Page 20 of Fate's Unseen Shadow

Damon rolled his eyes at the annoyed tone and followed her to the car. Telling her she looked hot as hell would better fit how he felt but wasn’t appropriate. “Let me get that.” He reached around and opened her door.

Ella stepped back, her shoulder brushing his chest. She looked back up at him, her blue eyes nearly turquoise in the sunlight. He rarely second-guessed himself, but he did right then. She’d draw attention from every man and woman at Cager. Not because of her position or money as the owner of Cassin Systems.

But because she was fucking gorgeous.

And he wanted to keep her for himself.

Damon exhaled and stepped away. “We need to go.” He left her and crossed to the driver’s side, his throat tightening with his struggle for control. He wanted her safe.

He sat down, pushing the Start button before she even got her door closed. “Promise me if the language gets too rough at the bar for you, you’ll let me know. I don’t want you to be subjected to all the nonsense that comes out of some guys’ mouths. And women’s. Both can get rough when you add alcohol into the mix.”

“I can take it. There’s misogyny in the business world, too.”

“And you shouldn’t have to take it there either,” he murmured. She was made for a different lifestyle than this one, and it was his job to get her back to it as soon as possible. He and the guys would brainstorm later. They’d all had business emergencies come up today, keeping them from discussing her case.

But his first hurdle was ensuring Ella was safe tonight, and the longer he thought about it, the more that protective weight settled in his chest.

Damon drove to Cager and parked along the side of the building. “I mean it, Ella. Let me know if you run into any…trouble,” he finished as Ella was already unbuckled and stepping out of the car. “Obviously, you’re ready to work.” He chuckled, which she appeared not to hear as she closed the door. He hurried to follow her. “This isn’t going to be anything like your old life.” He stepped beside her as she headed toward the front of the building. He took her by the elbow, leading her in a large circle. “We’ll enter in this way. I said this won’t be like anything you’re used to. We will work to get you back to your old life soon.”

She sighed and pushed her blond hair back, fisting her hand in it at the nape of her neck. “I’ve spent a month alone, psychoanalyzing myself to the point that I don’t even remember what I liked about my old life. I want my company back. I love being in charge, making deals, flying around the world. But otherwise…” She shrugged. “I didn’t have anything else.”

He kept his voice neutral. “What about Matteo?”

She snorted and rolled her eyes before cutting them in his direction. “No. I’m hurt he didn’t defend me, but I don’t misshim.” She lowered her voice. “He was convenient. Nothing else.”

Damon tried not to ask, but it came out regardless. “And you were with only him for the last four years? No other dates with other men?”

Ella shoved her hands into the back pockets of her jeans. “That’s right.” She twisted her lips as he unlocked Cager’s back door. “The sad state of my life. Too busy for real friends or real dates.”

For most people, that statement would’ve been an exaggeration. But with the way it sounded like she ran her life, it fit. She didn’t have real friends because those would take time away from her building Cassin Systems into the powerhouse it was.

“Let’s go introduce you to Lacy. You’re about to have an instant best friend.” He turned and strode down the dark hallway toward the bar, quelling the urge to reach for her hand and lead her. He wanted to fix the brokenness in her voice. Prove she wasn’t alone. Not anymore. Even when she returned to Atlanta, he’d be available to her.

Gorgeous and smart—an incredible combination in his book. The men in her world, especially Matteo, were fucking idiots. He agreed that men shouldn’t hit on a woman in most situations. The boardroom wasn’t a place to bring up the bedroom. But damn, the second their business negotiations were over, he’d throw every single angle he had to get a date with her if he lived in her world.

But he didn’t. He fit into her life for one reason and one reason alone: safety.

He’d keep her safe. If anything else happened beyond that, he’d consider himself a lucky son of a bitch.

Damon rested his forearms on the bar as his best and only bartender sauntered over. “Lacy. This is your new bartender, Ella.”

Lacy wore a pair of leather pants and a crop top, short enough that it might be a bra. The neckline touched her collarbone, hiding the butterfly tattoo across her breastbone. “You finally got me some help. Only been asking for a month.” She hitched her thumb over her shoulder. “Get your cute butt back here so I can teach you the ropes. You won’t be any use to me if you need your hand held every five seconds.”

Damon shot Lacy a hard look, but before he could say anything, Ella hurried behind the bar with a big smile. “I’m a fast learner,” she announced with the same confidence as yesterday.

“And eager.” Lacy raised her eyebrows. “Cute jeans.”

“Thanks.” She started tugging down the shirt but then stopped and lifted her chin. “I wasn’t sure if I looked okay. This is a little different from how I used to dress for work.”

Lacy crossed her arms and gave her a long look up and down. “You look hot as shit, girl.” She held up her hand. “And I’m so borrowing those jeans.”

“Thanks. The last person I asked didn’t give me the same level of response.” She ended her statement with a sly cut of her gaze to his.

“Because the last person you asked isn’t interested in borrowing your jeans.” Damon set his hands on the bar, not amused by the byplay. “Lacy?”

“What’s up?” She leaned on the bar across from him, her smile a little too cunning on a Thursday night. “I think you’d look cute in her jeans. Or at least I’d enjoy watching you try to get in them.” She winked.

“Well, I’m not doing either. Watch out for her.” He aimed his warning at Ella, locking eyes with her, making sure she heard every word he said. “Your new student has never been behind a bar like this. Never beenina bar like this. She may find it fun, but she needs to know the risks. Please teach her the ropes to be safe.”

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