Chapter 38
A Different Shade Of Him
Elena
My heart was in my throat when the door slammed open with a force that rattled the walls.
"Do you want to die?" Damien's roar shook the walls as he strode in, his expression changed drastically when he spotted us through the open bathroom door.
Before I could blink he'd crossed the room and jerked Mike away from me.
"Get your hands off—" Mike struggled to get rid of Damien's grip but his words were cut short as Damien punched him in the face.
"Damn you," Damien's moves were nothing like an inexperienced fighter, his every move was aimed at the vitals. Mike didn't stand a chance, within moments he was beaten to a pulp.
But Damien didn't stop.
"Damien stop," I yelled, trying to hold his hands but it was as if he'd been possessed, his blows were unceasing.
Mike had stopped struggling, his entire face was bloody. He looked like he might breathe his last at any moment.
"Damien," I yelled, my face wet with tears. It was then that he heard me and he paused, turning back to stare at me. I shivered when I met his cold brutal eyes, I'd never seen such a look on his face.
"Please," I sobbed, "Stop. You're going to kill him," I whispered, my throat clogged with emotion.
Damien silently let go of Mike's collar, muttering something under his breath. I felt my heart lurch when I saw a huge towering man walk in.
"Take care of this," Damien didn't even flinch as he gave orders. The man didn't utter a word and he walked closer.
"Come here," Damien turned back to me, his expression was softer now. He lifted me off my feet and walked away as if I weighed nothing.
"Than—thank God you came," I sobbed, the floodgates opening and I let loose, my body shaking with sobs as I buried my face in his chest.
I still couldn't process what'd just happened, couldn't dare imagine what would have happened if Damien hadn't come to my rescue.
Damien didn't drop me even once the entire way, he carried me out from the office, down the stairs and outside.
His car was parked outside. He dropped me briefly before helping me into the back seat.
"I'm taking you to the clinic," Damien broke the silence, turning to glance back at me. His jaw tightened as his eyes fixed on the bruise on my hand, Mike had left those when he'd grabbed me.
I nodded, not saying anything more.
The clinic smelled of antiseptic that made me nauseous and Damien supported me inside. He briefly said some words to the doctor before I was examined.
He filled out some paperwork and collected my prescription before he walked back inside.
"Take me home," I whispered as he helped me back into the car.
Damien's jaw tightened. "No."
"Damien, please—"
"I said no," Damien snapped, his voice sharp. He took a deep calming breath before he spoke again, "You can't go home in this state. Do you want your daughter to see you like this?"
His words were like a warm beam that slowly melted the ice that'd thawed my thoughts. He was right, the thought of Lily seeing me in this state didn't sit right with me.
I'd frighten her. The question was, if I couldn't go back home, where could I go?
I'd nearly registered the thought when Damien spoke. "I'm taking you to my place."
"No, no," I shook my head, about to protest but Damien shot me a searing glance that cut all my protests short.
I swallowed my hesitance and resigned myself to my fate.
The drive was silent as Damien had a brooding face all through, I didn't say anything, the weight of fatigue already weighing on me.
I'd expected to see huge towering gates of a luxurious multi-million estate but I was supposed to see Damien's house was a modest one, at first glance, I never would've associated such a place with him.
Damien helped inside, and I turned to look around, the furnishings were trim and neat. He slowly helped me to the couch.
"I'll get you something to eat," Damien said, disappearing into the kitchen.
I briefly closed my eyes, the shadows of my torturous experience threatened to creep up on me and I felt tears threatening to fall.
"Here you go," Damien returned at that moment, tray in hand. "You can't eat much, he said, handing the small bowl of soup to me," the soup was still warm.
I ate slowly, the warmth of the soup melted my thawed insides and I felt better for it.
Damien helped me take my drugs, his eyes were alight with an intensity I couldn't see through.
"Damien," I whispered, catching his attention. "Thank you," I forced a smile, and my hand brushed his lightly.
Damien froze, his warm hand cupped my face and he stared at me with an intense gaze.
My breath caught in my throat and for a moment, I thought he might kiss me.
He didn't. Instead, he reached out and gently brushed a strand of hair from my face.
"You'll be fine Elena," Damien's hand steadied my emotions. "There's nothing to worry about," he stared at me with a steady gaze.
A lump formed in my throat and I blinked rapidly, trying to keep the tears at bay.
I really really wanted to believe him.
The rest of the night passed without event. The next morning I woke up to find that Damien was gone, the only evidence of his presence was a sticky note that he left on the door.
Take your drugs. Had something to do, will be back soon.
I held the sticky note in my hand, silently imagining Damien's expression when he was writing it. I couldn't imagine Damien having such a side to him.
I'd eaten my food and taken my drugs but I couldn't go back to sleep no matter how I tried. I headed to the living room, hoping the TV would be a better distraction for my thoughts.
I switched on my cell phone and found about half a dozen calls from Jenna. I'd texted her yesterday but I was guessing she still felt worried.
I was just about to call her when the headline on the news caught my attention.
"Breaking news: Harrington Enterprises has terminated all business ties with Mike Lepton's company. This unexpected move has sent shockwaves through the business world…"
What! I stared at the TV in shock, not noticing when my cell phone slipped from my hand, falling on the couch.
Damien's note appeared in my mind's eye again. 'Take your drugs. Had something to do, I will be back soon.'
The casual tone of the note and the weight of his actions left me speechless. He'd done this—because of me?
I couldn't imagine the effort he'd had to put in to get the company owners to make such a decision as Damien on his own couldn't have made such a decision on his own.
But he'd managed to pull it off, for me?
I couldn't quite place the emotions that swirled within me as I stared at the TV, lost in thought.
Damien had gone to war for me, and the entire world was feeling the tremors.