You can never have my heart

Damon couldn't stop replaying the words in his mind. They were painful. Why did she agree? He was seething with anger, itching to hit something, anything. He drove to the gym, relentlessly pounding on the punching bag. Something seemed unusual.  She wouldn't deliberately hurt him like that. He made a mental note to talk to Giana.

Lucas was coming back home. She'd have to sleep beside him, and the thought drove Damon crazy. He couldn't stand the idea of anyone else touching her.

He decided to visit her at the hospital and waited for the nurse to finish her call. "Where can I find Dr. Jackson?"

"She left about an hour ago, had an emergency at home, something about Damon…" the nurse replied.

He dashed down the stairs, trying to reach Bulldog, but got no response. He cursed under his breath.

He called home and explained that they had taken her. Desperation tightened his chest.

"Rafael, I need to find her," taking a deep breath. Then he remembered the necklace he had given her for safety. Thank goodness for that. It has a GPS.

He knew where she was now. He rushed home to gather his weapons and more men.

Suspended by her wrists, Bella dangled helplessly. A man's rough fingers traced her cheek before striking it hard.

"Tell us where the hideout is," he growled. "We'll torture you until you talk, then worse things will happen, and we'll start all over again."

She met his eyes and laughed hollowly. "He'll find me. He'll kill you slowly. You should let me go while you can."

"She's lost her mind,"  The lash came down across her back, soaking her blouse with warm wetness. She bit her tongue against the scream. Another blow fell, then hands tore at her clothing.

A voice barked from the darkness. They scattered, leaving her alone with waves of agony.

Consciousness flickered. Gunfire. Shouting. Then the door burst open, and Damon appeared, cutting her down. She collapsed against him as he carried her to safety.

"Rafael, drive faster," Damon urged, gently touching her face. "Tell me, why did you give him a chance?"

"She has pictures of us, Damon,". "She'll show them to your parents. I had no choice."

Damon swore under his breath. "This ends tonight. I'll talk to him."

Bella sighed. "It's not a good idea. Think about it first," she said before passing out again.

Lying on the bed, she opened her eyes to see Lucas and Damon fighting. Bella made a sound, and Lucas moved toward her, but Damon pushed him away.

"Stay away from her. She's mine," Damon demanded.

Lucas chuckled. "What did you do, brother? Fall for my wife? Did you touch her?" Lucas accused, throwing a punch. Damon didn't retaliate. "Bastard, I was on the verge of death, and you were with my wife."

The door swung open as a doctor and nurse entered. "Everyone out," the doctor commanded.

Bella screamed as they removed her shirt. Damon wanted to rush in, but Lucas blocked his way. "Don't you dare," Lucas warned. "I'm taking her away from here. You'll never see her again."

"She doesn't love you, brother, and you said she's not your type," Damon retorted.

"That's your excuse?" Lucas shouted. "I saw you touching her when you danced with her. I thought you were flirting, then shots were fired, and she reached for you, not me. I'm her husband! You'll tell her it was a mistake, or I'll tell her what you did to Julia."

Damon looked at his brother as if he were a stranger. "Please, don't do that. She'll hate me. I'll back off."

The doctor came out. She needs to rest, I placed an IV, she’s young, she’ll recover soon.

Damon walked in. Dropped by the bed. Bella listen to me, I love you, forgive me for this. He kissed her forehead. Then walked out.

Two weeks passed, she felt sick, finally went in to see her friend. They took some blood, waited in her office for the results, chatting. The nurse walked in, handing her the results.

She looked twice. Bella smiled sad. Thank you, Laura, I am leaving tomorrow for Europe with my husband. I hope to see you soon, even though she knew that was not possible. Bulldog waited for her. Opened the door and helped her in.

Can you wait a bit before driving, please.

Of course, Ms. Jackson.

She wrote him a letter, put a copy of the test, placed it in an envelope and sealed it. Turned to Bulldog. I’m asking you for a huge favor, this is important so listen.

The house was quiet except for the maid when Bella arrived. She walked to her bedroom, with a small smile playing on her lips. When she opened the door, Damon stood inside. He locked the door behind her and pulled her into a desperate kiss.

"I've missed you so much," he whispered against her mouth.

"Damon, please go. He'll kill you if he finds you here."

"I need to tell you something important…"

Lucas's voice drifted up from downstairs, speaking to the maid. Bella's eyes widened in panic.

"Leave now,". "I love you, no matter what you've done."

Damon slipped through the window. Moments later, Lucas entered. He grabbed her by the hair, forcing her down.

"Tonight, you'll remember who your husband is,"

Bella stared back with empty eyes. "You can take my body, but never my heart."

The slap came hard enough to split her lip. She laughed coldly, tasting blood.

"Did I touch a nerve?"

He shoved her onto the bed, tore her dress, and took what he wanted while tears slid silently down her face. When he finished, he left without a word.

She wept until she fell asleep. He came back into the room. Hated himself for what he did, he was angry with her, but mostly with his brother. He covered her, touching her face gently, thinking she’d never forgive him for this.