BOUND BY HIS DARKNESS

Aria Monroe never believed in fate only bad decisions and worse timing. And walking into Blackwood Industries at 7:58 a.m. on a rainy Monday felt like both. Her heels clicked sharply against the marble floor as she tightened her grip on her handbag, heart pounding like it was trying to escape her chest. The building smelled like money polished wood, leather, and power. Every employee moved like they feared being late more than death itself. She had no idea why Lucian Blackwood wanted to see her. She only knew that when a man like him requested your presence, you didn’t say no. A tall man in a black suit stepped in front of her. Miss Monroe? Yes ..... this way please. The elevator ride felt endless. Silence pressed heavy between them. When the doors opened, she was led down a hallway that seemed to stretch forever until he stopped in front of a large glass door. Go in, he said. Aria swallowed. She pushed the door open. Lucian Blackwood stood by the window, his back to her, hands in his pockets. The city skyline glowed beneath him like it belonged to him and maybe it did. “You’re late,” he said without turning. “It’s 7:58,” she replied quietly. He turned. And the air shifted. Dark eyes. Cold. Calculating. Beautiful in a way that made her uncomfortable like admiring a storm that could destroy you. Two minutes early is still late when I expect perfection,he said. Her jaw tightened. Then why am I here? Lucian walked toward her slowly, deliberately, like a predator circling prey. Because,” he said, stopping inches from her, you owe me. Her breath caught. I don’t even know you. His lips curved into something that wasn’t quite a smile. Oh, Aria. You know my name. That’s enough. He moved back to his desk and placed a file on it. “Your brother stole from me.” Her heart dropped. “That’s not possible.” “He took five million dollars. And now he’s gone.” His eyes darkened. “Which means you’re the collateral.” “What does that even mean?” she asked, her voice trembling. Lucian leaned back in his chair. “It means you’ll work for me.” “I don’t need a job from you.” “You don’t have a choice.” Silence fell between them. “Sign the contract,” he said, sliding the papers toward her. “One year. Live where I tell you. Go where I tell you. Do what I tell you.” Her hands shook. “And if I refuse?” His eyes hardened. “Then your brother dies.” Her breath left her lungs in a rush. Lucian watched her carefully. “This isn’t about love. This is about debt.” She stared at the contract. And signed. She didn’t realize then that she wasn’t just signing her freedom away she was signing her heart into darkness.