The drive back to Ashbourne felt different.
Before, Damien’s world had been dangerous in theory.
Now it sat in my lungs like smoke.
My workshop was gone.
My father’s legacy reduced to ash and twisted metal because someone wanted to hurt Damien badly enough to send a message through me.
And the terrifying part?
Damien looked less shaken by the attack than he did by my grief.
Rain streaked across the SUV windows while Briarvale disappeared behind us. Roman drove in silence, jaw tight, one hand resting too casually near the gun beneath his jacket.
Normal people did not sit like that.
I was beginning to understand there were very few normal people in Damien’s life.
The city skyline of Ashbourne eventually emerged through storm clouds, silver towers cutting into the dark horizon. Beau
