Chapter 62 Chapter 62
Damien’s POV
I stared at Hailey, my mind racing through the implications of what she was asking.
A tutor. Someone she’d just met. Coming into my home, into the heart of my territory, where Hailey and my unborn child lived.
We were in a tight spot with the Morellis escalating their attacks. Hiring someone to come into my compound without close observation could be lethal.
“We can’t,” I said finally. “Not right now. It’s too dangerous.”
“Dangerous?” Hailey’s voice rose with frustration. “What’s dangerous is me failing out of school completely. What’s dangerous is throwing away my entire future because you knocked me up and put me in this situation!”
The words stung more than I wanted to admit.
“That’s not fair,” I said quietly.
“Isn’t it?” she challenged. “Before I met you, I had a normal life. I went to classes, studied, had goals. Now I’m trapped in this fortress, pregnant, being hunted by your enemies, and watching my education slip away. And you won’t even let me have a tutor?”
I ran a hand through my hair, feeling the weight of her words pressing down on me.
She was right. This was partially my fault. I’d brought her into this world, gotten her pregnant, made her a target.
“Fine,” I said, the agreement feeling like it was being pulled from me against my will. “But I need to meet this tutor first. I need to vet him personally, make sure he’s who he says he is.”
“Really?” Hope lit up her face.
“Yes,” I confirmed, though every instinct was screaming at me that this was a bad idea. “But he comes here, to the property. You don’t go anywhere to meet him. And guards will be present during the tutoring sessions.”
“That’s fine,” Hailey said quickly. “That’s what I suggested anyway. Thank you, Damien.”
Before we could discuss it further, Sophia burst into the room without knocking.
“I don’t want any tutor!” she announced loudly, clearly having overheard at least part of our conversation. “And you better not try to force one on me, Dad. I’m not some child who needs supervision.”
“No one’s forcing anything on you,” I said, exhaustion creeping into my voice. “This is for Hailey and Benita.”
“Good,” Sophia said. “Because I’m doing fine on my own.” She paused, then added, “Speaking of which, when can I start going out without heavy bodyguards following me everywhere?”
“Soon,” I said, knowing it was a lie but not wanting to fight about it right now.
“You always say soon,” Sophia complained. “I’m going crazy being cooped up in here.”
“Sophia, we’ve been over this. With the current situation…”
“I know, I know,” she interrupted. “The Morellis, the war, blah blah blah. Fine. But soon better actually mean soon.”
She stormed out as dramatically as she’d entered, leaving Hailey and me in tense silence.
That night, I found Hailey in our bedroom, curled up on the bed with a book. She was wearing a simple nightgown that hugged her growing curves, the fabric thin enough that I could see the outline of her body beneath it.
Desire stirred in me, hot and immediate.
I moved to the bed, and she looked up from her book, her eyes meeting mine.
Without saying a word, I leaned down and kissed her, my hand cupping her face as I poured all my need and frustration and worry into that kiss.
She responded at first, her lips parting under mine, her hand coming up to rest against my chest.
But then she pulled away, gently pushing against me.
“I can’t,” she said softly. “Not right now.”
She slipped off the bed and walked toward the balcony doors, opening them and stepping out into the cool night air.
Confused and concerned, I followed her.
She stood at the railing, looking out over the city lights, her arms wrapped around herself protectively.
“What’s wrong?” I asked, moving to stand beside her.
“I’m worried,” she admitted, not looking at me. “About this fight with the Morellis. About what’s going to happen.”
“I told you, you’re safe….”
“I’m not worried about just me,” she interrupted. “I’m worried about both sides taking fatal damage. People are going to die, Damien. Maybe people you care about. Maybe you.”
I turned her to face me, my hands on her shoulders.
“Listen to me,” I said firmly. “Even if the world burns around us, you and everyone I care about will be safe. That’s a promise.”
“You can’t promise that,” she whispered.
“Yes, I can,” I said. “Because I’ll do whatever it takes to make it true.”
She looked up at me, tears glistening in her eyes, and something shifted between us.
I kissed her again, slower this time, deeper, and she didn’t pull away. Our lips moved together in a gentle rhythm, tongues exploring with a tenderness that spoke of unspoken fears and unbreakable bonds.
Her breath hitched against my mouth, and I felt her body relax into mine, the tension easing as the night air wrapped around us.
Her hands moved to my shirt, unbuttoning it slowly while I slid my hands under her nightgown, feeling the warmth of her ass.
My fingers kneaded the soft flesh, pulling her hips flush against me, where my cock strained hard against my pants, aching for her. She gasped softly into the kiss, her fingers trembling as they pushed the shirt off my shoulders, exposing my chest to the breeze.
“Look up,” I murmured against her lips.
She tilted her head back, and I guided her gaze to the night sky above us, stars scattered across the darkness like diamonds.
“Watch the stars,” I whispered, positioning her against the balcony railing. I lifted her nightgown higher, bunching it at her waist, and hooked my fingers into her panties, sliding them down her thighs until they pooled at her feet.
She stepped out of them, her skin prickling in the cool air, and I pressed my body against hers from behind, my erection grinding against the curve of her ass.
With one hand on her hip, I unbuckled my belt and freed my cock, the thick length springing out, hot and ready.