Total pages in book: 35
Estimated words: 33235 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 166(@200wpm)___ 133(@250wpm)___ 111(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 33235 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 166(@200wpm)___ 133(@250wpm)___ 111(@300wpm)
“Tell me, baby girl,” he says gently, his eyes searching mine. “Talk to me, Lyra.”
“I— I can’t,” I choke out, my pulse thudding in my chest and the room spinning around us.
“Look, whatever it is, you can—”
“I can’t,” I hiss, the tears running down my cheeks as I shake my head at him.
“Yes,” he growls. “Yes you can, love.”
Love.
The word pierces me deep, and suddenly, whatever walls I’ve been trying to build come crashing down. I tumble into him, throwing my arms around him and melting into his chest. He holds me tight, stroking my back and my hair and telling me it’s all going to be okay as I cry into him.
Slowly, I pull back, and this time, when I look up into his eyes, I know I can’t keep this from him — not from this man.
I bring a finger to my lips and slowly, I start to unbutton my blouse. Damien’s brows go up, and there’s the start of a grin on his face until I pop two more buttons, and then, his look goes cold. I open my shirt all the way, and then stand there, my breath hitching and my lip caught between my teeth as I let him see the wire taped between my breasts.
My eyes scan the room, and I quickly move to his desk, grab a pen and notepad, and scrawl a note across the page:
How do I disable this thing???
Damien’s eyes narrow at me, and I can see the anger and betrayal warring behind his eyes. But then, he shakes his head, and when he opens his eyes, all I can see in them is that fierce protectiveness I know. I see that and I see love.
He move towards me, his fingers brushing my skin as he gently and deftly plucks the tape away and pulls the listening device from my body. His finger goes to his lips, and wordlessly, he strides across the room, opens a keypad on the wall, and punches in a code. A small, hidden wall safe pops open, and he tossed the wireless transmitting device inside and slams the door shit.
We’re both quiet for a second, and I watch his shoulders tense before he slowly turns to face me.
“What the fuck is that?”
I swallow, my eyes searching his before I open my mouth.
“I know what you are,” I say quietly.
Damien barks out a brittle laugh, shaking his head. “And what’s that? What am I, angel?” He strides towards me, and I gasp as clutches me up in his arms.
“You know me, Lyra. And I know you know that!”
“They say you’re—”
“They say a lot of things that aren’t true, especially about people who succeed in this damn world,” he snaps, before his look softens.
“Look at me, angel.”
His face is soft and gentle, but I can see the fierceness in his eyes as he levels them with me.
“I know you know me, and you know whatever they’re saying isn’t true.”
“They say you’re stealing,” I say quietly.
“Let me guess, the FBI?”
I swallow, nodding and looking up into his eyes.
“It’s Bill. That’s why they made me wear this and come in here. Bill’s got one on too, because he’s trying to sell you out to save his own…”
But suddenly, all I can think about is the pictures. I trail off and look away, and suddenly whatever heat just bloomed into my heart fades as I think of the images of Damien with some other younger girl — holding her and kissing her cheek, and putting his arm around her.
“There’s something else.”
He says it quietly, his voice gravely as he reaches out and takes my hand. I go to pull it back, but he holds it fast.
“Kelly.”
The word hits me like a slap, and my eyes dart to his. He’s smiling, and I can feel the rage burning up inside of me as I narrow my eyes at him.
“Her name is Kelly. The pictures I’m guessing they showed you.”
“I don’t care what her fucking name is,” I hiss. “Just leave me—”
“She’s my goddaughter, Lyra.”
I freeze, my pulse jumping in my chest as my eyes flash back to his.
Damien smiles, his eyes piercing into mine as he reaches out, takes my hands, and pulls me close.
“Her name is Kelly, she’s twenty-one, and she’s Lorne’s daughter.”
I stare at him.
“Lorne, as in your butler Lorne?”
Damien laughs, his hands sliding up my arms to pull me closer.
“I think butler is maybe an antiquated term. He’s more the chief of staff for my household.”
“I thought you said Lorne was gay?”
“With flying rainbow colors, but Kelly is from his first marriage. You know, when he was faking it I guess.” He chuckles and shakes his head. “Lyra, I’ve known her since she was born. She’s my damn goddaughter, and trust me, that’s all there is there. I mean she’s basically family to me.”