Chapter 16 - The Aftermath
The return to the penthouse was a blur of medical personnel and quiet, frantic energy. Harper had a mild concussion and bruised ribs, but nothing was broken.
Damian sat in the corner of the master bedroom while the private doctor tended to her, his face a mask of impenetrable stone. He had changed out of his bloody clothes, but the violence of the night still clung to him.
When the doctor left, Damian finally stood up. He walked to the window, staring out at the city, keeping his back to her.
“I’m arranging a private jet for you and Leo,” Damian said, his voice hollow and dead. “I bought an estate in Switzerland. It’s highly secure, fully staffed. You’ll have new identities. You’ll never have to worry about money or safety again.”
Harper sat up in bed, ignoring the throbbing in her head. “What are you talking about? I’m not going to Switzerland.”
Damian turned around. His eyes were tortured. “Look at your face, Harper! Look at what my world did to you! I dragged you into this. I was selfish. I thought I could protect you, but I almost got you killed.”
“Damian—”
“No!” he roared, the raw pain finally breaking through. “I ruin everything I touch! Volkov was just the first. There will be others. If you stay with me, you will always be a target. I won’t let you die because I was too weak to let you go.”
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He was pushing her away. The kingpin, who feared nothing, was terrified of his own capacity to destroy the woman he loved.
“I’ll have Marcus drive you to the airport in the morning,” Damian whispered, turning for the door.
