Unravel Me

Chapter 6 – Unfinished Business

The atmosphere inside Oasis of Joy buzzed with energy, but tonight felt different. Elara wasn’t running around with a clipboard, organizing Damien’s ridiculous schedule, or dodging Bianca’s icy glares. No, tonight, she was sitting beside Damien in a private booth—a position she wasn’t sure she liked.

The booth was sectioned off from the main floor, giving them a perfect view of the club without the chaos touching them. Damien was as unreadable as ever, nursing a glass of whiskey, his gaze surveying the room like a king watching his kingdom.

“You look uncomfortable,” he finally said, not even bothering to look at her.

Elara crossed her arms. “Because I am.”

His lips twitched in amusement. “You’ll get used to it.”

“That’s what I’m afraid of.”

Before Damien could respond, Rafael appeared at their table, leaning in close to whisper something in his ear. Whatever it was, it made Damien’s jaw tighten.

Rafael straightened, his dark eyes flicking to Elara. “We have company.”

Elara turned just in time to see Nico and Jaxon heading toward them, their presence commanding immediate attention. They were always lurking in the background—silent, dangerous—but this was the first time she’d seen them up close.

“Boss,” Nico greeted, nodding respectfully.

Jaxon, on the other hand, smirked. “Heard we have a new recruit.” His gaze flicked to Elara, and she stiffened.

Damien gave him a look that could’ve shattered glass. “She’s not a recruit.”

“Right. Assistant.” Jaxon stretched the word out like it was something dirty. “Same thing, if you ask me.”

Nico sighed, clearly used to Jaxon’s antics. “Ignore him. He likes to push buttons.”

Elara arched a brow. “And you? Do you push buttons too?”

Nico chuckled. “Only when necessary.”

She turned her attention back to Damien. “I still don’t get it.”

“Get what?”

“The loyalty. The way they—” she gestured vaguely at his men “—act like they’d take a bullet for you.”

Damien studied her for a long moment before speaking. “Because they would.”

Elara swallowed. “Why?”

Jaxon leaned in, resting his arms on the table. “Because he saved us.”

Nico nodded, his expression turning serious. “Not just us. A lot of people. You ever wonder why so many people owe him?”

Elara had wondered. She’d seen the way people in the club—staff, security, even some of the high-profile clients—looked at Damien. It wasn’t just fear. It was respect.

Damien drained the last of his whiskey and set the glass down with a soft clink. “I don’t expect you to understand, Elara.” His voice was quiet but firm. “But you will.”

A chill ran down her spine.

Before she could say anything else, a commotion near the entrance caught her attention.

“Looks like trouble,” Rafael muttered.

Damien sighed, already rising to his feet. “Stay here.”

Elara narrowed her eyes. “Yeah, that’s not happening.”

His gaze darkened, but he didn’t argue. Instead, he turned and walked toward the disturbance, leaving her to decide whether to follow.

And of course, she did.

Because whether she liked it or not, she was already in too deep.

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