ully escape. But he knew the truth-there was no
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Parco Aued vido of Hr, World z
shielding, no escape from what waited in the shadows.
Claim
He spoke, voice low and taut with controlled fury. “That son of a bitch knew something about Beckett… and now Maya… she’s not supposed to see this. Not yet. Not until she’s ready… not until I’m certain she can handle it.”
His fists clenched at his sides, knuckles whitening. The thought of her seeing even a sliver of the darkness he usually shielded her from sent a cold spike through his chest.
And then it hit him-something unfamiliar, unwelcome. Fear.
Fear that Maya might run. Fear that the glimpses she’d caught of his world, of the enemies circling him, would push her away. Fear that no matter how much he wanted to protect her, he couldn’t shield her from everything. That she might be caught in the crossfire of a life she hadn’t asked for, a life he couldn’t deny.
He swallowed hard, jaw tight. He had never been powerless before. But now… the thought of/ osing her, of failing her… it gnawed at him, sharper than any enemy’s blade.
Ashcroft’s voice was low but steady. “Damien… she’s going to find out sooner or later. Maybe it’s better if you two-”
“Yes!” Damien snapped, eyes flashing. “But not like this.”
His fists clenched, nails biting into his palms. The fire ignited by Ethan’s insolence now mingled with something deeper-raw, molten need to protect Maya at all costs.
She’s mine. She will be safe. And if anyone-anything-dares threaten that… they’ll pay for it.
He exhaled sharply, eyes dark and unwavering. The storm inside him was still there, but now it had a focus. And that focus was her.
His chest heaved again. “I need to find her… I need to talk to her.”
He spun toward the door, already moving-but Ashcroft’s hand shot out, gripping his shoulder to stop him.
In an instant, Damien turned and lashed out, a punch flying toward Ashcroft with lethal precision. “Let go of me!”
Ashcroft’s reflexes kicked in-he twisted just in time, the blow missing him by a hair. His eyes narrowed, calm but edged with warning.
Ashcroft didn’t retaliate. He simply stood his ground, voice cool but firm. “Damien. You go to her like this and you’ll scare the hell out of her.”
244
Damien’s chest rose and fell, breath ragged, eyes still burning with fury-but something in Ashcroft’s voice broke through the haze.
“She doesn’t need your anger,” Ashcroft said quietly. “She needs you. The man she trusts. Not the one who wants to tear the world apart.”
For a moment, Damien didn’t move. His jaw clenched, muscles twitching with the urge to fight-but slowly, the tension in his shoulders eased just a fraction.
He dragged in a breath, forcing it deep into his lungs. “I can’t lose her,” he muttered, words raw and stripped of all his usual control.
Ashcroft’s expression softened-just barely. “You won’t,” he said quietly. “But she needs space right now-to think, to breathe. And you do too. You need to calm down before you go to her.”
Damien’s jaw tightened, clearly hating every word-but unable to deny the truth in them. His fists slowly unclenched at his sides, the sharp edges of his anger dulling into something heavy and aching.
A long, tense silence stretched between them.
Finally, his shoulders dropped a fraction. “I don’t want to scare her,” he muttered, voice rough.
Ashcroft gave a small nod. “Then breathe. Regroup. And when you go to her… do it as the man she loves-not the man who wants blood.”
Damien exhaled shakily, dragging a hand over his face, battling the storm still raging beneath his skin. “I’m scared this will be the reason she runs away from me,” he admitted, voice rough and stripped of all armor. His eyes burned with something stark and raw. “I can’t afford to lose her, Nick. I can’t.”
Ashcroft’s gaze softened, a rare flicker of genuine concern slipping through his usual composure. He stepped closer, lowering his voice. “You won’t,” he said firmly. “Not if you face her with the truth. She’s stronger than you think, Damien… but she needs you to be honest with her. All of you.”
Damien swallowed hard, the fear still clawing at his chest-but beneath it, a steely resolve began to form.
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Cedella
Cedella is a passionate storyteller known for her bold romantic and spicy novels that keep readers hooked from the very first chapter. With a flair for crafting emotionally intense plots and unforgettable characters, she blends love, desire, and drama into every story she writes. Cedella’s storytelling style is immersive and addictive—perfect for fans of heated romances and heart-pounding twists.