Collateral Damage Novels & Stories

I ask. “Of the moment where we stop reacting,” she says, standing. “And start deciding who survives this.” She heads for the door. “Lydia,” I call. She turns. “If this ends badly,” I say, “I need you to know—I never meant to make you collateral.” Her expression softens, just for a second. “Intent doesn’t undo impact, Damian.” Then she’s gone. I stand alone again, city lights flickering like nervous thoughts beyond the glass.

"I was always your enemy. I just didn't know it until I fell in love with the woman you tried to destroy." Thorne's finger tightened on the trigger. A shot rang out. I flinched. But the bullet didn't hit me. Thorne staggered. Dropped the gun. Blood bloomed across his shoulder—red against his grey coat. Behind him, Celeste stood in the doorway, her hands steady, her eyes cold. The gun in her grip was still smoking. "Collateral damage," Celeste said. "That's what you called the people you killed. My employees. My friends. Nadia Khalil."

I swore passionately. “Are you listening to yourself right now?” Silvie cut me off, her own voice rising in incredulity. “The woman almost sold you out to a human trafficking organization for fucks sake. Before that, she threatened you with a fake gun. Who knows what the hell she's going to do yet?” Her voice broke. “I don't want to lose you, Lucia.” I wrapped my arms around her. “And you won't.” I assured her. “This whole thing will be over soon; I can feel it.”

Periah said. "Masters, I will have you know that in the course of agenda execution, there is a term known as 'collateral damage'. Let us refer to this plan as a collateral damage. One that will only affect few of the pack members and throw the white witch into a state of confusion" the three witches sighed in synch. "Listen well, we will grant you the request you ask of. But, every wolf will only be turned into Ancient Ridderacks, the ancient beast, and will kill other pack members with their own hands" Periah stated.

Gemma sat down, rubbing her now throbbing head as the prosecutor lady passed her a bottle of water. “Can't believe I met the power couple of the century today” The lady chuckled as she drank her water, trying to ease Gemma's mind. “Stop teasing me Nat” Gemma said as she drank the water. “Do you think Kayden would let Damien get a death penalty?” Gemma asked worriedly. “It's not about Kayden, it's about the country and how Damien almost caused a war. It's a war crime and the country would be prosecuting him.” Natalie said as Gemma took deep breaths.

“He couldn’t beat him head-on. But if he fractures everyone around him—me, you, the company—he weakens Nathan’s foundation.” “So we’re collateral damage.” “No,” he said firmly. “We’re leverage.” I inhaled deeply, nausea curling in my stomach. “That’s disgusting.” “It's Damian,” Alex said with a shrug. “He’s always been that kind of monster.” Liana let out a loud burp, and we both turned to her, momentarily distracted. She grinned like she’d just solved world hunger. “Remind me to raise her in a bubble,” I muttered, and Alex chuckled.

It seemed like he was completely unaware of her being anywhere near him until she touched him; his bereavement even had his mate bond on pause. As I stood and viewed the sorrowful couple together, I could feel the heat from all the nearby fires that had been lit to be a part of Corbin’s questionable torture regime. But even as I could feel the heat on both sides of my face, making the skin there feel tight and itchy, it still could not soothe or warm the chill that had settled deep within my bones.

I asked him. Again, casually, he said, “Collateral damage, I guess.” “You can't be serious? Where is your heart?”

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Gemma said. "What? She works in the same office as Eric? She's great" "Great or stupid? Yes of course that's a crazy decision, she could have hurt herself. She worked without a blocker like you, maybe her first day there was the worst" Gemma said. "Are you guys still in touch?" Cara said. "No, after breaking up he really ignored me, I don't know, maybe he has found his mate" Gemma said. "I'm sorry Gemma" Cara said.