Page 14 of Fearless Bond

A chill ran down my spine. I knew this would happen. Of course Damian was looking for me. The giddy feeling from just aminute ago evaporated, and my chest constricted. I was about to freak out in three, two, one…

“He’s got a black sedan and a long dark coat. Expensive clothes. Bleach-blond hair sleeked back. Rings any bell?”

“That’s Damian.” I focused on my breathing. Slow. Slow. I stared at Barclay’s chest as it rose and fell, trying to match the rhythm. I wasn’t going back, no way.

But Damian would find me here, drag me to the car, and drive me home to my father.

“Hey, Calvin. Look at me.”

I’m not going back. I’m not going back. No way. No!

“Calvin!”

My eyes flew open. Barclay crouched on the carpet in front of me, gazing into my eyes.

“You forgot to breathe.”

His shoulders lifted, and I inhaled with him. A powerful waft of his scent permeated my lungs, and his warm hands rubbed my shoulders.

“He doesn’t know you’re here, and even if he finds out, he will have to get through me first.”

Big brown eyes, warm but intense. Bushy eyebrows frowning. He had long black lashes and specks of gold in his irises.

Barclay had beautiful eyes, and they were staring right into my head.

“That’s it. Breathe.”

I liked his voice too. The rumble felt almost like a touch.

Another calming breath. And another. My heartbeat was slowing down already. The nausea disappeared as fast as it had come.

I was getting better, wasn’t I? Normally, it would take me hours to recover from one of my freakouts, yet my head was clearing up already. How was that possible?

Damian was in town, but he didn’t know about me staying here. Barclay said he’d help me, and Iknewhe would.

“Sorry,” I mumbled.

His brown eyes flashed with gold. “Why the fuck are you apologizing, huh?”

I snorted at his outraged tone. “Force of habit?”

Barclay shook his head. He dropped his arms, and I missed his touch. My shoulders felt chilly without his big paws on them.

“He doesn’t know I’m here?”

“No. But he’s asking around town, so we have to be careful.”

“Okay.”

Tilting his head to the side, Barclay observed me with unnerving intensity. Like a doctor checking a patient. Then he narrowed his beautiful eyes. “That Damian. He’s a nasty fucker, isn’t he?”

I couldn’t help it, I laughed. It sounded broken. “I should call Laure.”

“Your friend? The one who can help?”

“Yes.”

“Okay. Should I give you some privacy?”

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