Chapter 40

Alison

My heart was still pounding, and my mind kept replaying what happened some seconds ago. It was as if I was stuck in a loop.

The feeling of Damien’s hands on mine drew me out of my thoughts. He held my hands which was bleeding, staring closely at it.

He muttered some words to himself then he moved towards the drawer, pulling out a first aid kit.

His hands were gentle as he wrapped a bandage around my hand.

“Hold still!” He instructed.

I noticed that his eyes had darkened and he looked like he wanted to hurt whoever had attacked me. Maybe it was all in my head.

“I shouldn’t have left you alone,” Damien said in a low tone.

I was about to speak but he beat it to you. “Do you know who is behind it? Were you able to see the person’s face?”

“I—I wasn’t,” I admitted. “Like I had told you some seconds ago the person was wearing a hoodie and when I yelled he ran out.”

Before Damien could respond, the door swung open, and Hugh stepped inside.

Damien turned to face him, his entire body tense. “What do you want?”

“I came to see what the commotion was!” Hugh replied.

“Or you can come to check if your plans worked.” Damien took a step away from me, as he made his way towards Hugh’s direction.

Hugh however, looked confused, and as I stared at him I was reminded that this was the same man who tried to kill me some hours ago.

I gulped hard, and suddenly I started moving uncontrollably.

Damien who had tilted his head in my direction seemed to have noticed my uncontrolled movements.

The anger in his eyes grew and he turned to face Hugh.

“I’m sure you are behind this. Look at how shaken up she is.” He spoke and Hugh still looked as confused as he was some seconds ago.

“I have no fucking idea what you are talking about.”

“Stop pretending! I know you are the one who planned the attack on Alison.”

Hugh scoffed. “Are you kidding me?”

“After you have gone behind my back to hurt her you still aren’t satisfied that’s why you decided to do this,” Damien said coldly.

Hugh clenched his jaw. “Just because I made one mistake doesn’t mean I’m behind every damn thing that happens.”

I watched the way Damien stared at him, the lack of trust in his eyes could clearly be seen.

“You brought this upon yourself.” Damien spat.

Hugh exhaled sharply. “I didn’t fucking attack her, and I don’t care if you believe if I’m saying the truth or not.”

He turned and walked out without another word.

I expected Damien to go after him, but he didn’t. Instead, he turned back to me. “I still have this feeling he planned it.”

I shook my head. “Are you sure because he looks pretty confused.”

“He is only putting on an act!” Damien pointed out. “These days, it’s hard to predict Hugh.”

He was right. I never imagined that Hugh would one day point a gun at me. I knew he hated me but his actions were unexpected or in Damien’s words unpredictable.

Damien’s jaw tightened. “You know I really regret leaving you alone. I should have stayed.”

“It’s not your fault.”

“It is,” he said, voice low. “And I’m going to find out who did this. And when I do, I’ll skin them alive.”

He turned toward the doorway and barked an order to one of his men who happened to be passing by. “Search the premises. I want to know if anyone saw anything.”

After giving the order, he shut the door and walked back to me, his presence filling the space.

“I’m staying close,” he murmured. “He’s not going to touch you again. I won’t let him.”

“Why do you care so much?” I blurted out, regretting my words afterward.

“Because you’re mine to protect.”

My lips parted slightly, but I didn’t say anything.

Damien’s words had caught me off guard and all I could do was stare at him.

From the corner of my eyes, I watched as Damien slid onto the bed beside me, wrapping me in his arms.

The warmth of his body seeped into mine, and I felt a strange sense of comfort.

His hold was strong. Protective.

I turned to face him. And for the first time, my mind didn’t remind me that I was married. It didn’t urge me to pull away.

It was like Aiden didn’t exist and Damien had claimed my world

I found myself staring at him, tracing the sharp lines of his face. His hands, resting against my back, were large, warm, and seemed to chase away the cold air that rattled the curtains.

Something about the way he held me made my chest tighten.

“Damien,” I whispered.

He looked down at me. “What is it?”

I didn’t think.

I didn’t hesitate.

I just said it.

“Fuck me.”