Damian's Pov
The rest of the week blurred into a demanding schedule of high-stakes meetings, transatlantic acquisition calls, and constant, quiet surveillance, but the center of my focus remained stubbornly fixed on Emma. My primary concern had shifted from her physical safety to the insidious corrosion of her peace of mind. I found myself checking my phone more often than was rational, waiting for her text, ensuring Cole's security updates were constant and detailed.
Ethan was proving to be exactly the predictable, desperate mess I expected. Cole had traced his movements: he was broke, living in a cheap motel outside the city, and was harassing former acquaintances for money. His clumsy attempts to contact Emma rotated through blocked numbers, but his persistence was irritating and predictable. I wasn't worried about his success in reaching her; I was worried about the emotional cost to Emma every time she saw an unfamiliar number on her screen.
