Elena sat on her bed with her phone pressed to her ear. Her voice was low, almost whispered.
"Yes, Alex… I understand. Thank you for trying. Just… please, be careful. I don't want anyone else hurt because of me."
Damian pushed open her door without knocking.
The slam against the wall made her jolt, nearly dropping her phone.
Her heart leaped to her throat as she fumbled ending the call immediately, hiding it under her pillow before turning to him.
"Damian…" Her voice wavered, too quick, too guilty.
Elena's fingers gripped her nightgown nervously.
"Y-you're back early," she tried.
He didn't answer. His jaw was tight, his eyes fixed on the wall. He looked like he had dragged hell back with him.
His silence was worse than shouting, worse than threats.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, he muttered:
"Why are you hiding your phone Elena?"
" What are you up to? He said coldly.
Her breath caught.
"I'm not—" she began then walked to him and wrapped her hands around his neck, he stared at her passionately.
Elena took her hands down slowly and started unbuckling his belt. She gathered the courage so she could distract him, she and Tatiana talked about pleasing a guy so she knew about it.
He stared at her with a confused face "What do you want to do?"
"What do you think?" She replied.
Damian smirked and let her take control as she used her hands to play with his huge member.
His breath hitched—he actually winced, his body tensing under her daring move.
She kept stroking him and he let out a groan. Then she used her mouth to please him.
She increased her speed and he groaned louder. "F**k Elena!"
"You're playing with fire, cupcake," he growled, his tone husky, his grip on her wrist tightening ever so slightly.
Elena only gave a tiny, sly smile. "Then maybe I want to see you burn."
Damian suddenly pushed her back and she landed on the bed, caging her in with his arms, his face so close she could feel the heat of his breath.
His expression was dangerous, but beneath it was something else—something wild, something hungry.
"You've gone too far," he whispered, his lips ghosting over hers without sealing the kiss.
"And now… I'll make sure you finish what you started."
***
The restaurant was one of the most exclusive in the city, tucked away in a private corner of town where only the powerful and the wealthy gathered.
Isabel sat at a corner table draped in velvet, legs crossed, her glass of red wine catching the light as she swirled it lazily.
Her friend leaned forward, whispering gossip, while Isabel's eyes scanned the room with the air of someone who owned it.
Then her friend stiffened suddenly. "Isabel… Adrian Volkov just walked in."
Isabel's lips twisted into a smirk. She didn't even turn at first, taking a slow sip of her wine before setting the glass down with deliberate grace.
"Adrian?" she scoffed. "That coward? What is he doing here?"
Her friend's voice dropped to a nervous whisper. "He's… he's coming this way."
Isabel finally looked up, her eyes narrowing just as Adrian Volkov approached. He was dressed sharply, as usual, his tie loose as though he had walked out of a boardroom straight into a game he fully intended to win.
There was a sly grin on his face, one that never reached his cold, calculating eyes.
"Well, well," Adrian drawled, stopping at their table. "Isabel Laurent."
He leaned one hand on the polished wood, tilting his head as if studying her like she was prey.
Isabel gave him a cold smile, the kind of smile that could slice glass.
Adrian chuckled at that, unbothered by her hostility. He pulled out the empty chair across from her and sat without invitation.
The audacity made Isabel's friend shift uncomfortably, but Isabel remained still, her chin lifting slightly higher in defiance.
Adrian leaned back casually, fingers drumming lightly on the table. "I hear Damian has a girl now."
Isabel's smile faltered, only for a fraction of a second, but Adrian caught it. His grin widened.
"A girl who I guess screws his name"!
Adrian went on, his voice dipped in mockery.
"Almost the way you used to screamed my name, Isabel. Remember?"
Her cheeks burned hot with fury. She gripped the stem of her glass so tightly it nearly cracked between her fingers.
"Watch your mouth, Adrian." Her tone was ice, but her composure cracked in the fire blazing in her eyes.
Adrian leaned forward now, lowering his voice just enough to make his words cut deeper.
"What's wrong? Does it sting to know Damian might finally care about someone who isn't you?
That all your years of chasing him, clinging to his name, were… wasted?"
Isabel's friend shifted uncomfortably, eyes darting between them, but Isabel refused to show weakness.
She leaned in too, her voice sharp as a blade. "Careful, Adrian.
You sound jealous. Or maybe just bitter that your cousin Damian will always be more of a man than you'll ever be."
Adrian laughed at that, a deep, mocking sound that made nearby tables glance over briefly.
He didn't even care. He stood, smoothing his jacket with deliberate ease, towering over the table now.
"Jealous?" His smirk cut like poison. "No, darling. I'm just entertained. Because I know exactly how to ruin him. Damian."
He straightened his cufflinks as though he'd said nothing at all, then gave her a mocking half-bow. "Later, ladies."
Her friend leaned in cautiously. "Isabel… are you okay?"
Isabel's eyes were still locked on Adrian's retreating back, fury boiling beneath her skin. "Okay?" she hissed, her voice low and venomous.
"Do I look like I'm not fine."
Damian will remember who he belongs to… and Adrian will regret underestimating me."
She raised her glass and downed the rest of her wine in one sharp swallow, her mind already racing, scheming.