Chapter 2 The Devil's Bargain

They brought me to him after the auction, my legs barely holding me up. My father had disappeared, probably too ashamed to face me. Or too cowardly.

Derek leaned back in his chair, watching me with an expression of mild interest as if he had just purchased a car rather than a human being.

"You're trembling," he observed. His voice was deep, smooth, edged with something dark.

I forced myself to meet his gaze. "What did you expect? I was just sold like property."

His lips curved into a smirk. "That's exactly what you are."

A chill ran down my spine.

"Your father owed me money. He couldn't pay. Now, you're mine, Elena." He leaned forward, elbows resting on the desk. "You can either accept that or make things difficult for yourself. But let me be clear-you don't get to run from me."

I swallowed hard. "What are you going to do with me?"

His eyes darkened, something predatory flashing in their depths. "That depends on how well you behave."

I hated the way my body reacted to him. The way his presence filled the room was suffocating yet intoxicating.

He stood, walking around the desk until he was just inches from me. He was taller than I expected, his frame imposing. His fingers tilted my chin up, forcing me to look at him.

"You will obey me," he murmured. "You will not question me. And in time, you will learn that belonging to me is not a curse-it's a privilege."

I clenched my fists, my body stiff.

"I will never belong to you," I whispered.

His smirk widened, a promise of a battle neither of us would escape unscathed. "We'll see about that."

And just like that, my nightmare had begun.