Chapter 6 Whispers In The Dark

~ Lila ~

A sharp click sliced through the silence of the dark room.

I stirred, still weighed down by exhaustion, but something felt off.

There it was again-a sound. Subtle. Faint. But impossible to ignore.

I turned my head toward the balcony doors.

The city lights cast a soft glow across the glass, warping my reflection. My breath slowed as I listened intently, every nerve in my body tensing up.

And then, a shadow shifted.

My heart raced.

I wasn't alone.

Instinct kicked in. I slipped out of bed as quietly as I could, my bare feet barely making a sound against the cool floor. The air felt electric, thick with an unspoken tension.

Then-the balcony door clicked open.

Before I could react, a large, firm hand clamped over my mouth.

I froze.

The scent of leather mixed with something dark-a spiced cologne, familiar yet unsettling-invaded my senses.

A low, measured voice whispered in my ear.

"Relax, sweetheart."

Damon.

My heart pounded against my ribs as I yanked his hand away. "Are you out of your mind?" I hissed, stepping back. "You scared the life out of me!"

He didn't seem the least bit apologetic. If anything, he looked amused.

"I didn't mean to wake you," he said smoothly.

I crossed my arms, trying to steady the wild beat of my heart. "Then what on earth were you doing sneaking around outside?"

Damon's expression was unreadable. "Just checking something."

I frowned. There was something in the way he said it that made my stomach twist.

"At two in the morning?"

He held my gaze. "Yes."

I searched his face for any clue about what he wasn't sharing. There was something lurking beneath his calm exterior, something just waiting to surface.

I swallowed hard. "Did someone break in?"

His lips twitched, but this time it wasn't a smile. It was something else-something darker.

"Not tonight."

Not tonight.

The way he said it sent a shiver down my spine.

I should have pressed him for more details. I should have demanded answers.

But deep down, I already sensed the truth.

This marriage was about more than just business.

I had stepped into a world far more perilous than I ever imagined.

And now?

There was no way out.

---

The Next Morning – In the Car

Damon hadn't said much since last night.

He was all business, his expression unreadable as we drove toward Blackwood Holdings. His phone buzzed twice, but he didn't even glance at it.

His jaw was clenched, his gaze fixed on the passing scenery.

Something was off.

I hesitated before breaking the silence. "What happened last night?"

Damon didn't respond right away.

Then, slowly, he turned to face me. His eyes were inscrutable. "Nothing you need to worry about."

I hated that response.

After everything-the **contract, the threats, the late-night balcony check-**I wasn't in the mood to be brushed off.

"So, you were just casually checking the balcony in the middle of the night?" I raised an eyebrow. "For fun?"

His lips curled slightly. "Something like that."

I scoffed. "You really aren't good at lying, you know that?"

Damon leaned back in his seat, a hint of amusement dancing in his eyes. "And yet, here you are, trusting me to keep you safe."

I opened my mouth to argue-but then I paused.

Because he was right.

No matter how much I loathed this situation, I was still here.

And something told me that meant I was already in deeper than I realized.

---

Blackwood Holdings – Shareholder Meeting

If yesterday's executive meeting felt like a battle for power, this was a whole different game.

The room was packed with men in sharp suits, their faces cold and calculating.

Money. Power. Greed.

That's the atmosphere that hung in the air.

Damon took his place at the head of the table, radiating an air of authority.

I stood quietly behind him, the perfect, silent wife.

For now.

An older man leaned in, his eyes fixed on Damon. "The engagement caught us off guard."

Damon didn't flinch. "Did it?"

A low murmur spread through the room.

Another man cleared his throat. "Some of us are worried about... distractions." His gaze darted toward me.

Damon leaned back, his demeanor calm. "My personal life has nothing to do with the company."

A brief silence hung in the air. Then-

"Are you really sure about that?"

I noticed Damon's jaw tighten just a bit. It was subtle, but I caught it.

These men weren't just board members.

They were threats.

And for the first time, a chilling realization hit me.

This wasn't merely a business empire.

It was a battlefield.

And I had just stepped into the war.

---

Later That Night – Damon's Office

By the time we got back to Blackwood Tower, I was completely drained.

But Damon? He was just getting started.

He was at his desk, tie loosened, fingers rhythmically tapping on the polished wood.

A storm was brewing in his mind.

I paused at the door. "You alright?"

He glanced up, something unreadable flickering in his eyes.

Then, to my surprise, he smirked. "Worried about me already?"

I rolled my eyes. "Not really. But since I live here now, if you're planning to set this place on fire, I'd appreciate a warning."

Damon chuckled, shaking his head. But the darkness in his expression lingered.

I studied him closely.

The cold, ruthless businessman from earlier had vanished. In his place was a man burdened by something dangerous.

And for the first time, I began to wonder if I had underestimated him.

Or worse-

Underestimated what I had really gotten myself into.