chapter 1

The weather was harsh outside, the downpour started in the early evening and continued through the night, a heavy pelting of water that thundered against rooftops and drowned out the sound of all else, yet he didn't raise his head from under the pile of unattended files surrounding his mahogany desk. Darkness had settled itself around him, the only light came through his laptop screen, his eyes fixed on the sleek gadget, sophisticated fingers typing away at the keypad. 

His sole focus was on what was being presented on the screen as the howling of winds, pitter-patter of rain and the thundering sky didn't steal his attention. Alone at the office was where he found his peace. But that night something didn't feel alright, and he sensed it, yet had no time to ponder on the uneasiness. 

Whatever the circumstances, his work came first, and every single acquaintance of his knew it very well. He never liked compromising with his work. His sophistication and dedication never let him fail at anything. He was someone who had everything the world had to offer at the very age of twenty-six. Never had to chase after love, fame, money, or girls. Girls kissed the ground he walked yet he never spared them a glance, way too occupied with the empire his father left him. 

As the clouds roared and lightning flashed across the sky, the rain ran down the window, the streets gleamed stark with the water filling the puddles. He spared a second to glance at the frantic weather, before heaving a deep sigh, exhausted and worked up. 

How much he missed the days his family used to enjoy rain together. A small smile involuntary stretched across his lips as the flashes of distant memories flooded his mind. It was painful how he wished to bring back his family together but deep down he knew it was next to impossible. That moment he realized how his work had burdened him, how it had brought him far away from his beloved family members that were the only ones left after the tragic demise of his father. How he drifted apart from his baby sister as the years passed by, and the look she used to give him of utter disappointment was etched to his brain. She wasn't wrong at all, he was surely a disappointment. 

Before he could drag himself into the hollow of self-pity, shrill voice of telephone beside his chair drew his attention, and with a deep frown he cautiously picked up the receiver, knowing very well he would be at the receiving end of his mother's wrath for skipping dinner at her place. 

"Mom." He acknowledged leisurely, but the moment he heard his mother's worrisome voice from behind the phone, he sat up straight, a deep frown marring his sharp, yet beautiful features. 

"Damon? Thank goodness you picked up my call. I was trying to reach you for the past two hours son..." She trailed off, and he drew a breath. 

"What is wrong mom? Is everything alright?" He couldn't help but worry, flashes of worst scenarios invading his mind. 

"No son. Lucy has not yet reached home." The panic in her voice was clear as water and he stood up abruptly the same concern seeping into him. 

"What? What do you mean mom?" 

"Yes, son. Her phone is off and I am unable to reach her or the driver." Her voice shook at the end. I closed my eyes, trying not to smash anything in front of me. 

"Rhodes was with her mom. Don't worry I will bring her home. Okay?" He picked up his car keys and mobile phone at the same time assuring his mother, who was on the verge of spilling tears. 

Ending the call, he shut down his laptop before rushing out of the 'Lysander's building without giving a thought to the rain pouring down, wetting his expensive clothes. 

At that moment, nothing mattered to him except his sister's safety. Reversing his car through the empty parking lot he drove straight out on the deserted roads, drenched in heavy rain. 

With one hand on the wheel, he dialed Rhodes's number but as if the luck was not in his favor, his phone was switched off too. Slamming onto the steering wheel, he let out an exasperated growl, his demons clawing at his insides, begging to be freed. 

He was helpless, at that time of the hour, he was aimlessly driving through the empty roads just to catch a glimpse of his sister's car. The rain coming steadily and coldly against the windshield and rattled on the roof of the car

He was then doubtful, eyebrows scrunched together, as he tried hard to remember even the minute details that could give him benefit of the doubt. 

Dialing another number that was thankfully picked up at the third ring, he barked out. 

"Salim I need Rhodes location right now!" 

"On it boss." Came the firm voice of Rhodes's assistant. 

He sighed, at least he was wrong for having second thoughts about Rhodes. He must be stuck somewhere, it wasn't like him at all to keep his phone powered off. 

"Sir his car's GPS indicates he is 12km away from you, heading south and taking a first left turn to..." 

"To where?" He asserted, impatient.

"To the city hospital." Salim completed, and for a second Damon's heart stopped pumping blood to his body. 

"What the fuck? Hospital?" He shouted at no one in particular, his hold tightening around the steering wheel. 

"Yes, boss," Salim replied despite the fact it wasn't directed at him. 

"Okay I am driving to the hospital and I need you there as well in fifteen." He ordered before cutting the call and concentrating fully on driving as to not crash into a tree or a car.

An incoming call drew his attention and he relaxed looking at the name on display that read Rhodes. 

"Boss." He sounded frantic to him and he again stiffened in the seat. 

"Why are you at the hospital, Rhodes? What happened?" He demanded in his hard voice that left no room for a sleazy talk. 

Rhodes was not surprised at the fact how his employer knew where he was at. After all, he was Damon Lysander, nothing got hidden from his hawk-like eyes. 

"Boss.." Rhodes hesitated a little before speaking. "Boss Ms. Lysander met with an accident, I am currently outside the OT, she is being taken care of." Although Rhodes tried hard to control the shakiness in his voice, he failed miserably. 

If Damon didn't learn to control his emotions, he would be in tears just listening to her sister's condition. But he knew better, he couldn't cry, he won't, he chanted in his brain. 

"Consider yourself dead Rhodes." He took a sharp turn to the left, the broad sign of hospital now visible. "I am just outside."

Lucy was in danger, currently being treated. That moment he wished he would have listened to her and took her to the mall himself. 

He again realized, he was a disappointment. Damon Lysander had everything but what he had the most were his insecurities, that he couldn't ever let go of. 

///

Rushing through the corridors of the hospitals that stank of melancholy and gloom, he found his way to the OT the kind nurse had guided him to. 

Upon reaching near the doors he caught sight of Rhodes standing limply against the wall. Rage ran through his nerves as he marched over to where he stood and grabbed his collar. 

"You had one fucking job to keep my sister safe but you failed Rhodes." Damon snarled right on his face, fury blurred his senses and before he knew it, he was punching him to the point he laid lifeless, bruises marring his face along with the blood from the wounds caused by the accident. 

"Sir what are you doing? Sir?" The familiar feminine voice drew his attention and he couldn't help but rake his eyes all over her petite body. 

"Sir this man was already injured and you made it worst. I am sorry if you don't stop I'll have to call the security." Every word that came out of her mouth sent cold chills down his spine. 

He didn't mind her hard tone that didn't sound hard at all but sweet and melodious. 

Two other nurses rushed to Rhodes's aid before putting him onto the stretcher and wheeling him away from the brooding man. 

He didn't understand why but the cold look the pretty nurse gave him was not something he liked, he concluded. He somehow didn't want her to be disappointed in him too. 

His sister was inside the OT for fuck's sake but here he was eyeing a nurse most probably imposed with his sister's case. 

"What happened to her?" He demanded an immediate answer to his question as he looked blankly at the nurse who had clipped papers in her hands. 

"We cannot conclude at the moment, sir." She walked near him. "Here. Kindly fill these papers. Also do you by any chance happen to know the man that was just taken away?" She asked cautiously. 

Damon filled in the useless form, waiting outside on the uncomfortable and cold chairs before nodding his head, as he looked into her honey brown eyes straight. 

"Yes, he works for me." He spoke authoritatively.

"Alright, so please fill this out as well." She again handed a couple of papers.

He obediently signed, too tired to argue. He needed to call my mother. She must be worried sick for her only precious daughter. But he knew he couldn't just tell her about Lucy's accident. She won't be able to bear it. 

Walking away from the doors of the operation theater, he called her and informed her about Lucy, coming up with a lie at the moment was much better given his mom's weak heart after his father's death. After assuring his mother about his sister's stay at his place he cut the call and made his way back to the chairs, this time he found Salim sitting there in a frenzied state. 

Now he realized his drenched state and took off his coat which was sticking to him like a second skin. The rain was still pouring hard but at that moment nothing mattered to him. 

His baby sister was fighting her death inside and he couldn't do anything except pray and hope she was safe and away from all danger.

Rhodes had been shifted to a private room and was sleeping under the effect of the drugs while he and Salim waited for an update regarding Lucy's health. 

"What is taking so long?" He snapped at the nurse that stepped out of the OT. 

"Sir you need to be patient. We need to operate on her as she crushed half of her hip bone. Her condition is unwell as we speak." She professionally spoke but the ground slipped from beneath Damon's feet at her details. 

"You need to sign at the bottom to consent to the operation." She handed him another set of papers, for the first time in his life he ever signed any papers without reading thoroughly. All that roamed around his head was how his sister was bearing so much. 

Anxiously waiting there, he just prayed, she comes out healthy like before. 

"Salim! Find out who is behind this." Damon seethed, deadly. His eyes turning a darker shade of blue. 

He knew who was behind this very well. Jeremy Lincoln never failed to rocket his hate for him. 

All now he needed were clues. Clues to take down the man he loathed from the bottom of his heart. The man who was solely the reason why his precious little sister fighting for her life. Just because of one person. He wouldn't sit calmly before he has that Jeremy Lincoln in front of him on his knees.