CHAPTER 9 — A Dangerous Kind of Protection
257 Words
The first time Ava saw Damien lose control, she almost didn’t recognize him.
Almost.
He was always composed.
Always careful.
But when a message arrived during their meeting, something changed.
His entire presence shifted.
The temperature seemed to drop.
“What happened?” Ava asked.
“Nothing.”
She gave him a look.
“Don’t lie.”
His eyes narrowed slightly.
“You should be afraid of how easily you read me.”
“Maybe you should be afraid of how easy you are to read.”
For a moment, neither moved.
Then his phone rang.
He answered.
His voice became different.
Cold.
Commanding.
Ava didn’t hear the other side.
But she heard his response.
“Find him.”
A pause.
“No.”
His voice lowered.
“Bring him to me alive.”
Ava froze.
When he ended the call, she stared at him.
“You’re not who you pretend to be.”
“No.”
The honesty was almost worse.
“Who are you?”
Damien looked at her.
And for once, he didn’t hide.
“I am the man people call when they have a problem they don’t want solved politely.”
Ava should have been afraid.
Instead, she felt something else.
Understanding.
Because she knew that darkness.
She carried her own.
“You’re dangerous.”
“Yes.”
“And you expect me to stay away?”
His eyes moved over her.
“No.”
That surprised her.
“Why not?”
A faint, dangerous smile appeared.
“Because you never listen.”
- Writer
