The moment Bella stepped into Damien's mansion, she felt it—the power, the control, the unshakable dominance that clung to the air like electricity before a storm.
The foyer was massive, lined with black marble and dim lighting that cast haunting shadows along the walls. Armed guards stood at attention near the entrance, their cold gazes flicking to her before nodding at Damien.
Bella swallowed hard. "This feels less like a safe house and more like a prison."
Damien's hand settled against the small of her back, his touch possessive yet protective. "It's both," he murmured, leading her deeper inside.
Her heart pounded. "Damien, you can't just keep me locked away."
His jaw ticked. "I'll do whatever it takes to keep you breathing."
She yanked away from him, her pulse spiking. "And what if I don't want this?"
In a flash, Damien closed the distance between them, his grip curling around her wrist, firm but not painful. His dark eyes burned with something primal, something dangerous.
"You think I enjoy this?" His voice was low, lethal. "You think I want to drag you into my war?"
Bella's breath hitched.
He leaned in, his mouth dangerously close to hers. "I should let you go," he murmured. "But I won't."
Her heart slammed against her ribs.
Because despite the fear clawing at her chest, despite the warnings in her head—
She didn't want him to let go.
Damien's fingers tightened for a fraction of a second before he released her. He exhaled sharply, running a hand through his hair as if trying to shake off whatever was surging between them.
"You'll stay in the east wing," he said, his voice rough. "No one comes in or out without my permission."
Bella frowned. "Like I said—prison."
His lips curled in a dark smirk. "If this were a prison, sweetheart, you wouldn't be in silk sheets."
Heat pooled in her stomach at the teasing edge in his tone.
Before she could retort, a figure stepped into the hallway—a tall man with piercing blue eyes and an aura just as deadly as Damien's.
"Leo," Damien greeted, his voice void of emotion.
Leo's gaze flicked to Bella, assessing her with cool indifference before returning to Damien. "We need to talk. Now."
Bella tensed.
Damien sighed. "Go to your room, Bella."
She hesitated. "Damien—"
He turned to her, his expression unreadable. "Now."
A shiver ran down her spine at the finality in his tone.
She had no choice but to obey.
But as she turned and walked away, she knew one thing for certain—
She might be locked away in his mansion, but the real prison?
Was the way he made her feel.