Chapter 79 WITH DRUGS.
\~~~DAMIEN.
I stood there, frozen in the glittering chaos of the ballroom, Serena's body pressed against mine like a live wire. Her heat seeped through my suit, her breaths ragged and uneven against my neck. Ryan and Lisa hovered too close, their eyes gleaming with that false concern that masked their curiosity, or maybe worse. Ryan's smile didn't reach his eyes, and Lisa's hand rested on her swollen belly like a shield. But in that moment, as the emcee's voice boomed over the speakers, announcing my name for the opening speech, I cursed inwardly.
Fuck. Of all the timing, this had to hit now.
“Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome Damien Hale to the stage for our opening remarks.”
Every head in the room turned, searching the crowd. Eyes landed on me, and the spotlight hit like a punch, blinding, and hot, pinning me in place. A round of applause erupted, polite at first, then swelling into thunder. Serena whimpered softly in my arms, her fingers twisting into my shirt, oblivious to the spectacle. She rubbed her cheek against my chest again, a needy nuzzle that made my jaw tighten. I couldn't leave her like this, not with these vultures circling.
“I don’t know whatr is going on but I will hold on to her till you arrive,” Lisa offered, her voice calm, almost too smooth. She stepped forward, arms outstretched, as if this were some innocent favor.
No way in hell.
My grip on Serena tightened instinctively, pulling her closer. Lisa's eyes narrowed just a fraction, but I didn't care.
Trusting her with my wife?
Over my dead body. Ryan shifted beside her, his gaze flicking between us, that smug tilt to his mouth saying he enjoyed the discomfort.
I didn't move an inch. My stare locked on the couple in front of me, cold and unyielding, until my eyes darted around the room, scanning faces. Then I spotted him, Ethan, my right-hand man, standing near the bar with his usual vigilant posture. I nodded my head sharply, a silent command. He cut through the crowd immediately, his broad frame parting guests like water.
“Where is Melissa?’' I asked, keeping my voice low, urgent.
“She is just... there,” Ethan replied, pointing a finger toward the edge of the dance floor. He beckoned with a quick wave, and I saw her, Melissa, weaving her way over with quick steps. Reliable, discreet, and most importantly, a woman. In this haze Serena was in, I needed someone who wouldn't trigger more confusion.
“You two should excuse us,” I snapped at Ryan and Lisa. My tone left no room for argument. They exchanged glances and while Ryan was loaded with resentment, Lisa feigned surprise before they backed off, melting into the crowd.
Good riddance.
The claps didn't stop. They kept going, a relentless wave crashing against my focus, like a bunch of fools who couldn't read the room.
Didn't they see?
But no, this was their world, performances, and facades. I ignored it all.
“Sir,’' Melissa arrived, breathless but composed. Her eyes went straight to Serena, concern etching her features.
As it was, she was the only person I could entrust my wife to. Mainly because she was a woman and then someone who could handle the intimacy of the situation without complication. “Take my wife to the car,”
I instructed, my voice a low growl. “Ethan, escort them. Do not let her out of your sight, Melissa. No one but her touches her.” I glanced at Ethan, the warning clear stating that even him.
“Of course, boss,” Ethan nodded, his expression stone.
Gently, I handed Serena over.
Her body resisted for a second, clinging to me with a soft whine, but Melissa took her immediately, wrapping an arm around her waist. Serena leaned into the new hold, her head dropping to Melissa's shoulder.
“She is burning up. Is she okay?” Melissa asked, her hand pressing to Serena's forehead.
“Her drink was laced with drugs. Now, leave.
I watched them go, Ethan flanking them like a shadow, and Melissa guiding Serena through the side exit. The crowd parted without question and only when they vanished from sight did the knot in my chest loosen a fraction.
Then, finally, I turned to the stage. The applause still echoed, but I didn't wait. Striding up the steps, I grabbed the podium, the wood cool under my palms. Faces blurred in the lights all expectant, and smiling.
“Good evening,” I started, voice cutting through the fading claps like a blade.I didn’t have the time for pauses or pleasantries. “Tonight, we gather to celebrate progress in our industry. Innovation drives us forward, but so does vigilance. We've overcome challenges this year on fabricated scandals, market shifts and we have emerged stronger. Let's commit to integrity, and to protecting what's ours. Thank you.”
It was done.
What should have taken ten minutes, I wrapped in three. Murmurs rippled in surprise, maybe disappointment, but no one could say anything.
This was my domain and I set the rules. I exited the stage without a backward glance, the applause sputtering into confused chatter. Out of the hall I went, pushing through the heavy doors into the cooler night air.
My mind was already miles away, fixed on Serena.
The valet lot was dimly lit, shadows playing over sleek cars. Ethan stood outside the black SUV, his stance alert. He opened the back door as I approached, and I breathed out, the tension easing just enough to think straight.
Inside, Serena was curled against Melissa in the spacious rear seat, holding on so tightly her knuckles whitened. She sniffed at Melissa's neck, a dazed, animalistic inhale, her body still wracked with that unnatural heat. The drug's grip hadn't loosened, if anything, it seemed to pulse stronger in the confined space. Melissa stroked her back soothingly, whispering calm words, but Serena's eyes were half-lidded, lost in the fog.
Melissa glanced up, meeting my gaze. Gently, she eased out of the car, sliding past Serena with care. “She is holding on,” she murmured, stepping aside.
I slipped in, the door clicking shut behind me. Immediately, I pulled Serena back to myself, her body fitting against mine like it belonged there. She sighed, a deep, relieved sound, burrowing into my chest. Her hands roamed, fumbling at my tie, and then lower, pressing against my abdomen with needy insistence. The flush on her skin was deeper now, sweat glistening at her temples, and her breaths came in hot puffs against my shirt.
Ethan got behind the wheel without a word, the engine humming to life. He pulled out smoothly, the car gliding away from the venue, tires crunching on gravel before hitting the smooth road.
“We are going home already, okay?” I whispered to her, my hand cupping her face, thumb brushing her cheek. She looked up at me, her eyes watery and pleading, the confusion twisting her features.
“It hurts. My whole body aches so bad. Just fuck me in this car, please,” She sobbed silently, the words slurring out in a broken whisper, her body arching toward me. Tears welled in her eyes, not from sadness but from the overwhelming fire raging inside her. Her hips shifted restlessly, pressing into my thigh, and she nipped at my collarbone, desperate for contact.
I held her tighter, my own control fraying at the edges. The drug had twisted her like this.
Heightened every sensation, turning ache into agony, and desire into a clawing need. Rage simmered fresh in my veins, directed at the bastard who'd done this. I'd find them. Make them suffer. But for now, my focus was her getting her safe, and easing this torment.
Serena's sobs quieted into whimpers, her fingers digging into my arms as if I were her lifeline. I kissed her forehead, tasting the salt of her skin, and murmured assurances she could barely hear over the roar in her ears.
The drive stretched, the road winding through darkened streets. Ethan drove steady, no questions, his eyes on the mirrors for tails. I rocked Serena gently, her weight a comforting anchor amid the storm.
She mumbled incoherently, words blending into pleas, “Damien…please… hot,” and each one was stoking the fire in me. I traced patterns on her back, trying to ground her, but her body betrayed her, grinding subtly against me, seeking friction.
She lifted her head suddenly, her lips brushing my jaw. “Need you,” she breathed, her voice raw.
Her hand slid lower, palming my cock through my pants, bold in her disorientation. She rocked her hips against the growing bulge, her pussy pressing hard through the thin fabric of her gown, chasing relief in the friction. Her fingers fumbled at my zipper, tugging desperately, her nails scraping the metal as she struggled to pull it down, and her breaths coming in frustrated gasps. I caught her wrist gently, guiding it back to my chest, holding her steady despite the throb she ignited in me.
“Soon, baby. Hold on.”