Kiss the Enemy

Chapter One: Burnt Bridges “Every empire starts with ashes—and mine began with him.” The world didn’t end with a bang. It ended with a single line of text across my screen. Your company has been acquired. Effective immediately. I stared at the notification, blinking as if the words might rearrange into something less devastating. My office, once buzzing with the chaotic energy of startup dreams, was silent—eerily so. I heard a faint ringing in my ears, or maybe that was my pride shattering into tiny, bitter pieces. I stood from my desk, the leather chair creaking behind me. The logo for Clarke Innovations was still proudly etched into the glass wall—but soon, it would be torn down, erased like it never existed. “They can’t do this,” I muttered under my breath, snatching my coat off the hook. “They can’t—” “They already did.” I turned sharply. Gavin, my COO, stood in the doorway, his face pale and tight. “You didn’t read the fine print, Raya. The silent investor you signed with six months ago… it was Voss Corp.” My stomach dropped. No. No way. Not him. Not Damien Voss, the CEO whose empire thrived on hostile takeovers and broken competitors. He was a vulture in a three-piece suit. A man who smiled while setting your world on fire. And I’d unknowingly let him right through my front door. “I’m going to his office,” I said, already moving. “He thinks he can gut my company from the shadows? He’s about to learn I don’t go down quietly.” Gavin tried to stop me, but he knew better. I wasn’t the kind of woman who played dead. I was the kind who bit back. Thirty minutes later, I stood in the gleaming lobby of Voss Tower, my heels echoing against the marble floor. Security tried to block me—until I dropped my name and added, “I’m here to see the man who stole my life.” They let me through without another word. The elevator ride to the top floor felt endless. My heart thundered with rage, betrayal, and something colder. Something I didn’t dare name. The doors opened into an office so coldly beautiful it could’ve been a villain’s lair. And there he was. Damien Voss. Tall. Impossibly composed. Dark hair swept back with brutal precision. A tailored black suit hugged his broad shoulders, and when he turned to face me, his eyes were ice—gray, glacial, calculating. “You’re a hard woman to reach, Miss Clarke,” he said with a smoothness that made my blood boil. “I thought I’d have to wait until the board vote to see you in person. Glad to know you’re as direct as your emails.” I marched to his desk, slamming my hands against the polished surface. “You stole my company.” He barely blinked. “No. I bought it. Legally. Efficiently. And if I may say—elegantly.” “You manipulated my investors. You lied—” “I didn’t lie,” he interrupted coolly. “I gave them a better future. And now, so do you.” My voice dropped, sharp and lethal. “You’re enjoying this, aren’t you?” His smile didn’t reach his eyes. “I enjoy precision. Strategy. Victory. Personal feelings are irrelevant.” Something in his gaze flickered when he said that. But it vanished just as quickly. “I built Clarke Innovations from nothing,” I snapped. “That company was my life.” “No,” he said, standing slowly. “That company was your leash. Now I’m offering you something bigger.” I stared at him, stunned. “Excuse me?” He reached into a drawer and slid a thin folder across the desk. “Read it.” I didn’t move. “What is this?” “A proposal.” “For what?” “A marriage.” I blinked. Once. Twice. Laughed out loud. “You’re insane.” He tilted his head. “I need a wife for one year. The investors I’m acquiring are… traditional. They require stability. Family values. A ring on my finger.” “And you chose me?” I scoffed. “The woman whose company you just obliterated?” “You’re intelligent, fierce, and desperate enough to say yes.” My hand itched to slap that smug expression off his face. “Why would I ever marry you?” “Because I’ll pay you ten million dollars. Tax-free. And because you have no better options.” My stomach twisted. “Is that what you think of me? That I’m just some… bargain you can buy?” He leaned forward, voice low. “I think you’re a fighter. But even fighters bleed. And I’m offering you armor.” I hated him. But I hated being powerless more. And he knew it. “Let me be clear,” I said, picking up the folder. “I’d rather die than love you.” A smirk tugged at his lips. “Love isn’t part of the deal.” I left the tower shaking. Fury, grief, and the stinging awareness of my empty bank account collided in my chest. My mother’s treatment was overdue. My legal team had bailed. And every door I knocked on slammed shut—thanks to Voss Corp’s shadowy control. Ten million dollars. One year. No feelings. Just appearances. The devil was holding the match over my broken empire, and I was running out of water. I told myself I wouldn’t say yes. I told myself I had pride. But when I walked into my apartment and saw the eviction notice tacked to my door, something inside me cracked. Damien Voss had won the first war. But I’d survive this contract. And then I’d destroy him from the inside out. Three Days Later The wedding was private. Cold. Paper-thin smiles and lawyers in tuxedos. I wore a black dress instead of white. He wore indifference like a crown. “You may kiss the bride,” the officiant said. Damien leaned down, his breath warm against my skin. “Smile,” he whispered against my cheek. “We’re married now, Mrs. Voss. Try not to look like you’re plotting murder.” “Too late,” I said sweetly, and bit his lip. The Voss penthouse was as sterile and grand as its owner. Glass walls, white leather furniture, not a single photo in sight. “This is your room,” he said, leading me down a hall. “I prefer space.” “Trust me,” I muttered, “so do I.” He paused in the doorway. “You’ll be expected to attend three events this week. You’ll wear what my assistant selects. You’ll smile. And you won’t embarrass me.” “Is that what you told your last wife?” His jaw twitched. “I’ve never been married.” “Pity,” I said, stepping into my room. “You’re so damn charming.” That night, I couldn’t sleep. The city lights outside pulsed like a heartbeat I couldn’t ignore. I padded out into the living room to get water—and found Damien sitting on the couch, shirt undone, glass of whiskey in hand. His eyes flicked up. “Can’t sleep?” “You look like someone who’s used to drinking alone.” He didn’t answer. I moved closer, barefoot on the cool marble floor. “Why me, Damien? Why not some actress or model you can parade around?” He studied me for a long moment. Then, quietly: “Because they’re all trained to submit.” “And I’m not?” “No,” he said. “You’re trained to win.” I didn’t know what to say to that. So I said nothing. Just turned and walked away. But as I reached the hall, his voice followed me. “My father ruined your father’s career. That’s why you hate me.” I froze. “What?” He didn’t repeat himself. Didn’t have to. Because I suddenly remembered something—a news article buried in my memory. My father, disgraced. Quietly vanished from the tech world before I turned sixteen. And the man who took over his biggest patent? Voss Industries. His family. I turned back slowly. “Is that why you bought my company? To finish the job?” He looked at me, unreadable. “No,” he said. “I bought it… to protect you.” And then he walked into the shadows, leaving me standing there with my heart slamming against my ribs and my mind spinning. Because Damien Voss wasn’t just my enemy. He was part of the reason I’d lost everything. And now, I was his wife.