Dangerous Conversation

Alessia sat across from Damian, her fingers curling around the cup of coffee she hadn’t touched yet. The rich aroma filled the air, but her stomach was too tangled with nerves to even think about drinking it.

She studied the man in front of her—the way he sat, completely at ease, exuding power without even trying. His dark eyes flickered toward her, assessing, always watching.

She hated that it made her pulse race.

Damian took another sip of his coffee before setting the cup down, his fingers tapping against the porcelain."You’re quiet this morning."

Alessia met his gaze. "I don’t have much to say."

He smirked. "That’s new."

She rolled her eyes and leaned back in her chair. "What do you want, Damian? Why am I here?"

His expression didn’t change, but something in the air shifted. "I already told you. You’re under my protection."

She scoffed. "And I already told you—I don’t need your protection."

His jaw clenched, and in an instant, he leaned forward, his presence overwhelming. "You don’t get to decide that."

Her breath hitched, but she forced herself to hold his gaze. "So, that’s it? You just keep me here like some—some possession?"

His lips curled into something dark. "Do you think I see you as a possession, Alessia?"

She swallowed hard. "Don’t you?"

Silence.

A heavy, suffocating silence.

Then, just as quickly as the tension built, Damian leaned back again, his smirk returning, though there was something unreadable in his eyes now. "If I did, you wouldn’t be sitting here arguing with me."

She hated that he had a point. Always.

She pushed her chair back abruptly and stood. "I’m going for a walk."

Damian didn’t stop her. He simply watched as she left, his gaze burning into her back.

The estate was even larger than she had realized. High walls surrounded the property, and security cameras were positioned at every possible angle. There was no escaping this place—not unless Damian allowed it.

She wandered through the garden, breathing in the fresh air, trying to clear her mind.

Footsteps approached from behind.

She turned, expecting one of Damian’s guards, but instead, she found him standing there, hands in his pockets, watching her.

Her heart clenched. "You don’t trust me to walk alone?"

Damian arched a brow. "It’s not you I don’t trust."

She crossed her arms. "You’re paranoid."

He stepped closer, invading her space. "I’m alive because I am."

His voice was low, a warning.

She shivered, but not from fear. "What are you so afraid of, Damian?"

His gaze darkened. "Losing something that matters."

The words hung between them, heavy, unspoken truths filling the space.

And for the first time, Alessia wondered if she was in more danger from him than from the enemies he claimed to be protecting her from.

But... What type of danger, she thought. She had already spent a night in his house, if he had any ill intentions, she doubted she wouldn't be standing there.

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