THE KING’S PROTECTION
1579 Words
The explosion shook the mansion.
Serena screamed as the lights went out.
For a moment, there was nothing but darkness.
Then Damian’s arms wrapped around her waist.
“Stay close.”
His voice was calm.
Too calm.
Serena could hear gunfire outside.
“Damian…”
“I’m here.”
Another explosion sounded in the distance.
She instinctively grabbed his shirt.
His hand moved to the back of her head, pulling her against his chest.
“Don’t look outside.”
“I can’t see anything anyway.”
“Good.”
She could feel his heartbeat beneath her cheek.
Steady.
Controlled.
Nothing like hers.
“Are you scared?” he asked.
“Yes.”
“Good.”
She lifted her head.
“Good?”
“Fear keeps you alive.”
A faint emergency light came on.
For the first time, Serena saw his face clearly.
His jaw was tense.
His eyes were dark.
He looked dangerous.
But when he looked at her, something softened.
“You’re safe,” he said.
She swallowed.
“Because of you?”
“Because I won’t let anyone touch you.”
The words sent a strange warmth through her.
Serena immediately stepped away.
“Don’t say things like that.”
“Why?”
“Because you make it sound like…”
“Like what?”
She looked away.
“Nothing.”
Damian’s mouth curved slightly.
“You’re blushing.”
“I am not.”
“You are.”
She glared at him.
“You’re annoying.”
“And you’re beautiful when you’re angry.”
Her heart skipped.
“Damian.”
“What?”
“Stop.”
He smiled.
“For now.”
THE ATTACK
A door slammed somewhere upstairs.
Damian’s expression changed instantly.
“Stay here.”
He moved toward the hallway.
Serena grabbed his arm.
“No.”
He looked at her hand.
“You don’t want me to go?”
“I don’t want you to get hurt.”
For a moment, he simply stared at her.
Then he gently removed her hand.
“I’ll be back.”
He disappeared into the darkness.
Serena stood alone.
She could hear footsteps.
Shouting.
Then silence.
A few minutes later, Damian returned.
There was a small cut above his eyebrow.
Serena rushed toward him.
“You’re bleeding.”
“It’s nothing.”
She reached for a nearby cloth.
“Sit down.”
He raised an eyebrow.
“You’re giving me orders?”
“Yes.”
He sat.
Serena carefully cleaned the cut.
“You could have been killed.”
Damian watched her.
“I wasn’t.”
“That isn’t the point.”
“What is?”
She looked into his eyes.
“I don’t want you to die.”
The room became silent.
Damian’s gaze dropped to her lips.
Then returned to her eyes.
“Why?”
Serena suddenly couldn’t find an answer.
“I…”
He leaned slightly closer.
“Why, Serena?”
She swallowed.
“Because you’re protecting me.”
“That isn’t the only reason.”
She looked away.
Damian gently lifted her chin.
“Look at me.”
She did.
Their faces were only inches apart.
His voice dropped.
“You feel it too.”
“What?”
“This.”
Her breath caught.
Before either of them could move—
A voice interrupted them.
“Sir.”
Damian immediately pulled away.
One of his men stood at the doorway.
“We found three attackers.”
“Alive?”
“Two.”
“Where is the third?”
The man hesitated.
“Gone.”
Damian stood.
“Find him.”
“Yes, sir.”
The man left.
Serena looked at Damian.
“Who is Victor?”
Damian’s expression hardened.
“The man who wants you.”
“Why?”
“Because of your father.”
THE MAFIA KING
Damian walked toward the large window.
Serena followed.
“Tell me the truth.”
“I have.”
“No. You keep giving me pieces.”
She stepped in front of him.
“I want everything.”
He stared at her.
“Everything?”
“Yes.”
“Once you know the truth, there’s no going back.”
“I already lost my father.”
Her voice trembled.
“I’ve spent six years believing he died in an accident.”
She looked at him.
“If someone killed him, I deserve to know why.”
Damian was silent.
Then he said:
“Your father discovered Victor was planning to take control of several major companies.”
“Why?”
“Money.”
“That’s it?”
“No.”
He moved closer.
“Power.”
Serena’s eyes narrowed.
“And you?”
“I stopped him.”
“So you’re enemies?”
“Yes.”
“Then why hasn’t he killed you?”
Damian smiled coldly.
“He’s tried.”
“And failed.”
“Every time.”
She studied him.
“Who are you really?”
He didn’t answer.
She continued.
“Everyone seems afraid of you.”
“They should be.”
“Are you a criminal?”
His eyes met hers.
“Yes.”
The honesty shocked her.
“But you protect people.”
“Some people.”
“Why me?”
Damian stepped closer.
“Because your father asked me to.”
Serena stared.
“Only because of my father?”
He didn’t answer.
That silence said more than words.
THE BEDROOM
Damian insisted Serena stay at the mansion.
She argued.
“I can’t stay here.”
“You can.”
“I don’t want to.”
“You don’t have a choice.”
She frowned.
“You’re controlling.”
“Yes.”
“At least you’re honest.”
He almost smiled.
“Your room is upstairs.”
“My room?”
“I had it prepared.”
She stared at him.
“You planned for me to stay?”
“I plan for everything.”
She walked upstairs.
The bedroom was enormous.
A balcony overlooked the city.
Fresh clothes had been placed neatly on the bed.
Serena touched one of the dresses.
“How did you know my size?”
Damian stood in the doorway.
“I pay attention.”
She turned.
“That is slightly terrifying.”
“I know.”
He was about to leave when she spoke.
“Damian.”
He stopped.
“Thank you.”
He looked back.
“For what?”
“For saving me.”
His expression softened.
“You don’t have to thank me.”
“Why?”
“Because I’m going to keep doing it.”
He closed the door.
Serena stood there alone.
She touched her lips.
Why did she keep thinking about him?
She had known him for less than two days.
Yet somehow—
He already felt dangerously familiar.
THE NIGHT
Serena couldn’t sleep.
She stepped onto the balcony.
The city glittered below.
“Beautiful.”
She turned.
Damian stood behind her.
She hadn’t heard him enter.
“You scared me.”
“Sorry.”
“You don’t make noise.”
“I wasn’t trying to.”
She looked at him.
“You can’t sleep either?”
“No.”
“Why?”
He stepped onto the balcony.
“Thinking.”
“About?”
“You.”
Her heart skipped.
“Me?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
Damian looked at her.
“Because you’re becoming a problem.”
She frowned.
“A problem?”
“I don’t like being distracted.”
“And I’m distracting you?”
“More than you should.”
She smiled.
“That sounds like your problem.”
He stepped closer.
“It is.”
She backed toward the railing.
He stopped in front of her.
Neither spoke.
The wind moved her hair across her face.
Damian gently brushed it away.
His fingers lingered against her
cheek.
From her hair to her neck
Serena’s breath caught.
She was shivering slowly
Then he kill her forehead
“You should be careful with me,” she whispered.
His eyes darkened.
“I’m trying.”
“Trying what?”
“Not to kiss you.”
Her heart pounded.
“Why?”
“Because you’re scared.”
She looked into his eyes.
“I am.”
“Then I won’t.”
He stepped back.
And somehow, that made her want him closer.
“Damian.”
He stopped.
Serena hesitated.
Then whispered:
“Maybe I’m not scared of you.”
He looked at her for a long moment.
“Good night, Serena.”
He walked away.
She watched him disappear.
Her hand touched her cheek where his fingers had been.
For the first time, she realized the most dangerous thing about Damian Romano wasn’t his power.
It wasn’t his enemies.
It wasn’t his reputation.
It was the way he made her feel.
And she was beginning to fear that she wanted him.
THE NEXT MORNING
Serena woke to a message on her phone.
UNKNOWN NUMBER:
You should have stayed away from Damian Romano.
Another message appeared.
Your father couldn’t save himself.
Then a photograph.
Serena stared at it.
Her blood ran cold.
It was a picture of Damian.
Standing beside her father.
But the photograph had been taken the night before her father’s death.
Serena’s hands began shaking.
There was one final message.
ASK DAMIAN WHAT REALLY HAPPENED THAT NIGHT.
She looked toward the bedroom door.
Suddenly, she wasn’t sure she knew the man protecting her.
And downstairs, Damian was already waiting.
TO BE CONTINUE
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