I gathered my thoughts, brushing invisible lint from my dress.
“When Mason threatened to destroy your life. Your company. Burn down the store if I didn’t come to his room… I panicked. I couldn’t let him do that to you.” My gaze dropped. “It was impulsive. He cornered me with his words, pushed me so far that giving in felt like the only way out.”
“What exactly did he do?” Damian asked quietly. There was a tremor in his voice—barely there, but I heard it.
I closed my eyes for a second.
“It was fast. I don’t think it even lasted a minute. I was on the couch. He got on top of me and… he was already done.”
Damian’s eyes darkened, fury tightening his features.
“Did he use protection?”
“Yes.” My voice was hollow. “I was frozen. I could barely move. The whole time I kept telling myself I was doing this for you. And afterward… I was terrified you wouldn’t be able to look at me the same way if you ever found out.”
Damian inhaled slowly before he spoke again.
“I’m so sorry you had to go through that.”
“He controlled me like a puppet.” My voice trembled. “Afterward he called me a whore. I slapped him. Then he hit me.”
Damian’s hands curled into fists. A storm gathered in his eyes.
“You’re so strong, Daisy. I wish I could’ve stopped it.”
He pulled me tighter against him. I leaned into his warmth, the solid safety of his body around mine.
“You’re not leaving my side without a bodyguard. Not until I handle this.”
I turned to face him fully. “Handle it how? What are you planning?”
“You think I’m just going to let him walk away from this?”
“Mason is powerful. And dangerous.”
“So am I.”
“I don’t want you ending up in prison.”
He shrugged. “Wouldn’t be the first time. And don’t worry about it.”
Wouldn’t be the first time. What did that mean? Had he been in prison before? But not for murder… or he wouldn’t be out now. Even in this fragile, honest moment between us, I didn’t dare ask.
“I do worry,” I whispered.
“I have to work at the club this weekend,” he said, changing the subject. “I don’t like the idea of leaving you alone. And I don’t want you staying here by yourself. I want you with me.”
“At NYX?”
“Yes.”
“I’d like that.”
“I actually had something special planned for us tonight. But if you’re not up for it, we can reschedule.”
“What?” I asked immediately.
“Have you ever had a private museum tour at night?”
