Never Truly Mine

Chapter 4: The Twelve-Month Transaction

The top floor of Knight Capital was a cold and sterile place. I sat in a chair probably more expensive than my car across from a big marble desk watching my old boots sink into the super clean white carpet.

Damien Knight did not look up when I came in. He was reading something and his jaw was tight. He was turning the pages like it was really important. Maybe it was to him.

The silence in the room was uncomfortable. My fingers found the strap of my purse. I held on to it. I could still feel Victor Kane's hands on my shoulders from that time in the parking garage. I could still see my fathers face on the phone screen all hooked up to machines. I knew I needed money to help him.

Damien put his pen down. His dark eyes looked at me. Stayed there.

"Let's not waste time, Miss Hart, " he said. He slid a bunch of papers across the desk to me. "This is a marriage contract. It is twelve pages long. You need to sign the page."

I stared at the papers. "A marriage contract? You do not even know me."

"I know what is important, " he said, his voice. Calm. He leaned back in his chair looking at me like I was something he could control. "I am working on a deal with Hargrove Capital that is worth two billion dollars. Lawrence Hargrove will not work with a man he thinks is not stable. He wants to know I am building something that will last, not a business."

"So you are buying a wife, " I said.

"I am making sure my business is secure, " Damien said. "My team found you, you are the person for this. You have no family connections, you have a background and you need money really badly." He looked at me. "This is a twelve-month contract. You will move into my house tonight, you will live in the wing. My room is in the east wing. Do not go into my part of the house or this deal is off."

I nodded. We would have rooms that was good.

"When people are watching you need to act like my wife, " he said. "You need to hold my hand, smile and make it look real. If someone thinks this is not real you will lose everything."

"How much money will I get?" I asked.

"You will get five million dollars paid every twelve months, " he said. ". I will pay all of your fathers medical bills as soon as you sign this contract."

His words were like a punch. He thought he was helping my dad. He did not know that Victor Kane had already paid those bills. He did not know that Victor owned my fathers life now and mine.

If I told Damien the truth he would not want to work with me. Men like him do not like problems. He would cancel the contract Victor would stop paying my fathers bills. My dad would die.

I was stuck between two choices. One man wanted to own me and the other wanted to use me.

"Why me?" I asked quietly. "There are women you could have chosen."

"Other women have families, they have their plans and they might talk, " Damien said. "I do not trust people, I trust contracts. You have no power over me and your fathers life depends on this so I know you will do what I say."

He gave me a pen. "Sign the contract on page twelve."

I stared at the papers. My head was spinning. If I signed I would be living in his house eating his food and spying on him for Victor Kane.

I had no choice. My dads surgery was coming up. I needed this contract to get close to Damien and give Victor what he wanted.. I needed Damien's money to keep my dad alive.

My hand was shaking as I took the pen. I went to page twelve and signed my name. It was done.

Ava Hart.

Damien took the contract back, checked my signature and put it in his drawer.

He stood up blocking the light from the window. When he walked around the desk I stayed in my chair feeling really small compared to him.

He leaned down his face close to mine. I could smell his cologne. It was like cedarwood. He seemed really in control.

His hand grabbed my wrist and it was firm. He lifted my hand. Made me look at my bare finger.

"The people who handle the media will bring you a ring tonight " he said quietly, his voice a little scary. "You are a Knight now Ava. Do not forget who is in charge. If you do something I will stop paying your fathers bills and his surgery will be canceled. You understand me?"

He let go of my wrist. Turned back, to the window like he was done with me.

I stood up, walked to the door. I already felt like I was trapped.

The real fight was just starting.