My Ruthless Boss Wants to Marry Me

I should have known that the day my life would change forever would start with a call from my assistant, Anna.

"Sienna, he wants to see you. Now," she said, her voice shaking just enough to make me suspicious. "In his office."

Damien Blackwell. The man who built this empire with his bare hands and without so much as a second thought for anyone who got in his way. The ruthless CEO of Blackwell Enterprises. The same man who managed to make the entire floor of the building feel like a pressure cooker when he walked in. I had never been summoned to his office before, and to be honest, I wasn't sure if that was a blessing or a curse.

I grabbed my notes, trying to steady my nerves as I walked toward the elevator, fighting the uneasy sensation in my gut. My heels clicked against the polished marble floor as I tried to imagine what this meeting could possibly be about. Had I messed up a project? Was he unhappy with my latest pitch? Or worse, was he about to fire me?

The elevator doors opened, and there it was-the intimidating and sleek top floor where Damien's office resided. His domain. His kingdom. The doors automatically slid open as I approached, and a faint scent of expensive cologne hit my nostrils. He was there, standing by the window, looking out over the city with his back turned to me. His broad shoulders, sharp suit, and confident posture all screamed power. It almost felt like he was untouchable.

"Close the door," he said, his deep voice commanding, as he didn't even bother to turn around.

I did as instructed, the click of the door echoing through the room. I stood there for a moment, unsure of what to say.

"Take a seat," he added, still not facing me. "We need to talk."

My mind raced, but my body moved on its own. I sat down, setting my notes on the table, trying to remain composed. It was impossible to ignore the way the tension in the room grew with every second that passed in silence. Damien wasn't known for wasting time.

Finally, he turned around. His dark eyes locked with mine, his expression unreadable. The man was a master of control, and in this moment, I felt like a mere pawn in his game.

"Sienna," he began, taking a slow step toward me. "I have a proposition for you."

A proposition? This was either going to be very good or very bad. My heart skipped a beat.

"I'm listening," I said, keeping my voice steady despite the growing anxiety in my chest.

He paused, his gaze unwavering. "Marry me."

I blinked, convinced I had misheard him. "What?"

He leaned against the desk, his eyes darkening with something I couldn't place. "You heard me. Marry me."

I stared at him, mouth dry. "Is this some kind of joke?"

"Do I look like someone who's in the habit of making jokes, Sienna?" He didn't smile-just waited, patiently, as if this was a perfectly normal conversation.

My mind was spinning, trying to make sense of this absurd request. The ruthless CEO, the man whose entire existence seemed built on manipulation and control, wanted me to marry him?

"Why me?" I asked, my voice shaking despite my best efforts to keep calm. "Why would you want to marry someone like me?"

Damien's lips twisted into something resembling a smirk, but there was no humor in it. "You're smart, driven, and more than capable. I need someone like you by my side. And you'll do it. Because if you don't... well, there are consequences, Sienna."

His words hung in the air, thick with menace. I knew the implications. The company was everything to him. Losing his position, his control, would be catastrophic. But to drag me into his web of power like this? The audacity was breathtaking.

"And if I refuse?" I asked, even though part of me already knew the answer.

He met my gaze, unblinking. "Then I make sure you lose everything. Your job, your career... your future here. You won't have a choice, Sienna. Not if you want to keep the life you've worked so hard for."

I swallowed hard, the weight of his words pressing down on me. This wasn't just an offer; it was a threat. A threat masked as a marriage proposal. The only thing more chilling than his words was the fact that I was starting to believe he meant it.

I leaned back in my chair, my heart pounding in my chest. This was not how I had ever imagined my life going. Not with a man like Damien Blackwell.

But as I looked into his eyes, something shifted. Maybe it was the cold realization that I was trapped. Or maybe it was something else-a spark of something dangerous.

"I'll need time to think about it," I said, standing up slowly.

Damien didn't move. "You've got two days."

Two days. It wasn't enough to escape the web he was weaving around me. I had no choice but to comply-or face the consequences. My hands trembled as I made my way to the door.

As I opened it, I heard him speak one last time.

"You'll marry me, Sienna. Whether you like it or not."

I closed the door behind me, the sound echoing in the empty hallway. The world outside felt like it had suddenly shifted, and I was no longer in control.

I had just agreed to a deal with the devil.

The next twenty-four hours felt like an eternity. I barely slept, my mind a swirling mess of doubts, anger, and confusion. Every time I closed my eyes, Damien's cold, calculating gaze filled my thoughts. He wanted me to marry him. Not out of love, not out of desire, but because he needed something from me. Something I had no intention of giving.

And yet, here I was, considering his proposition.

I paced my apartment, the weight of the decision pressing down on me like a vice. I could walk away, refuse him, and risk everything I had built. My job. My career. Everything. Or I could agree to his twisted proposal, play along with his game, and protect what little I had left.

I ran a hand through my hair, frustration clawing at me. How had it come to this? I had worked so hard to get to where I was, to carve out a name for myself in a world dominated by men like Damien. I wasn't about to throw it all away because he decided to pull some power move. But... the thought of losing it all, of watching my brother's debt swallow us whole, was a fear I couldn't ignore.

I sat on the couch, picking up my phone, staring at the screen. I had half a mind to call Anna, ask her what she thought of all this, but I knew deep down, she wouldn't have the answers. She might've worked here for years, but she had no idea what it was like to be in my shoes. To be threatened by a man like Damien Blackwell.

My phone buzzed in my hand, snapping me from my thoughts. A message from my brother.

"Sienna, I need you. Please don't do anything reckless. We can fix this. I promise."

My stomach twisted. My brother's gambling debts were no secret, and with the shady figures he owed, there was no way out without a miracle. Maybe Damien's offer wasn't just a threat-it was my ticket to saving him. But at what cost?

I stood up, unable to sit still any longer. I needed air. I grabbed my coat and headed out, not even bothering to change out of my work clothes. The cool evening air hit me like a slap in the face as I stepped outside, my thoughts still in turmoil.

I walked aimlessly, through the city streets that never seemed to slow down. The lights of the skyscrapers above me reflected the chaos inside my mind. Each step felt like a step further into the unknown, and every corner I turned led me right back to Damien.

I had always prided myself on my independence. On making my own choices. But now, I was being cornered. My options were few, and the more I thought about it, the more the marriage proposal started to seem less like a trap and more like a lifeline.

I stopped in front of a café, my eyes catching a glimpse of the city skyline. The lights twinkled, offering a brief moment of peace. It was easy to forget that Damien Blackwell was a man of secrets, of shadows, a man who thrived on control. It was easy to forget that agreeing to this marriage meant stepping into his world, where there would be no room for mistakes, no room for softness. Where I would never be more than a pawn in his game.

But then, what was the alternative?

I pulled my phone out again, staring at the time. I had less than twenty-four hours to make a decision that would change the course of my life. My fingers hovered over the screen, almost trembling. I couldn't put this off any longer.

I took a deep breath and dialed his number. The phone rang once. Twice.

Finally, his voice, low and steady, answered on the third ring.

"Sienna," he said, like he knew it was me even before I spoke.

I swallowed hard. "I've thought about your offer."

A pause. The silence between us felt thick, as if he was savoring the moment, knowing he held all the cards.

"I'm listening," he said, his tone unreadable.

"I'll do it," I heard myself say before I could stop the words. "I'll marry you."

There was no celebration. No words of gratitude. Just the cold satisfaction in his voice as he replied, "Good. We'll finalize the details tomorrow. I'll have my lawyer reach out to you."

And just like that, my fate was sealed.

I hung up, staring at the screen as if I could somehow undo what had just happened. But there was no going back now.

I didn't know if this was the right decision or the worst mistake of my life. But one thing was certain-I had just made a deal with the devil, and I wasn't sure I was ready for the consequences.