Page 20 of My Ruthless Husband

I blink in surprise—he's the neighbor who barely interacted with me when I was living here. In fact, I hardly remember him ever acknowledging my existence.

Something flashes in his eyes when he sees Damian towering over Summer. A muscle in his jaw twitches. He steps away from the doorframe and walks toward us, stopping only when he's toe to toe with Damian. “Back. Off.”

“You stay out of it.”

The man tucks his hands in his pockets and regards him with an unreadable gaze. “I decline.”

“You decline?” Damian cocks a brow.

Goldie barks, making the newcomer glance down. The attention makes Goldie excited. Bending down, he lifts him. Then stares at Summer. And I can’t help but notice the familiarity they share when their eyes lock. “Take him to the apartment. Lock the door behind you.”

She opens her mouth, probably to argue but he cuts her off. “Do as you’re told for once, Summer.”

So they know each other. Enough for him to recognize her stubborn nature. But what confuses me is the way Damian goes still when the neighbor calls her by her name.

Damian watches Summer, his expression unreadable. He stays frozen, even after she leaves, leaving just the three of us inthe hallway. But it's only for a minute before Summer returns, this time without Goldie.

The neighbor sighs as he watches her. As if he expected her to defy him.

“Where were we?” The neighbor asks no one in particular. It snaps Damian out of his thoughts. The man continues, “Ah, yes. I just witnessed a man threaten a woman half her size in my hallway.”

My husband’s face remains impassive at his direct attack.

“Hmm. Let’s pretend that I was. What are you going to do about it?”

The man looks at Damian with a piercing gaze. “I am not a violent man. But that doesn’t mean I wouldn’t consider becoming one if need be. But the real question is whether thereisa need for it.”

I tense. No one dares to talk to Damian Montgomery like that. He’s not just filthy rich; he’s immensely powerful. This man might not be violent, but Damian is.

Damian may have morals about not laying a hand on a woman, but that’s where his code ends. I’ve seen his enemies quake in fear. I’ve seen someone black and blue, just because he touched me. This guy has no idea what he’s getting into.

My husband doesn’t get offended. Instead, he lifts a single brow. “Is she your woman?”

I hear Summer sucking in a sharp breath at the question.

“What if she is?”

“Then I think you should have her on a short leash. So she would keep her nose out of other’s business.”

I gasp and Summer’s eyes flare.

The neighbor’s lips tighten in a thin line, his fingers curling in tight fists. “She will do whatever she damn well pleases. If I were you, I would shut my mouth and think twice before disrespecting her.”

That’s the last straw that snaps Damian’s patience. He stalks forward. They snarl at each other, seconds away from breaking into a physical fight. I have to do something. Not because I’m worried for Damian. It’s the opposite. I’m worried for Summer’s neighbor because I’ve seen Damian train with his men often times to know this can easily turn into a bloodbath.

“Enough!” I snap, pushing between the two men. The moment I touch Damian, his entire attention latches on me. Like nobody else exists except us. This used to make me swoon before. But now I know what it is. It’s not love. It’s obsession. Dark and raw. He is obsessed over his possession. Me.

“Stop it.” I grind out then glance at Damian, eyes locking eyes with his. “Fine. I’ll go with you.”

His eyes blaze with satisfaction. My face heats with anger and knowledge of what I just uttered. It means he won. Yet again. As if reading my mind, his gaze intensifies.

“River,” Summer interrupts. “You don’t have to. He can’t force you.”

I smile sadly. “It’s okay. I’ll live.” With that, I snatch Damian’s wrist and enter the waiting elevator.

In sync with the door, my eyes flutter shut. Releasing his wrist, I plaster myself to the far side, my body still trembling with what just happened. All of my efforts were for nothing. He has me back in his possession, probably looking forward to whisking me back to his mega mansion—my gilded cage—in Bel-Air.

The thought of returning to that house where my whole world shattered weakens my knees and my legs give out. My tired brain is vaguely aware of Damian’s urgent leap as he reaches me. His arms wrap around me, my face planting against his hard chest.

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