Chapter 5 - The Cost of Loyalty
The cleanup took three agonizing days.
The Moretti family had paid a devastating price for their arrogance.
Damian had personally ensured that none of the attackers left the property alive.
The estate smelled faintly of bleach and copper.
Tessa refused to leave Beatrice's side.
The attack had terrified the old woman, plunging her deeper into the fog of dementia.
Tessa sat by the bed, softly humming a lullaby she used to sing to her younger sister.
Damian stood in the doorway, watching her in absolute silence.
He had not slept since the attack.
Dark circles bruised the skin beneath his eyes.
He walked slowly into the room and pulled up a chair beside her.
She is finally resting, Tessa whispered, not taking her eyes off Beatrice.
Damian nodded slowly.
He leaned forward and rested his elbows on his knees.
I should have known the Morettis were planning a strike.
He rubbed his face exhaustedly.
My security chief, Paul, was the one who sold the gate codes to them.
Tessa gasped softly and turned to look at him.
Paul? she asked in disbelief.
He seemed so loyal to you.
Damian let out a bitter, humorless laugh.
Loyalty is a myth, Tessa.
It is just a calculation of who pays better on any given day.
Tessa looked at his bruised knuckles and his exhausted posture.
She saw the incredible weight he carried on his shoulders every single minute.
Not everyone is motivated by money, she said softly.
Damian turned his head and looked deeply into her eyes.
Then what motivates you, Tessa?
She did not look away from his intense stare.
Compassion, she answered honestly.
Something you clearly do not understand.
Damian leaned closer to her, the space between them suddenly vanishing.
I understand that you stayed in that closet to protect a woman you barely know.
He reached out and gently traced the line of her jaw with his thumb.
I understand that you are the bravest person I have ever met.
Tessa felt her heart skip a beat at his touch.
She knew she should pull away from this dangerous, violent man.
But the magnetic pull between them was entirely undeniable.
Damian leaned in and brushed his lips softly against hers.
May you like
It was a tentative, questioning kiss.
Tessa closed her eyes and leaned into his warmth, kissing him back.
