Damien Sterling

Chapter 5:

(Damien's POV )

I had dealt with gold diggers, liars, and women who thought they could tame me.

But nothing—nothing—could have prepared me for Ava Sinclair.

I had expected someone desperate, someone willing to bow to my father's demands.

Instead, I got her.

A woman who smirked at me like she owned the damn world.

Who looked me in the eye, unbothered, while my life was being sold off.

And it pissed me off more than I could explain.

---

At the Restaurant –

Ava leaned back in her chair, arms crossed, challenging me without a single word.

I could feel my blood boiling.

"You think this is funny?" I snapped.

Her lips curled into a slow, infuriating smirk. "I think it's hilarious."

I gritted my teeth. "You don't know what you've just gotten yourself into, Sinclair."

She tilted her head. "Oh? Please, enlighten me, Mr. Sterling."

I clenched my fists, my jaw tightening. "You think this marriage will be easy?"

"I think it will be entertaining," she corrected, eyes gleaming with amusement.

I leaned in, lowering my voice. "You're playing with fire, sweetheart."

She didn't flinch. Didn't blink. Didn't back down.

Instead, she leaned in too, her lips curling. "Then let's burn."

That was it.

I snapped.

Without thinking, I stood up, grabbed her wrist, and dragged her out of the restaurant.

Gasps filled the air. Whispers erupted around us.

I didn't care.

Ava yelped, stumbling slightly before she dug her heels into the ground. "Are you insane?"

I ignored her, pulling her toward my car. "Get in."

She wrenched her arm free, glaring at me. "Excuse me?"

"You wanted to play games?" I growled. "Fine. Let's go meet your new home, Mrs. Sterling."

Her eyes flashed with fury. "I swear to God, Damien, if you manhandle me one more time—"

I threw the car door open. "Get. In."

She folded her arms. "Or what?"

I took a slow, deep breath. She was testing me.

And I was two seconds away from losing my damn mind.

"Sinclair," I said darkly, "if you don't get in this car right now, I will throw you over my shoulder and carry you inside myself."

Her lips parted slightly. "You wouldn't dare."

I arched a brow. "Try me."

Ava's nostrils flared. I could practically see her debating between slapping me and kicking me.

Finally, with an angry huff, she spun around and got into the car.

I slammed the door shut behind her and stalked to the driver's seat, gripping the wheel so hard my knuckles turned white.

This woman was going to be the death of me.

---

At the Sterling Estate –

The second we arrived at the estate, Ava threw open her door and stormed inside like she owned the place.

I followed, slamming the door behind me.

She turned on me, arms crossed. "Do you drag all your women around like cavemen, or am I just special?"

I stepped closer. Too close. "Oh, sweetheart. You are definitely special."

She rolled her eyes. "Flattery will get you nowhere."

I let out a sharp laugh. "I wouldn't waste my breath flattering you."

Her eyes narrowed. "Wow, you really do have zero charm."

"Good," I shot back. "I don't need to impress you."

She took another step closer, chin lifted defiantly. "Then let me make one thing clear, Sterling."

I exhaled sharply. "Oh, please do."

"I don't care how rich you are. I don't care how powerful your family is. I don't care about your name, your money, or your pathetic little tantrums," she said, voice low and dangerously calm. "You don't own me."

I stared at her, my anger colliding with something else.

Something dangerous.

Something hungry.

A challenge.

A wildfire.

And for the first time in my life, I had no idea if I wanted to break her… or let her burn me alive.

___