Bound by Desire

The heavy oak doors of Knight Enterprises' boardroom swung open with a low creak. Damon Knight, dressed in a perfectly tailored suit, stepped inside, his polished shoes clicking against the marble floor. The room was already buzzing with tension, the kind that came from desperate negotiations and unspoken demands. His father, Gregory Knight, stood at the head of the table, his face a mask of authority and impatience. Opposite him sat Arturo Castellano, his thick fingers drumming rhythmically on the mahogany table.

Damon took his place beside his father, sparing a brief glance at the documents spread across the table. "Why the urgency?" His voice was calm but edged with steel.

Gregory adjusted his tie, a sure sign he was about to say something Damon wouldn't like. "Arturo and I have come to a solution to secure the merger. It's the only way to stabilize our position against Velcor Industries."

The name Velcor sent a flicker of irritation through Damon's mind. Their rival's aggressive strategies had pushed Knight Enterprises to the brink of vulnerability, a position he despised. He folded his arms, his sharp gaze moving from his father to Arturo. "And this solution involves me, I presume?"

Arturo leaned forward, his booming voice filling the room. "My daughter, Elena. She'll marry you. With our families united, the merger will be seamless. Velcor won't stand a chance."

The air seemed to still for a moment. Damon's jaw tightened, his calm exterior threatening to crack. He didn't need to ask if Elena had agreed; the answer was irrelevant to these men. Women in their world were often treated as chess pieces, moved for advantage.

"I'm not interested," Damon said, his voice flat.

Gregory's hand slammed against the table, drawing startled glances from the few executives still lingering in the room. "This is bigger than you, Damon. Do you think I built this empire for you to dismantle it with your arrogance? This isn't a request."

The words landed like a blow, but Damon held his ground. "What happens when your perfect plan fails? You think a marriage contract will stop Velcor from targeting us?"

Arturo's chuckle rumbled through the room. "You underestimate the power of loyalty, Damon. With our families combined, Velcor won't dare touch us. And Elena... she's not the kind of woman who will sit quietly in the corner. She has her own strengths."

"Strengths that don't interest me," Damon shot back.

"Enough!" Gregory's voice cut through the rising tension. "You'll meet her. That's all I ask. If you're still opposed after one meeting, we'll reconsider."

Damon didn't believe that for a second. Gregory Knight wasn't a man who reconsidered anything.

Elena Castellano stared at the invitation in her hand, the elegant script almost mocking in its perfection. A private dinner with the Knights, scheduled like a business meeting. She tossed the card onto her cluttered studio table, where it landed amidst paint-streaked brushes and half-finished canvases.

Her mother's voice echoed from the doorway. "You can't avoid this forever, Elena. Your father's worked hard to arrange this meeting."

Elena turned, her paint-smeared hands on her hips. "Worked hard? You mean he sold me off like a piece of property to save his business."

Maria Castellano stepped into the room, her carefully styled hair and pearls a sharp contrast to the chaos of Elena's studio. "You're exaggerating. This is a partnership, not a sacrifice. Damon Knight is a suitable match."

Elena laughed, the sound bitter. "A suitable match for whom? Certainly not for me. I don't care how much money or power he has. I don't want this."

"You'll change your mind once you meet him. He's handsome, successful-"

"And cold as ice," Elena interrupted. "I've read enough about him to know he's nothing more than a corporate shark."