window, my mind racing about the USB still plugged

didn't love me; he owned me.** And n

was a monster dressed in a tailored suit. A

ammed. I didn't want

ntry table, followed by the rustle of his jacket

n...hi

"Cl

ed out the window at a city that didn

usual. It was like he knew something, and I c

nce, wife," he said d

e rimmed with exhaustion, his jaw tigh

you do to

d you hear th

the desk and un

His files. The ones you

e cold. "I warned

n't you? But your threats weren't

bed my wrist, holding me still. "Yo

I fin

has those files, he's trying

eyes. Mayb

re? You think you've figured it

enough,

ng. That man, Lucien, used your father just like

u? A trophy? A cont

between rage and hear

t any

ch me again o

cause I was scared, but because I was angry, angry at what

elieve him, and that was the

ged. I woke up to low, urgent

ng to one of his lieutenants, Victor. He had a scar

he USB to Lucien

e drop two hours ago

d turne

he files...and she

. "Boss," Victor said cautiou

lowed. Then Damian

"W

d sharp. "No punishment, no confrontat

sides with

"She's angry, hurt; she needs

"What if she fin

Damian said. "Not

door. I backed into my

ven the files to Lucien,

most terrifyi

a dress at the door. Black velvet

as tucke

n. You'll want

but I knew Damian. He didn'

there, seated at the head of the table. Candlelight flickere

were different.

ed out my chair like a gentle

," he said softly. I

d as I took a sip. Then, fin

I've kept from you

roat. Great, what

"It's the whole truth." He reached into

ing files. The ones L

him. What could p

blackmail files in exchange for keeping you safe. That's why I let him live f

idn't you

ou would've understood the truth. And you w

heart racing. I was so confused about what to be

tract, Damian didn't reach for me, didn't g

whispered so softly, "I never wanted to break yo