The Survivors

The Survivors
Damien's POV 

Today we were all gathered out front of the estate, the sun high and warm, suitcases piled into the shiny new Range Rover I’d had delivered for them. Ellie and Jaxon were finally moving into their own place.

I couldn’t let them leave without the full big-brother treatment.

I waited until Ellie was busy hugging Isabella and Agnes, then yanked Jaxon aside by the sleeve, dragging him a few steps toward the fountain.

“Listen up,” I said, voice low and deadly serious, finger jabbing his chest. “Ellie is my little sister. If I ever…even once…see her cry because of something you did, or hear she’s sad, or even think she’s having a bad hair day that you didn’t fix immediately… I will hunt you down. I will bury you. I will make it look like an accident. You feel me?”

Jaxon didn’t flinch, but his eyes widened a fraction. “Boss, I get it. I swear. I’m not gonna mess this up.”

“Not good enough.” I stepped closer. “I mean it. You sneeze wrong in her direction, I’m there. You forget an anniversary…”

“Which I won’t!”

“—I’m there. You leave the toilet seat up…”

Jaxon actually laughed, holding his hands up. “Okay, okay! I know the drill. I’m not taking this lightly. Ellie’s everything to me. I’ll cherish her, protect her, make her laugh every single day. I’m not stupid enough to waste this chance.”

I narrowed my eyes, searching his face for any crack. “You better. Because I’ve got a shovel and a big backyard.”

Ellie’s voice cut in sharp. “Oh my God, Damien, stop! I can hear you!”

She marched over, wedging herself right between us, hands on both our chests like she was breaking up a bar fight.

“You’re being ridiculous,” she said, glaring up at me. “You’ve got Isabella…another man’s sister…wrapped around your finger right now, and you’re out here acting like Jaxon’s committing a crime by loving me? Hypocrite much?”

Isabella snorted from behind her as she linked her hand with mine. “She’s got a point, baby. Let it go. Besides…” She waved a hand toward the gates. “We can literally see their house from here. If he messes up, you’ll know by dinner.”

I glanced over like I was surprised. “Wait… it’s that close? Huh. Small world.”

Isabella elbowed me hard in the ribs. “You’re the worst liar on the planet.”

Jace barked a laugh from where he was leaning against the car. “We all know you picked that lot yourself, man. Probably measured the distance with a ruler so your sister will be close to you.”

Agnes grinned. “Five-minute sprint if Jaxon forgets to take out the trash.”

Jaxon threw his hands up. “Great, now I’ve got a whole surveillance team on my back.”

I shrugged, fighting a smile. “Perks of being family.”

Truth was, yeah…I’d handpicked the property. Gifted it outright. Made damn sure it sat just beyond the estate walls, close enough that if Jaxon ever slipped…even a little…I could be through their front door in under five minutes or less, fists ready. Brother’s gotta do what a brother’s gotta do.

I learned the hard way with her first marriage.

Everyone was still chuckling when I pulled the thick envelope from my jacket and slapped it into Jaxon’s hand.

“One more thing before you escape.”

He opened it, scanned the letter, and went completely still. “Boss… Damien… this is…”

“You’re running the other empire now. The one merged into mine as a subsidiary. You’re acting CEO. Day-to-day is yours. You answer only to me. Got it?”

His throat worked. “I… thank you, boss. I won’t let you down. I’ll take care of everything you’ve trusted me with. Promise.”

Ellie squealed and threw her arms around me. “You big softie!”

I hugged her back awkward, muttering, “Don’t get used to it.”

Ellie pulled away, bouncing. “Okay, we really gotta go now. I need to see my kitchen. I’m planning the spice rack already.”

I held up a hand. “Hold on—”

Agnes groaned loud. “What now? You gonna make them sign a blood oath?”

Ellie rolled her eyes. “He’s turning into a total crybaby. We’re coming back for dinner tonight, Damien. Chill.”

My face shifted gears instantly. I started nudging them toward the car. “Actually, never mind. Get going. In fact…why are you two still here?” I pointed at Jace and Agnes. “Jace, don’t you have an empire to run in Texas? You keep jetting back like this is your vacation home. I’m getting tired of seeing your faces.”

Jace grinned wide, arm slung around Agnes. “I go where my woman goes. Right now she wants to be near her best friend…who, coincidentally, is locked down by you.”

Agnes smirked at Isabella. “Girl, rein your man in. He’s harassing us. We’re leaving next week anyway…for Jessie’s big wedding in Texas. And we’re not rushing back after that.”

Isabella laughed. “It’s true. I can’t wait to see how she’ll look in her gown with her baby bump and all. I talked to Jessie yesterday. She literally threatened to haul the entire wedding party down here if I don’t show. ”

Jace clutched his chest dramatic. “Can you imagine? Altar in the driveway. Priest dodging security.”

Everyone cracked up at that.

Jace turned to Isabella, fake-innocent. “Speaking of… you sure you wanna stay here with his asshole? I mean, you were kidnapped. Held against your will by this possessive caveman. You could make a break for it. We’d all back you one hundred percent. Witness protection, new identity—”

Agnes swatted his arm. “Jace! Stick your drama where the sun doesn’t shine. You’re being nosy.”

That sly bastard wants my woman to leave me? In his dreams!

Isabella just leaned back into me, tilting her head with a soft smile. “I keep telling you guys…I’m not a captive. I’m a very willing one. If Damien tried to set me free tomorrow, I’d chain myself to his leg and swallow the key. Or throw it into the Pacific.”

Jace let out a low whistle. “Damn. That’s commitment.”

I felt it hit me like a raging tornado…her words, the way she said them so casual but dead serious, her body pressed warm against mine.

My hand tightened on her waist as blood rushed south fast.

She felt it…of course she did…and glanced back, eyes going wide. Then she whispered quickly, “Behave, Damien. We have an audience.”

I leaned down, lips brushing her ear. “Can’t. Got some new equipment upstairs dying to be tested.”

“Equipment?” she yelped, way louder than planned.

Every head swiveled towards us curiously.

Isabella’s face went fire-engine red. She laughed awkward, waving it off. “Inside joke! Totally normal! Nothing to see here!”

Jaxon and Ellie were already backing toward their car, trying not to laugh too hard.

And then…shouts from the gates.

Car horn blaring nonstop. Security radios crackled loud as we heard raised voices.

We all turned in sync.

But my face…it went ice-cold.