Chapter 2 Sh*t

Damien stood, his huge form towering above her. Ashley swallowed hard as his stare lingered on her for just a little longer.

"You'll pay with your body?" His voice was quiet and almost pleased.

Ashley's heart hammered. She had spoken it, but she had not intended it. Not really. It was desperation. The tension in the room increased, making it difficult to breathe. He took a step forward. Her entire body was on high alert.

"I..." She stuttered, blushing.

Damien did not answer. Instead, he walked up to her, his shoulder softly brushing against hers as he approached the door Without looking back, he spoke.

"Go back to your office, Ashley."

Ashley blinked, puzzled. Was that it? Her heart was still beating, but his disdain was obvious. She hurriedly nodded, grateful that he had chosen to call her bluff. "Thank you," she said quietly before swiftly exiting his office, trying not to touch him as he was still standing by the door.

Ashley sat at her desk, her hands shaking. What the heck happened? She looked blankly at her computer screen, rehearsing the incident over. He said nothing about her offer, but the way he stared at her made her tremble.

"It's fine," she assured herself. "He declined the offer. Perhaps he is a nice man."

But deep down, she knew it wouldn't be the last time they discussed the issue.

Hours had passed before her phone buzzed again, making her jump. It was Damien. She looked at the screen before lifting it to her ear.

"Come to my office."

That was it. There's no explanation. Just an order. She walked to his office, attempting to calm herself by breathing in and out.

When she walked in, Damien was seated at his desk, a slick black folder in front of him. He didn't glance up and merely motioned for her to sit.

"Miss Kelly," he continued, eventually raising his gaze to meet hers. "I've drafted a contract."

"A... contract?" she inquired, puzzled.

He shoved the folder towards her. "Go ahead. Open it."

With shaky fingers, she opened the folder. As her eyes read through the paper, her stomach fell.

"I... I don't understand," she said softly, staring up at him.

Damien leaned back in his chair, observing her reaction intently. "It is simple. You offered your body for cash. "I accept."

Ashley's eyes widened. "But..."

"I want more than that." He cut her off, his voice stern. "You are also going to be working for me. Not only as my secretary, but in the Mafia. You already know about it so you must be part of it or lose your head."

Her pulse raced as she returned her attention to the document. The words blurred in her eyes as she struggled to make sense of them. "Hacker?" she murmured out loud.

Damien leaned forward, his elbows resting on the desk. "You are talented. I've known this from the first day I saw your resume. And I need someone I can rely on for a... more delicate position. You will be compensated lavishly."

Ashley's head whirled. "And what about the other... part?" She could scarcely force herself to speak it.

Damien's lips curved into a smile. "As for your body, Miss Kelly, it belongs to me now."

Her mouth became dry. "What does that even mean?"

"You'll find out soon enough," he murmured, his voice silky but filled with determination. "Every time you steal, you will face consequences as I deem fit. You signed up for this, right?"

"I did not..." I didn't expect you to actually..." Her voice crackled.

Damien arose, circled his desk until he was directly behind her chair. She could feel his presence, the heat in his body, and how his gaze seemed to sear into her. His hand dropped softly on her shoulder, and she flinched.

"Sign it, Ashley," he said softly, his breath brushing across her ear. "Or, don't. The option is yours. But if you don't... you know what will happen since you don't have my money."

Her heart pounded in her chest. She could not back out now. She was already in too deep. Slowly, she grabbed for the pen.

The sound of the pen scraping on the paper, Ashley's fingers trembled as she wrote her name at the bottom of the document. Damien kept a strong touch on her shoulder.

"Good girl," he remarked. The words sent shivers down her spine, but they also excited her. She despised it, despised the way her body reacted to his, even in the midst of this insane situation.

Damien straightened and returned to his chair. He took the contract and gave it a brief scan before putting it away.

"Now, Miss Kelly, you're officially mine," he remarked, his tone playful yet finalized.

Ashley's stomach turned. This was real. She'd just given up her body to the Mafia. To him. What the freak?

"Do you have any questions?" he asked, a slight grin flashing over the corner of his lips.

She gulped hard knowing he was mocking her. "What happens now?"

"You do your job, and we'll see if you can keep your hands to yourself."

Her face flushed.

***

Ashley sat at her desk, staring blankly at her computer. She had just signed her body away. Literally. How had the situation escalated so quickly?

The man was dangerous, yet exhilarating. She loathed herself for being even somewhat excited about this.

She was no longer merely a secretary. She was now a member of the Mafia, working directly for one of the most dangerous guys in the city. And he owned her.

There was no going back now. What had she gotten herself into? Sh*t! Double Sh*t!