When Damian met Mina outside the locker rooms, she had changed into jeans and a white hoodie, her face glowing from the exertion. Damian swapped his athletic gear for a crisp white shirt and tailored charcoal pants, his hair still damp, curling slightly at the nape of his neck."Feel like some lunch?" he asked, slinging his gym bag over his shoulder. "There's a nearby place I used to visit with my grandmother."Mina hesitated, then nodded. "Sounds good."They walked to the car park, Damian taking her gray backpack—one she borrowed from Chloe—without asking. As they drove, the sleek lines of his Lamborghini cutting through the afternoon traffic, Mina glanced at him, her elbow resting on the leather armrest."How's Chloe?" she asked. "She didn't look so good this morning... Is she okay?"Damian's grip tightened on the steering wheel for a fraction of a second before he forced a smile. "Chloe's fine. She's tired. It's been a long week."Mina peered at him and nodded. "You care about her."
Damian stirred awake as the first rays of sunlight filtered into the bedroom. He stretched, feeling the silk sheets slide off his sculpted chest, watching Chloe stand before a gold-framed mirror. Her delicate fingers traced the curve of her belly, and her brows furrowed in thought.Propping himself up on one elbow, he stared at her. The lace nightgown from Singapore clung to her changing body, highlighting the soft swell of her belly. The sight of her—vulnerable yet resilient—stirred protectiveness and raw desire within him."You're up early," he murmured.Chloe didn't respond, her focus still on the reflection of her growing belly. The small bump, just starting to show, reminded him of the life they'd created. A life that, until yesterday, she guarded as a secret.Slipping out of bed, Damian approached her, the cool floor grounding him. His hand found the small of her back as his fingers pressed possessively."Talk to me," he coaxed, his lips brushing the curve of her neck.She leaned
Val's eyes narrowed with laser-like focus, dissecting the video with meticulous precision. She shook her head, disbelief etched in her features."This is a deepfake," she declared, tapping the screen with a decisive finger. "See that blur around the guy's neck? Dead giveaway."Chloe leaned in, her breath hitching as she studied the video frame by frame. "It's not him. That's not his body."Val scoffed, crossing her arms. "Exactly. Trust me, I'd know. I've seen Dami naked."Chloe tilted her head, a smirk tugging at her lips. "Of course, you have."Val's eyes gleamed with a playful glint. "With Bella. Long before you two crossed paths."Chloe released a breath she hadn't realized she was holding. The thought of Damian finding slivers of joy in his sad past brought her a strange sense of relief.She replayed the video, scrutinizing it again. The flaws were glaringly obvious.First, there was no dragon tattoo.Second, the idea of Damian—always in control—being tied up and submissive? Ridi
Val paused, taking a sip of her coffee before answering. "I've known Dami for years." "What was he like when you first met him?" Chloe asked. "Nothing like the man you see now. He was quiet. Painfully shy. He's had to adapt and grow into the role he was born to play. The weight of two empires—Scott and Quinn—sits on his shoulders now. It's not easy with Mike Marino's people always circling, waiting for a slip-up." "So, you've been by his side through it all?" Val's gaze grew distant, memories flickering behind her eyes. "I remember the first time Dami walked into the club. He was so green, unsure of himself. Bella—Isabella—saw something in him, though. She took him under her wing, teaching him to harness his power and command respect. I played a role, but Bella shaped him." Chloe toyed with her coffee cup. "He mentioned Bella to me a couple of times. She taught him a lot about whips, chains, teasing, powerplay, the works. Let me guess. You, her, and him. Threesomes?" "Foreplay, r
Chloe drove through the city streets, her fingers gripping the sleek Lamborghini's steering wheel. The powerful engine hummed beneath them, and the car skimmed through the mid-week traffic. Mina sat in the passenger seat, her gaze flicking out the window before settling on the luxurious interior. "Nice ride. I've never been in one of these before." Chloe smiled, glancing sideways at her. "Damian bought it for my birthday. I told him I didn't need anything flashy, but giving is his love language. He has a generous heart." "Your boyfriend saved my life. He protected me from a bad man. And thanks for making me feel at home." "Anytime, sweetie," Chloe replied. "Stay as long as you need. When you're ready, we'll make sure you'll get back to school." Mina nodded, a tiny glimmer of hope crossing her features. "I'd like that." Chloe parked in a reserved spot outside a Scott family-funded medical center. She guided Mina through the entrance, nodding at a nurse as they strode down the brig
"Hey, lover," Chloe purred, leaning against the doorway of their home gym. Damian was midway through his morning workout, his chiseled body glistening with sweat under the dim lights. He was shirtless as he lifted weights, his gray gym shorts clinging to his powerful thighs. Every muscle in his body rippled with raw strength. Chloe stared at the dragon tattoo curling along his left ribcage, its tail winding down to his sculpted abs. Her heart skipped a beat, breath hitching, as heat surged through her. The sight of him—raw, powerful, and utterly gorgeous—ignited her primal need to fuck him. He glanced up, seeing her standing in one of his old shirts that hung loosely down to her knees. A grin spread across his lips as he wiped the sweat from his brow with a towel. "Hey, beautiful. You're up early for a Sunday morning. I thought you liked to sleep in." "Couldn't sleep," she said, pushing aside the slight nausea in her stomach. But the hunger in Damian's eyes overshadowed her d