Chapter 7 When She Said My Name

CHAPTER 7

DAMIEN'S POV

I arrived at the office building in record time, irritation already gnawing at me. The fact that Adrian Voss had summoned me like a subordinate only made things worse. Voss was a parasite, feeding on any weakness he could exploit. He was the kind of man who smiled while twisting the knife.

As I entered the conference room, there he was, sitting casually at the head of the table as though he owned the place. His tailored suit looked like it cost more than most people's annual salary, and his smug grin was enough to make my blood boil.

"Ah, Damien," Adrian drawled, leaning back in his chair. "Punctual, as always. I admire that."

I ignored the pleasantries, closing the door behind me with a deliberate click. "What do you want, Voss?"

Adrian's grin widened. "Straight to the point. I like that. Sit down."

In my company? This guy has audacity.

"I'd rather stand," I said, crossing my arms. "Now get to the point, or I'm walking out."

He chuckled, the sound grating on my nerves. "Always so serious. Fine, have it your way." He leaned forward, his fingers steepled under his chin. "I've come across some... interesting information about your family's business."

My jaw tightened, but I kept my face neutral. "You're wasting my time."

"Oh, I don't think so," Adrian said smoothly. "You see, I've been doing a little digging. It's amazing what you can find when you know where to look."

I felt a flicker of unease but buried it deep. "If you've got something to say, say it."

He leaned back again, his eyes gleaming with malicious glee. "Fine. Let's talk about that little acquisition your father orchestrated years ago. You know, the one that caused quite a stir in the business world."

I didn't flinch, but my stomach churned. He was talking about the Sinclair buyout-the same one that had nearly destroyed Rose's family.

"What about it?" I asked coldly.

Adrian's grin widened. "Let's just say, I have reason to believe that some... irregularities may have occurred during that transaction. Documents were misplaced, signatures didn't match. All very curious, don't you think?"

I forced a laugh, though my hands itched to wipe that smug look off his face. "You're reaching, Voss. That deal was airtight, and you know it."

"Was it?" he said, raising an eyebrow. "Because from where I'm standing, it looks like your family might have cut a few corners to seal the deal. Fraud, coercion... these are serious allegations, Damien."

I stepped closer, towering over him. "Allegations without proof mean nothing."

Adrian didn't even blink. He was as calm as a snake waiting to strike. "True. But what if I found proof? What if I decided to share it with the press? Or better yet, the authorities?"

My fists clenched at my sides, but I forced my voice to remain steady. "You're bluffing."

He smirked. "Am I? You know me better than that, Damien. I don't make empty threats."

I stared him down, my mind racing. Adrian was a master manipulator, but he never acted without an agenda. If he had proof, he'd already have used it. This was a power play, plain and simple.

"What do you want?" I asked, my voice like ice.

Adrian's smirk turned into a full-blown grin. "Now we're getting somewhere." He stood, adjusting his cufflinks with deliberate care. "It's simple, really. I want a stake in your new project. You know, the one your father's so proud of. The expansion into renewable energy. Give me 15%, and I'll forget all about these little... discrepancies."

I stared at him, disgust curling in my gut. "You've got some nerve."

He laughed, the sound low and mocking. "I've got leverage, Damien. And we both know that's what matters in this game."

I stepped even closer, lowering my voice. "You think you can bully your way into my business? Threaten my family and walk away unscathed?"

Adrian's smile didn't waver. "I think you'll do whatever it takes to protect your precious reputation. Face it, Damien, you don't have a choice."

I wanted to hit him, to wipe that arrogant smirk off his face, but I knew that's exactly what he wanted. Losing my temper would only give him more ammunition.

Instead, I straightened, forcing myself to appear calm. "You're delusional if you think I'll give you anything. You want to dig up dirt on my family? Go ahead. But you'd better be prepared for what happens when I start digging into yours."

For the first time, Adrian's smile faltered. It was barely perceptible, but I saw it.

"I don't respond well to threats," I said, my voice dangerously low.

He recovered quickly, but the momentary crack in his composure was enough to give me an edge.

"This isn't over, Damien," Adrian said, his tone sharp.

"It is if you know what's good for you," I shot back.

Adrian glared at me for a long moment before grabbing his briefcase and heading for the door. "You've got a week to reconsider," he said over his shoulder. "After that, all bets are off."

The door slammed behind him, leaving me alone in the conference room. I took a deep breath, trying to steady my nerves.

Adrian had overplayed his hand, but the fact that he knew about the Sinclair deal was troubling. If he managed to find anything concrete, it could spell disaster-not just for the business, but for my family as well.

I pulled out my phone and dialed my lawyer. "It's Damien. I need you to look into something for me."

The drive home was a blur. Adrian Voss's smug face still lingered in my mind, making my knuckles tighten on the steering wheel.

When I pulled into the driveway and stepped inside, the silence was a welcome relief.

Then I saw her.

Rose was curled up on the couch, a soft blanket barely covering her legs. Her face was peaceful, her breathing slow and even. A streak of flour ran across her cheek, and I stifled a laugh.

"What am I going to do with you?" I muttered under my breath, walking closer.

The closer I got, the more details I noticed. Her long lashes cast delicate shadows on her cheeks, and her lips-full, pink, and slightly parted-looked soft enough to rival silk. She shifted slightly, the blanket slipping a little, and I froze.

It hit me then, just how different she was from Lily. Lily had always been beautiful, but in a way that felt approachable, grounded. Rose, though... Rose was something else entirely. Her beauty was almost otherworldly, ethereal. Her turquoise eyes were unlike anything I'd ever seen, and even in sleep, she carried an air of elegance that felt effortless.

"You're dangerous," I murmured, shaking my head. "And you don't even know it."

I crouched down beside the couch, hesitating for a moment before gently brushing the flour off her cheek. She stirred slightly, mumbling something incoherent, and I froze again, my heart racing.

"Damien..."

The way she said my name-it wasn't clear, not fully formed, but it sent a shockwave through me. My chest tightened, and for a brief, ridiculous moment, I felt like a teenager all over again, fumbling over emotions I didn't know how to handle.

"Don't do anything stupid," I whispered to myself, running a hand through my hair. "She's asleep. She's off-limits. Get a grip."

But the thought of leaving her there, uncomfortable on the couch, didn't sit right with me.

Carefully, I slipped one arm under her knees and the other behind her back, lifting her gently. She was lighter than I expected, her head lolling against my chest. For a moment, I just stood there, holding her, feeling the warmth of her breath against my shirt.

"Don't make this harder than it already is," I muttered, more to myself than to her.

Her hand shifted, brushing against my chest, and she mumbled something else, her lips moving softly against the fabric of my shirt. My brain short-circuited.

"Damien..."

This time, it was clearer, and it sent a jolt straight through me. My grip on her tightened involuntarily, and I had to take a deep breath to steady myself.

"You're killing me, Rose," I whispered, my voice barely audible.

I carried her to her room, nudging the door open with my foot. The bed was neatly made-she hadn't touched it, apparently too tired to even get that far. I laid her down gently, careful not to wake her, and pulled the blanket up to her shoulders.

For a moment, I just stood there, staring at her. She looked so peaceful, so vulnerable. It was a stark contrast to the fire she usually carried in her eyes when she was awake.

"Why are you doing this to me?" I muttered, running a hand through my hair. "You're making this so much harder than it needs to be."

She stirred slightly, her lips parting as she mumbled something I couldn't quite catch. I clenched my fists at my sides, forcing myself to take a step back.

"Don't do anything stupid," I reminded myself again, this time more firmly.

I turned and walked out of the room, closing the door softly behind me. Once I was in the hallway, I leaned against the wall, letting out a long, frustrated sigh.

"What the hell is wrong with me?" I muttered, shaking my head.

I clenched my fists, took a deep breath, and then, without thinking, fist-pumped the air in frustration.

"This is ridiculous," I muttered, pacing back and forth. "You're a grown man, Damien. Act like it."

But no matter how much I tried to reason with myself, I couldn't shake the image of her sleeping peacefully, her face relaxed and her lips curving ever so slightly, as if she were dreaming of something good.

I shook my head again, heading to my room. Tomorrow was going to be a long day, and I needed to get some sleep. But as I lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, one thought kept replaying in my mind:

She said my name.