Page 102 of King

He turns his attention to Nancy. Tears in her eyes. “Please Damien,” she says, her voice shaky. “ I’m sorry, your father and I—”

“No apologies necessary," he says. "Pussy’s good for this man’s tension, and don’t worry, no one has to know." Letting go of my hand, he reaches into his pocket, pulling out that coin. “As long as we have your word that Jo and Willow can stay in this mansion."

"Th-that's it?" Nancy's mouth trembles, hand in front.

Damien nods. "Leave her alone and she'll be at every corporate event. Frilly dresses and all."

“I will?” Now I’m looking at Damien.

He continues, “But, she stays here. No trouble. No bullshit. When she turns eighteen she and Willow are out of your hair for good. Unscathed. Deal?”

There’s another warning in Sebastien’s voice, “Son—”

“Okay,” Nancy’s voice is quiet but she agrees, her hand in front of Sebastien’s chest. “Okay. Deal.”

“I guess that’s what we wanted,” Eric sighs, reaching for Nancy’s hand but she pulls back. She pushes him away before walking out of the room, hand by her nose.

“Good talk, everyone.” Damien takes my hand and with nothing else, leads me to my room.

Once there, he closes the door, hanging the dress on the hook behind it and I’m still in awe at watching him work his magic. I’ll be the first to admit he made a solid deal with the Archibalds. I could live out the time until my eighteenth birthday in a lavish, well-stocked home. All I have to do is attend a few dinners.

I felt used before, but knowing that my life would be more at peace thanks to this “deal” feels amazing.

"Jo?" Hearing our sounds, Willow runs into the room and wraps her arms around me, squeezing me to a pulp.

“Fuck,” I let out a cry when she presses hard against the wound.

She jumps back like a scared cat, silk pyjamas on her frame. “What? What happened?”

“Her fucked up ex-boyfriend is what happened.” Damien sits on my bed like he’s not fucked up at all.

“Zane?” Willow’s eyes double in size.

“Ssh, that's not important. I’m happy you’re okay.” I pull her back in for a hug, a gentler one and she takes her time wrapping her arms back around me. “I’m sorry I left.”

“You can’t leave me like that,” Willow says into my shirt. “I didn’t know what I was going to do. If it wasn’t for Damien I—”

"I know.” I kiss the side of her head and Damien lets us have our moment.

Cuddling in my bed, I catch Willow up on the events of the weekend. I tell her about the deal with our evil foster parents and how I plan to stay in Eden and fix everything.

After some time, Damien breaks up our reunion. “Alright Low, Jo’s tuckered out. Mind if I steal her for a nap?”

I give him a look, a twist of my mouth. “Who says I need a nap?”

“The doctor,” he's quick to respond. “And me, but you need a shower first.”

I wave him off. “I can handle it.”

“No, you can’t.”

Willow’s beside me in bed, head whipping between us. “I didn’t have the time to see this before but you two are perfect for each other.”

“Get outta here.” I push her away with whatever energy I have left, sticking out my tongue. “Come check on me in the morning okay?”

“Is Damien staying?” she asks on the way to the door.

“No, he doesn’t have—”

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