Chapter 6 The Warning

The car ride back from the gala was wrapped in an unsettling silence.

Damien sat beside her, eyes fixed on the city lights flashing past the windows, his jaw rigid. The usual air of cold control around him had thickened into something heavier, more dangerous.

Ariana kept her hands folded in her lap, but her pulse was racing.

He finally spoke, his voice low and even. "You shouldn't have spoken to Liam Walters."

"I didn't seek him out," she replied calmly. "He approached me."

"Next time, walk away."

She glanced sideways at him. "Is there something I should know about him?"

Damien's eyes flicked toward her. "He's not your concern."

"That's not an answer."

His hand clenched briefly on his knee, but his tone remained level. "Liam is a snake who smiles while sharpening his knife. You are a convenient pawn for him."

Ariana exhaled. "You hired me for my ability to handle difficult situations. I can handle a conversation."

Damien turned to face her fully, his voice suddenly sharper. "This is not some office chess game, Ariana. These people play with lives, not just reputations."

The intensity in his gaze pinned her.

"And you're different?" she challenged softly.

For a brief moment, something flashed across his face - a flicker of emotion quickly buried. Pain? Guilt? She couldn't tell.

"I'm not like them," he said finally, voice quieter. "But I was born into their world."

Ariana studied him, sensing the layers beneath the armor. Layers he fought to hide.

"You don't have to fight me, Mr. Blackwood."

He stared at her for a moment longer before leaning back, breaking the tension.

The rest of the drive passed in silence.

---

The next morning, Ariana arrived at the office early, as usual. Clara was waiting, holding a file with a thin, sharp smile.

"Change of plans. Mr. Blackwood will be working remotely today. You'll be accompanying him."

Ariana frowned. "Accompanying him?"

Clara's smile widened. "He has a private estate outside the city. He requested your presence to assist with confidential documents."

This wasn't standard. Not at all.

Still, Ariana kept her expression neutral. "Understood."

"His driver will pick you up at noon."

---

The estate was nothing like the corporate world Damien ruled. It was secluded, surrounded by tall trees, quiet except for the soft chirping of distant birds.

Ariana followed the butler into a vast, modern living room where Damien stood by the large glass windows, overlooking a private lake.

He turned as she entered.

"Good. You're prompt."

"You requested my presence," she replied, carefully watching his mood.

He gestured to a table where several thick files were laid out. "We're preparing for the London acquisition. These documents cannot leave this property."

Ariana approached the table and began reviewing the contracts.

For hours, they worked side by side. The air was thick with quiet concentration, but also something else - a simmering tension that neither acknowledged.

As the sun dipped lower, Damien finally leaned back, watching her.

"You're not intimidated by me anymore."

She looked up, meeting his gaze directly. "Should I be?"

A faint smile ghosted his lips. "Most people are."

"Most people don't see past your armor."

He studied her, and for the first time, let the silence settle.

"You're not like the others," he said quietly.

"And you don't trust easily," she replied.

His jaw tensed. "Trust is dangerous."

"Sometimes it's necessary."

They sat there, eyes locked, the world narrowing to just the two of them. For the briefest moment, Ariana saw the man behind the empire - a man carrying far more pain than power.

Then, as quickly as it came, the vulnerability vanished.

"We're done for today," he said, standing abruptly. "The driver will take you back."

Ariana rose, gathering her things. But as she left the estate, she couldn't shake the feeling that she had crossed an invisible threshold.

Damien Blackwood was beginning to let her in - and that might be the most dangerous game of all.