I dropped my gaze to my lap. “I’m sorry. You’re right.”
“But promise me one thing.”
I looked back up into those captivating blue eyes. “Okay.”
“You defended yourself today against one villain in your life and I’m proud of you for that. Remember to stand up for yourself against anyone else who tries to make you do or feel something you don’t like.”
I smiled, but I knew it wasn’t convincing. “I’ll do my best.”
“That’s all I ask.”
“I’ll let you get back to… whatever it was. Thanks for talking it out with me.”
“Of course. You know I’m always here for you.”
“Bye.”
I hung up before he had the chance to say anything else.
Chapter Eighteen
Damien
Iwas there.
That moment when I knew I was in too deep.
As soon as Cadence said someone touched her against her will, my vision had turned crimson. Little half-moons were imprinted on my palms from where I’d clenched my fist to keep myself from reacting. It made me sick to my stomach imagining what could have happened to her.
She had looked so lost for a moment, white as a sheet with this faraway stare. I was afraid I’d lose her for good. She was already pulling away from me, I could feel it. Like sand between my fingers. I was smart enough to realize if I held on too tight, it would only make her slip away faster. I only hoped there would still be some of her left for me to hold on to.
I closed my eyes, taking in two deep breaths, trying to calm my agitated nerves. If ever, by the grace of God, I found myself in the same room as that boss of hers, he’d never lay his hand on anyone ever again.
The hardest part was to quiet the desire that burned through me to be the one to avenge her, protect her, and shelterher from any other sick fuck who dared to defile her. The urge filled every muscle of my body.
More than that, I wanted her to be mine.
To claim her in front of the entire world.
And I would.
Proudly.
Shout it from every Goddamn rooftop if I could.
There was zero point in denying it anymore—I needed her.
Every single part of her.
Her captivating eyes, that sweet smile, her sassy attitude, that soft and curvy body… all of it.
When she told me she had reached out to her boyfriend already, it knocked the air out of me, like a punch straight in the gut.
She went to him first. Not me. And it pissed me off.
I groaned as I pushed my fingers into my hair and pulled.
I was royally fucked.
