THE DEVIL'S POSSESSION

Selene’s POV

“She’s the only asset I have left. Once you take her, my debt is cleared.”

The words punched through the air like a bullet and I froze mid-step, the heel of my shoe catching on the edge of the marble tile outside Damien’s office.

My hand hovered over the doorknob.

What was he talking about, or rather who who was he talking about?

My heart stopped beating for a moment then slammed against my ribs with a force that seems like it wanted to get out of my body.

The office door wasn’t fully closed. So it was easier to hear Damien's voice, the desperation in it and the pants in his breaths as he paced - or I assume that's what he's doing.

“I said tonight,” he hissed into the phone. “I don’t care how. Just take her.”

Shock glued my feet to the floor and I couldn't breathe.

Take who?

But I wasn't stupid. I knew he was talking about me

Take me?

A sick wave of cold crashed over me, starting from the base of my spine and crawling up to the back of my neck.

I nudged the door open just enough to see him. Damien stood by the floor-to-ceiling window, one hand gripping his whiskey glass, the other pressed to his ear.

He was shirtless, slacks hanging low on his hips, his hair disheveled like he hadn’t slept.

Or maybe like he hadn’t cared.

My husband, the charming, successful entrepreneur with his spotless suits and smooth words—now looked like man who was about to unravel in the most unpleasant ways.

He turned away from the window, facing the room. “Yes. She’s docile. Obedient. You’ll have no problems.”

My fingers curled into fists.

Docile?

Obedient?

I stepped inside, pushing the door open with a hard shove. It slammed against the wall.

Damien jolted, nearly dropping his drink. His eyes landed on me, and widened for a moment, stunned—then quickly calculating.

“Selene—”

“What the hell did I just hear?”

He set the glass down with maddening calm and disconnected the call. “That wasn’t what it sounded like.”

“Really?” I took another step forward, shaking. “Because it sounded a lot like you were offering me up like… like livestock.”

He sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. “Don’t make this dramatic, Selene. You’re smarter than that.”

I laughed. “Who are you talking to? Because your wife—the woman you made vows to—is standing right here, and you just called her your last asset.”

“I didn’t mean it like that.” He gave me a tired look. “It’s not personal.”

My voice was a whisper now. “Not personal?”

He took a slow step toward me, like I was some frightened animal. “I owe people, Selene. Powerful people. They don’t wait. They don’t negotiate. They take. And I didn’t have anything left to give—except you.”

I flinched, stepping back.

“Excuse me?”

“Yes Selene. It was either that or kill me. Would you rather I die?! These are dangerous men -