Her Mother's Sin

Chapter 7: Whispers in the Dark

Isolde stared at the dead phone in Damien’s hand. Her heart was racing so hard the collar gave a steady warning hum against her throat.

"He knows about the collar," she said. Her voice came out shaky. "How does he know? We have only been here a few days."

Damien set the phone down hard. He ran a hand through his hair. "Someone is leaking information. Either inside my team or someone close to your mother." He looked at her. Eyes sharp. "Did you tell anyone?"

"Only Lila. And I did not mention the collar. Just that I signed something." Isolde wrapped her arms around herself. "She would never betray me. Never."

Damien paced to the window. The city lights glittered below like nothing was wrong. "We need to be more careful. No more calls unless I say so. No meetings. You stay inside this penthouse until I figure out who is talking."

"You cannot keep me locked up here like a prisoner," she shot back. "I signed a contract not a life sentence."

He turned around fast. "You signed your safety to me. That means I decide what keeps you alive." His voice got lower. "After what I heard on that call I am not risking you. Kieran sounded desperate. Desperate men do stupid things."

Isolde walked closer to him. "What if my mom is in trouble? What if they are using her too?"

Damien caught her wrist gently. "Your mother made her choice when she spread her legs for the man who was supposed to love you. Do not forget that."

The words stung. She pulled her hand away. "You do not get to talk about her like that. She is still my mom."

"Even after she betrayed you?" He stepped closer. Their bodies almost touching. "Tell me the truth Isolde. Do you still love her?"

"I hate her," she whispered. "But I love her too. That is the worst part."

The collar pulsed softly like it understood. Damien’s hand came up to touch her cheek. "That is why you are different from them. You feel everything. Even when it hurts."

She looked up at him. "And what about you? Do you feel anything or is this all just control to you?"

He did not answer with words. Instead he kissed her. Slow at first. Then deeper. Like he was trying to push all the bad memories out of her head. Isolde kissed him back. Her hands fisted in his shirt. The collar sent warm waves through her body with every touch.

"You make me feel too much," she said against his mouth. "I hate it."

"No you do not." Damien lifted her onto the edge of the desk. Papers scattered to the floor. "You need it. Just like I need you here."

His hands moved under her shirt. Rough but careful. "Tell me what you want right now."

Isolde gasped when his fingers found her skin. "I want to stop thinking. Just for a little while."

He kissed her neck right above the collar. "Then stop thinking."

They moved together right there on the desk. Fast and desperate. The city lights watched through the windows as Isolde let herself fall apart in his arms again. The collar made every sensation sharper. Every moan louder. When she came she buried her face in his shoulder so he would not see the tears.

Afterward he held her. His hand stroking her back slowly. "You are safe with me," he said quietly. "I mean that."

She wanted to believe him. But the phone call kept echoing in her head.

Later that night while Damien was in his office on a call Isolde stood by the window. The collar felt heavier than usual. Her phone buzzed with a new message from an unknown number.

"We know what you are doing in there. The collar cannot protect you forever. Come home before it is too late. Mom."

Isolde deleted it fast. But the fear stayed.

She turned around and saw Damien watching her from the doorway. His face was serious.

"Who was that?" he asked.

She shook her head. "No one."

But the lie tasted bitter on her tongue. And the collar gave one long warning buzz.

Damien stepped closer. "Do not lie to me Isolde. Not now."

She looked at him. Heart pounding.

What was she supposed to do?