The Tycoon's Secret(6)

Damien left the words as a statement, seeing if Douglas would fill in the blanks.

"You placed an ad. I just happen to have a solution. I'm looking for investors, so it seemed a mutually benefiting deal. I'm a very private man, though, and the terms of our agreement are to stay between us," Douglas said, showing a bit of the backbone that had made him billions of dollars.

"I'm private myself, Douglas."

Douglas gazed at him for a few silent moments. Damien could see the man was trying to decide if Damien was for real or not. Though Damien's passion was his vineyards, he was well-known throughout the world as a smart investor. It was common knowledge that he never invested in a losing company.

Damien knew he'd most likely lose every dime of money he sunk into Monroe enterprises but it didn't matter. This wasn't about making money, it was about payback, and Damien didn't care if he lost millions. It was inconsequential to him.

"Fine. It looks like we're both agreeable. Are you going to accept the offer?" Douglas finally asked, sitting back, trying to portray a man with confidence, who was slightly bored. He wasn't pulling it off.

"I'm willing to invest ten million into your project." He paused, letting his words sink in. "Only if your daughter is …  cooperative."

Douglas waited for more. Damien said nothing else.

"How cooperative?" Douglas finally asked, his brow beading with sweat as he nervously waited for Damien's reply. It was obvious the man didn't think his daughter was worth ten million dollars. In reality, he was most likely right. The only woman Damien could think of worth that kind of money was already taken.




 

 

"Do you really want to know?" Damien mocked.

Damien was still standing, towering his six-foot-plus frame over the small man. He bent down, his knuckles grazing the desk. He knew intimidation was his best tactical maneuver.

"I can't make any guarantees about her attitude, but I'll make sure she works hard," Douglas said, perspiration starting to drip from his brow.

"I wouldn't be too concerned about her attitude. From everything I've learned about her, she seems to be quite … accommodating," Damien mocked.

He watched as Douglas blanched, but didn't back down. The man was truly selling his daughter, even with Damien leaving the impression that he wanted her for nothing more than a slave.

He wanted to turn and walk from the room, dismiss the entire deal, but the more he sunk into this twisted family, the more he desired to know about Sierra Monroe. He'd have his answers soon enough.

Damien's cold eyes showed none of the emotions raging through him as he pulled the pen from his breast pocket. He signed the paper before looking into the greedy eyes of his newest investee. It was the first time he'd signed a deal that made his stomach turn.

Chapter Three

Sierra awoke, stretching out her arms before daring to look at the clock next to her bed. With a quick glance, she saw it was only seven in the morning and she was a bit disappointed with herself. She knew she'd never be able to get back to sleep, but she'd so hoped she'd sleep until at least nine, maybe even ten.

With frustration running through her, she stumbled from the bed and made her way to the bathroom. The long, hot shower woke her in a refreshingly pleasant way, and she scrubbed the rest of the wedding stink from her body.

She took her time putting her hair up and applying make-up. She wanted to make her father wait on her for some reason. It was her small form of rebellion. She hated it when he yelled, hated it even more when he hit her, but she was trying to gain some small piece of independence.

He refused to let her move from his home, though she was twenty-five years old. He had no problem with his darling Sandy running all over the place, jumping from one man to the next, then finally marrying her sister's barely ex-boyfriend, but he had a problem with Sierra moving out on her own.

She hadn't understood why, especially since he hated her. When he finally explained that she was paying for what he believed were her mother's sins, she was horrified. She'd fought him, but in the end the battle hadn't been worth it. He was a powerful, domineering man, and she didn't have the strength or energy to fight. He'd broken her spirit long ago.

With Sandy now gone, though, so many possibilities loomed before her. Maybe he'd finally let her go and get her own place, actually start living her life. 

She'd managed to stash money away through the years. It was enough to survive on her own long enough to get a job and start living. She had a college degree and did volunteer work, so it shouldn't be that difficult finding work. She just had to get away from her dad, get away with his permission so he wouldn't drag her back.

For two precious years she'd had freedom, a taste of what it would be like to be away from him. It wasn't two full years, as she'd had to return home during breaks, but it was still more than she'd ever hoped for at that point in her life.