CHAPTER NINE

Damien’s POV

“YOU KISSED HIM THE FIRST DAY YOU MET?!”

The words come out way too loud, and I nearly choke on my own laughter when Adrian slaps a hand over Drew’s mouth. Drew glares at me, Adrian’s cheeks go red, and I just smirk.

Truth? Drew and I didn’t start off great. We clashed, and I thought he was trouble. But if he makes Adrian laugh like this, I can’t bring myself to hate him.

Adrian sneaks me a quick glance, biting his lip shyly. My chest warms when I wink back at him.

“Drew’s really pretty, don’t you think?” someone mutters.

I glance sideways and realize Thomas is walking way too close to me. I’ve barely spoken to him since that whole mess with Adrian. Patience? Gone. Respect? Nonexistent.

“I don’t care,” I answer coldly, eyes fixed on Adrian’s bouncing curls as he laughs ahead. “Adrian owns my heart. That’s it.”

Thomas just gives this sad little smile like he already knew my answer. I don’t bother looking again.

So here I am   stuck trailing behind like an unwanted bodyguard, while Adrian and Drew skip ahead arm in arm like schoolgirls. Why? Because Drew demanded a “best friend shopping day,” and Adrian never says no to him. And me? I came along because someone has to make sure my fiancé doesn’t trip over his own shoelaces and get kidnapped.

It’s not spying. It’s… supervision. Totally different.

After the chaos at the office, I actually apologized to Drew. Shocker, right? Even more shocking, he just laughed it off like it was nothing.

I’m busy trying not to roll my eyes at Adrian’s giggles when I feel someone tug on the back of my suit jacket.

“Excuse me! Hi! You’re Damien Cross, right?”

I turn, jaw tight. A blonde girl with too much makeup is beaming at me, her phone already in selfie mode.

“You’re even more handsome in real life!” she gushes, twirling her hair and batting her fake lashes. “Can I take a picture with you?”

I give her my polite businessman smile. “Sorry. I don’t take personal photos.”

I move to walk away. Then smack. Her hand lands right on my ass.

Heat shoots up my neck.

“What the ”

“Hot,” she giggles, biting her lip. “C’mon, just one picture.”

My blood pressure skyrockets.

And then 

“HEY! HANDS OFF, SKANK!”

The shout cuts through the entire mall. Heads swivel. And there’s my  wife, storming toward us like an angry cat with fire in his eyes. Adrian.

“Excuse me?” the girl snaps, hands on her hips.

“Like duh. You’re acting desperate and gross. Back off before I call security,” Adrian says, giving her the slowest head-to-toe glare I’ve ever seen.

“Excuse me? Who even are you?” she shrieks.

“I’m the man who’s about to drag your ass out of here if you touch my fiancé again.”

Gasps echo through the crowd. Adrian’s eyes are burning holes through her skull.

She swings her hand at him. But my Adrian? Oh, he doesn’t flinch. He catches her wrist midair, smirks, and SMACK! whacks her with the hardcover book he’s been carrying around.

The entire mall goes silent. The girl stumbles, clutching her face, then collapses to the floor in tears.

“CONTROL YOUR WHORE-MONES, BITCH!” Adrian yells as he grabs my hand and drags me out.

The crowd bursts into laughter.

By the time we hit the parking lot, we’re breathless, doubled over with laughter.

“Oh my God,” Adrian wheezes, holding his stomach. “Her face, did you see her face? I didn’t even hit her that hard!”

“And ‘whore-mones’?” I wheeze back, shaking my head. “That was genius.”

I can’t help it. I stop walking, grab him by the waist, and kiss him hard. He melts instantly, his arms wrapping around my neck, our mouths moving like we’re starved for each other.

For a moment, it feels like the world stops 

Until a voice slices through.

“Damien?”

Adrian’s POV

The sound makes me freeze. I pull back, my lips tingling, and glance at Damien.

He’s gone pale. His hands are shaking. His whole body trembles like he’s seen a ghost.

“Hubby?” I whisper, squeezing his hands.

He doesn’t answer me. He just stares at the man who spoke.

The stranger smirks, oozing smugness. “Long time no see.”

My gut tightens. “And you are?” I ask, stepping in front of Damien protectively.

“I don’t waste my name on gold diggers,” the man sneers.

My jaw drops. “The fuck did you just say to me ”

“You really shouldn’t throw that word around,” Damien finally says, voice sharp. “You used to be one yourself, Vince.”

The man Vince grins. “Ah, so you remember. You were so easy to play back then.”

Damien’s tone turns ice cold. “Shut your mouth. Go crawl back to whatever sugar daddy is still willing to pay your bills.” His grip on my hand tightens, nails digging in. Pain flashes in his eyes, but his voice stays steady. “Because I won’t be the one saving you this time.”

Before Vince can respond, Thomas suddenly steps between us, his voice low and dangerous. “Leave. Or I’ll finish what I should've done years ago.”

Something flickers in Vince’s eyes. But then he just smirks, shrugs, and walks away like nothing happened.

As soon as he’s gone, Damien collapses against me. His face buries in my neck, and his body shakes. My shirt grows damp with tears.

“Want to go home?” I whisper, rubbing his back.

He nods, clutching me like I’m the only thing keeping him upright.

I call Sam. Within minutes, the car arrives. Drew insists he’ll walk back to his hotel. Thomas escorts him. That leaves me and Damien alone in the backseat.

The city lights blur past as Damien rests his head on my shoulder, silent. Then 

“No… Vince… please, don’t !”

He jerks awake, shouting, eyes wild. My heart twists.

“Damien! Wake up, it’s me!” I shake him gently.

His gaze finds mine, terrified at first, then softening in relief. He grabs me like I’ll disappear. “You’re here… thank God, you’re here.”

My chest aches. This isn’t the Damien Cross the world knows. This isn’t the arrogant billionaire. This is a man torn apart by his past. And it kills me.

At home, Sarah greets us stiffly. “Good evening, Sir. It’s nice to finally meet the first guest Mr. Damien has ever brought home.”

I blush. “Not a guest. I live here. I’m Adrian. His fiancé.”

Her eyes widened slightly. “Congratulations.”

I force a smile and slip away to check on Damien.

The shower’s been running for twenty minutes. My stomach drops. I push the bathroom door open and my heart cracks.

Damien is curled on the floor under the hot spray, knees to his chest, shoulders shaking.

Without thinking, I step in, kneel, and wrap my arms around him. My clothes soak instantly, but I don’t care. He tenses, then slowly relaxes against me.

“Adrian?” His voice breaks.

“Yes, love?”

“Please… don’t leave me.”

My throat burns. “I won’t. I promise.”

He drags me into a desperate kiss, trembling all over. His hands clutch me like I’m the only thing keeping him alive. He pushes me back against the wall, his body pressed close, his need raw and messy.

But this isn’t love. It’s fear.

“Damien, stop.”

He doesn’t hear me. His mouth trails down my neck, hands roaming desperately.

“Damien, STOP!”

I shove him back, tears stinging my eyes. My voice cracks. “You’re scaring me. One minute you’re crying, the next you’re  I don’t even know what’s happening anymore.”

I stumble out, strip off my wet clothes, and collapse into bed in just my underwear. His scent clings to the pillow.

My chest aches, my eyes burn, but exhaustion drags me under.

Why does my heart hurt so much for him?