Dangerous, Cold, and Calculated
1155 Words
* "You’re making a deal with the devil, Serena." *
Despite Alexander's cool, collected tone, I could hear the warning beneath it. With his fingers intertwined, he sat back in his leather chair and observed me from the other side of his office. The low light shadowed his angular features, making him appear to be the cunning businessman I knew him to be.
Swirling the dark liquid in my glass of wine, I took a slow sip. My resolve was unwavering, and my pulse was steady.
"I have already met the devil, Alexander," I murmured, putting the glass down with a gentle *clink*. "And I survived him."
Something unfathomable shone in his dark eyes. "Did you?"
I didn't wince or show him how his words brushed against old scars. Rather, I tilted my head and folded my hands in my lap. "Are you in or not?"
A grin appeared on his lips. "Oh, I agree. However, I'd like to know—" He leaned a little forward. "Are you on business here? Or as retaliation?"
Slowly and deliberately, I grinned. "Can’t it be both?"
Low and rich, Alexander laughed. "Perilous. I enjoy it.
I felt a subtle sense of fulfillment in my chest. I had been anticipating this moment for five years, planned every move and step, and now—**Damien Lancaster was about to experience what it was like to lose. **
And the ideal weapon to accomplish it was Alexander Steele.
I touched the rim of my wine glass with my finger. "Both of us are aware that Damien is untouchable in this city. He owns politicians, controls half of the economy, and controls an entire empire.
Alexander sipped his whiskey slowly and shrugged. "So do I."
I looked him in the eye. "Not in his manner. Damien is feared, but you are strong. The game is played by you. The board belongs to him.
His jaw tightened a little, but his eyes were still amused. "And yet you came to me, not him."
I grinned. "That should tell you everything you need to know."
Alexander looked at me for a while, his face unreadable. Then he tapped his fingers on the surface while leaning back in his chair.
"You want me to go after him?"
"I want to make him bleed."
A sharp sigh. "Oh no, Serena. You truly did rise from the grave.
Even though I didn't answer, my silence had enough weight.
Alexander shook his head and laughed softly. "All right." Tell me about your plan.
I took a tiny flash drive out of my handbag and set it on his desk. "Everything you need is in here—his financial loopholes, his offshore accounts, the weaknesses in his security."
He raised his eyebrows. "How the hell did you get this?"
"Does it matter?"
His mouth quirked. "No. However, it does add to your intrigue.
I straightened my clothing and stood up. "Consider it. Tell me when you're prepared to set him on fire.
I started to go, but his voice interrupted me before I could get to the door.
"One more thing, Serena."
I took a look behind me.
"You might hate him, but you still feel something for him, don’t you?"
The atmosphere between us became dense. Something flared inside me for a brief moment. Something unprocessed. But before it could come to the surface, I squashed it.
I gritted my teeth and smiled. "I only feel one thing for Damien Lancaster."
"And what’s that?"
With my voice as smooth as ice, I looked him in the eye.
"Nothing."
The cold night air embraced me as I ventured out into Manhattan's streets. With cars honking, people laughing, and the lingering smell of rain, the city was alive with activity.
I centered myself and let out a slow exhale.
It was this. The actual beginning of Damien's destruction.
I ought to have felt strong. Untouchable.
Rather, I felt like I was being watched.
The back of my neck was pricked with an odd feeling.
I looked around a little, taking in the pavement, the corners of the streets, and the dim alleys. Nothing. However, the emotion persisted.
I gripped my clutch harder and accelerated my pace in the direction of my car. My heels made harsher sounds as they snapped on the pavement.
Then—
A hand encircled my wrist.
I immediately whirled, my free hand snatching up to hit—
However, the hold was firm and unforgiving.
What about the face that's looking back at me?
**Damien.**
I gasped.
His coat was slightly undone, his tie was loose, and he was wearing all black. His dark, unreadable eyes pierced mine, yet there was something else there that I couldn't identify.
"What are you doing here?" I tried to jerk my wrist free and demanded.
He held on tight.
"Interesting meeting you just had," he said, his tone composed but tinged with threat. "Alexander Steele? Serena?"
I froze.
Damien's hand slightly tightened. "You think aligning yourself with him will keep you safe?" Something nasty, something frigid, curved his lips. "You should know by now, **no one can protect you from me.**"
My chest erupted in anger. I stepped into his space rather than out of it, yanking my arm back with force.
"You no longer possess me, Damien," I growled.
Something inscrutable flared in his eyes. "Then why are you still playing my game?"
I went cold.
His eyes swept across my face, probing, analyzing.
He uttered the words, "Tell me, Serena," in a quieter, almost menacing voice. Is retaliation at issue here? Or are you merely attempting to see if you can harm me in the same way that I have harmed you?
My breath caught.
I wasn't sure whether it was his remarks or the fact that I was partially clueless about the solution.
I smirked against my will. "You’re assuming I care enough to want to hurt you."
His nostrils slightly flared, and his jaw tightened. "I know you do."
I regained control and let out a steady breath. "You always were arrogant."
He moved closer until I could feel his breath slipping across my skin. "And you always were a terrible liar."
Even though my heart was racing, I kept it hidden from him.
My voice grew icy as I raised my chin. "Stay out of my way, Damien."
His eyes flickered with dark enjoyment as a slow sneer reached his lips. "You’re in **my** way, sweetheart."
He turned abruptly and left before I could reply, vanishing into the darkness.
My pulse was erratic, and I was panting heavily as I stood there.
My phone buzzed in my purse after that.
I took it out while looking at the screen, my fingers trembling a little.
**Unknown Number: "This is just the start." **
My stomach turned as I gazed at the letter.
Because I secretly, somehow, knew—
I haven't finished with Damien Lancaster yet.
- Writer
