All Chapters of ONE NIGHT,EVERY NIGHT : Chapter 71 - Chapter 80

 The next morning, the penthouse felt different. New cameras blinked in the corners. Extra locks clicked on the doors. Two security guys stood quietly near the elevator. Kai woke up first and made coffee, but the whole place felt smaller, like the walls were closing in. Damien walked into the kitchen a few minutes later, hair messy, wearing only sweatpants. He kissed Kai’s shoulder. “Morning. Sleep okay?” Kai handed him a mug. “Not really. Kept thinking about those cameras. About someone watching us. It’s messing with my head.” Damien took the coffee and leaned against the counter. “I know. I didn’t sleep much either. But the team’s coming back today to finish the full system. By tonight this place will be locked down tight.” Kai took a sip and looked at him. “I need to go out for a bit. Lila texted. S

 They stayed in bed for a long time, bodies still close, breathing slow. Damien’s hand rested on Kai’s chest, right over the phoenix. Neither of them wanted to move. Kai turned his head and kissed Damien’s shoulder. “I don’t want to get up yet. Can we just stay like this a little longer?” Damien smiled against his hair. “Yeah. I don’t want to move either. You feel good right here.” They lay quietly for a few minutes. Then Damien’s phone started ringing on the nightstand. He sighed and reached for it. “It’s Elena,” he said, looking at the screen. “She never calls this early unless it’s bad.” Kai sat up a little. “Answer it. I’ll be right here.” Damien put the phone on speaker and answered. “Elena. What’s going on?”

 The car kept moving through the city lights. Kai leaned against Damien’s shoulder, their hands still linked. The silence felt heavy after the noisy gala. Damien’s phone rang. He looked at the screen and frowned. “It’s Victor Lang,” he said. “He never calls this late unless he wants something.” Kai sat up straighter. “Who’s Victor Lang?” Damien answered the call and put it on speaker. “Victor. It’s late. What do you want?” A smooth, cold voice came through the speaker. “Damien. Always so direct. I saw the photos from your little gala tonight. You and your boy toy made quite the scene. Very… public.” Damien’s grip on Kai’s hand tightened. “His name is Kai. And this isn’t a social call. Get to the point.” 

They walked out of the poker room fast. Damien’s hand stayed firm on Kai’s lower back the whole way down the hallway. The air felt thick, like the whole casino was watching them. Kai could still feel Victor’s eyes on his back. When they reached a quiet side hallway near the restrooms, Damien stopped suddenly and pulled Kai inside the private single-occupancy bathroom, locking the door behind them. Kai leaned against the sink, breathing hard. “What the hell was that back there? You almost lost it in front of everyone.” Damien stepped close, hands gripping Kai’s waist. “I know. I couldn’t stand the way he looked at you. The way he talked about you like you were something he could buy. It made me want to drag you out of there and remind you who you belong to.” Kai looked up at him, eyes dark. “Then remind me. Right now. I need it. I need to fee

 They stood in the penthouse living room, the city lights glittering far below. Damien had just hung up the last call. Victor Lang’s main company was bleeding. The takeover was working. But instead of looking victorious, Damien looked tired. Kai walked over and wrapped his arms around him from behind. “You did it. You actually did it. He’s finished.” Damien leaned back into him, but his body stayed tense. “Yeah. It’s done. Or it will be by morning. But something still feels wrong. Like we’re missing a piece.” Kai kissed his shoulder. “Maybe you’re just exhausted. You’ve been fighting on every front for weeks. The board, the merger, Victor, the stalker… give yourself a break.” Damien turned around and pulled Kai close, forehead resting against his. “I can’t. Not until I know who put those cameras in