Chapter 10

Damien

“You’ve lost your mind, Damien!” Gemma’s voice broke through the sound of clinking metal, that echoed in the gym.

She stood near the door, her arms crossed, watching me with a look of frustration in her eyes.

I didn’t stop lifting. “What are you talking about?” I grunted, feeling the strain in my arms as I did another rep.

“You know exactly what I’m talking about,” she shot back. “You don’t eat, you barely sleep, and all you do is obsess over finding that girl. It’s pathetic.”

“I’m not obsessed,” I said through clenched teeth, dropping the dumbbells to the floor with a heavy thud. “She’s important to this gang.”

Gemma scoffed. “In what way? Tell me, Damien, because none of us can see it. She’s just a liability.”

“I owe you no explanations,” I snapped, grabbing a towel and wiping the sweat off my face. “Now leave me alone.”

But Gemma didn’t leave. She stepped closer, her tone softening. “You don’t even care about me anymore, do you?” she murmured, reaching out to touch my arm. “I’ve been here for you through everything, and yet all your focus is on her.”

“Gemma, not now,” I warned, my voice low.

Ignoring me, she leaned in; her face inches from mine. Before I could react, she tried to press her lips to mine, but the door burst open, and one of my men stormed in.

“Boss!” he called out in an urgent voice. “The girl is at the gate. She looks injured.”

My heart skipped a beat. “The girl?” I paused, and the realization hit me. “Allison.”

Without another word, I brushed past Gemma, walking out of my gym.

As I approached the gate, I saw her, and my eyes widened in shock. Blood stained her dress, and she clutched her stomach, barely able to stand.

“Damien,” she said weakly, her eyes locking onto mine.

Something twisted in my chest at the sight of her. Relief, anger, and something else I couldn’t quite name washed over me.

“What happened?” I demanded, stepping closer to examine her wounds.

She winced as she spoke. “After I escaped from Alberto’s men. There was a guy... He said he’d help me find my way to you. He took me to the highlands, and when I didn’t give him what he wanted, he did this.” She gestured to her stomach, her voice breaking.

I clenched my jaw. “Don’t you ever learn? Stop taking help from strangers!”

“Should we call a doctor, boss?” one of my men asked as I peered their way.

“No,” I said firmly. “I’ll handle it.”

Without hesitation, I scooped Allison into my arms and carried her inside. Her body was limp against mine, and I could feel her trembling.

“You know,” I began as we moved through the hallways, “I went after you as soon as I heard Alberto had taken you. I really tried to look for you after you were gone.”

Why did I need to tell her about this? It’s like I wanted her to know that I cared or something.

Fuck! I’m doing it again, acting like a fucking weakling.

“I know you would come after me!” Allison’s voice caught my attention. “I have the feeling that Alberto is still going to look for me and try to…”

“You don’t have to worry about him anymore. He won’t be bothering you—or this gang.” I said in a rogue voice.

She looked up at me, her eyes narrowing. “What do you mean?”

“I killed him,” I said flatly.

She didn’t flinch. It was as if she’d expected it. That reaction unsettled me more than I cared to admit.

Reaching my room, I laid her down gently on the bed and grabbed the first aid kit.

“You need to take off the dress,” I said, my voice matter-of-fact.

Her hands fumbled with the fabric, but she was too weak to manage. Sighing, I helped her, peeling the blood-soaked gown away to reveal her pale skin. My fingers brushed against her stomach as I worked to clean the wound, and I felt an unexpected heat rising in me.

Focus, Damien.

But I couldn’t stop my eyes from straying. The lace of her panties clung to her curves, and memories of that night—her bent over, her round ass—flashed through my mind.

“Fuck,” I muttered under my breath, shaking my head.

“What’s wrong?” she asked, her voice soft.

“Nothing,” I lied, returning to the task at hand. “I was just thinking. Now that Alberto’s gone, his allies will retaliate. But I’m going to make sure we’re ready.”

She nodded weakly. “What’s the plan?”

I straightened up, my work on her wound finished. “Rest now. When you’re stronger, we’ll talk about it. But no mistakes this time, Allison.”

She nodded again, her eyes displaying how exhausted she was.

As I packed away the first aid supplies, I glanced back at her. “I’m glad you’re back,” I said, my voice softer than I intended. “I’ve missed making you suffer.”

Her lips parted as if to respond, but I didn’t give her the chance. I turned and walked out of the room, shutting the door behind me.

Once outside, I leaned against the wall, trying to steady my racing heart.

What the hell is wrong with me?