Chapter Four
1071 Words
SIENNA
If I wasn’t trying so hard to keep a serious face, maybe I’d have burst out laughing. He hadn’t even realized that he’d been staring for so long.
Finally, he snapped out of it. “The pleasure is all mine.”
Slowly, he took her hand, placing a small kiss at the back. A small jolt ran through my hand. And I hated it.
Lila’s forced smile seemed to shake, her grip on his arm tightening. I mentally scoffed. She could keep her man for all I cared.
I held Damon’s gaze for a moment longer before taking my hand away and turning to greet another investor.
“A pleasure to meet you, Miss Croix.” One man bowed.
I smiled back. “Likewise, Alpha Jones.”
One of my first major takeovers had been something very dear to Damon. Had he figured it out yet? Not like it mattered.
The game had just begun and soon enough, Damon would know hell.
Days after the gala, I went back to setting things in place for my career. Right now, I was reviewing files on Damon’s pack finances.
“Sienna.”
Carden walked in unannounced. He was the only one allowed to. I felt a flutter in my stomach at the way he’d called my name.
His presence was casual yet oddly charged. His collar was unbuttoned, eyes already reading through me.
“What’s up?”
He tossed a document on my desk. “You’re not investing anymore. You’re hunting.”
I picked up the document. It was a report showing SilverMoon’s slowly approaching collapse.
“Well,” The corner of my lips tugged up a little. “Maybe I like to collect things that tried to destroy me.”
Carden’s eyes lingered on mine for a while. “It won’t heal you. This revenge you’re so desperate to get.”
“And what makes you think that?” I folded my arms.
“It won’t,” He repeated. “It’ll just give him more of you than he deserves.”
It was brief but my smile wavered a little. “He took everything from me, Carden. I plan on returning the favor.”
His gaze softened a little. “I’m here with you every step of the way. I just don’t want you losing yourself again. You already disappeared once.”
I quickly pushed back the weird feeling, smirk returning back to my face. “I won’t.”
“This should work fine.” I mumbled to myself, taking note of myself in the reflection.
After days of constant pushing through their pack beta, I’d finally obliged to a meeting with Damon.
The black dress I’d opted for was perfect, tailored to command the room without me even saying a word. I’d gone for a subtle makeup. Deadly but precise.
The plan isn’t to make him remember me. It’s to make him wish he could forget.
“Stop being dramatic.”
Even remembering his words again brought back the pain. But it was just the fuel I needed. I wasn’t going to bow to anyone ever again. I picked up the phone, immediately calling my assistant.
“Yes, Ms. Croix?”
“Confirm the meeting,” I ordered. “I want you to make sure Alpha Damon Quinn is seated directly opposite me.”
“Right away, ma’am.”
I dropped the phone, turning back to my reflection. The smile on my face wasn’t one of joy. It was control.
By the time I made my way into the boardroom of the luxury hotel, Damon was already there. Despite the dominance he was trying to exude, the desperation in his scent was still obvious.
Every man in the room rose as soon as I entered. When Damon’s gaze met mine, he seemed to bristle.
Once I’d settled in, I turned to face the board room. “Your pack-owned businesses are failing, Alpha Quinn. But I’m offering you with an opportunity.”
“What’s that?” His words came out measured.
“Liquidation, or partnership under my terms.” I answered coolly.
Damon seemed to bristle again. “You mean ownership.”
“Ownership?” I stared back innocently. “I prefer the word evolution. It’s more in trend if you get what I mean.”
Wordlessly, I slid a document towards him. Slowly, his eyes skimmed through the words of the document.
Once upon a time, he’d been the one with control over my fate. Now the very same man was beneath my pen.
How ironic.
When Damon finally looked up, frustration burned behind his eyes. “You’re bold, Miss Croix. I’ll give you that.”
“I’ve learned the world doesn’t reward weakness.” I leaned forward, glint in my eyes. “Don’t you agree?”
For a moment, something like recognition flickered on his face. Then that of curiosity. It had been hard to miss, but I forced myself to play dumb.
Leaning back, I fixed him a hard look. “Consider it carefully, Alpha. Power shifts quite easily. One day you’re at the top and the next, you’re a story being told in past tense.”
Then without another word, I took my tablet and stood. His eyes lingered, even when I eventually disappeared past the door.
Back in my car, I could finally let out the sigh of exhaustion that had been choking me. It was silent, but I liked it that way.
I’d seen him. For the second time in three years, I’d seen him again. But what did it matter if I was still affected by something as simple as his touch? I had to remain focused if I planned on getting what I wanted.
“He doesn’t know me, yet.” I whispered, staring at my reflection. “And that’s the power I hold.”
I let out a shaky breath, trying to contain the tightness in my chest. So why did it still hurt?
My phone buzzed. It was a message from Carden:
You looked breathtaking today. Dangerous even. But I can tell you’re still shaking from it.
I hovered over the text for a while before eventually pressing delete. My hands continued to tremble but I forced my eyes closed.
It didn’t matter how long it took. One way or the other, Damon would learn what it meant to lose everything.
This time, I’d make sure it was by my hand.
- Writer
