Tarnished

Author's Note: Hi friends- the spicy chapters are going to have the 🔥 emoji. There are depictions of domestic violence/assault and explicit scenes throughout the story. Hope you enjoy! Reactions, comments and reviews are always helpful if you feel so inclined to leave any! ♡

FYI to those in particular that use cell phones- each chapter is nearly 2,500 words and you may need to click the page at the very bottom of the chapter to read the remainder of the chapter!

Arra

It's almost over- it's almost over-

You repeat to yourself over and over as Drake pounds into you from behind. The air filled with the sounds of slapping skin and his huffs and grunts. Your body bent over the end of the countertop, you grip the sides and keep your face down, whimpering in pain- not pleasure.

But that's how he seems to like it- and you know no different.

He has a death grip on your hips and as he stabs his fingers into you- you know he's close.

"Ah-" he grunts as he releases into the condom. He quickly pulls from you and tosses the condom in the trash as he walks away to take a shower.

You stand up straight, sighing in relief as he leaves the room. Your body aching from the unwanted assault. You walk into the bathroom across the house and strip to scrub yourself clean of his scent.

Who knew this is what married life would be like.

You think to yourself for what seems like the millionth time. Your relationship has never been spectacular, but within the last year it's practically crashed into nothing. There are no emotions- no connection between you and Drake.

It's only the second year of marriage and at 24 years old you thought you'd be happy and having children by now. Being with Drake since you were just 20 brought a lot of disappointment- but maybe that's just what relationships were. Being with someone who couldn't measure up to the idea of love you held close to your chest.

Drake has always been well off, coming from a wealthy family and all. He's fairly handsome- but when it comes to romance there is no spark. There never has been- making you often wonder how you got here.

You and Drake seemingly melded into each other's lives via friend groups and parent's expectations. Romance- not included. But everyone thought you were so cute together and eventually you agreed to date him.

After a hot shower you go to your room to get dressed for the day.

"I'm leaving tonight, but I'll be back next week," Drake says casually as he puts on his suit jacket.

You look over at him half-heartedly and nod without a word, pulling on your new pencil skirt and blouse as you get ready for work.

"Who are you wearing that for?" Drake asks, now hovering over you as you roll up your pantyhose.

"What?" You ask frowning up at him.

"This is new- this outfit. Who are you trying to impress?" He asks as he eyes you up and down.

"Drake- don't be ridiculous," you scoff as you stand up to get your heels from the walk-in closet.

"Arra-" he snaps as he pulls your arm hard to spin you around to face him.

"Ow, Drake what the hell!?" You yell as you nearly fall down, but his strong grip holds you up. His eyes are hateful and dead inside, the epitome of who he is when he has no audience.

"Don't make me ask you twice," he commands as he holds you there staring into your soul.

"Drake! Let go you're hurting me!" You shout as you try to get away, but he doesn't allow it. He grabs you with both hands on your arms and holds you there, his fingers digging into your skin beneath your long sleeve blouse.

"Answer the fucking question, Arra," he shouts in your face.

"It's just a new outfit, it's not for anyone, but me!" You yell as your eyes pool with tears you can't contain. You try desperately, but there's no use, you let them fall as he drops you to the floor.

"It better only be for you- if I find out there's someone else, you'll be sorry," he spits as he exits the room and you hear the front door slam behind him.

You cry silently on the floor as you bury your face in your hands- arms bruising from his grip on you. Matching the aches you have on your hips from earlier.

This big house your own personal torture chamber that you can't seem to escape.Your parents urged you to marry Drake, not knowing how he was behind closed doors. You were young and naive- quickly believing the wolf in sheep's clothing. And also believing that your idea of love was just romanticized- it doesn't exist in real life.

He pretended to be something he wasn't, until you were in too deep to back out. He first showed his true colors about a year into your relationship, when you realized how controlling he had become about who you could be friends with. Or even where you could go. He had to know everything before it happened. And then on your wedding night, the cherry on top. Smashing cake in your face after you had been adamant you didn't want him to ruin your dress or makeup.

Everyone else saw a playful moment, but you only saw betrayal and anger. Ever since then the relationship has been rocky, but now it's just dead. He's purely controlling and selfish- only ever worried about what he wants and how you can serve him.

Luckily, he's let you work- you're sure it's just so he knows what you're doing and at what hours. Though you only work for your brother, maintaining the position as an Account Executive at his security technology company.

You get in your car after fixing yourself up and head off to work. Once there, you park in your usual parking spot and exit the vehicle. As you approach the entrance you notice a large attractive man, accompanied by two other large men going inside the building.

Our new potential client.

You think, checking the time to confirm you have 20 minutes before the meeting. You walk quickly to catch the elevator to avoid making yourself even more late- but the door begins shutting before you're in reach of it.

Suddenly a hand flies up and catches the door- the door retreats and reveals the large man from the entrance. His eyes find yours, and they quickly glance at you from head to toe. His face expression is unchanging as you enter the elevator with a small smile, cheeks flushed-

Good Lord he is beautiful.



"Thank you for holding it," you say catching your breath and calming your breathing. With him and his two large companions, you have nowhere to go besides standing in front of him. You tuck your hands with your briefcase in front of you as you look up at the selected number 10- as you ascend to the top floor. Your back to him as he says in a deep rumble-

"You're welcome."

You suddenly feel the hairs on the back of your neck stand as his presence seems to draw nearer to you- you swear you can feel his breath just above your head. You clear your throat and shuffle on your feet uncomfortably.

You feel suffocated- it's stuffy now as you take quick breaths in your nose and out your mouth quietly. You stand up straighter, squaring your shoulders- forcing yourself to remain in place even as your knees seem to grow weak.

Ding

The doors fly open and you quickly make your way to the meeting room, the fresh rush of air filling your lungs and you sigh in relief. As you swing the door open, your brother and the rest of the meeting team are finding their seats. He meets your eyes and you mouth-

Sorry I'm late

As you find your seat next to him. He looks to you- concerned with his knitted brows as he sits down and studies your face. You ignore his gaze as you take out your notes, writing pad and pen to prepare for this meeting.

"Arra-" he says quietly as he leans over to you.

"I'm fine-" you cut him off with a sharp stare and then there's a knock at the door. In walks Sarah, the secretary, as she leads the large men from the elevator in the room.

"Mr. Sterling is here for your 9:00 o'clock, Mr. Blackburn," she says as she smiles at your brother.

Everyone stands as he enters, his frame filling the doorway. His black hair styled back, faded on the sides but slightly longer on top. His black suit crisp and clean, the shining watch on his wrist seemingly freshly polished. His very presence oozes money and power.

He looks around the room briefly until his fierce blue eyes land on yours. You give a small smile and gulp down the racing heart in your chest.

His lips twitch as if he might smile back, but he doesn't.

"Hello, Mr. Sterling- pleasure to meet you," your brother says as he walks to him and extends his hand for a firm shake.

"Hello, let's get started, I don't have a lot of time," he says voice clipped as he moves to sit down at his end of the table.

Victor

You sit in the seat; hands folded in front of you as you watch Mr. Blackburn sit and look to you. He's an average built man, nothing special- but his security is top tier from what you understand.

"I'd like a 24/7 security system set up at my estate as soon as possible," you say without breaking eye contact from him.

"And if I'm impressed by the security at my estate- I will also extend the deal to my businesses."

He leans forward, ushering his team to pass paperwork to you. You look at it and look back to him-

"You expect me to read all of this right now?" You ask with a raised brow, annoyed because you don't have time for this.

"No, sir. We will send copies of everything to your team, but my team can briefly explain the details to you now," he says unapologetically.

"You'll be working directly with Arra Craig- your Account Executive. She will oversee everything at the installation," he explains and motions towards her.

The woman from earlier shifts in her seat as your eyes find hers again, her face flushes and her breathing picks up.

You maintain an unchanging expression as you delight in her uncomfortable movements under your cold stare.

Beautiful

You think- and that she is, but married as you noticed earlier. The rock on her finger is gaudy, but some people have that taste. Your cock twitches at the thought of pinning her against the wall of the elevator- where you couldn't help, but loom over her. Watching her wiggle under your presence only made you that much more tempted.

You listen to their team explain details of the contract with you regarding security breaches, access to privacy, alarm systems- the whole bit.

You agree to sign the document once your team has looked it over and stand, buttoning your suit jacket.

"I expect to see the installation finished by this weekend," you command as you move to exit the room without another word.

You get into your waiting SUV as you leave to take care of the mess left at home as your now ex-wife moves out. Under the surveillance of your men, of course.

You take a glass of whiskey and gulp it down as you head towards the estate, knowing the headache that lies ahead.

Arra

You step into your brother Edward's office at his request as the meeting came to an end. You sit quietly as he eyes you from across his desk, his hand rubbing his jaw as he thinks of what to say.

"Arra- what's going on?" He asks as he sighs and looks to you for an answer.

You frown slightly and shift in your seat, clear your throat and say, "what do you mean?"

He looks at you, creasing his brow, "this is the third time you've nearly been late to a meeting for your clients."

You fold your hands in your lap and look at him for a moment before responding, "Drake kept me- it won't happen again."

He eyes you suspiciously before nodding and releasing you from his office. Just as you're standing to leave, he says-

"I'll need you to go to Mr. Sterling's house tomorrow to oversee that everything goes smoothly," he directs as he looks to his computer screen.

"Yes- I will be there," you reply as you exit the office.

Your phone buzzes with a message as you sit at your desk, inputting information regarding your clients- specifically Mr. Sterling. You absentmindedly grab the phone to see who it's from-

Hm, an unknown number

You open the screen to check it-

?: I need the installation started tonight.

You: who is this?

?: Victor Sterling

Your pace quickens- shit how did he get my number?

You: How did you get my number?

Victor: see you soon, Arra.

You huff, annoyed as you open your door to ask Sarah-

"Did you give Mr. Sterling my personal number?"

She turns to look at you over her glasses, "yes- he requested to have it in case of emergencies," she says simply as she looks back to her screen.

You shut the door back and pinch the bridge of your nose in frustration.

Drake is going to be so pissed if he finds out.

You grab the phone and angrily hit the call button- I'll be damned if he thinks he's going to just overstep a boundary.

He answers-

"Mr. Sterling- it is inappropriate to have my personal num-"

"Arra," He says, voice gruff and clipped.

"Y-yes?"

"Listen, Arra- I need you to start the installation ASAP as I have a security problem as we speak. So, I'll either see you shortly or call another company and cancel the contract," he threatens with a growl.

You glance quickly at the contract term and amount- shit. It's too much to lose.

You grit your teeth, "yes- Mr. Sterling, we will have a team come out shortly."

And you hang up the phone- jackass.

You make arrangements for a team to head to his home as you pack up and get ready to go.

Let's get this over with. You mutter to yourself as you leave to oversee the installation.