Chapter 51: THE GAMES WE PLAY

As Damian dragged me into the backseat of the automobile, the night air felt cold and abrasive against my skin. Liam was in the driver's seat, clutching the steering wheel with white knuckles. He sped out of the concealed driveway and into the darkness, tires screeching across the pavement.

My ribs were hammered by my heart. I was still trembling. It was something more dangerous than the gunfire or how we had been ambushed.

"Damian."

The kiss he'd given me. The way he drew me close to him as if I were the only thing keeping him in check.

Now, though?

He was stone now.

He sat beside me, his jaw clenched, his posture rigid. His fists, which had been grasping my waist and entangled in my hair, were now clenched.

I gulped forcefully, my thoughts racing.

We were discovered by Victoria. That implied that she was pursuing us. We were therefore far from safe.

The man seated next to me, however, frightened me much more.

**"Where are we going?"** I said in a shaky voice.

Damian avoided eye contact with me. ** "Somewhere secure." **

I squinted. **"And after that?"**

A muscle in his jaw ticked. **"I end this."**

His voice was calm. Too quiet.

I felt a tightness in my chest.

**"Damian—"**

He turned to face me for the first time and snapped, **"Don't,"**. Something dark and dangerous burned in his blue eyes. ** "Don't try to talk me out of this." **

Liam gave us a glance in the rearview mirror but said nothing.

With trepidation, I inhaled. ** "Killing Victoria won't fix this." **

* "No," he concurred. ** "But it’ll damn well make sure she never touches you again." **

My throat became parched. **I am.** He wasn't merely seeking retribution. For me, he was doing it.

With the city lights disappearing into the distance, the vehicle veered onto a remote road. I knew one thing, but I didn't know where we were going—

I had to keep Damian from losing himself in this.

I drew closer, my voice softer now. **"What happens after, Damian? Once she's left?" **

He clenched his jaw once again, but he remained silent.

As he was unaware.

For retribution was the only reason he had ever lived.

And he had no idea what would happen now that he had me, now that we were *this*.

My fingertips brushed his fist as I grabbed for his hand. ** "Damian, talk to me." **

He withdrew his hand. **"There’s nothing to talk about."**

The rejection ached more than I wanted to acknowledge.

I set my jaw, my wrath surging to the surface. **"So that’s it? You just shut me out now?" **

His eyes flashed as he turned his head abruptly. ** "You’re the one who wanted to run, remember?" **

I tensed up. ** "That’s not fair." **

** "Isn't it?" ** He spoke in a low voice with a hint of threat. **"You always pull away when I approach too closely. You resist your emotions every time they arise. **

My heart raced. ** "And what about you?" ** I fired back. ** "You act like you don’t care, but then you kiss me like I’m the only thing keeping you breathing." **

I continued even though his lips barely parted.

** "You hold me like I’m yours, but the second I try to hold you back, you push me away." ** I trembled as I shook my head. ** "You can’t have it both ways, Damian." **

There was a heavy quiet in the car. Liam wasn't even breathing.

Then—

Damian laughed bitterly and low. ** "You think this is a game?" **

I looked him in the eye. **"No. However, I believe you're afraid. **

The silence fell between us.

He then made a move.

He quickly caught me by the wrist and drew me into his personal space, where our breaths blended. His eyes searched mine while his fingers tightened over my pulse.

**"You think I’m scared?"** he said, his voice eerily quiet.

My heart pounded. The phrase "I know you are."

His thumb moved slowly and purposefully across my wrist.

I took a swallow.

I could feel his lips hovering inches from mine. Even though my head cried out to fight back, my body betrayed me, burning where he touched me.

Then he released me in a deliberate, methodical motion.

With my wrist quivering from his touch, I took a trembling breath.

**"Why are you still here?" **"If I scare you so much,"** he whispered.

I balled my fingers into fists. **"Because you don’t fear me, Damian. You never did. **

There was a tiny slant to his lips. **"Liar."**

I was about to shoot back when I opened my mouth, but—

Liam applied the brakes abruptly.

I was flung against Damian's chest as the car skidded to a halt. His arm sprang out and caught me firmly before I could topple over.

"What the hell—" Damian gave a start.

Then I noticed it, though.

A figure stood in the center of the road.

A female.

She was holding a gun.

Victoria.

My blood ran cold.

A cruel smile curled her lips as she stood in the streetlight glow, her silver hair blowing in the wind.

Three dark SUVs were parked down the road behind her, preventing us from fleeing.

We were confined.

Liam muttered an expletive. **"Shit."**

For a split second, Damian's hold on me became more firm before he released it. He groped for the revolver fastened to his belt, his face unreadable.

I took hold of his arm. **"Damian—"**

He avoided looking at me. ** "Stay in the car." **

**"No."**

His head turned sharply. **"Lyra—"**

**"I’m not leaving you."**

For a second, something sparked in his eyes. Something rough.

Then, slowly, a smirk twisted his lips. **"You don’t listen, do you?" **

My heart raced. **"Not when it comes to you."**

A gloomy laugh slipped from his lips. ** "That’s dangerous, sweetheart." **

The back door was jerked open before I could reply.

I was yanked out of the car by chilly hands before I could even respond.

Struggling, I gasped, but the hold was too tight.

Damian threw himself forward—

But he was stopped in his tracks by the sharp *click* of a rifle.

Victoria's smile widened as she put the barrel to my temple.

She purred, **"Ah, ah, Damian,"**. ** "Wouldn’t want to lose your little pet, now would you?" **

My breath caught.

Damian's gaze darkened into something deadly, and his whole body became rigid.

Additionally, I've never in my life—

I could see genuine terror in his eyes.

Not for himself.

For me.

Victoria whispered, leaning closer, her lips grazing my ear—

** "Let’s play a game." **

Then—

Chaos broke out in the world.

There was a gunshot.

My name was screamed by Damian.

Then everything turned dark.