Chapter 44

Alison

The past few weeks has been a bliss. Damien and I were making out everywhere—against walls, on tables, and even in the backseat of his car when no one was around.

It wasn’t just the physical connection that had me spiraling. It was the way he looked at me, the way he touched me like I was something precious, the way he made me feel like I was the only person who mattered in his world.

I had almost forgotten about Aiden.

Almost forgotten about the mission.

But how could I focus on anything else when Damien had consumed me so completely?

Then, one morning, everything changed.

Damien was getting ready, pulling on a black shirt over his toned body, in a rushed manner. I could tell something was on his mind.

"Where are you going?" I asked, watching him from the bed.

"Mission," he said simply, fastening his watch around his wrist.

"I want to come with you."

He turned to me, his jaw tightening. "No."

I sat up. "Why not?"

"Because it’s dangerous, and I don’t want anything to happen to you," he said firmly.

I was shocked by his words typical Damien wouldn’t hesitate to take me on a mission. I guess things have changed, but despite knowing this I still wanted to come along.

“I feel my presence there would be useful to you,” I told him.

“I said no and I mean it.”

I wanted to protest, to tell him I could handle myself, but the look in his eyes silenced me. This wasn’t up for debate.

"Fine," I muttered, crossing my arms.

His expression softened as he walked over to me, cupping my cheek. "I’ll be back soon."

I leaned into his touch. "Be careful."

He pressed a lingering kiss against my lips before walking out the door.

***

Hours passed. I tried distracting myself, but the silence of the mansion felt suffocating without Damien around.

Then, just as the sun was setting, the front doors burst open.

"Get him inside!" one of Damien’s men barked.

I rushed to the entrance, my heart hammering against my ribs.

Damien was slumped between two of his men. His body was covered in blood and it had marks on them.

His face was swollen, there was a cut above his brow dripping blood down his cheek. His shirt was torn, revealing deep gashes along his torso.

"Damien!" I gasped, running to him.

He winced as I touched his arm. "I’m fine," he muttered, though he was clearly anything but fine.

His men carried him to his room, laying him on the bed before stepping back.

"Leave," Damien ordered, his voice strained.

They hesitated.

"Now," he growled.

The men exchanged glances before nodding and walking out.

Hugh appeared in the doorway, a few steps after they left "What the hell happened to you?"

Damien exhaled sharply. "I don’t need your fake pity, Hugh."

Hugh’s jaw tightened. "You think I don’t care?"

Damien didn’t answer.

Hugh shook his head, his lips pressing into a thin line. "I hate that you won’t forgive me."

Damien’s eyes flashed with anger. "I won’t. Now get out."

Hugh clenched his fists but didn’t argue. With a final look, he turned and walked out.

I moved closer to Damien, sitting on the bed beside him. "Let me help," I said softly.

He exhaled, his shoulders sagging. “Get the first aid kit. It’s in the drawer."

I grabbed it quickly, opening it and pulling out antiseptic and bandages. As I dabbed at his wounds, he barely flinched, his eyes locked on mine.

"What happened?" I asked.

"Got ambushed," he muttered.

“How?” I asked.

“Some men attacked me when I went to the underground club. I recognized the tattoos on them. They belong to Edwardo’s gang and the gang in the west land.

I frowned. "That’s crazy."

"Exactly." He winced as I pressed a cloth to his side. "What I don’t understand is why the two gang are working they don’t even like each other. They never did.”

“Maybe Edwardo struck a deal with them,” I replied.

“No, that’s not it,” Damien replied. “Something is off and I need to find out.”

"I think you shouldn’t handle things alone," I said. "Fix things with Hugh. You need him."

His expression darkened. "Not happening."

I sighed, knowing it was pointless to argue.

"I'm taking a shower," he announced, standing slowly.

I bit my lip, watching him move toward the bathroom. He was hurt, but even now, he carried himself with that same commanding presence.

"Let me help," I offered.

He turned, raising a brow. "You sure about that?"

I nodded.

A slow smirk spread across his lips as he pulled off his ruined shirt. "Then come here."

I stepped into the bathroom with him, closing the door behind me. Steam filled the space as he turned on the water. When he faced me, there was nothing but hunger in his eyes.

"You're injured," I whispered, placing a hand on his chest.

He caught my wrist, pulling me closer. "That doesn’t mean I can’t fuck you."

I shivered at his words.

His lips crashed against mine, and I melted into him.

When he finally pressed into me, I let out a breathless moan, gripping his shoulders as the water cascaded down our bodies.

His name spilled from my lips, and he growled against my skin. "That’s it. Let me hear you."

Everything else disappeared. There was only him.

Afterward, we dried off and climbed into bed. Damien fell asleep quickly.

I lay beside him, tracing light circles on his chest, listening to the steady rhythm of his breathing.

Then, my phone vibrated.

My heart stopped.

Aiden.

I carefully slid out of bed, making sure not to wake Damien, as I slipped out of the room.

Guilt slapped me across the face as I looked at my phone screen. Me and Damien’s time together replayed in my head as I walked down the hall, and all of a sudden my father’s face crossed my mind.

I could hear him calling me a betrayer.

He was right. I was sleeping with the enemy. How stupid can I be?

However, deep down, I knew this wasn’t stupidity this was love. I had fallen for Damien.