Chapter 1: The Devil's Wife
The marble floor was cold under Sera Quinn's knees.
Her wrists were bound behind her back in soft leather cuffs, and her bare skin prickled beneath Damien Vale's gaze. He sat in his leather throne at the head of the bedroom like a god judging his prize.
She could feel his eyes on her—hotter than fire, sharper than any blade.
"You disobeyed me, Sera," he said, his voice slow, cruelly calm. "You went through my files."
She lifted her chin, defiant even on her knees. "Because you lie."
Damien stood, barefoot, shirtless, his dark slacks hanging low on his hips. Every step toward her echoed with authority.
"I told you the past didn't matter," he said, circling her. "But you still went digging."
"I needed to know if you've ever loved anyone," she hissed. "If there was someone before me."
He crouched beside her, his hand fisting in her hair, yanking her head back.
"There was no before you," he growled, mouth brushing her ear. "But keep testing me, and I'll remind you who owns that pretty mouth."
His grip loosened. His hand slid down her throat, down between her breasts, to the curve of her stomach. She shivered. Hated it. Loved it.
"You want truth, Sera?" His hand slipped between her thighs. "It's right here. You're wet for me even when I'm angry. Especially when I'm angry."
She gasped as he pushed two fingers inside her without warning.
"This is how I know you're mine," he whispered, kissing her jaw. "You crave the punishment."
He lifted her off the floor, threw her onto the bed. No words. Just his mouth devouring hers, his hands rough, mouth hot, touch everywhere.
He fucked her like a man possessed—hands on her throat, hips slamming, their bodies colliding with violent passion.
She screamed his name when she came, nails clawing his back, tears in her eyes.
And when he finally collapsed beside her, breathless, sweat slicking their skin, he whispered:
"I would burn the world before I lose you."
Chapter 2: The Enemy Between Us
The morning sun filtered through black curtains, but there was nothing soft about the air between them.
Sera lay tangled in silk sheets, her body sore in all the right places. Damien stood at the window shirtless, a cigar in one hand, his phone in the other.
She watched him in silence—his back all muscle and scars, the sharp angles of a man who had killed for power and would kill again for love.
He hung up the call, exhaled smoke, and said without turning, "She's back."
Sera's stomach clenched. "Who?"
Damien turned to her slowly, his eyes unreadable. "Valeria."
Sera sat up. "The one who said she had your child?"
"She doesn't. She lied to get my attention."
"Did it work?"
He didn't answer.
Instead, he walked to the bed and grabbed her ankle, yanking her body down the mattress. "You think I'd let another woman come between us?"
"I think you let her come close enough once to believe she could," Sera snapped.
That earned her punishment.
He flipped her onto her stomach, ripped the sheet off her, and brought his palm down on her bare ass—hard. She gasped, but didn't protest. Not when the second slap came, or the third.
"You don't get to doubt me," he growled, spanking her until her skin glowed red. "You want to feel how loyal I am?"
He spread her open, positioned himself, and pushed in with one brutal thrust.
She cried out, clenching the sheets, her body shaking as he pounded into her from behind, hand fisted in her hair, dragging her head back as he grunted through his teeth.
"You think she ever got this?" he growled. "No. Only you, Sera. Only ever you."
When they finished, they were both trembling. She collapsed into the mattress, and he lay over her like a shield.
"I'll deal with Valeria," he whispered. "But if she touches you, I'll put a bullet between her eyes."
Chapter 3: His Rules, Her Fire
Sera stood in the walk-in closet, wrapped in nothing but one of Damien's silk dress shirts. It barely covered her ass.
She stared at herself in the mirror—at the bite marks on her neck, the bruises on her thighs, the mess he left between her legs.
She wasn't ashamed.
She was owned.
And she liked it.
The door creaked open behind her. Damien's reflection appeared in the mirror, towering, calm. Dangerous.
"Why are you wearing that?" he asked, voice low.
"You ripped my dress last night," she said, brushing a finger over a hickey on her collarbone. "Remember?"
He stepped closer, hands sliding around her waist. "I remember everything about you when you're under me."
His fingers dipped between her thighs. She was still slick.
He groaned softly, dragging his mouth along her shoulder. "Still ruined. And I haven't even fed you."
"I'm not hungry," she whispered.
"Liar."
In one motion, he turned her, lifted her onto the dresser, and dropped to his knees.
"Damien—" Her breath caught as his tongue met her heat.
She moaned, legs shaking around his shoulders as he tasted her like she was his first meal in days.
He didn't stop when she came. He held her there, spread open, tongue relentless until she begged.
When he finally stood, his mouth was wet with her.
"I have a meeting with Valeria today," he said, zipping his pants, voice even.
Sera's eyes narrowed. "You're meeting her. Alone?"
"She asked to see me."
She hopped off the dresser and pushed him hard in the chest. "Then let her see this."
She dropped to her knees, yanked his pants down, and took him into her mouth—rough, wet, savage. He cursed, his hand tangled in her hair, trying to keep control.
But Sera wasn't being gentle.
When he came with a growl, she swallowed everything, stood, and wiped her mouth with the back of her hand.
"Tell her you belong to me," she said, voice like velvet and fire.
And she walked out, naked and fearles
Chapter 4: Marked Territory
Sera didn't wait for Damien to return.
She was already at the estate's grand dining hall, perched like a queen at the head of the long table, wearing a backless red silk dress—and nothing underneath.
Her wine glass sat untouched.
She wasn't drinking.
She was waiting.
The front doors slammed.
Damien entered first, his expression unreadable.
Behind him, Valeria.
She was tall, sleek, perfect in a white designer coat and stilettos. Her lips painted blood-red. Her eyes sharp as razors.
She smiled when she saw Sera. "You must be the wife."
Sera stood slowly. "I must be. And you must be the past."
Valeria laughed. "You're bold."
"And you're in my house."
Damien stepped between them. "Enough."
But Sera walked right up to Valeria, close enough to smell her perfume.
She tilted her head. "Do you know what it feels like to be f**ked against that wall behind you? To scream his name so hard the guards outside hear it?"
Valeria's smile faltered.
Sera leaned in closer. "I do."
Valeria slapped her.
Sera didn't flinch.
She gripped the woman by her coat, slammed her back against the marble pillar, and whispered, "Touch me again and I'll make sure your teeth end up on the floor."
Damien dragged Sera back with a growl, but she wasn't done.
She pulled her dress down to her waist—exposing her bare breasts, every love bite, every mark.
"Do you see this?" she snapped. "This is how he claims me. With teeth. With hands. With cock. Can you say the same?"
Valeria's face burned red.
"Get out," Damien barked at her.
Valeria turned, humiliated, and fled.
Sera stood there, chest heaving, dress around her hips, body pulsing with adrenaline and power.
Damien turned to her slowly. His eyes dark.
"What the hell was that?" he demanded.
Sera walked up to him, pulled his belt open, and kissed his jaw.
"That," she whispered, pushing him onto the table, "was me reminding her who you belong to."
Then she straddled him—right there, still exposed, wild with jealousy and victory—and rode him hard, teeth sinking into his neck, breasts bouncing with every thrust.
It wasn't love.
It was a claim.
And he let her take him.
Right on the table where she sat, because no one challenged Sera Quinn in her house.
Not even the devil himself.
Chapter 5: Obsession
Sera woke to silk ropes around her wrists.
Her eyes fluttered open, breath catching as she realized she was bound to the headboard, legs spread, body already throbbing in anticipation.
Damien stood at the edge of the bed, shirtless, his pants hanging low, watching her like a predator deciding how to ruin his prey.
"You humiliated Valeria," he said calmly, crawling over her body like heat.
"She touched me first," Sera whispered.
"And you marked your territory like a f**king savage."
"I learned from you."
Damien chuckled darkly, dragging his hand down her chest, teasing her nipple until she whimpered.
"No more talking," he said, voice tight. "You want to remind me who I belong to?"
She nodded slowly, breathless.
"Good," he growled. "Then take it."
He kissed her—deep, demanding—then slid down between her legs, tongue hot and relentless. She writhed beneath him, unable to move, tied and vulnerable.
He didn't stop when she begged.
Didn't stop when she came.
Didn't stop until she was sobbing his name, twitching from overstimulation.
Then he stood, undone his belt, and drove into her with a raw, punishing rhythm.
Sera gasped, her body arching with every thrust. The ropes burned against her skin, but the pleasure burned hotter.
He grabbed her face with one hand, forcing her eyes open.
"Say it," he snarled.
"I'm yours," she moaned.
"Louder."
"I'm yours, Damien. F**king yours."
He came with a roar, biting into her neck so hard she felt blood rise.
When he collapsed over her, breath heaving, she could still feel the echo of him inside her.
"I'm going to keep breaking you," he whispered, licking the sweat from her collarbone. "Until there's nothing left that isn't mine."
Chapter 6: Tied by Fire
Sera lay still, her wrists chafed red from the ropes, her thighs sore and slick with proof of the night before.
Damien had broken her again—and she had let him.
No.
She'd wanted it.
She wasn't just surrendering. She was addicted.
The bedroom door creaked. Damien entered holding a silver tray—breakfast, black coffee, and a single white rose.
He set it down and climbed into bed beside her, resting his chin on her bare shoulder.
"You didn't scream this morning," he murmured.
"I was waiting for you to come hurt me again."
He smirked. "That's not pain. That's worship."
She turned her head, kissed him softly—too softly.
He noticed.
"What's wrong?"
Sera hesitated. "What if Valeria comes back?"
"She won't."
"She wants something."
"She can want all she likes. I gave her nothing."
Sera rolled over, straddling him, bare and unapologetic. "Then give me everything."
Damien's eyes darkened. "You have it already."
"No. I want your name carved into my skin," she whispered. "I want your claim permanent."
He stared at her, pulse ticking in his jaw. "You want ink?"
She nodded.
He grabbed her hips, slammed her down onto him—hard, deep. She gasped, nails raking his chest.
"You want to bleed for me?" he growled, thrusting up into her with bruising force.
She moaned, tossing her head back. "Yes."
He flipped her over, hand gripping her throat lightly—not enough to choke, just enough to dominate.
"You want me to ruin you in ink so no one ever touches you again?" he snarled.
"Yes, Damien. Mark me. Break me. Own me."
And he did.
He f**ked her until her cries echoed off the walls—sweat and need, fire and tears. He whispered filth into her ear, promises laced with violence and obsession.
Afterward, she lay in his arms, limp and breathless.
And he said it.
"I'll brand you."
Her eyes widened.
"Not just a tattoo," he whispered. "A real brand. A symbol no one can erase. Mine."
She didn't speak.
But she didn't say no.