Ariana woke slowly, wrapped in warmth.
For one blissful second, she didn't remember danger.
Didn't remember Lena.
Didn't remember the scarf, the shadows, the threats.
All she felt was—
A steady heartbeat beneath her cheek.
Damian's.
Her eyes opened, and she realized she had fallen asleep on his chest… and he hadn't moved from his position.
He was still holding her.
His arm was still curled protectively around her waist.
Their legs were lightly entangled beneath the sheets.
His breath was slow and even — a kind of peace she'd never seen on him before.
Ariana's heart softened.
He looks… beautiful.
The morning light touched his jaw, his cheekbones, the softness at the corner of his mouth.
It almost made her forget he was the most feared man in the country.
Almost.
But not quite.
She slowly tried to shift—
Damian's arms tightened instantly.
Her breath caught.
"You're awake," he murmured, voice deep and rough with sleep.
Ariana swallowed.
"S-sorry. I didn't mean to wake you."
"You didn't."
His grip loosened just enough for her to look up at him.
For a moment, they just stared at each other.
Quiet.
Close.
Breathing the same air.
Then Damian said softly:
"You slept."
Ariana nodded.
"So did you."
Damian blinked — almost in surprise.
"I haven't slept through the night in years."
Ariana's heart twisted gently.
"Because of work?"
"No."
His fingers brushed her hair back slowly.
"Because of everything that comes with who I am."
Ariana whispered,
"Did I… help?"
Damian didn't hesitate.
"Yes."
Heat spread across her cheeks.
He lifted her hand and pressed a soft kiss to her knuckles — slow, deliberate, intimate.
Ariana's breath stilled.
"Good morning," he murmured against her skin.
Her entire body melted.
She was about to speak—
KNOCK. KNOCK.
Ariana flinched.
Damian stiffened.
He sat up immediately, every trace of softness replaced with sharp alertness.
"A moment," he called out, voice cold again.
When he turned back to Ariana, his touch softened instantly.
"You're safe," he murmured.
She nodded.
Damian stood and walked to the door.
Mr. Sato, his head of security, bowed respectfully.
"Sir… the person responsible for giving Lena Ariana's personal information has been identified."
Ariana tensed on the bed.
Damian's expression darkened.
"How?"
"A staff member from a luxury boutique recognized Mrs. Steele from the leaked photo. She was bribed… heavily. And she passed details to Miss Lena."
Ariana covered her mouth.
Damian's voice dropped to lethal softness.
"What happened to her?"
Mr. Sato hesitated.
"She has been… dismissed. And added to the blacklist. No employer under the Steele network will take her again."
Ariana swallowed.
One mistake…
One betrayal…
And her entire career was gone.
Damian didn't even blink.
"Anyone else?" he asked.
Mr. Sato nodded gravely.
"Yes, sir. We also traced the anonymous payment used to hire the man from the warehouse."
Ariana's heartbeat quickened.
"Who was it?" Damian demanded quietly.
Mr. Sato hesitated.
"Sir… it wasn't Lena."
Ariana froze.
Damian's eyes narrowed.
"Who then?"
Mr. Sato handed him a folder.
Damian opened it.
His jaw clenched so tightly Ariana heard his teeth grind.
"Damian?" she whispered nervously.
He looked up slowly.
"Ariana… someone else wants to see you harmed."
Her chest tightened.
"Who?" she whispered.
Damian exhaled — slow, controlled, terrifyingly calm.
"Your name… was leaked to an online group. A private forum. They traded information about my personal life."
Ariana swallowed.
"A group?"
"Not fans. Not elites." Damian's voice darkened.
"An organized circle of women who… want to become Mrs. Steele."
Ariana's stomach dropped.
Women.
Strangers.
Elites.
Obsessed admirers.
And one of them paid to target her.
"But… why me? They don't even know me." Ariana whispered.
Damian looked at her — with an expression she had never seen from him before.
A mix of anger, helplessness, and something painfully tender.
"It's not about knowing you," he said quietly.
"It's about wanting me."
Ariana felt her chest tighten.
Damian continued, voice low:
"And they want you gone because they think you're… replaceable."
Ariana's eyes filled with tears.
Replaceable.
That word cut deeper than any threat.
Damian crossed the room instantly and cupped her face with both hands.
"Look at me," he whispered.
She met his eyes — full of pain, confusion, fear.
"You are not replaceable," Damian said slowly, firmly, with absolute conviction.
"You are not temporary. You are not a placeholder for anyone."
Ariana trembled.
"You are my wife."
Her breath hitched.
"And if anyone thinks they can touch what's mine…"
His voice dropped to a dangerous whisper.
"They will learn why the world fears my name."
Ariana closed her eyes, tears slipping down her cheeks.
Damian pulled her into his arms — strong, warm, unyielding.
"You're safe," he murmured fiercely.
"I swear it."
Ariana buried her face in his chest.
Because despite the danger, despite the fear, despite the unknown—
Damian's arms were the only place she felt like nothing could touch her.