Chapter 49 Seasoned Baller
Damian's POV
I couldn't shake the feeling that Courtney was in danger. I left the queue at the departure gate and made my way over to the waiting lounge, where I left her with two guards. My chest was tight with worry, and my mind began playing scenes in my head as I checked my cellphone once more. Still no reply to my messages. Not like Courtney at all. As I came upon the entrance to the lounge, I saw her. Not Courtney. Felicia Ardent. Her eyes landed on me as her smile spread across her face.
My eyes darted towards the lounge, and I saw Courtney standing at the center, her face a mask of something between confusion and anger.
"I was just wishing Courtney a safe flight," Felicia purred as she waved off the two guards flanking her.
"I told you to stay away from my people," I flexed my hands at my sides as Courtney caught sight of me as she walked out of the lounge.
When she saw Felicia standing in front of me, her steps quickened, and she was at my side within seconds.
"I thought I made it clear that you are to stay away from Damian and his family," Courtney said, her voice low and threatening.
Felicia’s response was softer. Too soft.
"That depends… on whether you can stay out of my way.”
There it was. The line. The line Felicia wanted her to cross.
I took a step forward. I placed my body in front of Courtney. Protective. On guard.
“Then it’s a good thing she doesn’t take orders from you,” I warned as an amused expression took shape on Felicia's face.
"My, my, this couple. Always so quick to jump to each other's defense. I find it...annoying."
I didn't take my eyes off Felicia as I felt Courtney's fingers entwine themselves with mine from behind me.
"What are you doing here, Felicia. I thought all that was needed to be said was done so during our meeting?"
Felicia's grin turned into a sinister sneer. "The terms of that conversation changed when I spotted Miss Bennett in the shadows of that same meeting. Now I believe all parties are well informed. I'll see you lovebirds back home."
Courtney shifted then, moving so that we stood side by side, hands still entwined. The move stopped Felicia in her tracks, watching us now with clear interest.
“There it is again,” she murmured.
My gaze sharpened. “Careful,” I warned.
Felicia tilted her head slightly. “Or what?”
I didn’t answer that. Didn’t need to. The tension spoke for itself. A pause stretched between us—thick, controlled, dangerous.
Then Felicia exhaled softly, glancing around the lounge.
“So many witnesses,” she said lightly. “Not exactly ideal for a meaningful conversation.”
“Then leave,” Courtney snapped.
Felicia’s eyes flicked to her. Amused. Still amused.
“You’re very protective,” she said.
Courtney didn’t hesitate.
“Try me.”
My hand released Courtney's and moved to press firmly against her back. Not to stop her. To steady her. Felicia’s gaze returned to me.
“She’s going to get hurt,” she said calmly.
The words landed. Heavy. Calculated. My expression didn’t change—but something colder settled behind my eyes.
“You don’t get to make that prediction,” I said.
Felicia held my gaze.
“Don’t I?”
Silence. Then—
She stepped back. Just one step. Creating space again. Reclaiming control of the moment.
“I came to observe,” she said. “And now I have.”
Courtney scoffed quietly. “Creepy.”
Felicia ignored it. Her attention stayed on me.
“You’re moving faster than I expected,” she continued. “That can be… dangerous.”
“And you’re running out of time,” I replied.
That—
That earned a real reaction. Small. Subtle. But real.
Felicia’s smile sharpened slightly.
“Confidence looks good on you,” she said.
“It’s not confidence,” I countered. “It’s clarity.”
We held each other’s gaze. Neither blinking. Neither yielding. Then—
Felicia’s attention shifted back to Courtney one last time.
“For what it’s worth,” she said, “I meant what I said.”
Courtney’s eyes narrowed. “Which part?”
“That you’ve become relevant.”
Not a compliment. Not even close. Courtney let out an amused chuckle beside me.
"If I weren't so sure that you were an emotionless bitch, I'd think you were jealous, Felicia. It looks good on you."
Felicia's lips pulled into a thin line, but she didn't respond. Instead, she inclined her head slightly, as if acknowledging that. Then, she turned. Just like that, without another word, and walked away. No rush. No hesitation. Blending back into the flow of people like she hadn't just disrupted everything.
I watched her go, tracking her movements until she and her guards disappeared. Only then did I exhale. Courtney did the same beside me.
"Jesus, that woman could upend a bloody oak tree from the ground with her bullshit. Who does she think she is? Queen Elizabeth's ugly second cousin?!"
I turned to Courtney then, wrapping my arms carefully around her and pulling her into me. The move caught her off-guard for a second, and then she literally melted into my embrace.
"Gosh, you smell good," she breathed as her good hand tightened around my neck.
I let out a soft chuckle. "I smell good? When do I smell bad?"
She pulled back and pretended to think about it for a second. "When you come back from your morning run. You smell like..."
I closed the distance between us and silenced her with a deep kiss. She gasped against my lips and then opened up for me. We stood there for I don't know how long as we clung to each other, trying to erase the interaction that just happened with Felicia Ardent. Someone clearing their throat behind us was our hint to stop the PDA and turn around. One of my staff stood there, looking awkward and a bit embarrassed as she tapped the watch on her wrist.
"It's time to board, Mr McKay."
Courtney snickered as she untangled herself from my arms but entwined our fingers once more before giving me a quick peck on the cheek.
"Time to go home," she whispered as she tugged me towards the departure gate, winking at the female staff member and earning a grin from the two guards following us.
Yes, it was time to go home. But it was also time to up the game.
Felicia Ardent thinks she could approach my family and not pay the price. She won't be prepared for what I intend to do next. Nobody messes with my family and walks away feeling like a winner. They most definitely needed to know that they were playing with a seasoned baller. One that plays to win. Always.