RUTHLESS VOWS

Chapter One – A Job with the Devil

Sienna Carter had one goal-revenge.

The towering Blackwood Enterprises building loomed over Manhattan like a throne carved from glass and steel. It was sleek, modern, and powerful-just like the man who owned it.

Adrian Blackwood.

The name alone sent a bitter chill down Sienna's spine. He was the reason her father had lost everything, the reason their family had crumbled. And now, after years of careful planning, she was stepping right into his lair, playing the perfect role of an ambitious young professional eager to prove herself.

The massive revolving doors spun slowly as she stepped inside. The air-conditioned lobby was cold, sterile, and filled with the scent of polished wood, fresh coffee, and expensive cologne. It was a world so different from the one she had grown up in-a world of wealth, power, and ruthless ambition.

She adjusted the strap of her black leather bag, keeping her grip firm to stop her hands from shaking.

This wasn't fear. No, she refused to call it that.

It was adrenaline-the kind that coursed through a person's veins before a high-stakes game. Because that's what this was. A game.

And she intended to win.

---

The Woman with a Plan

Sienna Carter was twenty-six years old, standing at 5'7" with a slender yet toned frame-just enough to look graceful but strong. Her dark auburn hair cascaded in loose waves past her shoulders, framing a face that was both delicate and fierce. High cheekbones, full lips, and a sharp, slightly upturned nose gave her an air of elegance, but it was her hazel eyes-a striking mix of green and gold-that truly set her apart.

Those eyes had once been filled with warmth and innocence. Now, they held nothing but determination and fire.

She had been raised in privilege, once a girl who never had to worry about finances, until Adrian Blackwood had ruined her father. She had watched her family fall from grace, her mother grow sick with stress, her father sink into despair and disgrace.

She had vowed, even as a teenager, that one day she would make Adrian pay.

And today was that day.

---

The King's Throne

The private elevator ride to the top floor was silent, but her heart wasn't. It pounded with each floor she ascended, echoing in her ears like war drums.

As the doors slid open, she stepped into a world that screamed power.

The office was an empire of dark wood, steel, and glass. Floor-to-ceiling windows stretched across the back wall, offering a breathtaking view of the New York skyline. Shelves lined with expensive books and whiskey bottles stood like silent witnesses to the deals made in this room.

But none of that compared to the man standing by the window.

Adrian Blackwood.

At thirty-two, Adrian exuded an undeniable aura of control. He stood at an intimidating 6'3", broad-shouldered with a powerful, lean frame built like a man who knew how to dominate a room. His dark hair was thick and perfectly styled, short at the sides with just enough length on top for a hint of rebellion.

But it was his eyes that captivated and unsettled.

A deep, piercing stormy gray, they were the kind of eyes that saw everything-that could strip a person down to their very soul. Sharp, calculating, always assessing.

His jawline was strong and chiseled, with just the barest hint of stubble. His lips were firm, rarely ever curving into anything that resembled warmth.

He was dressed in a charcoal-gray suit, tailored to perfection. His jacket rested on the back of a leather chair, his white dress shirt unbuttoned at the collar, revealing a sliver of tanned skin. His sleeves were rolled up, exposing powerful forearms-an image of effortless dominance.

He didn't turn immediately. He stood there, gazing out at his kingdom like an emperor surveying his empire.

Sienna swallowed, her breath catching for half a second before she forced herself back into control.

Then, he turned.

Their eyes met.

And for a brief, dangerous moment, the world seemed to still.

His gaze was sharp, dark, and unreadable.

"Sienna Carter," he murmured, as if tasting her name on his tongue. "You're early."

She forced a polite smile. "I believe in making a strong first impression."

One dark brow arched. "Do you now?"

He studied her, taking his time, as if dissecting her layer by layer.

She met his gaze, unwavering. She refused to be the first to break.

Adrian gestured toward the black leather chair across from his desk. "Sit."

She obeyed, smoothing out the fabric of her fitted navy-blue dress as she crossed her legs. Her heels clicked against the floor-sharp, deliberate, a reminder that she belonged in this space.

Adrian leaned back in his chair, fingers steepled together. "Your résumé is impressive."

She waited. There was always a but.

"But..." His lips curved, just slightly. "I don't hire assistants based on qualifications alone."

She tilted her head slightly. "Then what do you base it on?"

His smile didn't reach his eyes. "Loyalty. Discretion. The ability to keep up."

Keep up?

Sienna's stomach tightened. This wasn't a normal interview. He was testing her, studying her every reaction.

"I can handle whatever this job requires," she said smoothly.

Adrian's gaze flickered-just for a second. A brief, unreadable glint of something.

"We'll see about that."

Without another word, he picked up his phone and pressed a button.

"Lena, cancel my three o'clock. I have a new assistant to evaluate."

A rush of cold washed over Sienna's skin.

This wasn't an interview anymore.

It was initiation.

---

The Test Begins

Adrian leaned back, his fingers drumming against the desk. "Tell me, Miss Carter, do you handle pressure well?"

She held his gaze. "I thrive under pressure."

"Good." He tapped his watch. "You have fifteen minutes to schedule a private jet to Chicago, organize a dinner reservation at Monroe's for six, and reschedule my morning meetings without clashing with existing appointments."

Her pulse kicked up.

But she didn't hesitate.

She reached for the tablet on the desk, quickly pulling up Blackwood Enterprises' internal scheduling system. Her fingers flew across the screen as she located Adrian's itinerary, noting the small gaps between his obligations.

Within seconds, she was dialing the private jet service, speaking with crisp efficiency.

"Blackwood Enterprises requires a Gulfstream G650 to be ready for departure at four-thirty this afternoon to O'Hare. No delays. Ensure a priority landing slot."

She didn't ask-she commanded.

The operator on the other end stammered a quick "Yes, Miss Carter."

One down.

She moved onto the next task, dialing Monroe's-a Michelin-starred restaurant notorious for being booked months in advance.

"This is Sienna Carter, calling on behalf of Adrian Blackwood. I need a private dining room for six at precisely six o'clock tonight."

"I'm sorry, ma'am, but we're-"

Sienna didn't let the manager finish.

"Perhaps I should clarify," she said smoothly. "This isn't a request. It's an expectation. I'd hate for Mr. Blackwood to take his business elsewhere."

Silence. Then, a rushed, "Of course, Miss Carter. We'll make arrangements."

Done.

Her final task-rescheduling his morning meetings. She analyzed his schedule, shifting each appointment with surgical precision, ensuring no overlaps or wasted time.

By the time she set the tablet down, only seven minutes had passed.

Adrian had been watching her the entire time.

Now, he smiled-a slow, calculating curve of his lips.

"Interesting."

Sienna exhaled quietly, masking her triumph.

This was only the beginning.

And she had just won the first round.