ame w

ll she g

lable, barely whispered over the rim of he

. He never did. No

ant to stay. Usually he came, drank, observed, and left before midnight. But something about the

toos or the scar on his jaw or the heavy presence he ca

e were afr

een afraid for so long,

t sipped her drink, tapping her fingers against the glass, eyes darting

look. He wore it

escape, even if she

ou?" he asked,

ated. "Ol

flicker of something close in h

"Neither was y

Wary.

about the way she held herself-quiet but not weak, distant bu

. Damien waved him off befo

at him. "Tha

e had

ightened. "You

't nee

d between them l

ing?" she muttered, voice bitter. "Be

r the first time, his eyes sharp

at are y

dn't

triggered something in him. Something old. Something buried. Maybe it was guilt. Maybe

y, tossing a few

with

ed at hi

here. And because I'm the only thing in thi

rs trembled, just a little. Her fingers clutched the

would

ere bu

It wasn't safe. It

calm, certain, like he meant it-made he

club, not knowing if she was escaping d