is capable."

Helena looked away, gazing out the window. She was nothing more than an extension of his empire and a bargaining tool to be used at his whim, and her father never treated her as a daughter. But this? This was a new level of betrayal.

The car came to a stop as they arrived at a skyscraper of luxury. Damien pulled over and exited, opening the door.

"Enter. We must negotiate the conditions."

She stood waiting before proceeding.

The lift journey was unbearably quiet. Tension thickened the air.

As they reached his penthouse, she stepped into the high-tech scenario before Damien downed two glasses of whiskey and handed her one.

Once he offered the drink, she brashly stated, "I don't want to take it."

"Neither do I," he conceded, holding up the cup of his own.

"But the deal is done," he said.

Her fists clenched.

"So what then? Do I get to play subservient wife while you pose as hard-eyed businessman?"

Damien pinned her with his gaze as he put his glass down.

"I don't require obedience, Helena. But I do require that you honor your side of the bargain." Her name scratched across her ears like an oath and a threat rolled into one.

"And if I don't?" she tossed back.

His gray eyes grew dark.

"Then you'll discover just how risky it is out there," he stated to her. She felt a shiver, but she kept her dread from him.

She would fight tooth and nail to hold on to whatever freedom remained to her if she became entangled in this marriage. Even if it meant playing with fire.

The next day, Helena woke up as daylight came through the thin curtains of her large dwelling. She remembered hardly getting in the previous evening and was confused. Her brain was a fuzzy mess of anger and fatigue.

The previous night fell on her like a ton of bricks as she yawned.

She is engaged. The deal. The warning from Damien.

With a sigh, she shed the jackets and padded to the enormous walk-in closet. If she was going to visit her father, she would require armor. She put on a fresh navy dress and heels and went downstairs.

Richard Sinclair had long since retreated into his study and was pouring over financial reports as he drank coffee. He barely looked up when she stormed in.

"Ah, Helena.

I assume you have gotten over that by now."

"My senses?"

She laughed roughly.

"You mean, have I accepted the fact that you sold me out to settle your debts?

No, I haven't."

He finally looked at her, his face cold. "I did what was necessary. Damien Wolfe is a powerful man. Marrying him secures your future."

"My next step?" She exploded. "Or your own?"

Richard put his cup down with a sigh.

"Helena, you've been a privileged one. I built everything for this family. If I go down, you go down with me."

She shook her head in incredulity.

"You don't see me as your daughter.

You see me as a resource.

A pawn."

"Whatever you believe," he said, standing up.

"But the wedding will happen.

And I demand that you play your part."

Helena was trapped, suffocated by the weight of expectations pressing down on her. She had everything to lose if she said no. But if she said yes, she lost herself.

Her thoughts were scrambled for a way out. And then, an idea came. If she was going to be talked into this marriage, she would do it on her own terms.

Damien Wolfe thought he was buying a submissive wife.

He was about to find out how horribly wrong he was.