LOVE BOUND

DAMIANI watched Elena as she twirled her pasta around her fork, her eyes focused on the plate, but I could see the smile playing at the corner of her lips. She was trying to be all casual about it, but I knew better. When she was like this—sitting across from me, trying to act like everything was just normal—it meant she was either hiding something or she was too wrapped up in me to care about anything else."You're looking awfully serious over there," I teased, resting my chin on my hand and leaning forward a little. "What’s going on in that pretty little head of yours?"Her eyes flicked up to mine, her lips curving into a mischievous grin. "Just thinking about how I'm being forced to eat this expensive food when I could be home with a bowl of cereal."I raised an eyebrow, my lips curling into a smirk. "Cereal, huh? You’re a classy one, Elena."She rolled her eyes dramatically, which only made her look more adorable. "Oh, don’t act like you don’t love it when I’m just a little bit o

DAMIANWhen Elena agreed to come with me, even just for tonight, a wave of relief washed over me. I knew it wasn’t easy for her. Hell, it wasn’t easy for me, either. But this—this was different. My father was gone, and that meant everything I’d ever known was about to change in ways I couldn’t even predict. I needed her with me. I needed her now more than ever. Even if she didn’t fully understand what was happening, at least I wouldn’t have to face it alone.We didn’t say much as we left the restaurant. Elena was quiet, her hand in mine, her fingers lightly brushing against my skin. I could feel the weight of her uncertainty, and I knew it mirrored mine. But I wasn’t going to let it show. Not now.I gripped the steering wheel harder than necessary as I sped through the streets, my mind racing. Every turn felt like I was driving further into a nightmare I couldn’t escape. The adrenaline of the drive pushed the confusion away for a while, but the reality kept creeping back in. My father

ElenaI didn’t sleep.Even when Damian finally lay down beside me, even when his arm wrapped around my waist like it always had, like muscle memory, my eyes stayed open, fixed on the dark ceiling above us.The room smelled like him—clean soap, leather, something sharp underneath that I’d always associated with danger, even before tonight. I used to think that smell meant safety. Protection. Home.Now it felt like a warning.Damian’s breathing evened out beside me sometime after midnight. I could tell the exact moment he fell asleep—the tension in his body loosened, his grip on me tightening unconsciously, as if he were afraid I might disappear if he let go.The thought made my chest ache.I lay there, trapped between his body and my own thoughts, listening to the quiet hum of the estate. Somewhere down the hall, voices murmured low and serious. Men coming and going. Doors opening. Doors closing.This house never slept. It just waited.My mind kept replaying everything Luca had said. E