Trapped in His Vows

CHAPTER THREE

Elara’s pulse pounded in her ears. She had barely signed the contract, and already, trouble was brewing.

"Who?" she asked, her voice steadier than she felt.

Damian’s gaze was sharp, calculating. "I don’t know yet. But someone leaked information about our arrangement. If this gets out, it could ruin everything."

Elara frowned. "I thought this was airtight. No press, no outsiders. How did someone find out?"

Victoria let out a dry chuckle, folding her arms. "Welcome to the world of Damian Wolfe. You think you have control, then someone reminds you just how little you actually do."

Damian ignored her, his focus locked on Elara. "We need to leave Miami for a while. At least until I can contain this."

Elara stiffened. "Leave?"

He nodded. "I have a private estate outside the city. It’s secure, off the radar. We’ll stay there until I find out who’s pulling the strings."

Elara hesitated. The idea of being alone with him in some secluded place sent a ripple of unease through her. She barely knew this man, yet she had just tied herself to him for a year. And now, they were going into hiding?

"This wasn’t part of the deal," she said carefully.

Damian’s expression darkened. "Neither was an immediate threat to our arrangement."

Victoria sighed. "He’s right. If someone is sniffing around, they won’t stop until they get what they want. And in my experience, when it comes to Damian, that usually means something dangerous."

Elara exhaled slowly. "Fine. But I want answers. Who are we running from?"

Damian studied her, his expression unreadable. Then, almost reluctantly, he spoke. "If I had to guess? Someone who wants me ruined. And now, you’re part of the game."

The estate was nothing like she expected. Nestled deep in the countryside, the sprawling property was both breathtaking and suffocating. The security was evident—high walls, surveillance cameras, and guards stationed at discrete points.

Inside, the house was sleek and modern, but there was a coldness to it, as if no one truly lived here. Damian had barely spoken to her on the way, focused on a flurry of phone calls. Now, as he led her through the grand hallway, his demeanor remained guarded.

"You’ll stay in this room," he said, opening a door to reveal a spacious suite. It was luxurious, but impersonal.

Elara crossed her arms. "And you? Where will you be?"

"Next door. Close enough if anything happens."

She studied him. "Do you really think I’m in danger?"

His jaw tensed. "I don’t take chances."

Something about the way he said it made her shiver.

Hours passed in uneasy silence. Night had fallen, and Elara found herself pacing near the massive windows, staring at the dense forest beyond. Everything felt surreal.

Then, a knock on her door shattered the quiet.

She opened it to find Damian, his expression unreadable. "We need to talk."

Elara stepped aside, allowing him in. The tension between them felt heavier than before.

"I need you to understand something," he said, voice low. "Whoever is behind this isn’t just looking to leak information. They want to destroy me. And if they think you’re my weakness—"

He stopped, his eyes locking onto hers.

Elara swallowed. "Am I?"

For a moment, he said nothing. Then, barely above a whisper, "Not yet."

A chill ran through her, but she couldn’t look away. Whatever game she had stepped into was far more dangerous than she had imagined. And Damian Wolfe was at the center of it all.

And now, so was she.

Elara woke to an unsettling quiet. No city noise, no honking cars—just the distant chirp of birds and the rustling of trees. It felt unnatural. She was used to chaos, the hum of life pressing in from every direction. This silence made her feel trapped.

She freshened up and changed into a simple white dress from the wardrobe, surprised to find an array of clothes in her size. Thoughtful or controlling? She wasn’t sure.

Downstairs, she found Damian in the vast kitchen, sipping black coffee. He looked every bit as put-together as he had the night before, as if the weight of threats and betrayals didn’t touch him.

"Sleep well?" he asked without looking up from his phone.

Elara scoffed. "Like a dream. You?"

"I don’t sleep much."

She wasn’t surprised.

He finally set his phone down and met her gaze. "There’s something you should know. I’ve narrowed it down to three possibilities. One of them is feeding information to my enemies."

Elara folded her arms. "And let me guess, you don’t trust me enough to tell me who they are?"

His lips curved slightly. "You’re catching on fast."

She exhaled, frustrated. "So what now? We just hide here forever?"

"No. We wait for them to make their next move. And when they do, we strike first."

His voice was steel, unwavering. But Elara wasn’t sure if she was ready to be part of whatever war he was fighting.

Before she could respond, the front door burst open, and a man strode in like he owned the place. Tall, effortlessly charming, with an easy smirk and dark, knowing eyes.

"Miss me?" he drawled, looking at Damian before his gaze flickered to Elara.

Damian’s jaw tensed. "You weren’t supposed to be here yet."

The man shrugged. "Things change. Thought I’d drop by and meet the new wife."

Elara stiffened. "And you are?"

His smirk deepened. "Sebastian Kane. An old friend of Damian’s. Though friend might be a stretch. Let’s say… business associate."

Elara glanced between them. The tension was thick, almost electric.

Damian’s voice was cool. "What do you want, Sebastian?"

Sebastian leaned against the counter, all ease and arrogance. "Just wanted to see the woman who managed to chain down the untouchable Damian Wolfe. Gotta say, didn’t expect someone quite so…"

His eyes flickered over her. Elara lifted her chin, refusing to let his scrutiny unnerve her.

"Careful," Damian warned, his tone edged with something sharp.

Sebastian held up his hands. "Relax. Just making conversation."

Elara’s gut told her there was more to Sebastian than what he let on. Something dangerous. Something Damian wasn’t telling her.