Chapter 111 *
Scarlett's POV
Three hours later, I was still toweling off my hair when I heard the knock.
Soft. Three taps.
I froze. Looked at myself in the bathroom mirror.
My hair was soaking wet. Water droplets were rolling down my neck. My skin was still flushed pink from the hot shower.
I'd already changed into my duck onesie. The yellow fabric was soft against my damp skin. I'd even put on the matching duck slippers.
Another knock. A little louder this time.
"Scarlett?"
Damon's voice. Deep. Clear through the door.
My heart did something stupid. Started beating faster.
I wrapped the towel around my shoulders. Padded over to the door in my duck slippers. They made little squeaking sounds on the hardwood floor.
I opened the door.
Damon stood there in the hallway. He was still in his work clothes. Dark suit. White shirt with the top button undone. His tie was gone.
His eyes met mine. Then dropped slightly.
I watched his jaw tighten. Watched him force his gaze back up to my face.
That's when I realized. My neck was still wet. Water was dripping from my hair onto my collarbone. The bathroom steam had made my skin warm and slightly damp.
And I was wearing a giant rubber duck onesie.
"Sorry." I touched my wet hair. "I was in the shower. What's up?"
He didn't answer right away. Just stood there holding something in his hand.
A small white box. The kind bakeries use for cupcakes.
"I brought you something." His voice came out rougher than usual.
He held out the box.
I took it. Our fingers brushed for a second.
"What is it?"
"Open it."
I lifted the lid. Inside was a single cupcake. Chocolate with vanilla frosting. Little rainbow sprinkles on top.
My chest felt warm. Strange.
"You bought me a cupcake?"
"I thought..." He stopped. Looked away. "With everything happening online. The Madison thing. I thought you might want something sweet."
I stared at the cupcake. Then at him.
This terrifying crime lord who ordered hits without blinking.
He'd bought me a cupcake because the internet was being mean to me.
"Thank you." My voice came out smaller than I meant it to.
He nodded once. Started to turn away.
"Wait." The word came out before I could stop it.
He stopped. Looked back.
"Do you want to come in?" I gestured at my room. "I mean, if you're not busy."
Something flickered in his eyes. Surprise maybe.
"Alright."
I stepped back. Let him walk past me.
He moved into the room. Looked around like he was seeing it for the first time.
I closed the door. Set the cupcake box on my nightstand.
"I realized something." Damon turned to face me. "We've been married for weeks now. And I've never given you a proper gift."
I blinked. "The cupcake is a gift."
"That's not what I mean." He shoved his hands in his pockets. "A real gift. Something you actually want."
My brain stuttered. "You don't have to do that."
"I want to." His eyes were serious. Intent. "So tell me. What do you want?"
I opened my mouth. Closed it.
What did I want?
My mind went completely blank.
"Anything?" I asked carefully.
"Anything."
I bit my lip. Thought about it.
There was one thing. One thing that had been bothering me for weeks.
"Okay." I took a breath. "I want those two bodyguards to stop following me everywhere."
Damon's expression changed instantly. His jaw went tight. His eyes went cold.
"No."
The word came out flat. No room for discussion.
"Damon, I'm serious." I crossed my arms. "I don't need that level of protection anymore. There's no baby. I'm not in danger."
"You're my wife." His voice dropped lower. "That's not up for negotiation."
"I'm not asking for negotiation." I could feel my own voice getting sharper. "I'm asking for basic freedom. I can't go anywhere without two giant men following me around like I'm about to get kidnapped."
"You might be."
"By who? Madison Park? She's too busy getting destroyed online to worry about me."
"There are other threats." He took a step closer. "The Romano family has enemies. I have enemies. You're a target whether you like it or not."
"I don't like it!" The words burst out. "I don't like being followed. I don't like being watched. I don't like feeling like a prisoner."
My voice cracked slightly on the last word.
"Or a burden."
The room went quiet.
Damon stood there. Staring at me.
His hands were clenched at his sides. His jaw was working like he was grinding his teeth.
I looked down. Bit my lip hard.
I shouldn't have said that last part.
"A burden." His voice came out strange. Almost broken.
I didn't look up.
"You think that's what you are?"
I shrugged. Kept my eyes on the floor. "I'm not even really your wife. Not in any way that matters. This whole thing was supposed to be about the baby and there is no baby. So why waste your resources protecting me?"
Silence.
I could hear him breathing. Slow and controlled.
When I finally looked up, his expression made my chest hurt.
He looked angry. But underneath that was something else. Something that looked almost like pain.
"Come here." His voice was quiet. Not harsh. Almost gentle.
I didn't move.
"Scarlett. Come here."
I took two steps forward. Stopped when I was close enough to feel the heat coming off him.
He reached out slowly. His hand touched my damp hair. Stroked it once.
The gesture was so soft it made my throat tight.
"Okay." His voice was still quiet.
I looked up at him. Shocked.
"But." His hand moved to cup my face. His thumb brushed my cheekbone. "You keep your phone on you. Always. You tell me where you're going. Not asking permission. Just keeping me informed."
He paused. His eyes locked onto mine.
"And if anything happens. Anything at all. You call me first."
I nodded. Couldn't speak.
"This isn't about control." His thumb was still moving against my cheek. Soft circles. "This is how I protect the people I care about."
My heart stopped.
The people I care about.
He said it so casually. Like it was obvious.
"You're my wife, Scarlett." His voice dropped even lower. Intimate. "This is your home. You can do what you want. Say what you want. Go where you want."
His eyes went dark. Intense.
"But don't ever think you're a burden."
My breath caught.
"You're the person I chose to protect." He leaned closer. His voice became almost a whisper. "That's my responsibility."
He paused. His thumb stilled against my skin.
"And my privilege."
The last two words came out so soft I almost missed them.
My brain completely short-circuited.
Before I could ask, he stepped back. His hand dropped from my face.
"Get some rest." He moved toward the door. "It's been a long day."
He opened the door. Paused in the doorway.
Looked back at me one more time.
"If you need anything. Anything at all. Let me know."
Then he was gone.
The door closed with a soft click.
I stood there in my duck onesie. Still damp from the shower. Heart racing.
My cheek still felt warm where he'd touched it.
I walked over to the nightstand. Picked up the cupcake box.
Opened it carefully.
The cupcake looked perfect. Chocolate cake. Vanilla frosting. Rainbow sprinkles.
I peeled off the wrapper. Took a bite.
The sweetness exploded on my tongue. Rich chocolate. Smooth frosting.
I closed my eyes. Let myself enjoy it.
Damon was so good to me.
He'd bought me a cupcake just to make me feel better. He'd compromised about the bodyguards even though it obviously went against every instinct he had.
He'd called protecting me a privilege.
I took another bite. The sweetness filled my mouth.
But as I swallowed, something changed.
The sugar started to feel heavy. Cloying.
My throat felt tight.
I set the cupcake down. Put my hand over my heart.
It was beating too fast. Too hard.
"Damon." I whispered his name to the empty room. "Don't be so good to me."
My voice cracked.
"What if I get used to it? What if I can't leave when this is over?"