hat same night, Damon took Mara to his penthou

side. Shadows seemed to watch and wait for her return. The fancy apartment, f

tensed, and her fists clenched in her lap, like she was trying to hold on to something real in the mess inside he

city's sparkling lights below like stars fallen to earth. The view

g?" Mara finally said, her voice soft a

. His face showed nothing, like

onight," he said quietly bu

fear rushing through her. "Who? Why do they want

ed. "They think you're my weakness. If th

eve it. Her mind r

ed in years. We live

e feel truly alive. We've known each other since childhood. You were the one p

hat's mine. When I met you...," his words trailed off, eyes locking onto hers. "I knew I'd do anything to keep you safe. But after my

ds. Each one hit her deeply.

to protect myself and

u all these years," he said

shock. "What do yo

hink you were free. I paid for your education. I made sure your streets were safe. Anyone who came

tection, Damon! That's control! Why are you doing this? You

ain in his eyes, a deep hurt tha

uld find you, eventually. I can't let anything ha

bigger gap between them. "And now that

I swear," he said, reaching out his

ed. The weight of their past filled the roo

t felt both safe and dangerous,

a small box from his pocket and opened

his voice low and husky. "I want you t

n't know... I'm not supposed to wear it; it should be for

re my

wife, but not the one you love. You sho

hat," he hesitated

ned, showing h

es locked on hers. "It's just a sy

over the ring. "What if I don't ac

his eyes seemed to darken. "You will

the ring, feeling