Page 101 of Wild Tangled Hearts

I'm too shocked to respond immediately. I stare at him, my mind racing to understand what's happening.

Sebastian clears his throat awkwardly, glancing between Damien and me. "Ah, the infamous boyfriend, I assume?"

Damien grunts, still ignoring Sebastian, and strides directly to me. He pulls me so tightly against his chest that I can hardly breathe, and his lips press against my forehead in a possessive kiss.

My mind whirls with confusion and questions, but for now, I'm overwhelmed by the surprise of Damien's arrival and the warmth of his embrace.

"You're okay?" Damien demands, his voice tight with concern. "He didn't hurt you?"

I shake my head, still bewildered by Damien's unexpected arrival. "How...how did you know?"

Damien glances at Sebastian, suspicion evident in his narrowed eyes. Then, his gaze shifts to one of the police officers, and he nods, an unspoken conversation conveyed in that single, deliberate movement. My heart beats harder as I realize that Damien's connections and resources go far deeper than I'd ever known.

"What's important," he says, gazing back at me, his tone softening but still tinged with frustration, "is why didn't you call me?"

I swallow hard, the guilt settling heavily in my chest. The truth is fear had held me back. But as I meet Damien's gaze, I realize that this incident has brought us to a critical juncture where honesty and vulnerability will determine our path from here.

I meet Damien's intense gaze, my voice trembling as I try to explain. "I was going to...I just...I needed a minute to process everything."

My words hang in the air, heavy with the unsaid emotions and uncertainties that have plagued our relationship. In this tense moment, I can see the turmoil in Damien's eyes.

"I'll leave you two alone," Sebastian says, his voice low, and even in Damien’s presence, he doesn’t back down. "But remember, Bella, call me if you need anything.”

"Thank you," I say softly.

Sebastian chuckles, his dark eyes holding a glint of mischief, and I wonder if he doesn't enjoy making Damien jealous. "We should stop meeting like this," he adds with a faint, strained smile, referring to the near miss with his car earlier.

Damien's jaw clenches as he watches Sebastian exit, and his anger simmers just beneath the surface. I can tell he wants to confront me, but the ordeal I've just been through weighs heavily on us.

“I’m glad you’re here,” I tell him. And it’s the truth.

His eyes soften with concern as he takes in my shaken state. Without a word, he pulls me into another tight hug, his arms a reassuring fortress around me.

"I'm so sorry, Bella," he whispers, his voice filled with remorse. "This is all my fault."

The police officers finally finish their work. They've gathered evidence and taken my statement, but there's nothing else they can do now.

Damien is a relentless force as he helps me clean up the chaos that has befallen my home., but I'm utterly exhausted, my body weighed down by the night’s events.

He notices the weariness in my eyes and gently urges me, "You should go have a shower and lie down. I'll finish up here." His concern is evident, and I nod gratefully.

Upstairs, I step into the welcoming warmth of the shower, allowing the hot water to cascade over me. The sensation is soothing, a brief respite from the fear and tension gripping me. But despite the steam and the comforting flow of water, my fears linger, stubbornly refusing to be washed away entirely.

As I stand there, my body aches from the ordeal, and my mind races with the unsettling events of the night. The intrusion, the threat, and the knowledge that danger now looms over my life. It's a weight that clings to my skin no matter how hard I try to scrub it away.

I close my eyes and let the water flow over me, hoping it will somehow cleanse not just my body but also my soul. Yet, as the minutes tick by, I can't shake the feeling that the shadows of fear and uncertainty still linger in the corners of my mind, refusing to be washed away by even the steamiest of showers.

I hear the sound of the bathroom door opening, and Damien's strong presence fills the room. He steps into the shower with me, his powerful arms wrapping around me, pulling me close. His embrace is a lifeline, a source of comfort and strength I desperately need.

I lean into him, my body relaxing against his, as if his presence can chase away the shadows that haunt me. His hands move soothingly over my back, his touch a balm to my weary soul. With each gentle caress, I feel the fear and tension slowly ebbing away, replaced by a sense of security and warmth.

“I already called my guys, and they’ll be here first thing in the morning to install a security system.” He brushes his thumb gently over my cheek, his touch tender. There’s something in his expression that guts me. Something that tells me that he’s made a decision I won’t like.

I cup his face, forcing him to meet my eyes. "Listen to me," I say with determination, "what happened tonight, it doesn't change anything—"

"It changes everything, Bella." His expression is darker than I've ever seen. "I fucked up, being so careless with you—"

"Damien," I stop him with a kiss. "No more talking right now. I just need you."

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