FLAME Chapter 1: The Devil in a Suit

The lights of Manhattan glittered like broken stars, blurred behind the champagne glass Elena Hart swirled in her hand. Music throbbed beneath her heels as she stood stiffly beside Ava, who was already on her second flirtation of the night.

ELENA HART (FL)

This is torture

ELENA HART (FL)

(Muttered, tugging at the hem of her sleek black dress)

It wasn't too short, but it clung in ways that made her uncomfortable - like it was designed to be watched.

Ava Monroe [FL best friend]

(Rolled her eyes)

Ava Monroe [FL best friend]

It's a gala, not a funeral. Try blinking like you're alive

ELENA HART (FL)

(Sighed, sipping the fizz)

Her boyfriend, Liam, had planned a cozy movie night. But Ava had begged. "Networking," she said. "Elite internships," she promised. Elena should've known Ava didn't drag her here for opportunity - she dragged her here to feed her own addiction to danger and silk.

The ballroom was filled with predators in tuxedos. Billionaires and their glassy-eyed arm candy.Photographers. Waiters with trays like halos. Elena didn't belong. She was a scholarship student with debt for dinner.

ELENA HART (FL)

Just five more minutes

ELENA HART (FL)

(Whispered, already eyeing the exit)

Then she felt it. A stare. Hot. Heavy. Precise. Her spine prickled. Across the room, through the crowd, behind a curtain of gold-draped elites-he stood.

DEMIAN WOLFE [ML]

(In black. Sharp lines. Unsmiling. Eyes like a winter storm)

ELENA HART (FL)

(Gazes locked)

She didn't blink. Neither did he.

ELENA HART (FL)

Who is that?(murmured)

Ava Monroe [FL best friend]

(Followed her gaze and paled)

Ava Monroe [FL best friend]

No. No, no. Eyes off

ELENA HART (FL)

Why?

Ava Monroe [FL best friend]

That's Damien Wolfe. CEO of Wolfe International. Controls half of global logistics and most of Wall Street's spine

ELENA HART (FL)

(Arched an eyebrow) And?

Ava Monroe [FL best friend]

(Leaned closer)

Ava Monroe [FL best friend]

Rumor is... he buys what he wants. And if he can't buy it, he breaks it.

ELENA HART (FL)

(Laughed nervously) Sounds charming

Ava Monroe [FL best friend]

He's not. Three exes gone dark. One girl vanished after dating him. Literally vanished, like, FBI-kind-of-missing

ELENA HART (FL)

(Looked back)

DEMIAN WOLFE [ML]

(Still watching)

DEMIAN WOLFE [ML]

(Take a Slow, deliberate sip of his drink)

ELENA HART (FL)

(Heartbeat skipped)

DEMIAN WOLFE [ML]

(Started walking toward her)

People moved aside like they felt it too - like they knew not to block the devil in a designer suit.

ELENA HART (FL)

(Breath hitched)

Ava Monroe [FL best friend]

(Grabbed her wrist) Let's go. Now.

But it was too late

DEMIAN WOLFE [ML]

(Stopped in front of her)

Up close, he was worse. Too tall. Too still. Not a man - a storm waiting to choose where to fall.

DEMIAN WOLFE [ML]

Elena Hart. (said, voice smooth like black velvet)

DEMIAN WOLFE [ML]

You look... out of place.

ELENA HART (FL)

(Throat tightened) You know my name?

DEMIAN WOLFE [ML]

(Smiled, slow and wolfish)

DEMIAN WOLFE [ML]

I make it a habit to know things that interest me

ELENA HART (FL)

You don't even know me

DEMIAN WOLFE [ML]

I Will!

A pause

DEMIAN WOLFE [ML]

(Turned to Ava) Thank you for bringing her. You may go!

ELENA HART (FL)

(Blinked) Excuse me?

Ava Monroe [FL best friend]

(Was already walking away -fast, heels clacking like gunshots)

ELENA HART (FL)

(Turned back to him) You can't just-

DEMIAN WOLFE [ML]

I can ! (he said calmly) And I will !

And in that moment, Elena Hart realized something chilling

Damien Wolfe didn't ask

He decided

And he had just decided on her