“Why? She neglected to tell me about her being married to a man who practically owns a town. She didn’t even mention knowing you when she stood in front of me at the reception. Does my mother know?”
“Let’s get back to the party. I’ll answer any questions later. I promise,” he tells me, not meeting my questioning gaze, and I know there is so much more that’s being kept from me.
“Fine,” I bite out, as frustration shoots through me, heating my blood. I spin around and make my way back to the house, leaving Damien staring at my back.
If Creed wants to dance with me, I’ll do it. Perhaps he’ll be more forthcoming with information.
30
Damien
I don’t run after her because I know she’ll only push me away. I don’t blame her for being angry, but there are reasons behind everything I’ve done. It was all to keep her safe, and I would do it again if I had another chance.
When I reach the house, I step into the ballroom and head straight for the bar. Cassian joins me, a smirk on his face, and I want nothing more than to punch him, but that wouldn’t help matters.
“She saw Mallory?” he asks, and I nod. “You knew it would happen. It’s not up to you to keep her safe from the truth. Her family should do it.”
“I’m her…” I allow my confession to silence because I can’t admit shit right now.
“I know you’re in love with her, Damien. It’s time you stopped denying it.” Cassian watches my reaction to his response. I gulp down the bourbon and gesture to the barman for another.
“You know what love did to our father, Cass,” I bite out when I have another double shot of bourbon. Turning to the dancefloor, I watch her from afar, talking to and dancing with Creed. Her smile is bright, but I don’t miss how her gaze finds me across the crowd.
Her hands snake around his neck, and my body burns with jealous rage. I know she’s doing it to piss me off. The man who’s wanted the legacy of Thorne Haven for himself is enjoying the dance. Creed has always wanted everything that’s mine. Our fathers are one and the same, but, the difference is, Bradford Thorne would not happily leave Thorne Corporation to me. Whereas Octavius Haven would wrap his legacy in a bow, before leaving it to his eldest son.
He moves closer to her, and every instinct in my body hums with violence. I’m so close to tearing through him, ripping him to shreds and fucking her drenched in his blood.
Would I enjoy it? Of course.
The darkness that’s always consumed me has a hold of me, and it’s not letting go. Not until I can make Nesrin completely mine, without anything hanging over our heads.
But it’s wrong.
Perhaps not to us.
But to my father, to her mother, her aunt. My feelings have grown; they’ve taken over, and all of this will ensure our lives are torn apart, left in shambles at the feet of the man who will gladly take everything from me—Creed Haven.
“Are you going to kill him?” Cassian’s amused voice comes from beside me, but I don’t look at my brother. I can’t. Because if I do, I’ll see the mirror image of my need dancing in his own eyes. We have experienced The Black Knights side by side. He knows how much I loved the games, the twisted runs in the darkness. Cassian also knows how deeply my body craves the fear in their eyes because I confessed my yearning to him.
Even though he’s a year younger than me, Cassian also understands my hesitation. This party is not the time or place to act out. Especially since we’re on Haven property.
“Perhaps I’ll torture him, watch him beg for mercy, while I enjoy a drink and smile at his pleas,” I mumble, unable to tear my gaze away from Nesrin, as she grins at him.
“I don’t think your girl would enjoy that,” Cass says with a shoulder bumping against mine as amusement laces his words. Even if I don’t look at him to see it for myself, I know he’s grinning. He’s right. Nesrin’s fighting her own demons, but when we’re together, it’s as if she forgets about her pain, her dark thoughts. She forgets to hurt herself.
And, for me, that’s the only thing that matters.
Because I’m the only person, the only thing that can hurt her. Because, if I walk away, I’ll break her worse than anything ever has.
“I want to show her the roof tonight,” I tell him, then feel his heated stare on the side of my face, as I take a sip of my drink. The burning amber liquid trickles a hot path down my throat, warming my stomach moments later.
“Do you think she’ll like it up there?” he asks, with amused curiosity. I’m not doing it for her. Even though I’ve ensured she’s comfortable, that she’s ready for what’s coming, I have secretly been selfish with my needs. I won’t apologize for it, and I certainly will never admit it to her, but my brother’s question makes me consider just how much this girl has burrowed herself in my mind.