Page 13 of Forbidden Access

He took a shuddering breath and fixed his gaze on her. “You must have done things you didn’t want to, for the greater good?”

“I’ve done things I’m not proud of,” she agreed quietly, taking a step back. The air was suddenly charged with a weird kind of tension, and she wanted to dilute it.

Some of the fire left his expression. “Then maybe you should stop judging me for mine.”

She didn’t reply, and for a moment, they just stood there, unsure where to take this conversation next. Damian took the matter out of her hands. “I’m going to bed.”

She got to her feet.

“No, please. Make yourself at home.”

“I’d feel better if?—”

“I wouldn’t. See you in the morning.”

She watched him stalk from the room, his shoulders stiff and unbending, his hands clenched into hard fists.

Thorn waited until nine a.m. before deciding to disturb Damian. She’d heard him rise at five, and from the sound of it, he’d been in his study ever since. After yesterday’s tension, she’d hoped for a fresh start, but the nagging feeling that something was off wouldn’t leave her. This wasn’t just about protecting a high-profile client. There was more at stake, and she needed Damian to take it seriously.

BAD BOY CRYPTO DEVELOPER WEDS screamed the news headlines. She’d just been reading it online, her stomach churning at the words. They hadn’t released any photographs yet, those were still coming, but she dreaded having to act like she was the happiest woman alive.

She had been that woman once, but not anymore. Now, the act was nothing more than a strategic move in a dangerous game.

Thorn shut the laptop, her stomach churning. No use dwelling on the past. There were more pressing matters to focus on, like the latest security update.

Blackthorn Security’s onsite unit had already been in touch to give her the all-clear. No trouble during the night other than some intrepid reporters climbing the gate, trying to gain access to the property, but they’d all checked out when the team had run their details. No one posing a threat.

The house alarm had remained intact too, affording her a couple of hours sleep. After her big day yesterday, she’d needed it. The nap had soothed her nerves, which were more shredded than she’d realized after tying the knot.

She found Damian in his study, his focus unwavering as he typed away at his laptop. The large, wooden desk that dominated the room was neatly organized, a testament to his meticulous nature. He looked up as she entered, his gray eyes narrowing slightly.

“Do you usually just walk into people’s private offices unannounced?” he asked, his lips curling into a half-smile. “Oh, yeah. You do.”

Thorn ignored the jibe. “We need to talk about Miami.”

He arched an eyebrow, leaning back in his chair. “What about it?”

She crossed the room, keeping her tone professional. “I talked to Pat this morning. The plan is to fly to Miami just before the conference, minimizing the time you’re exposed. We’ll use an assumed name for the hotel booking, and I’ll be with you at all times. It’s the safest way.”

Damian’s gaze flicked to the window, where the sunlight filtered through the blinds. “You really think they’ll try something there?”

She nodded, her expression serious. “It’s where you’re most vulnerable. If I were in their shoes, that’s when I’d strike.”

He sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. “You’ve thought this through.”

“That’s what you’re paying us for.” She hesitated, then added, “We’ll use your private jet. It’s easier to control the environment that way.”

Damian gave a curt nod. “Fine. I’ll inform my pilot. Anything else?”

She glanced at the map on the wall behind him. It was a geographical map of a region she couldn’t immediately place. Beneath it were several framed photographs of people in kaftans and headscarves, their expressions a mix of hardship and resilience.

She’d seen similar expressions before. Afghanistan? Syria? Were they why he had the map?

He noticed her gazing at it. “I spent some time there once.”

“Where? The Middle East?”

He nodded, but didn’t elaborate.

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