Chapter 58 Chapter 58
Damien’s POV
I knew exactly why Barbara Cooper was here, and it had nothing to do with visiting her daughter or having a pleasant family reunion.
She was here to take Hailey away from me.
When Nina escorted her into my study, I was already prepared for this conversation. I’d been expecting it since the moment I learned she’d fought her way past my guards to get into the compound.
“Mrs. Cooper,” I said, gesturing to the chair across from my desk. “Please, sit.”
“Thank you,” she said, settling into the chair with careful composure. “I want to start by thanking you for making my stay comfortable. Your home is lovely, and your staff has been very kind….”
“Cut the shit,” I interrupted, my tone flat. “Tell me why you’re really here.”
Her pleasant expression vanished, replaced by something harder, fiercer.
“Fine,” she said, leaning forward. “I’m here because of you. Because of what your involvement with my daughter has done to her life.”
“I’m protecting her,” I said.
“Are you?” Barbara challenged. “Because from where I’m sitting, it looks like you’ve painted a target on her back. My daughter has been trending all over the news, and not in a good way. Her private medical information was leaked. Her life has become a spectacle for the entire world to judge.”
“That wasn’t my doing….”
“But it’s a consequence of being with you,” she interrupted. “Don’t pretend otherwise. I got news that my daughter has witnessed two near-death encounters in the span of a week. Two times she’s almost been killed, all because she’s entangled with the Crimson Syndicate.”
The way she said my organization’s name made it clear she knew exactly what she was dealing with.
“I will protect her,” I said firmly. “I’ve doubled security, I’ve eliminated the immediate threats….”
“I don’t think you can,” Barbara said bluntly.
The words hung in the air between us, a direct challenge I wasn’t used to receiving.
“Excuse me?” I said, my voice dropping to something dangerous.
“I don’t think you can protect her,” Barbara repeated, not backing down despite the obvious threat in my tone. “You couldn’t protect your first wife. Elena died on your watch. And now you expect me to believe my daughter will be safe?”
I felt my jaw clench so tight it ached. “Elena’s death was different…”
“Was it?” Barbara pressed. “Because from what I understand, Elena was also targeted because of her connection to you. And she ended up dead. So forgive me if I don’t have faith in your ability to keep my daughter alive.”
We stared at each other, the tension crackling between us like electricity. I saw in her eyes the fierce protectiveness of a mother who’d already lost too much and refused to lose more.
But I also saw fear, the knowledge that she was confronting a dangerous man in his own home, surrounded by his people.
Before either of us could speak again, there was a soft knock on the door.
“What?” I snapped.
Lorenzo stepped inside, his expression apologetic. “Boss, I’m sorry to interrupt, but the elders are all assembled in the waiting room. They’re asking for you.”
I glanced at Barbara, then back at Lorenzo. “Tell them I’ll be there in five minutes.”
“Yes, boss.” Lorenzo retreated, closing the door behind him.
I turned back to Barbara. “This conversation isn’t over.”
“No, it’s not,” she agreed. “But I think we both know where we stand. I want my daughter to leave with me. You want her to stay. And ultimately, it’s going to be Hailey’s choice.”
“She’s carrying my child,” I said coldly. “That gives me certain rights.”
“Rights?” Barbara laughed bitterly. “You think you have rights to my daughter because you got her pregnant? That’s not how this works. She’s not your property, and neither is that baby.”
“I never said…..”
“You didn’t have to,” Barbara interrupted. “I can see it in your eyes. You think because she’s pregnant with your child, she belongs to you now. But she doesn’t. And the moment she realizes that staying here will get her killed, she’ll leave. With or without your permission.”
I wanted to argue, wanted to tell her she was wrong.
But part of me wondered if she was right.
“We’ll finish this later,” I said, standing up. “I have business to attend to.”
Barbara stood as well. “I’ll be here when you’re ready to talk again. Because I’m not leaving without my daughter.”
I watched her leave, then took a moment to collect myself before heading to the waiting room where the elders were gathered.
Vincent was standing by the door, his expression tense.
“Boss,” he said as I approached. “Before you go in, there’s something you should know.”
“What?”
“Elder Castellano reported that he was attacked on his way here. His car was ambushed about two blocks from the compound.”
My blood ran cold. “Is he hurt?”
“Minor injuries. But boss, they left a message with him. For you.”
I pushed past Vincent and entered the waiting room.