Chapter 134: Chapter 136: Dinner With Julian
"I know. I can see that. But I’m worried about what Victoria might do. She has resources. Connections. And she’s vindictive as hell when she doesn’t get what she wants." Julian turned to Damien. "You need to protect her. Really protect her. Because Victoria won’t play fair."
"I know." Damien’s hand tightened on Aria’s shoulder. "I’ve already increased security. Marcus has instructions to keep an eye on Victoria’s movements. And Aria’s never alone....she’s either with me or in secure locations."
"Good. Because I’ve heard rumors.....nothing concrete, but whispers that Victoria is planning something. Something big. To either discredit Aria or....." He stopped, his jaw tightening.
"Or what?" Aria asked.
"Or hurt her. Make her disappear from your life one way or another." Julian’s eyes were deadly serious. "I’m not trying to scare you. I’m trying to prepare you. Victoria Ashford is dangerous when she’s desperate. And right now, she’s very desperate."
Damien’s expression had gone cold, murderous. "If she touches Aria....if she even thinks about hurting her....."
"I know. You’ll destroy her. We all know. But Damien..." Julian leaned forward. "You need to be smart about this. Victoria’s grandfather has almost as much influence as yours. If you go after her directly, it could turn into a war that damages both families."
"I don’t care. I care about Aria."
"And that’s exactly why you need to be smart. Because the best way to protect Aria is to outmaneuver Victoria, not outfight her." Julian looked at Aria. "Which is why I need you to be careful. Extra careful. Don’t go anywhere alone. Don’t trust anyone in Damien’s social circle who you don’t know personally. And if Victoria approaches you....."
"She already has," Aria said quietly. "Twice. Once at the office. Once in the estate lobby."
Both men’s heads snapped toward her.
"What?" Damien’s voice was deadly quiet. "When? What did she say?"
"The first time was right after you told me about your grandfather coming back. She cornered me in the building lobby. Told me about the arranged marriage, that I didn’t belong in your world, that I should walk away before I got hurt."
"It’s what triggered my ultimatum. What made me demand you choose." She looked at him steadily. "And you chose me."
Damien pulled her closer, kissed her temple. "I chose you. I’ll always choose you."
"And the second time?" Julian prompted.
"Last week. She showed up at the estate. Said the same things. Threatened to expose my past. Told me I was wasting my time because your grandfather would never approve." Aria met Damien’s eyes. "I told her I wasn’t going anywhere. That I’d fight for you. That I loved you too much to let her intimidation work."
Pride flashed in Damien’s expression. "That’s my girl."
"Damn right," Julian said with a grin. "See, Damien? I told you she was strong enough to handle victoria and your other admirers. She’s not going to run just because Victoria throws her weight around."
"I know. But that doesn’t mean I’m not worried." Damien looked at Julian. "Keep your ears open. If you hear anything concrete about what Victoria’s planning....."
"You’ll be the first to know. Promise." Julian raised his glass. "Now, can we please get back to the fun part of this dinner? I haven’t finished telling Aria about your awkward phase in sophomore year."
"I didn’t have an awkward phase."
"You absolutely did. There was the unfortunate goatee incident...."
"That was one week!"
"And the poetry phase....."
"I was taking a literature class!"
"And the time you tried to learn guitar to impress....."
"Julian, I swear to God...."
Aria laughed, watching them bicker like brothers, and felt something settle in her chest. This was Damien’s world. His family. His people. And they were accepting her. Welcoming her. Warning her about threats because they considered her worth protecting.
She belonged here. With him. With them.
No matter what Victoria or anyone else tried to do about it.
LATER THAT EVENING - 10:47 PM
They stumbled through the door of Damien’s room, lips already locked, hands already wandering.
"Julian likes you," Damien murmured between kisses. "Really likes you. I could tell from the first time he saw you."
"I like him too. He’s good for you. Keeps you grounded."
"He’s a pain in my ass. But yes. He’s good for me." Damien’s hands found the zipper of her dress. "Now, enough talking about Julian. I’ve spent the entire evening thinking about getting you out of this dress."
"Then stop thinking and do it."
He did, the emerald silk pooling at her feet, leaving her in just black lace lingerie and heels.
"Perfect," he breathed. "Absolutely fucking perfect."
He lifted her, carried her to the bedroom, and laid her on the bed with reverent care.
"Tonight," he said, his eyes burning into hers, "I’m going to make love to you. Slow and sweet and tender. Because after everything today....after all the games and the control and the intensity....I want to show you the other side. The side that worships you. The side that loves you more than breathing."
Tears pricked her eyes. "Damien....."
"Shh. Let me love you, Aria. Let me show you what you mean to me."
And he did. For hours. Slow, tender, devastating in its intimacy. No games. No control. Just love. Pure, overwhelming and consuming love.
When they finally collapsed together, both sated and exhausted, Aria thought that maybe.....finally....they’d found their balance.
The intensity and the tenderness. The control and the surrender. The darkness and the light.
All of it. Together. Forever.
"I love you," she whispered against his chest.
"I love you too," he murmured into her hair. "More than I ever thought possible. More than I knew I was capable of. You’re everything, Aria. Everything."
She fell asleep in his arms, safe and loved and home.
Not knowing that Victoria Ashford’s plans were already in motion.
Not knowing that the real test of their love was just beginning.
