Five

CASSY

The mansion felt eerily quiet as we stepped inside.

Mom had pulled me aside right before she and Richard left for the airport this afternoon. With a glowing smile, she told me they were flying to Greece for their honeymoon—two full weeks.

Which meant right now, it was just me and Damon alone in this massive Beverly Hills house.

The weight of the day still pressed on my chest as I headed straight for the staircase, desperate to escape the tension between us. “I’m going to bed.”

“Wait,” Damon’s deep, rough voice stopped me mid-step.

I turned slowly.

He stood at the bottom of the stairs, looking up at me with those intense dark eyes. He was still wearing his black hoodie and jeans, tattooed arms crossed over his broad chest. The dim lighting made him look even more dangerous.

He climbed the stairs until he stood on the step just below mine, bringing us almost eye level. The air crackled.

“You’ve been avoiding me since we left the arena,” he said quietly. “Talk to me, Cassy.”

I hugged my arms around myself. “What do you want me to say? Today was already too much. And now Mom and Richard are gone for two weeks… It’s just us here.”

Damon took one more step up, forcing me to back up against the wall. He placed one large hand on the wall beside my head, caging me in.

“I don’t care about any of that,” he murmured, voice low and rough. “The only thing I care about right now is you. Being completely alone with you in this house for two weeks.”

My breath hitched. “Damon… we can’t keep doing this. We have to set boundaries. Especially while our parents are away.”

He leaned in closer, his forehead nearly touching mine.

“I know,” he whispered. “You’re my stepsister now. My father is your stepfather. This is completely fucked up and forbidden. I’ve been reminding myself of that all day.”

His free hand came up slowly, gently cupping my jaw. His thumb brushed across my lower lip, sending sparks through my entire body. He tilted his head, closing the distance until our lips were only millimeters apart. I could almost taste him. My heart hammered wildly.

For one dangerous second, I thought he was finally going to kiss me.

But then Damon froze.

His eyes squeezed shut tightly. His jaw clenched so hard I could see the muscle ticking. His hand trembled slightly against my face as he fought for control.

“Fuck…” he cursed under his breath, voice strained.

Suddenly, he pulled back sharply, stepping away like I burned him. He ran both hands through his hair, breathing heavily, shoulders tense.

“I’m trying so fucking hard to stay away from you, Cassy,” he said, voice rough and tormented. “But you’re making it impossible.”

He took another step back, putting more distance between us.

“Go to your room,” he said without looking at me. “Please. Before I lose control and do something we can’t take back.”

I stood there for a second, legs weak, body burning. Then I quickly turned and hurried up the stairs to my bedroom.

Once I closed the door, I leaned against it, breathing hard.

Damon was fighting himself because of me.

And the scariest part was… I wasn’t sure I wanted him to win that fight.

****

The next morning, the mansion was empty.

Damon had left a cold note on the kitchen island saying he had “team training camp” and would be gone for a few days.

He ran away like a coward.

I decided not to dwell on it.

That night, I joined Sarah and Mia from work for a staff party at a crowded downtown club. I wore a tight red dress and tried to have fun for once.

The music was loud, the lights flashing wildly. I was laughing with my new friends when I felt it—that intense, burning stare.

Damon.

He stood in the VIP section with Lila hanging on his arm. The moment our eyes met across the room, tension crackled between us. I turned away, pretending I didn’t care.

A few minutes later, he appeared right in front of me without Lila.

I lifted my chin. “Oh… so this is your training camp? Very dedicated.”

Damon smirked, stepping closer with his usual arrogant posture. “And here you are, wearing that dress while pretending to be innocent. How cute.”

I crossed my arms. “At least I’m not running away from home like a scared little boy.”

His eyes darkened, but his smirk sharpened. “Careful, Pinky. Keep talking like that and I might think you missed me.”

We stared at each other, both too proud to back down. The air between us was thick with resentment and dangerous heat.

Damon leaned in slightly, his voice low and filthy near my ear. “I couldn’t stay in that house knowing the only pussy I want is sleeping under the same roof.”

My breath hitched, cheeks burning, but I refused to show weakness. “How tragic. The big bad captain can’t control himself.”

Before he could respond, Jake suddenly appeared from the crowd, drunk and aggressive. He grabbed my arm roughly, yanking me toward him.

“Cassy, you’re coming with me. We’re not done,” he slurred.

I tried to pull away. “Let go of me!”

In a flash, Damon moved. He yanked Jake off me violently and slammed a powerful fist into his face.

Jake stumbled, but Damon didn’t stop. He punched him again, harder, until Jake crashed onto the floor with blood pouring from his nose.

Security rushed over, but Damon stood there breathing heavily, fists clenched, staring down at Jake like he wanted to kill him.

He didn’t even realize how possessive he looked—beating a man in public just because he touched me.

I grabbed Damon’s arm. “Enough!”

He shook my hand off, jaw tight, then gave me one last cold, burning look before turning and walking back toward Lila.

I stood frozen, heart racing wildly.

We acted like enemies tonight—full of pride and sharp words. But the way he lost control when Jake touched me…Damon was becoming dangerously possessive.