His Faulty Secretary

Landing my dream job as a secretary at Damien Enterprise, the biggest tech company in NYC, should have been the best thing that ever happened to me. But no. My life is officially a disaster.

Why? Well, for starters, my boss, Damien Gary, is a heartless, arrogant jerk who might actually be the devil reincarnated. And if that wasn't bad enough, he's now recruited me-his clumsy, tech-savvy secretary-into the mafia. Yes, you heard that right, the mafia.

Oh, and did I mention I have a bit of a kleptomania problem? Because I may have stolen some money from Damien. Genius move, I know. But here's the kicker-when I offered to pay him back with my body (what was I thinking?), he didn't say no.

So now every time I steal something, my boss punish me with...sex.

I'm Ashley Kelly, and I am 1000 percent screwed.

"This was a big mistake."

Ashley Kelly stood still in front of the tall Damien Enterprise building, her fingers sweaty despite the chilly morning wind. This was her dream, the big break she had been looking for. Her instincts urged her to flee as her anxiousness skyrocketed, but she pushed herself to walk ahead. There will be no turning back now.

"Don't trip, don't mess this up." She mumbled to herself as she walked through the glass doors.

Inside, everything seemed clean, modern, and sleek. It simply made her more uneasy, and she was already regretting the decisions that had led her here. She felt tiny and out of place. As she neared the elevator, she noticed her reflection in the mirrored walls. She thought she looked great in her black suit when she left the house, but now...

The receptionist offered her a knowing grin, which somehow helped to soothe her anxiety. "First day?" she inquired.

Ashley nodded, trying not to appear as apprehensive as she felt. "Yeah. "Any advice?"

The receptionist grinned. "Do not get in Mr. Gary's path. And whatever you do, do not be late. Do not say no to him. Don't..."

Ashley's stomach churned. "Great start."

"Good luck," the receptionist murmured, her tone suggesting something more sinister. Ashley didn't have time to consider what she meant before being hurried in the direction she suggested.

As she approached Damien Gary's office, her heart quickened. Damien Gary's office door looked like the entrance to a lion's cave. Her heart raced, and she wasn't sure if it was from fear or excitement.

She'd seen his pictures online, but nothing prepared her for seeing him in person. He was tall, and his sharp, sculpted features exuded a chilly, threatening aura. His black suit was impeccable. He was flawless. His black suit and his chilly, calculating eyes made her feel small.

Damien Gary sat at an enormous mahogany desk, his fingers tapping steadily across the top. When she arrived, he did not glance up, and the stillness lasted for an awkward moment.

"I-uh, Mr. Gary?" I'm Ashley Kelly," she said, just above a whisper.

"Sit," he said, without glancing up from the papers in front of him.

Ashley eagerly obliged, sitting across from his massive mahogany desk, feeling as if she was going to be grilled.

"You're late," Damien remarked without looking at her.

"I-um, I'm sorry, I didn't think-"

"I don't care what you think," he said, eventually raising his eyes. His piercing blue eyes fixed on hers, locking her in place. His look was hard and calculated, as if he was determining her worth with a single glance. The full weight of his look caused her to shrink. "In my world, time is critical. "You are either on time or irrelevant."

Ashley blinked. "I... I'm sorry, I didn't realize-"

"Did I ask for an explanation?" he interrupted sharply, finally standing and walked around the desk toward her. He appeared much taller up close, and the air between them seemed to thicken as he closed the gap. "In my world, excuses are meaningless. Everything revolves around results. "Do you understand?"

Her throat dried up, and she nodded quickly. "Understood."

Damien walked back to his seat. He leaned back and studied her with the same hard attention. "Your resume indicates that you are technologically proficient. But let us be clear about one thing, Ashley, you are not here to change the world. As my secretary, you are here to obey every of my commands. Can you handle that?"

She nodded again and swallowed hard. "Yes, Mr. Gary."

Damien's eyes hardened and his presence oppressive. "Let's get this straight, Ms. Kelly. I do not accept incompetence. I do not forgive faults. And I don't like weakness."

His comments stung, but something in his tone, a touch of challenge, made her want to stand higher. But before she could respond, he dismissed her with a wave of his fingers.

"Get out." Your office is directly opposite mine. "Be ready when I call."

Ashley stood on wobbly legs and turned to go. But when she did, she noticed a little quantity of cash on his desk. Her fingers twitched, and the familiar yearning crept up her spine. "No, not here or now. "Do not do it." But her body responded before her brain could stop it, and she quickly slid a bill into her pocket.

She exited the office, her pulse pounding with adrenaline and guilt.

"What have I done?"

***

Hours later, her phone vibrated. It was Damien.

"Oh no!"

"Ashley. My office. Now."

Her heart thudded in her chest as she neared his door, her legs trembling with fear. She walked in, feeling his gaze on her from the moment she stepped inside. The tension in the room was unbearable.

"Shut the door," Damien said, his voice harsh as steel.

She complied, her hands trembling.

"I think we need to have a conversation." He sat back in his chair and watched her intently. "You know what happens to thieves in my world, don't you?"

Her throat became dry. "Mr. Gary, I-"

"Shut up." The remarks were harsh and decisive, cutting through her argument. "You took something from me."

Ashley's knees wobbled. "I didn't mean to-"

Damien laughed grimly. "Do you know who I am, Ashley?"

She blinked, perplexed. "You're... my boss?"

Damien grinned darkly. "Yes and I am the Mafia."

Ashely's blood ran cold.

"The What?"

Her throat became dry, and her heart halted for a second when he walked towards her.

"Do you know what happens to people who steal from me?" Damien's voice was low and unsettling.

She wanted to lie and deny it, but she couldn't find the right words.

"In my world, if you steal ten dollars from me, you owe me a hundred thousand," he stated with his eyes staring at her soul. "If you don't have it..." He leaned forward, his breath warm on her ear. "I collect your life."

Ashley's vision blurred as terror took over. She was utterly broke. And totally screwed.

"I... I didn't mean to," she said quietly. "I am... a kleptomaniac. I can't help it. ""Please, I did not mean-"

Damien drew closer, so much that she could feel his body heat, surrounding her like a predator. "Your situation does not interest me. Ashley, I do not care about your justifications. "You stole from me, and now you're paying."

Tears welled up in her eyes as she fought to find an exit. "I don't have the money... I swear."

Damien's eyes darkened as he leaned in, his breath hot on her ear. "Then what are you offering me?"

Her pulse raced as she knew what he meant. She did not have the money. She had nothing left to trade with...Did people not say use what you have to protect yourself?

In a moment of desperation, the words spilled from her mouth before she could stop them. "I'll repay you... with my body."

Damien's smirk deepened. He leaned out and lifted her chin, forcing her to face his eyes. "Is that true?" Alright."

I am absolutely screwed. He agreed.

Damien stood, his huge form towering above her. Ashley swallowed hard as his stare lingered on her for just a little longer.

"You'll pay with your body?" His voice was quiet and almost pleased.

Ashley's heart hammered. She had spoken it, but she had not intended it. Not really. It was desperation. The tension in the room increased, making it difficult to breathe. He took a step forward. Her entire body was on high alert.

"I..." She stuttered, blushing.

Damien did not answer. Instead, he walked up to her, his shoulder softly brushing against hers as he approached the door

Without looking back, he spoke.

"Go back to your office, Ashley."

Ashley blinked, puzzled. Was that it? Her heart was still beating, but his disdain was obvious. She hurriedly nodded, grateful that he had chosen to call her bluff. "Thank you," she said quietly before swiftly exiting his office, trying not to touch him as he was still standing by the door.

Ashley sat at her desk, her hands shaking. What the heck happened? She looked blankly at her computer screen, rehearsing the incident over. He said nothing about her offer, but the way he stared at her made her tremble.

"It's fine," she assured herself. "He declined the offer. Perhaps he is a nice man."

But deep down, she knew it wouldn't be the last time they discussed the issue.

Hours had passed before her phone buzzed again, making her jump. It was Damien. She looked at the screen before lifting it to her ear.

"Come to my office."

That was it. There's no explanation. Just an order. She walked to his office, attempting to calm herself by breathing in and out.

When she walked in, Damien was seated at his desk, a slick black folder in front of him. He didn't glance up and merely motioned for her to sit.

"Miss Kelly," he continued, eventually raising his gaze to meet hers. "I've drafted a contract."

"A... contract?" she inquired, puzzled.

He shoved the folder towards her. "Go ahead. Open it."

With shaky fingers, she opened the folder. As her eyes read through the paper, her stomach fell.

"I... I don't understand," she said softly, staring up at him.

Damien leaned back in his chair, observing her reaction intently. "It is simple. You offered your body for cash. "I accept."

Ashley's eyes widened. "But..."

"I want more than that." He cut her off, his voice stern. "You are also going to be working for me. Not only as my secretary, but in the Mafia. You already know about it so you must be part of it or lose your head."

Her pulse raced as she returned her attention to the document. The words blurred in her eyes as she struggled to make sense of them. "Hacker?" she murmured out loud.

Damien leaned forward, his elbows resting on the desk. "You are talented. I've known this from the first day I saw your resume. And I need someone I can rely on for a... more delicate position. You will be compensated lavishly."

Ashley's head whirled. "And what about the other... part?" She could scarcely force herself to speak it.

Damien's lips curved into a smile. "As for your body, Miss Kelly, it belongs to me now."

Her mouth became dry. "What does that even mean?"

"You'll find out soon enough," he murmured, his voice silky but filled with determination. "Every time you steal, you will face consequences as I deem fit. You signed up for this, right?"

"I did not..." I didn't expect you to actually..." Her voice crackled.

Damien arose, circled his desk until he was directly behind her chair. She could feel his presence, the heat in his body, and how his gaze seemed to sear into her. His hand dropped softly on her shoulder, and she flinched.

"Sign it, Ashley," he said softly, his breath brushing across her ear. "Or, don't. The option is yours. But if you don't... you know what will happen since you don't have my money."

Her heart pounded in her chest. She could not back out now. She was already in too deep. Slowly, she grabbed for the pen.

The sound of the pen scraping on the paper, Ashley's fingers trembled as she wrote her name at the bottom of the document. Damien kept a strong touch on her shoulder.

"Good girl," he remarked. The words sent shivers down her spine, but they also excited her. She despised it, despised the way her body reacted to his, even in the midst of this insane situation.

Damien straightened and returned to his chair. He took the contract and gave it a brief scan before putting it away.

"Now, Miss Kelly, you're officially mine," he remarked, his tone playful yet finalized.

Ashley's stomach turned. This was real. She'd just given up her body to the Mafia. To him. What the freak?

"Do you have any questions?" he asked, a slight grin flashing over the corner of his lips.

She gulped hard knowing he was mocking her. "What happens now?"

"You do your job, and we'll see if you can keep your hands to yourself."

Her face flushed.

***

Ashley sat at her desk, staring blankly at her computer. She had just signed her body away. Literally. How had the situation escalated so quickly?

The man was dangerous, yet exhilarating. She loathed herself for being even somewhat excited about this.

She was no longer merely a secretary. She was now a member of the Mafia, working directly for one of the most dangerous guys in the city. And he owned her.

There was no going back now. What had she gotten herself into? Sh*t! Double Sh*t!

"Come to my office. Now."

Ashley took a long breath before swiftly rising and straightening her outfit. She had only been in her job for a week, yet it felt as if her entire life had transformed overnight. She knocked on Damien's office door, her pulse thumping.

"Come in," he said, his voice loud and powerful.

Ashley pulled the door open and stepped inside with caution. Damien sat at his desk, his gaze locked on the screen of his laptop.

"Close the door and sit," he urged, his tone sharp.

Ashley did as she was told, anxiously tucking her hands into her lap.

Damien continued, "I've got a new task for you."

He clicked something on his laptop before finally turning his attention to her. "It is a little outside the scope of your usual duties, but I'm confident you can handle it."

Ashley nodded, even though her throat was dry. "What do you need me to do, Sir?"

Damien sat back in his chair, his gaze sharpening as it passed over her. "I need you to obtain information on a certain piece of technology. "A piece of hardware, to be precise."

"Hardware?" Ashley repeated, perplexed. "What kind of hardware?"

Damien curved his lips into a smile. "The kind that isn't exactly legal."

Ashley felt her heart skip a beat. "Illegal tech?"

"Yes." Damien's eyes shimmered as he noticed her reaction. "I need you to look into it. Find out all you can about who makes it, where it's distributed, and how I can get my hands on it."

Ashley blinked, her thoughts whirling. This was far above her expectations, but what did she expect? Nothing is simple with Damien Gray.

"I... I don't know if I'm comfortable with that."

Damien's gaze darkened, and the air between them appeared to thicken. "You do not have an option, Ashley. You signed the contract or are you going back on your words? I hate people that don't keep their word."

She felt her stomach fall. He was correct. She had signed her life away. "What exactly is this hardware used for?" she asked, just above a whisper.

Damien leaned closer, his gaze locked on hers. "That is none of your concern. All you have to do is find the information I asked for. You understand?"

Ashley paused, feeling entrapped. "I'll do my best."

Damien's smile grew. "Good girl."

***

Hours later, Ashley sat at her computer, her head still whirling from the talk. She had no clue what type of technology Damien was referring to, but it didn't sound like anything she wanted to get involved with. Nevertheless, she had no choice. The deal sealed her destiny.

Her fingers sped over the keyboard as she sifted through several databases, looking for any hints of the devices Damien referenced. Her nerves were getting the best of her. What if she made a mistake?

She moaned and rubbed her temples, trying to release the tension. She couldn't afford to mess this up. Not when Damien is breathing down her neck.

***

A few hours later, Damien's office door opened, and Ashley jumped. Damien approached her desk, his countenance unreadable.

"Do you have what I need?"

Ashley gulped hard. "I am still working on it. I discovered some information, but I need more details to be sure."

Damien's jaw tightened, and he leaned across her desk, grabbing its edges. "I don't like waiting, Ashley."

"I-I'm sorry," she begged. "I'll finish it as soon as possible."

Damien's eyes narrowed. "What have you found so far?"

Ashley quickly opened up the files she had been working on, outlining the limited information she had acquired. Damien listened quietly, but she could feel the stress leaving him in waves.

When she finished, he stood up, his face frigid. "That's not good enough."

Ashley bit her lip, feeling the heaviness of his disapproval. "I apologize; I will keep digging. I will discover more."

"You are always apologizing. I don't tolerate failures, Ashley," he hissed. "If you can't do the job I hired you for, then you're useless to me."

"I-I didn't mean to...," Ashley mumbled, her pulse beating. "I'm trying my best..."

"Your best isn't good enough," Damien interrupted her, his voice low and menacing. "Do you think this is a game?" This is my life, my business, and I will not let you ruin it because of your stupidity."

Ashley's breath seized in her throat. She had never seen him that angry before. But there was also something boiling beneath the surface. His displeasure was not only professional; it was also personal. She could feel it in the way his eyes locked on hers and his body was just a bit too near.

Before she could stop herself, she said, trying to sound bold, "I am not stupid. I just need more time."

Damien's eyes sparked with something she couldn't quite recognize. "More time?"

"Yes," she said swiftly. "I can do it, Damien. "I just need more time."

There was a lengthy silence, and the tension between them deepened.

Damien took a step forward, his body towering over hers.

"More time?" he said gently. "Fine. But just don't ruin this up for me. "Make one mistake, and you'll be sorry."

Ashley hastily nodded, "I won't. I promise."

Damien did not say anything. Instead, he just gazed at her for a minute longer, his eyes black with unidentified emotions. Then he turned and walked away, leaving her alone to her racing thoughts.

"What exactly does he need this for anyway?