chapter 8

Chapter Eight: A Dangerous Attraction

Elena spent most of the following morning trying to convince herself that Damian Moretti had no effect on her whatsoever. It should have been easy. He was arrogant, secretive, controlling, and surrounded by enough danger to make any sensible woman keep her distance. Yet every time she remembered the way he had looked at her the previous night, something unfamiliar stirred inside her, something she refused to name.

She found him in the library shortly after breakfast, standing beside the enormous windows while speaking quietly on the phone. He wore a simple black shirt with the sleeves rolled to his elbows, and for once, there was no jacket or tie hiding the powerful build of his body.

Elena stopped at the doorway.

Damian noticed her almost immediately.

His conversation ended a few seconds later, and he placed the phone on the desk.

"You've been avoiding me."

"I've been giving you space."

"There's a difference?"

"With you, probably."

A faint smile appeared on his face.

"Come in."

She stepped inside but remained near the door.

"I want to ask you something."

"Ask."

"Why did you react so strongly when you saw the message last night?"

Damian's expression became serious.

"Because I recognized the address."

"Where is it?"

"An old Moretti property."

Elena's eyebrows drew together.

"Then why would someone send me there?"

"Because they want me to follow you."

"Or because they know something about my father."

Damian walked toward her.

"Both possibilities are dangerous."

She held his gaze.

"You can't keep protecting me by keeping me ignorant."

"I know."

"Then tell me what you know."

He stopped a few feet away.

"I know your father was involved with my family five years ago. I know something happened between them, and I know your father spent years trying to hide the truth from you."

"What truth?"

"I don't have all of it."

Elena sighed.

"You're impossible."

"So I've been told."

Despite herself, she smiled.

Damian noticed.

His eyes lingered on her face for a moment, and the atmosphere between them suddenly changed.

Elena became aware of how close he was standing.

She could smell his cologne, subtle and warm, completely different from the cold impression he usually gave people. Her heartbeat quickened, and she immediately took a step backward.

Damian's eyes followed the movement.

"You don't have to be afraid of me."

"I'm not."

"Then why did you move?"

She opened her mouth but couldn't find an answer.

His gaze softened slightly.

"Elena."

The way he said her name made her look at him again.

For several seconds, neither of them spoke.

Then Damian reached toward her.

She instinctively held her breath.

His fingers brushed against her cheek, gently removing a loose strand of hair that had fallen across her face.

The touch was brief, almost innocent, yet it sent a strange warmth through her.

Damian seemed equally surprised by his own action.

He slowly lowered his hand.

"We should keep our distance."

Elena swallowed.

"That's probably a good idea."

Neither of them moved.

A knock suddenly came from the door.

They stepped apart immediately.

One of Damian's men entered.

"Boss, we found something."

Damian's expression hardened.

"What?"

"The person who sent the message."

Elena turned toward him.

"Who is it?"

The man hesitated before answering.

"We haven't identified him yet, but we found the vehicle."

"Where?"

"Near the old property."

Damian's gaze shifted toward Elena.

"Stay here."

"I want to come."

"No."

"You just told me I need to know the truth."

"And I also told you that the property is dangerous."

"I don't care."

Damian stared at her for a moment before finally sighing.

"Fine."

Elena raised an eyebrow.

"That easy?"

"No."

He stepped closer and lowered his voice.

"You stay beside me the entire time. You don't touch anything, you don't wander away, and if I tell you to run, you run."

She nodded.

"Agreed."

Damian looked at her for another second before turning toward the door.

Neither of them noticed the way his expression softened when he looked back at her.

He had spent years believing that emotions were weaknesses.

Now, for the first time, he was beginning to understand how dangerous attraction could be.

Especially when the woman standing beside him was the one person he had promised himself he would never want.