THE COSTOF HIS DESIRE

The night swallowed me whole as I stepped outside, clutching my bag like it was the last piece of me I had left. My arms shook, my fingers locked so tight around the strap they burned. I thought I'd carry it to the car, hold on to this one small choice.

But Marcus didn't let me carry it. He reached over, took the bag from my hands, and walked on. I watched him go, my throat tight. Even my little bag wasn't mine anymore.

I froze, my chest tightening. That bag wasn't much, but it was mine. And now even that was out of my control.

Marcus didn't slow down, didn't look at me. He just turned and walked ahead, the sound of his steady footsteps pulling me forward like an invisible leash.

I followed, my legs heavy, my throat tight. The night air felt colder now, sharper, biting against my skin.

The car waited at the curb, black and sleek, its windows tinted so dark it looked like a coffin on wheels. Marcus opened the back door without a word. I slid inside, my heart thundering, my throat too dry to swallow.

As the door shut, the city disappeared behind me. My old life disappeared.

The engine purred, smooth and steady, while the world outside blurred into streaks of light. I pressed my forehead against the cool glass, my breath fogging the window. My apartment. My bed. My books. All gone. I told myself not to cry, not in front of Marcus, but the burn behind my eyes refused to leave.

Minutes stretched like hours. My chest tightened more with every turn the car made, pulling me deeper into a world I didn't understand. A world that belonged to Damian.

And then I saw it.

The mansion rose from the ground like something out of a dream-or a nightmare. Tall gates of black iron opened slowly, groaning like an ancient beast. Beyond them, the house glowed under the night sky, all sharp lines and glass windows that caught the moonlight. It wasn't just a house-it was a fortress. A palace. A trap.

The car rolled up the long driveway, past perfectly trimmed gardens and statues that seemed to watch me with cold eyes. My pulse raced faster. My stomach twisted tighter. This wasn't my world. I didn't belong here.

The car stopped in front of wide marble steps. Marcus got out first, standing tall like a shadow carved from stone. He opened my door and waited. His silence said more than words ever could-obey, or regret it.

My legs trembled as I stepped out. The air smelled different here-clean, sharp, expensive. Too expensive for me. I tightened my grip on my bag like it could anchor me, but it felt too small, too useless against a place like this.

Inside, the mansion swallowed me whole. Crystal chandeliers hung from ceilings so high they made me dizzy. The floors gleamed like glass, reflecting my every shaky step. Gold-framed paintings lined the walls, their eyes following me, judging me. Every corner sparkled, every detail screamed wealth.

And all I could think was-none of this is mine. None of this is safe.

Marcus led me down a long hallway, our footsteps echoing. The silence pressed hard against my chest. We stopped at a tall white door. He opened it, motioned for me to go in, then stepped back.

I walked inside-and froze.

The room was beautiful, breathtaking even. A huge bed sat in the center, its sheets a soft cream color, pillows stacked high like clouds. Curtains draped in gold shimmered softly in the light. A vanity table sparkled in the corner, its mirror catching my pale, frightened face.

But it wasn't the room that stole my breath.

It was what was waiting for me on the bed.

Dresses.

Not just any dresses-gowns that shimmered like liquid fire. Red silk, black velvet, silver satin. Each one more daring than the last. The necklines plunged so low my chest tightened just looking at them. The cuts were bold, sharp, designed to show skin, to turn me into something I wasn't sure I could be.

Beside them lay delicate shoes with tall heels, shining under the light. Luxury handbags lined up neatly, each one worth more than my entire life savings. On the vanity sat boxes of jewelry, their lids open to reveal necklaces and earrings that glowed with diamonds, rubies, sapphires.

And then I saw them.

The lingerie.

Black lace, thin straps, fabric so sheer it felt wrong to even look at. Tiny pieces of silk that weren't made to cover-they were made to reveal. I swallowed hard, my face burning. My body stiffened with shame and fear.

This wasn't clothing. This was control.

Damian hadn't just taken my freedom. He was taking me apart, piece by piece, reshaping me into what he wanted.

My knees weakened. I dropped my bag onto the floor, the sound loud in the quiet room. My hands trembled as I wrapped my arms around myself, trying to hide from the truth laid out on that bed.

This was my new life.

And I hated it.

I didn't hear Marcus leave. I didn't notice the door shut. But I felt it-the silence after he was gone, heavy and final. My chest rose and fell in quick, uneven breaths. My legs carried me closer to the bed, though every step felt wrong. I reached out, my fingers brushing the fabric of one of the dresses. Soft. Smooth. Cold.

I pulled my hand back like I'd touched fire.

These weren't gifts. They were chains.

My mind raced. What if I refused to wear them? What if I said no? But the memory of Damian's eyes, sharp as knives, burned through me. His warning echoed in my skull. You belong to me now.

I sank down on the edge of the bed, burying my face in my hands. The dresses blurred in my vision, their colors bleeding together. Fear clawed at my throat until it was hard to breathe.

And then I heard it.

Footsteps.

Slow. Steady. Coming closer.

My head snapped up, my heart slamming against my ribs. The sound grew louder, echoing in the hallway. Each step was calm, confident, unhurried-like the person already knew I couldn't escape.

Damian.

The doorknob turned.

I froze, my whole body stiff, my breath caught in my chest. The door opened, light spilling into the room.

And there he was.

Damian stepped inside, his tall frame filling the doorway, his eyes locking on me instantly. His gaze flicked from my face to the dresses, then back to me. A slow, knowing smile curved his lips, and it sent a chill racing down my spine.

"You've seen your new world," he said softly, his voice smooth, dangerous. "Now, let's see how well you fit into it."

My stomach dropped. My pulse roared in my ears.

Because at that moment, I knew-this wasn't just about clothes.

It was about ownership.

And I wasn't sure I would survive it.