Lines and Boundaries

Alessia’s pulse pounded beneath Damian’s grip.

His fingers weren’t crushing, but they were firm—possessive in a way that sent a confusing mix of warning and something else curling through her chest.

She forced herself to meet his gaze, refusing to be intimidated. “Let me go.”

Damian studied her for a long moment, his thumb brushing once over the delicate skin of her wrist before he released her.

The absence of his touch left her colder than she expected.

“You’re stubborn,” he muttered, shaking his head. “Do you have any idea how reckless it was to come here alone?”

Alessia folded her arms across her chest, both to block the chill and to steel herself against the unnerving way his presence filled every inch of space between them.

"I had no choice," she said. "No one else is looking for Marco. Not even the police. What was I supposed to do? Sit at home and hope he magically reappears?"

Damian exhaled sharply. He looked... frustrated. And Damian Valenciaga didn’t seem like a man who was used to being frustrated.

"Hope won’t do you any good in a place like this," he said, his voice dropping an octave. "Neither will reckless bravery."

She narrowed her eyes. "Then what will?"

Damian stepped closer, until she had to tilt her chin up to hold his gaze. His voice was quieter now, but somehow, that only made it more dangerous.

"Power. Control. And knowing which battles are worth fighting."

A shiver traced down her spine. "And you think I need you for that?"

His lips curled into something that wasn’t quite a smirk. "I think you need me more than you want to admit."

Alessia’s stomach flipped, but she refused to give him the satisfaction of seeing her waver.

“Just tell me what you know,” she said, her voice steady.

Damian held her gaze for a moment longer, then let out a slow breath, as if resigning himself to something.

"Your brother was last seen leaving a warehouse two docks over from here. A shipment went missing that same night—drugs, weapons, something big."

Alessia’s blood ran cold. Marco wouldn’t be involved in something like that. Would he?

Damian studied her reaction. Too closely.

"I don’t know if he stole it or if he got caught up in something he shouldn’t have," he continued. "But either way, men are looking for him. Dangerous men."

Alessia’s fists clenched. "Then I need to find him before they do."

Damian’s expression darkened. "And what exactly do you plan to do when you find him, sweetheart? Fight off a gang of armed men on your own?"

Her jaw tightened. She hated the way he made her feel naïve.

"I’ll do whatever it takes," she said.

Damian let out a quiet chuckle. "You really don’t get it, do you?"

Before she could snap at him, his hand lifted—not to grab her this time, but to brush a strand of hair behind her ear.

The touch was unexpectedly gentle. And far too intimate.

Alessia stilled, her breath catching.

Damian’s gaze dropped to her lips for the briefest moment before he stepped back.

“I’m going to find Marco,” he said. "And until then, you stay out of my way."

Alessia’s heart pounded. "And if I don’t?"

His smirk returned, but his eyes were cold. "Then I’ll make sure you do."