Page 93 of Ruined By Protection
"I'll draw up the plan tonight," I tell Damiano. "Have it on your desk by morning."
He nods, dismissing us with a wave of his hand. Noah pushes off the wall, falling into step beside me as we leave the office.
The hallway feels too bright after the dimness of Damiano's sanctuary. I blink, adjusting to the light, and that's when I see her.
Hazel stands in the entrance hall, arms wrapped around herself like she's cold. Her honey-blonde hair falls loose around her shoulders and she's changed into jeans and a soft sweater. She looks small, vulnerable, but her chin is lifted with that stubborn determination I've come to recognize.
Our eyes connect and something passes between us—an electric current of unspoken words.
Noah notices her too, slowing his pace. "I'll catch up with you later," he murmurs, nudging Daniel to follow him.
They peel off toward the kitchen, leaving Hazel and me alone in the marble-floored hall. The grandfather clock in the corner ticks loudly in the silence.
"Can we talk?" she asks, her voice soft but steady.
I nod, keeping my distance. The last thing I want is to make her uncomfortable again.
"Not here," she says, glancing around. "Somewhere private."
I lead her to a small drawing room off the main hall. It's rarely used—just another elegant space in a house full of them. Cream linen furniture, abstract artwork, a view of the garden through French doors. I close the door behind us, giving us privacy from curious ears.
Hazel doesn't sit. She stands near the window, moonlight casting half her face in a luminous glow.
"I wanted to apologize," she says, the words coming out in a rush. "For what I said earlier. About you being no better than Elliott."
I stay by the door, keeping space between us. "You don't need to apologize."
"I do." She turns to face me fully. "It was unfair and... cruel. I was upset about Evelyn and I lashed out at you."
The soft light catches in her hair, making it glow like honey. I want to cross the room, pull her into my arms, tell her everything will be okay. But I stay rooted to the spot.
"You were scared," I say. "Anyone would be."
She shakes her head. "That's not an excuse. I know you're nothing like him. Elliott hurts people because he enjoys it. Because it makes him feel powerful." Her eyes meet mine, steady and clear. "You're protecting your family. There's a difference."
I don't know what to say. Her words loosen the tight bind in my chest—a knot I didn't realize was there until it started to unravel.
I take a step toward her, drawn by some invisible force.
She immediately lifts her hands, palms out. "Don't." Her voice is firm. "Please don't touch me."
I freeze, the rejection hitting like a physical blow.
"I just wanted to tell you I'm sorry," she continues, her voice gentler now. "But nothing's changed. I still can't... we still can't..."
I nod once, sharply. "I understand."
And I do. She's in the middle of a nightmare. Her husband is hunting her. Her life has been torn apart. The last thing she needs is me complicating things further, even though I don't like it. I want my arms closing around her like she is the most precious human in the entire multiverse. Because she fucking is.
I nod once more, then turn to leave.
I am a monster to her.
That's how she sees me.
And she's not wrong.
Hazel
