(Elena POV)
Elena had long since learned that silence could be louder than anything said out loud.
The room was thick with tension as she stood in Silas's private office.
Arms crossed. Jaw tight. Eyes fixed on the man behind the desk.
Silas Thorn didn't even look up at first.
He sat there, calm, focused on his laptop as if she didn't exist. After a moment, he closed it, signed a document to his right, and only then lifted his gaze.
Slowly.
Deliberately.
Like he was assessing her.
Like he didn't already know she was standing there against her will.
And worst of all—
Like he didn't care.
That alone made her blood boil.
But she stayed quiet, remembering her parents' warning: Don't anger him.
He leaned back slightly in his chair.
Black suit. White shirt. No tie.
Calm hands.
Cold presence.
This was the man who had just signed a piece of paper and called it her "freedom."
"Are you going to stare at me all night," she said finally, her voice edged with irritation, "or are you going to tell me why I'm actually here?"
Silas's gaze locked onto hers.
Dark. Sharp. Unreadable.
"You're here," he said calmly, "because your family owes me a serious amount of money."
He paused briefly.
"And I chose not to collect it the usual way."
Elena let out a humorless laugh.
"What? You expect me to thank you for your generosity?"
"No," he said simply. "I expect you to listen."
She hated that.
Hated how calm he was.
Hated how everyone seemed to fear him—and she didn't even know why.
"Then enlighten me," she shot back. "Why me? Why not just take the money?"
His lips curved slightly.
"Maybe I wanted something more… entertaining."
Her eyes narrowed.
"You've got to be kidding me. Out of all the girls in the world who would probably beg for your attention, you chose me? Someone who doesn't give a damn about what you think?"
His gaze didn't waver.
"And how are you so sure you don't care?"
"Because anyone who tries to control me," she snapped, "is someone I will never care about."
Silas didn't react.
He just watched her.
That same unreadable expression—somewhere between amusement and irritation.
"Is that all?" he asked.
Her frown deepened.
"Stop that."
"Stop what?"
"Stop looking at me like that."
"Like what?"
"Like you own me."
A pause.
Then—
"I do," he said quietly. "Little Elle."
Her stomach twisted.
"Isn't this illegal?" she muttered under her breath. "I could call the police… or just leave. I doubt you'd even care if I disappeared."
"Don't even think about it."
His voice cut through her thoughts instantly.
Her head snapped up.
"Don't what?" she asked quickly.
His eyes narrowed slightly.
"Don't think about running. Because if you try…" he leaned forward just a little, "…I'll make sure you're in no condition to move for days."
A small smirk tugged at his lips.
"And that's a promise."
She clenched her jaw, trying to come up with a response—but something else slipped out instead.
"What about school?" she blurted. "Because I swear, if you stop me from going to college, I will make your life miserable. I'm on a scholarship. If I lose it, I'll never forgive you."
Silas studied her for a moment.
Then, surprisingly—
He looked amused.
"First of all, I never said you couldn't go to school," he said. "And second… a scholarship?"
His brows lifted slightly.
"To my knowledge, your parents have more than enough money."
Elena let out a bitter laugh.
"They had enough money to open college funds for my siblings," she said. "But for me? Apparently I should be grateful they even let me finish high school."
There was a hint of something in her voice she didn't mean to reveal.
Hurt.
Silas noticed.
Of course he did.
"Well," he said, leaning back, "I suppose you're not their favorite."
She shrugged quickly, brushing it off.
"Whatever."
Then, changing the subject—
"What about your parents?" she asked. "Alive and hidden, or just—gone?"
The shift was instant.
His expression went cold.
"Don't," he said flatly.
The warning in his voice was clear.
"Never speak about my parents."
Elena held his gaze for a second longer before looking away.
Noted.
A knock sounded at the door.
Silas didn't break eye contact immediately, but after a second he said, "Come in."
A large man stepped inside.
"Boss, Chris and Andrew are here."
Silas exhaled quietly, clearly annoyed.
"Let them in."
Then his gaze snapped back to Elena.
"Go wait in the living room," he said. "And don't try anything. My people are watching you."
"Whatever," she muttered, turning on her heel.
She barely made it two steps before—
She collided into something solid.
Or rather—
Someone.
Strong hands caught her by the waist before she could stumble back.
She looked up.
Light blue eyes stared down at her, amused.
"Well," he said with a grin, "who do we have here?"
Elena opened her mouth—
But before she could speak—
"Get your hands off her, Andrew."
Silas's voice rang out from behind her.
Sharp.
Possessive.
Andrew smirked, clearly entertained.
"Relax," he said lightly, leaning down just enough to press a quick kiss to Elena's cheek before letting her go.
Her eyes widened slightly.
"Get out, Elena," Silas said again, colder this time.
She didn't argue.
Didn't trust herself to.
Turning quickly, she walked out, her mind spinning as the voices behind her faded into muffled noise.
By the time she reached the living room—
She wasn't sure what unsettled her more.
(Elena POV)
Elena had passed out in one of the soft leather couch.
Sometime later she woke up and finally took in her surroundings
The living room was just as overwhelming as the rest of the penthouse.
Wide. Open. Expensive.
Everything about it screamed control.
And power.
I stood there for a moment, unsure of what to do with myself. The silence felt… heavy.
Like even the walls were watching.
A soft chuckle broke through my thoughts.
"Well, well," a voice drawled. "So that's her."
I turned.
Two men sat casually on the large leather couch like they owned the place.
One of them—
Andrew.
Still smirking.
The other leaned back comfortably, his gaze calmer but just as observant.
"Come closer," Andrew said, patting the space beside him. "I don't bite. Not unless you ask nicely."
I rolled my eyes.
"I'm good right here."
He laughed.
"Oh, I like her already."
The other man finally spoke, his voice smoother, quieter.
"Don't mind him," he said. "He enjoys being annoying."
"Elena," I said simply, not moving any closer.
"Chris," he replied with a small nod.
"And you've already met the idiot."
"Hey," Andrew protested, placing a hand dramatically over his chest. "That hurts."
"It should," Chris muttered.
I almost smiled.
Almost.
"So," Andrew leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees, eyes scanning me openly, "how exactly did you end up here?"
I hesitated.
"Family debt," I said shortly.
"Ah," Chris said softly. "That explains it."
Andrew tilted his head, studying me like I was something interesting.
"Does he scare you?"
The question caught me off guard.
I scoffed.
"No."
That was a lie.
A very obvious one.
Andrew's grin widened.
"Good," he said. "Because if you were terrified, this would be a lot less fun."
Before I could respond—
Footsteps.
Heavy.
Controlled.
The air shifted instantly.
Silas.
I didn't need to turn around to know he was there.
But I did anyway.
He stood at the entrance of the room, his expression unreadable—but his eyes…
His eyes were locked on me.
Then—
Andrew.
The shift was subtle.
But dangerous.
"What are you doing?" Silas asked calmly.
Too calmly.
Andrew leaned back like he didn't have a care in the world.
"Getting to know her."
Silas didn't look impressed.
"From a distance," he said.
Andrew smirked. "You're no fun."
"I'm not here to entertain you."
The tension snapped tight between them.
Chris sighed quietly, already over it.
"Relax," Andrew said, raising his hands slightly. "I wasn't doing anything."
Silas's gaze flicked to me.
"Come here."
It wasn't loud.
But it wasn't a request either.
I crossed my arms.
"I'm fine here."
Big mistake.
The room went silent.
Andrew's grin grew wider.
Chris just shook his head slightly like he saw this coming.
Silas didn't repeat himself.
He just started walking toward me.
Slow.
Measured.
And suddenly I was very aware of how little space there was between us.
I held my ground.
Mostly.
Until he stopped right in front of me.
Too close.
Again.
"Don't make me repeat myself," he said quietly.
Something in his tone—
Not anger.
Something worse.
Control.
I hated that my body reacted before my pride did.
I stepped forward.
Just slightly.
Enough.
His hand moved to my wrist—not rough, but firm—and he guided me to stand beside him.
Like that was where I belonged.
I pulled my hand away immediately.
"I can walk on my own."
"I'm aware," he said.
Then why does it feel like I can't?
I pushed the thought away.
"So," Andrew said, clearly enjoying every second of this, "are we keeping her?"
I froze.
Excuse me?
Silas didn't even hesitate.
"She's not a thing," he said coldly.
But his next words—
Didn't make it better.
"She stays."
My chest tightened.
Chris glanced between us, more thoughtful now.
"You sure that's a good idea?" he asked quietly.
Silas didn't look away from me.
"No."
And yet—
He didn't change his mind.
"Do I get a say in this?" I snapped.
Silas finally looked at me properly.
"You've been speaking this whole time," he said calmly.
"That's not what I meant."
"I know."
That annoyed me more.
"I'm not staying here like some prisoner."
His gaze hardened slightly.
"You already are."
Silence.
Heavy.
Uncomfortable.
Andrew leaned back again, clearly entertained. "I told you this was going to be interesting."
"Shut up," Silas said without looking at him.
I exhaled sharply.
"Unbelievable."
"Get used to it," he replied.
A pause stretched between us.
Then—
"Your schedule will remain the same," Silas said.
I blinked.
"What?"
"School," he clarified. "You'll continue going."
That caught me off guard.
"And your scholarship," he added, "won't be affected."
For a second—
I didn't know what to say.
Then I remembered who I was talking to.
"I didn't ask for your help."
"No," he said. "But you're getting it anyway."
I hated how that sounded.
I hated how part of me felt… relieved.
Andrew stood up suddenly.
"Well, this has been fun," he said. "But I have things to do."
He walked past me, pausing just long enough to lean slightly closer.
"Try not to run," he whispered playfully. "He hates that."
Before I could react, he was gone.
Chris followed, giving me a small nod on his way out.
And just like that—
It was just me and Silas again.
The silence returned.
But this time—
It felt different.
He stepped closer.
Slowly.
My breath hitched despite myself.
"Don't test me," he said quietly.
"I'm not afraid of you."
Another lie.
His hand lifted slightly—like he was going to touch me.
But then—
He stopped.
Dropped it.
His jaw tightened.
"Good," he said.
But his voice said the opposite.
And for the first time since I got here—
I realized something.
This wasn't just control.
This wasn't just a deal.
This was something else.
Something dangerous.
Something neither of us was ready to admit.