Chapter 63 Chapter 63
Damien’s POV
I rubbed the tip along her slick folds, feeling her wetness coat me, her arousal evident in the way she arched back, seeking more.
“Damien,” she breathed, her voice a mix of need and vulnerability, eyes still fixed on the stars as if they held the answers to our worries.
I pushed inside her slowly, inch by inch, savoring the tight heat of her pussy enveloping me.
She moaned, her hands gripping the railing, knuckles white, as I filled her completely.
I started thrusting gently at first, each slide deep and measured, my hips rolling to hit that spot inside her that made her tremble.
Her walls clenched around my cock, pulling me deeper, and I wrapped an arm around her waist, holding her steady as I kissed the side of her neck. “I’ve got you,” I whispered, my free hand sliding up to cup her breast through the thin fabric of her nightgown, thumb circling her nipple until it hardened.
She pushed back against me, meeting my thrusts, her breaths coming in soft pants that mingled with the distant hum of the city.
I increased the pace slightly, my cock plunging deeper, the wet sounds of our joining filling the night. She reached back with one hand, tangling her fingers in my hair, pulling me closer as if to anchor herself to this moment.
“Promise me,” she gasped, her voice breaking as pleasure coiled tighter in her core.
“I promise,” I growled softly, nipping at her earlobe before thrusting harder, feeling her pussy flutter around me. My hand slipped down between her legs, fingers finding her clit, rubbing firm circles that made her cry out. The stars above seemed to pulse with our rhythm, witnesses to our raw connection.
———
Early the next morning, before the sun had fully risen, Kai appeared at my office door with that expression that meant he had important information.
“Come in,” I said, setting down the reports I’d been reviewing.
Kai closed the door behind him and moved to stand across from my desk. “Boss, we’ve gotten intel on the Morellis. One of our sources inside their organization managed to get us some critical information.”
“Go on,” I said, leaning forward.
“Anthony Morelli is keeping detailed records of all our attacks,” Kai reported. “Every warehouse we hit, every shipment we intercept, every move we make against them. He’s documenting everything.”
“For what purpose?” I asked, though I had a sinking feeling I knew the answer.
“He’s planning to reciprocate,” Kai said. “But not against our operations. He specifically said he’s going to strike at ‘the heart.’”
I frowned, turning the phrase over in my mind. “The heart? What does that mean?”
“That’s the problem, boss,” Kai admitted. “Our source didn’t know. Anthony was careful not to elaborate in front of most of his people. Only his inner circle knows the specifics.”
“I want you and Lorenzo on this,” I ordered. “Make it a private mission. Find out what ‘the heart’ means. Use whatever resources necessary, pay whatever bribes you need to. I want to know what Anthony Morelli is planning before he has a chance to execute it.”
“Understood, boss,” Kai said. “We’ll start immediately.”
He left, and I sat there staring at nothing, my mind racing through possibilities.
The heart. What the hell did that mean?
Hours later, I was in my office reviewing security protocols when Hailey burst through the door, slightly breathless.
“The tutor is here,” she announced, her eyes bright with a mixture of excitement and nervousness.
I felt my stomach tighten. I’d agreed to this, but every instinct still screamed that it was a mistake.
“Bring him in,” I said to the guards stationed outside my door.
A few minutes later, I heard a commotion in the hallway, raised voices and the sound of someone struggling.
The guards entered first, gripping a young man by the arms. He looked roughed up, his shirt slightly torn, and he was trying to pull away from their grip.
“Hey, ease up!” he protested. “I’m just here to tutor, not to rob the place!”
“Let him go,” I ordered, and the guards immediately released him.
The young man straightened his clothes, rubbing his arms where the guards had gripped him, clearly preparing to say something indignant.
But then his eyes met mine, and whatever rebellion had been building died instantly.
He composed himself quickly, his posture changing from defensive to respectful.
There was something oddly familiar about him, something in the shape of his face or the way he held himself that tugged at my memory. But I couldn’t place it.
“Introduce yourself,” I said, my voice cold and authoritative. “Don’t leave out any details.”
“Damien, you cshg embarrass someone….” Hailey started
“It okay.” He took a breath and began speaking clearly and confidently.
“My name is Tyler. I’m twenty-four years old, a senior at the university majoring in Business Administration with a minor in Economics. I’m originally from upstate, moved here for school three years ago. I live in student housing on campus, work part-time at the campus library to help with expenses.”
He paused, then continued.
“I’m only able to attend university because of a scholarship program that was funded by a private donor. The Alejandro Education Initiative, actually.”
That caught my attention. The scholarship program I’d set up years ago as a legitimate front for some of our money laundering operations had actually helped hundreds of students attend college.
“I wanted to thank you for that, Mr. Alejandro,” Tyler continued earnestly. “I wouldn’t be in college at all if it wasn’t for that program. My family couldn’t afford tuition, and the scholarship changed my life.”
I felt myself softening slightly despite my suspicions. The program had been created for cynical reasons, but knowing it had actually helped people made it feel less hollow.
“I’m glad it helped you,” I said, my tone warming fractionally.
“I promise I’m just here to help Hailey and Benita catch up on their coursework,” Tyler added. “I know things have been difficult for them, and I just want to help fellow students succeed.”
He seemed genuine. His story checked out. And the fact that he was a beneficiary of my scholarship program made him seem less likely to be a threat.
Still, something nagged at me.
Before I could question him further, I caught movement in my peripheral vision.
Sophia had walked into the room, her expression carefully neutral, but there was something in her eyes. A barely contained smirk playing at the corners of her mouth.
Jake’s eyes flicked to her, and I saw something pass across his face. Recognition, maybe. Or fear. He seemed shaken, his composure slipping for just a moment before he regained control.
And Sophia’s smirk widened ever so slightly.
What the hell was going on?