LOGINChapter 67Damien’s POVI read Hannah’s message again, then called her back.“She’s insistent,” Hannah said. “She wants you here this evening. She asked for your father as well. She said it’s important.”“Did she say why?”“Only that she needs to speak to both of you.”I ended the call and looked at Elena.“She wants Victor there too.”Elena studied my face. “Do you want to go?”“Yes. If she’s asking for both of us, I’d rather hear it directly.”Elena nodded. “Then I’m coming with you.”Elena’s POVSophia’s apartment was quiet when we arrived.Hannah led us inside and then gave us privacy. Sophia sat near the window in her chair, dressed neatly, one of her hands resting in her lap. She looked nervous in a way I had not seen before, not sharp, not defensive. Just exposed.“You came,” she said when she saw Damien.“You asked,” he answered.A few minutes later, Victor arrived. He entered with the same controlled expression he always wore, though his eyes moved quickly from Sophia to Dami
Chapter 66Damien’s POVThe hospital called just after nine.“Your mother is cleared for discharge,” the doctor said. “She’ll need full-time assistance at home. Limited mobility. Medication schedule. Someone reliable in the house.”I was already reaching for my jacket. “I’ll handle it.”Elena looked up from the kitchen counter. “Your mom?”“They’re discharging her today.”She set her cup down. “Do you want me to come with you?”I thought about it, then nodded. “Yes.”Elena’s POVThe drive to the hospital was quieter than usual.Damien’s hands stayed steady on the wheel, but I could see the tension in his shoulders. This was not the same man who had kissed me senseless against our door two nights ago. This was a son preparing to face the complicated reality of a mother who could no longer live as she once had.“She’s going to her own place,” he said eventually. “Not the penthouse. Not the estate.”“Does she know that?”“She will.”Damien’s POVSophia was dressed and waiting when we ent
Chapter 65Damien’s POVHer fingers tightened in my shirt, and that was all the answer I needed.I kissed her again, deeper this time, and lifted her. Elena’s legs wrapped around my waist as a soft gasp broke against my mouth. I carried her toward the stairs without breaking the kiss, her body warm and eager against mine.By the time we reached the bedroom, patience was gone.I set her down only long enough to drag the dress over her head. She helped with my shirt, clumsy with urgency, laughing once under her breath when a button caught. The laugh turned into a moan when my mouth found her throat, then the soft curve of her breast.“Damien….”“I’ve got you.”Elena’s POVThere was nothing careful left in him.That made it better.His hands moved over my body with open hunger, shaping my waist, my hips, the thick softness of my thighs. When he pulled my underwear down and pressed me back onto the bed, I reached for him at once.He kissed his way down my stomach. My fingers slid into hi
Chapter 64Elena’s POVThe penthouse was quiet when we returned from the restaurant.Maria had already gone to her quarters. The lights were low. Damien closed the door behind us, and for a moment neither of us moved. The empty restaurant still clung to my skin in the wine, the private dance between tables, the way he had looked at me like the rest of the world could wait.“I meant what I said,” Damien murmured, brushing his thumb along my jaw. “That was only the beginning.”I rose onto my toes and kissed him once, soft and lingering. “Good. Because I already want another night like that.”His mouth curved. He was leaning in again when my phone rang on the console table.I almost ignored it. Then I saw the name.Mom.A small knot formed in my stomach. I answered.“Elena?” My mother’s voice was warm. “Please tell me you’re home.”“I just walked in. Why?”“Because we’re downstairs.”I froze. “What?”“Your father, your sister, and me. We wanted to see you. It’s been long enough. The secu
Chapter 63Damien’s POVI locked the phone without answering her.“It’s nothing important,” I said. “Work. It can wait.”Elena searched my face for a second, then nodded. She had learned when to push and when to let me hold something. Tonight I needed her to let me hold this. Whoever had sent that message did not get to sit at the table with us.I pulled back into traffic and drove to the restaurant.I had booked the entire place for the evening, every table, every corner, every member of staff instructed that the night belonged to one couple only. No other diners. No interruptions. No audience. After weeks of shared hallways, false claims, and family pressure, I wanted Elena to have a room that contained only us.When we arrived, the front entrance was quiet. A manager opened the door personally and led us through an empty dining room lit with low, warm light. Elena slowed, looking around.“Damien… where is everyone?”“There is no one else,” I said. “Not tonight.”She turned to me, e
Chapter 62Elena’s POVMaria held me just as tightly as I held her.For a long moment neither of us spoke. The kitchen was quiet except for the soft hum of the refrigerator. When I finally pulled back, her eyes were warm.“I needed the break,” Maria said softly. “Rest. Time to myself. These walls can become heavy if you never step away from them.”“I’m glad you took it,” I whispered.She cupped my face the way she sometimes did when she forgot formality. “You look tired. But lighter.”I let out a shaky breath. “I feel both.”Footsteps sounded on the stairs. Damien appeared in the doorway wearing only sleep pants, hair still disordered from my hands. He stopped when he saw Maria.“You’re back,” he said.Maria straightened slightly. “Yes, Mr. Kane. I rested. I’m ready to return to my duties.”Damien’s gaze moved from her to me, taking in the fact that I was wearing only his shirt, then softened. “Good. Welcome back.”Damien’s POVSeeing Maria in the kitchen again made the house feel com







