Signed In Blood

Silence stretched between them.

Damian stood there, watching her with the same ruthless patience that made him a billionaire. Ariana could feel the weight of his gaze pressing down on her, as if he already knew the decision she would make.

Her fingers trembled at her sides. This was madness. A contract marriage with a man like Damian Kingsley? It was a deal with the devil.

And yet—

Ryan's face flashed in her mind. The bruises. The hopelessness in his voice.

She couldn't lose him.

Swallowing hard, she forced herself to meet Damian's gaze. "If I do this… you swear you'll help my brother?"

His expression didn't change, but there was something lethal in the way his lips curled at the edges. A predator recognizing its prey.

"I don't break my promises, Ms. Carter," he said smoothly. "Ryan Carter's case will be overturned, and he will walk free. That is my vow."

Ariana's heart pounded. This was wrong. It was dangerous.

But she had no choice.

Taking a deep breath, she squared her shoulders. "Fine. I'll marry you."

A flicker of something unreadable crossed Damian's eyes.

Was it satisfaction? Amusement? Victory?

She didn't have time to analyze it. He turned away, pressing a button on his desk. "Ethan, bring the contract."

Seconds later, the heavy double doors swung open, and Ethan Moore—Damian's right-hand man—walked in, carrying a thick stack of papers. His expression remained professional, but Ariana didn't miss the way his eyes narrowed slightly when they landed on her.

Does he disapprove?

She pushed the thought away.

Ethan placed the document in front of her and stepped back. "Everything is outlined here, Ms. Carter," he said, his tone polite but detached.

Ariana's hands trembled as she flipped through the contract. It was thorough. Cold, calculated, and terrifyingly final.

Terms of Agreement:

One-year marriage.

Public appearances as Mr. and Mrs. Kingsley.

No romantic entanglements outside the marriage.

Absolute confidentiality.

Divorce upon contract completion.

And at the bottom, a single, chilling line—

Failure to comply will result in legal repercussions.

Ariana sucked in a sharp breath. This wasn't just a deal. It was a prison.

Damian watched her, expression unreadable. "If you're going to back out, now is the time."

She clenched her fists. Backing out meant Ryan would rot in prison.

Wordlessly, she grabbed the pen and signed her name.

Ariana Carter-Kingsley.

The ink barely dried before Damian reached for the contract, signing his own name with a sharp, fluid motion.

Done.

There was no turning back now.

---

The First Taste of Power

Ariana expected regret to crash over her.

But instead, she felt… cold. Numb.

Damian closed the folder and handed it back to Ethan. "File it. The wedding will be in seventy-two hours."

Ariana's eyes widened. "Three days?"

"You're my wife now," he said, as if it were a mere transaction. "I don't believe in delays."

Ethan gave a small nod before exiting, leaving them alone.

Damian leaned back against his desk, studying her. "Do you understand what you've just agreed to?"

She folded her arms, refusing to show weakness. "I'm not an idiot."

His lips twitched. "No. You're not."

Ariana didn't know why that felt like a compliment.

Damian straightened. "You'll be moving into my penthouse immediately."

Her stomach flipped. "Excuse me?"

"We need the media to believe this is real. From this moment on, your life is no longer yours, Ms. Carter. You belong to me."

His words sent a shiver down her spine.

You belong to me.

She knew he didn't mean it in a romantic way, but still… something inside her shifted.

---

The Devil's Cage

The black Rollss Royse Phantom pulled up in front of Kingsley Tower's private penthouse entrance. Ariana stared up at the towering glass skyscraper, heart hammering.

This was insane.

"Let's go," Damian said, stepping out without a second glance.

She hesitated. Then, with a deep breath, she followed him inside.

The private elevator glided soundlessly to the top floor. When the doors opened, she stepped into a world unlike anything she had ever seen.

The penthouse was a kingdom of its own—black marble floors, floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the city, and sleek, modern furniture that screamed power.

This wasn't a home.

It was a fortress.

Ariana turned to Damian. "Where's my room?"

His eyes darkened slightly. "You'll stay in the master bedroom. With me."

Her breath caught. "That wasn't in the contract."

Damian tilted his head. "Do you think married couples sleep in separate rooms, Ms. Carter?"

She hated how her heart raced at the way he said her name.

Ariana squared her shoulders. "Fine. But don't expect anything."

The corner of his mouth lifted in amusement. "You flatter yourself."

Her face burned.

Damian stepped past her, loosening his tie. "A stylist will be here tomorrow. You'll need a new wardrobe."

She frowned. "What's wrong with my clothes?"

His gaze flickered over her outfit—worn-out blazer, scuffed heels, a handbag that had seen better days.

"You look like someone barely surviving."

The words stung.

But before she could snap at him, he added, "And my wife doesn't barely survive."

Something unfamiliar bloomed in her chest.

Ariana didn't want his charity. But for the first time in years, she felt something close to… safety.

She hated it.

---

A Night of Unspoken Tension

Ariana stood in front of the massive king-sized bed, heart pounding.

She had never shared a space with a man before, let alone this man.

Damian was already in bed, one arm resting behind his head as he read through a financial report. The warm glow of the bedside lamp cast shadows across his sharp features.

He looked… untouchable.

Just get this over with.

Ariana took a deep breath, grabbed a pillow, and dropped it on the couch by the window.

Damian didn't look up. "What are you doing?"

"Sleeping," she muttered.

"You're not sleeping on the couch."

She crossed her arms. "I'm not sleeping next to you."

His eyes flickered to hers—dark, unreadable.

Then, to her surprise, he smirked.

"As you wish, Mrs. Kingsley."

Something about the way he said it made her stomach flip.

Ariana turned away, heart pounding as she curled up on the couch.

This was her life now.

Married to a man she didn't trust.

Living in a world that wasn't hers.

And yet…

As the city lights glowed outside, she felt something dangerous creeping into her chest.

Curiosity.

Because for all of Damian Kingsley's ruthlessness…

She couldn't shake the feeling that he was hiding something.

And she was going to find out what.

---

To Be Continued…