Chapter 42

Damien

I sat in my study, my fingers drumming against the desk as one of my men spoke.

“His name is Willis Archer.”

I glanced up. “Archer?”

He nodded. “Yeah. The only son of Jacob Archer—the famous drug dealer.”

I leaned back in my chair. “Jacob Archer died in a fire years ago. I remember it clearly. His wife and son were in the car.”

“Turns out the son survived,” he said. “And now he’s here. He moved into the city a week ago. He’s staying at a motel near the mansion.”

I exhaled sharply. Jacob Archer. That name hadn’t crossed my mind in years. Mr. Archer and my uncle had been close once. They did business together. I had met him a handful of times.

But when he tried to double-cross my uncle, that was the end of it. My uncle cut him off, and not long after that, the fire happened. I thought that was the end of the Archer family. Clearly, I was wrong.

“Did you find out who he’s working with?” I asked.

The man shook his head. “Not yet. But I’ll dig deeper.”

“Good. I want everything—who he talks to, where he goes, who comes in and out of that motel room. There’s something he’s after.”

“Yes, boss.” He turned and left.

I sank back in my chair, rubbing my temples.

“It’s crazy how he managed to sneak into the mansion without being seen.” Hugh’s voice broke through the silence.

“Hmm!” I gave him a simple answer. I was still mad at him.

“Still angry?” Hugh’s asked

I didn’t look at him. “No.”

“Liar.”

I scoffed. “You have no right to call me that. You also have no right to ask me if I’m angry when you clearly crossed the line.”

“It’s high time you let things go.” Hugh pointed out.

I growled. “A betrayal so deep can’t be easily let go.”

“You’re sounding like I stabbed you in the back.”

“What does it look like?” I snarled.

Hugh sighed. “I was only doing what was right.”

I finally looked at him. “And I told you I had it under control. But you didn’t trust me.”

Silence.

Hugh shifted on his feet. “I want us to put all this aside. We have bigger issues in front of us, and being divided would cost us.”

I stiffened. “I’m not putting this aside. You should have thought of the consequences your actions would bring before you took them. Now, it’s too late.”

“The enemy has made its way to our home Damien. This our feud needs to end.” Hugh said.

I didn’t reply. I kept my face stern.

“Fine, I admit what I did was wrong. I shouldn’t have double-crossed you. I should have listened to you.”

I stayed silent, turning my eyes away from him.

“I want my friend back!“ he declared. “I really do.”

I clenched my jaw. “I don’t want to hear it.”

Hugh exhaled heavily. “Look, I regret what I did, alright? But if that means you’ll see me as a monster from now on, then fine. That’s the price I’ll pay but don’t let your anger cause bigger problems for us.”

I said nothing. I just stood up and walked away.

“Damien!” Hugh called, but I didn’t look back.

***

I found Alison in her room, standing in nothing but her underwear. I froze taking a moment to observe and flashes from yesterday crawled into my mind.

She turned to face me, completely unaware of what she was doing to me. “What’s going on?” she asked. “I saw some of the men carrying a dead body.”

I tore my gaze away from her body. “Someone broke into the mansion.”

“That’s terrible!” She said as she reached for her dress.

I didn’t want her to put it on but I couldn’t stop her either.

“Do you know who sent the person?” She asked, and gulped as I took in her round arse which would forever be my weakness.

“I don’t.” I forced myself to speak as I pulled my eyes away from her arse and placed it on her face.

“Well, that’s—“ her voice trailed off. I tried to focus on her words, but my mind kept drifting—to the last time I had her in my arms. The way she tasted. The way she felt under me. The way my tongue—

Fuck.

Maybe Hugh was right. I was playing a dangerous game.

I let out a heavy sigh. The truth was, I couldn’t stop thinking about her. No matter how much I tried to push her away, she kept pulling me back in. And now, as I watched her slip her dress over her body, the fabric clinging to every curve, I knew I couldn’t fight it anymore.

I locked the door.

Alison turned, eyes narrowing. “What are you doing?”

I didn’t answer. I just walked toward her.

She took a step back. “Damien—”

I grabbed her waist and crashed my lips against hers.

She gasped but didn’t resist. Her hands flew to my chest, gripping my shirt as I deepened the kiss.

I poured everything into it—every ounce of frustration, every moment of restraint, every damn thought I had of her that refused to leave my head.

My hands roamed down her back, pulling her closer, and pressing her against me.

Then, suddenly, she shoved me away.

I blinked.

She shook her head. “No. I’m not doing this.”

I clenched my fists. “What?”

“I’m not going to let you play this game with me.”

I frowned.

“You keep pulling me in, Damien. And then you push me away. Every single time.” She took a shaky breath. “I can’t do it anymore.”

I stepped forward. “I’m not pulling away this time.”

“I need you, Alison!” I pointed out. “I need you now!”