Chapter 8 - The Price of Loyalty
By 3:00 AM, the docks were silent save for the hiss of rain on hot metal and the groans of captured Vanguard mercenaries kneeling in the mud.
Damien walked back toward the command van, his clothes soaked, a shallow graze bleeding across his left cheek. He pulled open the van door, stepping inside out of the rain, bringing the scent of ozone, gunpowder, and raw masculine authority with him.
He didn't say a word at first. He just stared at Ellie, who sat frozen in the rolling chair, her knuckles white as she clutched the edge of the desk.
"You saved my life a second time," Damien said softly, reaching out to gently brush a stray lock of dark hair away from her face. His calloused fingers brushed her cheek, sending a sudden, electric shock straight down her spine.
"I saved my own life, too," Ellie breathed, unable to look away from his intense, dark eyes. "If you die, the Vanguard comes for me next."
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Damien let out a low, humorless chuckle, his gaze dropping to her lips before rising back to her eyes. "You think this is just about survival, Ellie? From the moment you stood up to my guards with a silver teaspoon, you became part of my world. You own a piece of my empire now."
Before she could form a reply, Damien leaned down, capturing her lips in a fierce, possessive kiss that tasted of danger, victory, and an undeniable, consuming passion.
