Bella barely had time to process Damien's words before he was leading her out of his office. His grip was firm but not painful, his long strides forcing her to keep up.
Her heart pounded. "Damien, slow down—"
"Not here." His voice was low, clipped. Controlled—but just barely.
They stepped into the private elevator, the doors closing behind them with a quiet ding. Bella yanked her hand free, her breath coming fast.
"I deserve to know what's going on," she demanded.
Damien exhaled slowly, his hands bracing against the steel walls of the elevator as he caged her in.
"You were being watched."
Her blood ran cold. "What?"
He met her gaze. "The man who came to my office? He has proof. Someone followed you home last night."
Bella's pulse roared in her ears.
"That call…" she whispered.
Damien's jaw ticked. "I underestimated how soon they'd come for you." His voice was like steel. "That won't happen again."
She swallowed hard. "Who are 'they,' Damien?"
A beat of silence. Then—
"A man named Victor Morelli."
Her breath caught. "Morelli? As in—"
"The Morelli crime family," Damien confirmed.
Bella's knees nearly gave out.
Damien caught her instantly, his strong arms wrapping around her waist. "Breathe," he murmured.
She pushed against his chest. "Don't tell me to breathe when you just told me I'm being hunted by a goddamn mafia!"
His grip on her tightened. "Which is why you're coming with me."
Bella's head spun. "Where?"
His dark eyes burned into hers. "Somewhere they can't find you."
The elevator stopped, and before she could protest, Damien was leading her into the underground garage. A sleek black car was already waiting, engine running.
"Get in."
Bella hesitated. "Damien, I don't know if I can—"
His fingers caught her chin, tilting her face up.
"You don't have a choice anymore, Bella," he murmured. "I won't let them take you from me."
Her breath shuddered.
She should fight this. She should demand control.
But deep down… she knew.
She had stepped into his world the moment she let him in.
And there was no turning back.
Not now.
Not ever