Chapter Eighty Four - Starting to Fall - Maya's POV

Damian watches me closely, his brows drawn together in concern. 'They're not coming back today or tonight." I nod, but the tension coiled in my chest doesn't loosen. The way my father spoke tells me this isn't over by a long shot. They'll come back, and it's only a matter of time before they do. Damian tugs lightly on my hand. 'It's okay. Let's go inside, okay?" I let out a slow breath, which trembles. 'Yes, that sounds great. I think we've been meaning to for a while." We head up the steps and make it through the front doors. Anyone in the mansion is quiet and mostly they scatter when we walk through. Neither of us probably looks great. As soon as we reach Damian's room, everything feels like a blur. All the walls blended as one and so did the hallways. The weight of my father's words settles over me. It shouldn't bother me, but it does. I step closer to Damian once the door shuts behind us. 'Promise me something. No matter what, you won't give up on me and you'll stand by me." His hands settle on my waist, his grip firm but not possessive. 'Always." For the first time tonight, I let myself believe it. Damian's promise lingers in the air between us, wrapping around me like an invisible tether. I feel like I'm falling for him fully and that it won't be long until I love him. I exhale slowly, my fingers resting lightly against his chest. His heart beats steadily beneath my palm, grounding me in his presence. The house is quiet, the kind of silence that amplifies thoughts rather than soothes them. I listen to his breathing and how everything seems to fade away. Damian moves, pulling me with him to lean against the edge of the fireplace. 'Talk to me, Maya." I press my lips together, debating how much I should say. 'I knew you wouldn't just stop there. Did you think they'd come for me?" He nods. 'Your father is a powerful man. He's used to controlling things and I guarantee something came up that he thought you'd be of better use for. That is probably the only reason he came. You were something he could use to gain power and money. Looks like your brother had the same ideas." A bitter laugh escapes me. 'He always said I was a disappointment. I guess I just proved him right." Damian's expression hardens. 'You didn't prove anything except that you have a will of your own and that scares weak men." I let that thought settle, but it doesn't erase the lingering unease in my stomach. 'He won't give up," I say quietly. 'You heard him. He didn't sound angry. He sounded... resigned." Damian's jaw clenches. 'He's planning something. Like I said, he probably has someone lined up that he could have married you off to that would have been more profitable. It's too late, though." I don't argue. Of course he is. My father doesn't believe in lost causes. He believes in inevitabilities. If he could sweep me away from Damian and have Garik pay him, he would. And more than likely, Damian nailed it on the head. It's just to marry someone. I run a hand through my hair; the strands tangled from the day's tension. 'I can't keep running from this. That much is certain." Damian steps forward, crouching in front of me, his hands resting lightly on my knees. 'You're not running. You made a choice. That's different. And sometimes the heart needs a little time. Though things are getting darker, I will hold out for as long as I can." I meet his gaze, searching for some kind of certainty I can cling to. 'And if he comes after us? What about your father's pack? We'll have them all at our doors." A slow, dangerous smirk tugs at the corner of Damian's lips. 'Then he'll learn exactly what kind of mistake that would be." I exhale sharply, shaking my head. 'You make it sound so easy." 'It is." His fingers tighten slightly, as if reinforcing his point. 'He only has power over you if you let him and he doesn't have any, as long as you are away from him." I wish I could believe that. But I know my father. He's a man who doesn't lose. And when he does, he takes his revenge in ways that make winning feel like a curse. I reach for Damian's hands, squeezing them lightly. 'Then we need to be ready." His smirk fades, replaced by something more serious. 'We already are." I nod, then look at the bed. Part of me longs to go lay down, but I feel sweaty. 'Would it be okay if I used your bathroom to clean up?" He looks up at me with a grin, beaming ear to ear. 'Of course. Do you want some of my clothes?" A smile spreads across my face as I realize I should have known he'd ask that. 'Yes, I like your clothes." 'Oh, so you admit it? Loving my scent or something?" He asks, one corner tugging up in a smirk. 'I can't smell you that well, but what I can smell is good. My nose isn't like a dog's, you know." He rolls his eyes as he stands. 'Mine is better than a dog's. Now, let me grab you a shirt and shorts." Before I can say a single word, he's already moving across the room and heading for his closet. All I can do is shake my head. What am I thinking? Am I finally allowing myself to accept all of this? When he returns holding a pink shirt that will swallow me whole with a pair of boxers, one brow raises. 'Pink? I never took you as one who'd wear pink." He only shrugs. 'What can I say? I suck at laundry." I laugh as he walks over like he has an extra pep in his step and gives me the clothes. My eyes roam over them as I bite at my lower lip. This is a new feeling. And I think I'm starting to like it.