The mansion grew quiet as the afternoon light softened, but Ariana couldn't shake the strange heaviness in her chest.
Damian had stepped away to take a secure call—
another update about the men involved, the device found at the gala, and any additional threats.
Ariana sat on the edge of her bed, fingers twisting nervously.
She knew she should rest.
She knew she should breathe.
She knew Damian didn't want her drowning in fear.
But something felt… off.
Like someone was watching her.
She stood and walked to the balcony, pulling the curtains aside.
The garden looked peaceful.
Too peaceful.
Then—
A faint movement.
A flicker in the shadows near the outer wall.
Ariana's breath caught.
She leaned forward slightly, pressing her hand to the glass.
Was someone there?
Or was it her mind playing tricks after last night's chaos?
Her heart thumped.
Before she could look closer—
A warm hand gently rested on her shoulder.
Ariana gasped and spun around—
But it was only Damian.
His eyes narrowed immediately.
"Why are you trembling?"
Ariana swallowed.
"I… thought I saw something in the garden."
Damian stiffened.
He moved past her instantly, eyes cutting toward the balcony doors.
"Where exactly?" he asked.
Ariana pointed.
"There. Near the left corner."
Damian walked onto the balcony without hesitation.
Ariana stayed behind, watching his back—
tall, broad, protective.
Damian scanned the entire yard.
Every corner.
Every shadow.
Every possible hiding place.
He didn't see anyone.
But he didn't relax either.
He stepped back into the room and closed the doors.
"Ariana," he said quietly, "from now on, you don't go out here alone."
She nodded, her pulse racing.
"Do you think someone was actually out there?" she whispered.
Damian didn't lie.
"I think it's possible."
Ariana's breath hitched.
"But I also think," he added, stepping closer and lowering his voice, "that your instincts are strong. And I trust them."
Her heart softened at his words.
Damian rarely praised anyone.
Praise from him felt like sunlight breaking through clouds.
"Sit," he said gently.
Ariana sat on the bed.
Damian crouched in front of her, his hands lightly resting on her knees.
"I need you to tell me exactly what you saw."
Ariana closed her eyes and described it:
"A figure. Dark. Near the wall. I thought maybe it was an animal, but… the way it moved felt human."
Damian's jaw tightened.
"You've never imagined danger before," he said softly.
"So I won't treat this as imagination now."
Ariana felt a chill.
"Damian… is this because of the photo incident?"
"It could be related," he admitted.
"But it could also be someone testing boundaries."
Her fingers trembled slightly.
Damian reached up and held one of her hands.
"You are not to blame for any of this."
Ariana looked at him.
"Then why do I feel like I'm dragging you into problems?"
Damian straightened slightly.
"You're not dragging me," he said firmly.
"You're giving me a reason to focus. A reason to protect. A reason to do what I'm good at."
Ariana blinked.
"What are you good at?"
Damian's voice dropped, low and quiet:
"Keeping the people I care about safe."
Her heartbeat stuttered.
"You care about me?" she whispered.
Damian's eyes softened—deep, unreadable, vulnerable in a way she wasn't used to.
"I wouldn't be here if I didn't."
Ariana stared at him, her chest full and aching.
"You must be tired," she whispered.
"I'll rest when you're safe," he replied simply.
Ariana reached out and lightly touched his sleeve.
"Damian… I'm safe with you."
He exhaled—the kind of exhale a man lets out when something heavy inside him finally loosens.
He moved to sit beside her, but not too close.
Just near enough to feel her presence.
"Ariana," he murmured, "there's something else you should know."
Her breath paused.
He continued quietly:
"When I questioned the man at the warehouse… he said the woman who hired him wasn't alone."
Ariana's stomach dropped.
"Meaning?"
Damian looked at her.
"She has help."
Ariana inhaled sharply.
"And whoever was outside earlier… might not have been random."
Ariana's pulse raced.
Damian gently placed his hand over hers again.
"No matter what happens," he said softly, "I'll always reach you before they do."
Ariana swallowed, her throat tight.
She believed him.
She truly did.
But she also knew something terrifying:
This wasn't the end.
It was the beginning.
Someone—or several someones—wanted her gone.
But she had Damian.
And that made her both protected…
and a target worth aiming for.