Chapter 118
CINDY’S POV
I sprang up from Damian’s side instantly, my heart slamming against my ribs.
“Henry?!” I barked, the name tasting like poison on my tongue.
A lot had happened lately, I had almost forgotten he even existed.
But now, hearing it, everything came rushing back.
I guess he had refused to let go even after the divorce.
“I thought he’d changed,” I said, voice low and shaking with rage. I clenched my fists so hard my nails dug into my palms.
“Turns out he’s busy plotting my death.”
“Henry,” I seethed, the word dripping with venom. “I swear with everything in me, I will make you pay for this!”
“You absolutely sure ’bout this, Elis?” Damian asked, pushing himself up straighter against the headboard, wincing as he moved but ignoring the pain.
Elis nodded fast, his eyes wide and earnest.
“Of course I am. When Evelyn and I were arguing after the meeting, I saw him. He came out from a corner, and got into the car. He rolled up the windows when he attacked, but I recognized him when he climbed in. The car had no plates either.”
“Yeah, it didn’t,” I said, flashing back to the scene—the blur of the vehicle, the way it had come out of nowhere.
“And that car… I’ve never seen it with Henry before.”
“That motherfucker,” Damian growled, his hand finding mine and squeezing tight.
“He thinks he’s smart. Knows there are cameras around, so he tries to cover his tracks. But he ain’t gettin’ away with this.”
“I shouldn’t have dropped the conspiracy to murder charges,” I said, regret twisting in my gut. “If he was behind bars, he wouldn’t have the time or energy to plot like this.”
Damian’s jaw tightened. “Guess I didn’t teach him enough lessons last time. It’s time to handle this the legal way. We get him arrested. End of story.”
I nodded, sitting back down beside him, my anger slowly giving way to fear as I looked at the bandages, the bruises, and the IV line.
“Until we do, I doubt I’ll ever feel safe.”
He reached out, grabbed my hand, and circled his thumb over the back of it in slow, soothing strokes.
“Baby, you ain’t gotta be scared. I’m right here with you, okay?”
Tears welled up in my eyes as I stared at him, the affection in his gaze melting the ice that had formed around my heart.
“Damian,” I whispered, a tear slipping down my cheek. “I don’t want you to get hurt because of me ever again.”
He smiled softly, then flicked my forehead playfully with his free hand.
“Silly Cindy,” he chuckled, his thumb brushing away my tear. “Ain’t nothin’ gonna happen to me.”
“But Henry is still out there. It’s dangerous.”
He cupped my face gently with both hands, leaning in to press a warm kiss to my forehead.
“Don’t worry, Peony. I’ll get that bastard arrested first thing tomorrow mornin’. Okay?”
I leaned back just enough to see his face clearly.
“What if we don’t have concrete evidence against him?”
“Then we use that audio evidence you got from before,” he said, his eyes steady on mine.
He leaned in again and kissed me—soft at first, then deeper, slow and reassuring, like he was pouring all his love into it.
When he pulled back, I wished he hadn’t.
“I promise you,” he murmured, his voice soft yet serious, “ain’t nothin’ gonna happen to your man. Not till I’ve put all my babies in you and I’m old, gray, and annoying.”
A big smile broke across my face despite everything, and I smacked his cheek lightly.
“You’re crazy!”
He burst into laughter, then winced, his hand going to his ribs.
“Are you okay?”
“’Course I am, baby. Just a lil’ pain. I ain’t dyin’ today.”
“You act like you’ve got an extra life stacked away in your wardrobe.”
He grinned, licking his lips playfully. “’Course I do.”
I glared at him, then gently pushed him back to lie down.
“You shouldn’t be sitting up yet. Come on, on your back.”
I adjusted the pillow for him, making sure he was comfortable, tucking the blanket around him.
“You good?”
“Yeah, baby,” he groaned softly, reaching up to tuck a strand of my hair behind my ear, his fingers lingering on my cheek.
We stayed like that, lost in each other’s gaze, the world outside the room fading away.
Until a loud throat clearing shattered it.
“Almost forgot we still got company,” I said with a smile, pulling back a little. But Damian’s strong arm shot out, wrapping around my waist and pinning me against his chest.
Without breaking eye contact with me, he said to Elis, who was still rooted by the door, “Thanks for the info, Elis. If there ain’t nothin’ else, please use the door.”
Silence.
Then the door shut softly.
He was gone.
My heart squeezed painfully. I hated seeing this outcome between the two brothers who had once cared so deeply for each other.
“Think I overreacted?” Damian’s voice cut through my thoughts, his hand caressing my waist gently through my suit.
I shook my head once.
“Not at all. I know you’re not one to hold onto grudges. For you to do that, he must have really crossed the line.”
He smiled faintly.
“Thanks for understandin’ me, Cin. Elis really hurt me. Said a lotta things I ain’t ever gonna forget.”
“Is it about the half-brother stuff? What’s that about, by the way?”
He took a deep breath, pulling me closer so my temple rested against his bare chest.
“Accordin’ to Evelyn, me and Elis got different fathers.”
My body tensed slightly but I’m sure he felt it.
“Seriously?”
He sighed deeply, his fingers caressing my hair gently.
“Dad found out, and that’s why they separated.”
I felt so sad for him, my heart aching at the thought of everything he had carried alone.
“I’m sorry you went through all that, Damian. I’m so sorry.”
“Nah, baby, you don’t gotta be. Just promise me we’ll be better parents to our own kids.”
A tear dropped from the corner of my eye onto his chest.
“I promise,” I whispered. “I promise.”
“Thank you, love. I love you so damn much.”
“I love you more.”
“Do you?”
“Do I?” I repeated in disbelief.
I raised my head only to see him smirking at me mischievously.
I furrowed my brows in suspicion. “What the heck are you on about, Mr. Thorne?”
“Then prove it, Cin.”
My jaw dropped in disbelief. “Are you seriously for real??? I should pr—”
He cut me off before I could finish, grabbing my wrist and tucking it beneath the blanket.
My eyes popped wide as he wrapped my hand around something standing proud like a flagpole.
My mouth went dry immediately.
“Fuck me, Cindy,” he murmured, his voice low, rough, and dangerous. “Fuck me right here on this fuckin’ hospital bed.”