Chapter 30 Hitting Close To Home
Damian’s POV
Peter was still talking. And for once, I wasn’t entirely sure if he realized it.
“…I mean, I could push it back a week,” he was saying, pacing slowly in front of my desk. “Just until things settle a bit. It’s not like they’re going to bench me for missing a few days—”
“They might,” I said dryly, only half paying attention as I skimmed the report in front of me.
“They won’t,” he shot back. “I’m too valuable.”
I glanced up.
“Don't you think you're being a little too confident?”
“It’s called facts, brother. I know my worth.”
“It’s called ego. Just because your draft scores were top-notch doesn't mean there isn't another young athlete out there gunning for your spot.”
He grinned. “Same thing.”
I shook my head slightly, about to respond—
When my phone buzzed against the desk. A message. From Courtney. My focus shifted instantly. Peter kept talking, but his voice faded into the background as I picked up my phone. And read.
Felicia Ardent just tried to abduct Elena Ramsey and me. We’re on our way to you. Now.
Everything inside me went cold.
“Damian?”
Peter’s voice cut through the silence as my expression changed. I was already dialing. The phone rang once. Twice—
Then connected.
“Courtney—”
The office door slammed open. I turned sharply. And there she was. Courtney. Breathless. Furious. Alive. Elena Ramsey right behind her. For half a second, everything else disappeared. Relief hit first. Hard. Then instinct took over. I crossed the room in seconds.
“Damian, I’m—”
She didn’t even finish the sentence. I swept her up into my arms without hesitation. Bridal style. Secure. Protected. Her body tensed immediately.
“Damian—what are you doing? Put me down!”
“No.”
Her eyes flashed. “I’m serious, put me down. I’m fine!”
I didn’t even slow down.
“You’re not fine.”
“It’s just my arm—”
That was enough. My grip eased up instinctively. My eyes scanned her quickly. There. Her arm. Bruising was already forming beneath the sleeve, where her cast started. My jaw clenched.
“They touched you.”
“I handled it,” she shot back. “We handled it.”
We. That pulled my attention slightly. I looked past her. At Elena. And everything in me stilled again. Because she didn’t look “fine.” Not even close. There was a visible bruise forming along her neck. Her sleeve was torn. Her posture tight. Like she was holding herself together by sheer will. My expression darkened instantly.
I didn’t say a word. Didn’t need to. I just tilted my head slightly toward Peter. He followed my gaze. And immediately understood. For once—
No jokes. No sarcasm. Just action. He grabbed my spare coat off the rack without hesitation and crossed the room quickly.
“Elena,” he said, his tone softer than I’d ever heard it. “Come here.”
She hesitated for a fraction of a second. Then stepped toward him. He draped the coat around her shoulders carefully, shielding her from view, from eyes, from everything.
“Let’s go,” he added quietly.
She nodded. Peter glanced at me once. A silent exchange. I’ve got her. I gave a slight nod. Then turned and headed for the door with Courtney still in my arms.
“Damian,” she tried again, her voice softer now but still firm. “You’re overreacting.”
“No, I’m not.”
“I can walk.”
“I know.”
“Then put me down.”
“No.”
She huffed out a breath.
“You’re impossible.”
“And you almost got taken,” my pulse jack-knifed at that last word, and I had to take a few calming breaths.
That shut her up. For a second. Then—
“I didn’t almost get taken,” she corrected. “We fought them off.”
“Courtney—”
“I’m serious,” her good arm reached up for her hand to cup my cheek and turn my head gently to look down at her.
“I know you are, but I need a doctor to check your arm to make sure they didn't make anything worse.” I pushed through the office doors and into the corridor, my pace steady, controlled, but faster than usual.
People stared. I didn’t care.
“Felicia showed up,” she continued. “Personally.”
That made something dark settle deeper in my chest. “Of course she did.”
“She wanted us to go with her.”
I let out a quiet, humorless breath. “That was never going to happen.”
“She didn’t seem too concerned about that. She looked about ready to end us on the spot if Elena hadn't played Mrs. 007.”
I tilted my head in Elena's direction just as she and Courtney exchanged a knowing smile.
She and Peter caught up just behind us. I hit the button for the elevator. Waited. The seconds felt too long. Too exposed. The doors opened. We stepped inside quickly. I turned slightly, positioning Courtney between me and the wall, shielding her instinctively. Peter stood close to Elena, his presence just as deliberate. The doors slid shut. Silence filled the space. Heavy.
Charged. Then—
“You should put her down before she starts a fight with you,” Peter muttered.
“I heard that,” Courtney snapped.
“Good. Because I'm upset about this entire situation. I'm calling Emily as soon as we get in the car.”
"Like if you need to use me as an excuse to call her," Courtney shot back.
Elena looked at the two like she was watching a bickering brother and sister duo and chuckled softly.
I, on the other hand, couldn't relax. I didn’t loosen my hold. Didn’t even consider it. Because the image of that message—
Of what could have happened—
Was still playing in my head. Over. And over. And over. The elevator doors opened to the basement car park. I stepped out immediately.
“Car,” I said.
Peter nodded.
“I’m right behind you.”
We moved quickly. My car sat in its usual spot. Secure. Private. Safe. Or at least—
Safer. I opened the back door first and gently set Courtney inside. She grabbed my shirt before I could pull away.
“I’m okay,” she said, softer now.
I held her gaze.
“You’re not,” I breathed out the words as I brushed the stray strands of hair from her face.
Her expression shifted slightly. Not arguing. Just… steady.
“I am now,” she whispered as she closed the distance between our faces and kissed me softly.
That hit harder than I expected. Because I could have lost her again today, and my heart didn't like this feeling at all.
I exhaled slowly as he broke apart. I pressed a kiss on her forehead, then closed the door. Peter helped Elena into the back seat on the other side, his movements careful, controlled. He shut the door and moved to the front passenger seat. I slid into the driver’s seat, starting the engine immediately. The car hummed to life. For a moment—
No one spoke. Then—
“We need to talk,” Courtney said from the back.
“I know.”
“Elena has something.”
That got my attention. I glanced at her through the rearview mirror.
“Elena?”
She nodded slightly, her fingers tightening around the coat wrapped around her.
“It’s about my father.”
My grip tightened on the steering wheel.
“Go on.”
She looked at Courtney briefly. Then back at me.
“He had dealings with Ardent Global.”
The words landed like a punch. Everything clicked into place. Every question. Every inconsistency. Every move Felicia had made.
“…Of course he did,” I muttered.
Courtney leaned forward slightly.
“We think this is the connection.”
I nodded once.
“It is.”
Peter shifted beside me.
“So this isn’t random.”
“No,” I said, my voice hardening. “It never was.”
Silence settled again. But this time, it was different. Heavier. More dangerous. Because now, we weren’t guessing anymore. We were seeing the truth. And the truth was—
This went deeper than any of us had realized. Much deeper.
I pulled the car out of the parking spot. Drove toward the exit. Focused. Alert. Uncompromising. Because if Felicia Ardent was escalating—
Then so were we. What I didn’t see—
What none of us saw—
Were the two hooded figures standing in the shadows of the far corner of the garage. Watching. Silent. Unmoving. As we drove away. Waiting. For the next move.