CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

Earlier That Day

Clara’s  POV

Well, well, well. Looks like fate finally decided to hand me a perfect setup. Who should walk into the diner I work at but Adrian Hale himself?

It’s almost laughable. The golden boy, strutting in like he owns the world, sliding into a booth with some loudmouthed girl on his arm. I don’t know her name, don’t care. All I see is him. And for me, this is an opportunity.

“Adriannnn I’M STARVING!” the girl whined dramatically as they walked by. “DAVID was too lazy to cook, so now you have to take me out! Seriously, men are useless!”

I rolled my eyes from behind the counter. Her voice was like nails on glass.

Adrian, on the other hand, just sighed in that soft, patient way of his. “Whatever you say, Clara. I’m not that hungry anyway.”

Clara. So that’s her name. Filed away, though she’s irrelevant.

I ducked my head, angling myself so he wouldn’t catch sight of me. Too risky if he recognized me too early. No, I needed to play this smart.

Just then, Marc tapped me on the shoulder with a tray. “Hey, Damienn boy. Far corner table order’s ready.”

I gave him a wink, the kind that usually earned me a night tangled in his sheets. Marc was trouble, the good kind, and I’d happily let him rail me in the back storage more than once. But not today. Today, I had bigger prey.

I dropped off the food, and when I turned back, I saw Sasha, my fellow waiter, heading toward Adrian’s table with drinks. A tall glass of iced tea and a milkshake.

That’s when the idea hit me like lightning.

I didn’t even hesitate. I slipped to the back, straight to my locker, and pulled out a little amber bottle I kept hidden. My “fun” bottle. Not poison God no. But strong enough to mess someone up for a while.

When I slid into the kitchen, Sasha was setting the tray down.

“Yo, Sash.”

She glanced up, already annoyed. “What now, fag?”

I just smirked. She always called me that, never with malice. To her, it was like saying “idiot” or “jerk.” Our strange brand of friendship.

“Relax. Don’t get salty just because I can’t sleep with you.”

She snorted, shaking her head. “Whatever. What do you want?”

“Who’re those drinks for?”

She gestured casually. “Iced tea’s for the guy in the suit. Hotshot, obviously. The milkshake’s for the girl she’s smokin’, by the way. Honestly, I’d lick her dry. The guy’s cute too. A bit twinkled for me, but still.”

I forced a chuckle, though inside, I was burning with anticipation.

“Hey, you forgot the straw,” I said smoothly, pointing at the tray.

“Damn it.” She turned, digging through the counter.

That was all I needed. Quick as a thief, I uncapped the bottle, tipped it into the iced tea, and gave it a little stir. By the time Sasha turned back, I’d slipped the straw in like nothing happened.

“Don’t mess with my tray,” she muttered.

I shrugged innocently. “Bored. Chill.”

She rolled her eyes and left.

And me? I smiled. Oh yes. It really was my lucky day.

Adrian’s POV

Why did I even agree to this?

Clara had practically dragged me out of the office, shrieking about how David was being lazy. I’d been buried in work, perfectly content, and now here I was in this noisy diner.

I wasn’t hungry. I wasn’t in the mood. I wanted to be with Damien.

I’d even called him earlier, just to hear his voice. All I could think about was finishing my damn paperwork so I could go home, curl into him, and maybe just maybe let him take my stress away.

“Adrian, don’t look so gloomy,” Clara teased, sipping her milkshake as the waitress set our drinks down.

I muttered a thanks, grabbed my iced tea, and took a sip. A little bitter. Hm. Whatever, tea is supposed to be.

But halfway through the glass, something felt… off.

My head went foggy, like I’d stood up too fast. The room tilted. Heat flooded through me, sweat prickling at my temples.

“Adrian? Are you good?” Clara frowned, mid-sentence.

“I… need the bathroom,” I mumbled, standing.

I stumbled my way there, gripping the sink once I reached it. My reflection was flushed, pupils blown wide. My breathing is uneven.

And then… oh God. Damien. His face flashed in my mind. His arms. His body. His 

A groan ripped from me before I could stop it. My cock hardened painfully against my slacks. What the hell was happening to me?

Then I felt it. Hands gripping my waist. A body pressing behind me. Hot breath on my neck.

“You couldn’t wait, could you?” a low voice whispered. “So impatient.”

A kiss to my throat.

I gasped, struggling. “L-let me go ”

But my body betrayed me. My hips pressed back, desperate. My mind screamed no, but my skin was on fire.

And then 

“Adrian! WHAT THE HELL HEY!” Clara’s voice cut through the haze.

She stormed in like a lion, grabbed the guy off me, and threw him to the floor with a judo move so quick it stunned me.

“WHO THE HELL DO YOU THINK YOU ARE, TOUCHING MY BROTHER?!” she roared.

I staggered against the sink, trembling, clutching my erection like I could hide it. My whole body was burning.

Clara dragged me out, half-carrying me to the car. My mind wouldn’t stop spinning. I could still feel Damien’s hands on me, his weight, his 

I groaned again, covering my face.

“Adrian, what’s happening to you?” Clara whispered, terrified. “You’re burning up…”

And all I could think was Damien, I need you.

Present Time

Damien’s POV

By the time Clara delivered him to me, Adrian was a wreck.

I helped him onto the couch, brushing damp hair from his forehead. His skin was blazing hot, his body trembling.

“ my wife? What’s wrong?” I asked softly, though panic chewed at my chest.

His glassy eyes locked on me, desperate. “I… I can’t. Not anymore.” His voice was ragged, broken.

Then his lips crashed against mine, feverish and needy.

“Damien,” he gasped. “Make love to me. I want you. Now.”

My heart slammed in my chest. He was drugged. I could see it, feel it. This wasn’t him in his right mind.

And just as I tried to pull away my phone rang.

I answered without thinking. “Garrison speaking.”

A chuckle on the other end. Familiar. Cold.

“Did you enjoy the little gift I left you?”

My blood froze. Vince.

“What the fuck did you do?” I hissed.

“Relax. Just a little something to make your boy needy. I meant for Marc to have some fun with him, but your little girl sidekick ruined the plan.” His laughter was poisonous. “Don’t worry. He only drank half. He’ll be fine.”

“You sick bastard ”

“Damien,” Vince cut me off, voice suddenly trembling, “this was goodbye. I’m leaving. No more games, no more monsters. I want to teach. To live. Forgive me… please.”

I closed my eyes, fury and exhaustion crashing together. For so long, I’d carried hate for him. But now? He sounded broken. Humans.

“I forgive you,” I whispered.

Silence. Then soft sobbing.

“Thank you. Be happy with him, Damien. He’s lucky to have you.”

The line went dead.

I lowered the phone, staring at Adrian flushed, trembling, whispering my name.

“Damien… it hurts…” He clutched himself, tears streaking down his cheeks.

And in that moment, I knew: Vince had handed me one last choice.

To take advantage. Or to protect.

I kissed Adrian’s forehead, holding him tightly as his body shook. “Don’t worry,  my wife. I’m here. I’ll take care of you.”

And instead of giving into the hunger clawing at me, I carried him to bed, stayed by his side until his breathing softened.

Tomorrow, I’d deal with Vince.

But tonight, Adrian came first. Always.