Sold to the Devil CEO

A step forward

The air in the mansion was suffocating. Serena's father stood before them, his expression unreadable, while the suited men formed an impenetrable wall behind them. Every instinct in Serena's body screamed at her to run, but there was nowhere to go.

Damien's grip on her wrist tightened ever so slightly-a silent reassurance. He was ready to fight if needed, but even he knew the odds weren't in their favor.

Her father took a slow step forward, his gaze fixed on Serena as if studying a specimen under glass. "You've always been so stubborn," he mused. "I suppose that's your mother's influence."

Serena's jaw clenched. "Don't talk about her."

A flicker of amusement crossed his face. "Touchy subject?"

Damien shifted slightly, positioning himself between Serena and her father. "Enough games. What do you want?"

Her father exhaled, feigning disappointment. "Must we always be at odds, Serena? You've returned home. That should mean something."

"This isn't my home," Serena spat. "It never was."

A beat of silence passed before her father tilted his head, eyes narrowing. "Then why did you come back?"

Serena hesitated. She hadn't wanted to return-she had sworn she never would. But desperation had led her here, and now she was caught in the very web she had spent years trying to escape.

Her father smirked at her silence. "Exactly."

Damien shifted, his patience wearing thin. "If you're going to keep us here, at least tell us why."

Her father's smirk deepened. "Because, my dear boy, I have something that belongs to you."

Serena's stomach twisted. "What are you talking about?"

Her father turned slightly, gesturing to one of the men behind him. The man nodded and disappeared into the shadows. A moment later, he returned, dragging someone with him.

Serena's breath hitched.

It was Leo.

His face was bruised, his lip split, but his eyes still held that same defiant spark. He grunted as the guard shoved him forward, forcing him to his knees.

"Leo!" Serena tried to move toward him, but the guards stepped in her way.

Leo coughed, looking up at her with a weak smirk. "Hey, Red. Miss me?"

Her father tsked. "He's been quite the troublemaker. Caught him snooping where he shouldn't have been."

Serena's blood boiled. "Let him go."

Her father raised a brow. "And why would I do that?"

Damien's voice was ice. "Because if you don't, you'll regret it."

Her father chuckled, shaking his head. "You're amusing. But let's be realistic, shall we? You're outnumbered. Outmatched. And in my domain."

Serena's hands curled into fists. She hated this. Hated being powerless.

Her father turned his attention back to her. "I'll make you a deal, Serena. Stay. Sit down. Listen to what I have to say. And I'll let your little friend go."

Serena exchanged a look with Damien. They both knew they had no real choice. Not if they wanted to get Leo out of here alive.

She inhaled sharply. "Fine."

Her father's smile was victorious. "Good girl."

The guards stepped aside, allowing Serena and Damien to enter the grand dining room. The long table was set as if expecting guests. A chandelier hung above, its light casting eerie shadows across the room.

Serena's father took his seat at the head of the table, gesturing for them to sit. Damien remained standing. Serena hesitated before lowering herself into the chair across from her father.

Leo groaned as he was forced into a seat beside her. Serena reached for his hand under the table, giving it a reassuring squeeze. He squeezed back weakly.

Her father folded his hands, studying her. "Now, let's talk business."

Serena's heart pounded. Whatever he was about to say, she knew one thing for certain.

It wouldn't be good.

Damien's grip tightened around Serena's wrist as the men in black suits stepped forward, their imposing figures blocking every possible escape route. The dim chandelier light cast eerie shadows on their sharp features, making them seem even more menacing.

Her father watched with a quiet amusement, his posture relaxed yet calculating. He thrived in this moment, in this power play where he held all the cards.

Serena forced herself to swallow her fear. "You don't control me," she said, her voice strong despite the pounding in her chest.

Her father merely chuckled, slow and deliberate. "My dear, you're in my house now. That means I decide the rules."

Damien took a step forward, shielding her from the looming men. "If you think we're just going to stand here and let you trap us, you don't know me." His voice was like steel, unwavering.

Serena's father tilted his head slightly, intrigued. "Oh, I know exactly who you are, Damien." His smile deepened. "A street rat with delusions of grandeur, thinking he can protect what's already mine."

Serena stiffened. "I don't belong to you."

Her father's expression darkened, his amusement fading for a brief moment. "You always were rebellious. Just like your mother." His voice dropped lower. "And we all remember how that ended, don't we?"

A chill ran down Serena's spine. Her mother. The memories came rushing back-whispers in the hallways, slamming doors, the sound of stifled cries in the middle of the night. She had spent years trying to erase them, but her father knew exactly how to drag her back into the abyss.

Damien saw the flicker of pain in her eyes and squeezed her hand. "Serena, we're leaving. Now."

Her father exhaled slowly, as if Damien's defiance was nothing more than a mild inconvenience. He gestured with a flick of his wrist. "Stop them."

The men in suits surged forward.

Damien reacted first. He spun, knocking the closest guard off balance with a precise strike to the jaw. Serena barely had time to react before he pulled her to the side, dodging another attack.

"Stay close," he ordered, his voice sharp as he ducked beneath a swinging baton.

Serena wasn't helpless. She had been trained-forced, really-by her father's own security teams in self-defense when she was younger. Back then, it had been a method of control. Now, it was her lifeline.

She twisted out of a guard's grip, driving her elbow into his ribs. He grunted, staggering back, giving her just enough space to maneuver.

Damien was a force of nature, moving with lethal precision. Two guards lay groaning on the marble floor within seconds, but there were still more. Too many.

Her father watched, unimpressed. "Enough," he commanded.

Before Serena could react, she felt something cold press against her neck.

A gun.

Damien froze. His fists clenched as he saw the weapon trained on Serena.

The man holding the gun was different from the others-older, with scars lining his face. A professional.

Serena's breath hitched. The muzzle was warm against her skin, the safety already off.

"Let her go," Damien growled, his entire body coiled with restrained fury.

Her father sighed, almost disappointed. "Tsk, tsk. You should know by now, Damien, that I never negotiate from a place of weakness."

Serena swallowed hard. She needed to think, and fast.

Her father leaned against the stair railing, watching her with something almost like fondness. "You have a choice, my dear." He gestured to Damien. "Leave him behind, and I'll let you stay. No more running. No more chasing." His voice softened, almost gentle. "You'll be safe here."

Safe. The word was a cruel joke coming from his lips.

Serena's heart pounded. She glanced at Damien, who subtly shook his head. He wouldn't let her sacrifice herself.

Her father followed her gaze and sighed. "Or," he continued, his tone shifting, "you can both keep fighting, and I let my men break him apart while you watch."

Serena felt her world tilt.

Damien met her eyes. "Don't," he murmured.

But she knew what had to be done.

Taking a slow breath, Serena made her decision.

Damien's muscles coiled, ready to strike, but Serena could feel the weight of the situation pressing down on them. Six armed men, her father watching with that smug, knowing expression-this wasn't a fight they could win outright.

Her father tilted his head, amusement flickering in his eyes. "Tell me, Serena, did you really think you could just waltz back in here and expect to leave unscathed?"

Serena's throat tightened. He had planned this. Every step, every choice they had made-it had led them right into his hands.

Damien's fingers flexed at his sides. "If you think we're staying, you're mistaken."

Her father sighed, stepping forward, hands in his pockets. "You're brave, I'll give you that. But bravery without strategy is just recklessness. And you, my dear, have always been reckless."

Serena's jaw clenched. "You don't know me."

His smile widened. "Oh, but I do. I've been watching you for years. Every move, every decision, every desperate attempt to escape what you are. And now... you're right where you belong."

A shiver ran down her spine. Damien took a step in front of her, his body shielding hers. "We're leaving. Now."

The guards tensed. Hands moved toward concealed weapons. The air thickened with the promise of violence.

Her father chuckled, shaking his head. "No, you're not. But let's not resort to unpleasantness so soon. You must be exhausted from your journey. Come, let's have dinner."

Serena's stomach twisted. Dinner. As if this was just another evening, another family gathering in this twisted house of lies.

Damien's voice was low, controlled. "We're not here for pleasantries."

"Oh, but I insist." Her father gestured toward the dining room doors. They swung open, revealing a long table set with an extravagant feast. Candlelight flickered against the crystal glasses. "Sit. Eat. And then, we'll talk."

Serena didn't move. This was a game, a carefully orchestrated performance. And they were the unwilling players.

Her father's voice dropped, the amusement fading. "Or... we can do this the hard way."

The guards shifted. The weight of the choice settled on Serena's shoulders. She exchanged a look with Damien. His jaw was tight, his eyes searching hers.

They had no choice.

"Fine," she said, her voice steady despite the turmoil inside. "We'll eat."

Her father smiled, victorious. "Good girl."

The words felt like chains tightening around her wrists.

As they stepped into the dining room, Serena knew one thing for certain.

This was only the beginning.