The SUV roared down the empty highway, its tires tearing through the silence of the night. Elena sat in the back seat, gripping her mother's hand tightly as if letting go would mean losing her again. Her heart felt like it had been ripped in two, left behind in the chaos of the warehouse.
"Damien..." she whispered, her voice trembling.
"He's tough," Marcus said from the driver's seat, his tone clipped but reassuring. "He'll make it out."
Elena bit her lip, fighting back tears. "You didn't see him. He was bleeding. He—he told me to leave him there."
Marcus's hands tightened on the steering wheel. "Because he knew you were more important."
She turned to him, her voice cracking with desperation. "How can you say that? He's the one who put himself on the line for me."
"Exactly," Marcus said, glancing at her in the rearview mirror. "That's what Damien does. He'll always put you first."
Her chest ached at his words. She couldn't shake the image of Damien on the ground, fighting to protect her even as his strength waned. Every mile that separated them felt like a dagger to her heart.
"Elena," her mother's soft voice broke through her thoughts. "Sweetheart, are you okay?"
She turned to her mother, her face streaked with tears. "I'm fine, Mom. What about you? Did they hurt you?"
Her mother shook her head, her eyes brimming with unshed tears. "No. They scared me, but I'm okay now. Thanks to him." She hesitated, then added, "Who is he, Elena? Why would a man like that risk everything for you?"
Elena opened her mouth to respond, but the words caught in her throat. How could she explain Damien? The ruthless billionaire with a heart buried beneath layers of steel. The man who had barged into her life, turned it upside down, and somehow become its most crucial part.
"He's... complicated," she said finally.
Her mother gave her a knowing look. "Complicated doesn't even begin to cover it."
Before Elena could respond, Marcus's phone buzzed. He glanced at the screen and cursed under his breath.
"What is it?" Elena asked, her stomach twisting.
"Damien's alive," Marcus said, relief washing over his features. "But he's not happy."
Elena's heart leapt. "Where is he? Is he okay?"
"He's regrouping with the rest of the team," Marcus said. "He wants us to head to a secondary location. Somewhere secure."
She let out a shaky breath, the tension in her chest easing slightly. Damien was alive. That was all that mattered.
The secondary location was another of Damien's safehouses, this one nestled in the outskirts of the city. It was smaller than the others, but it was fortified like a fortress. Marcus ushered them inside, and Elena's eyes immediately searched for Damien.
He was standing near a table covered in maps and weapons, his shirt stained with blood but his posture as commanding as ever. When their eyes met, something inside her broke, and she ran to him without thinking.
"Damien!" she cried, throwing her arms around him.
He winced slightly but didn't pull away. Instead, his arms came up to wrap around her, holding her tightly.
"You're okay," she whispered, her voice choked with emotion.
"I told you I'd be fine," he said, his voice low and reassuring. "You, on the other hand, are supposed to be resting."
"How can I rest when you—" She pulled back, her eyes scanning him for injuries. "You're hurt."
"I've had worse," Damien said dismissively.
"That doesn't make it okay!" she snapped, her anger fueled by worry. "You can't just—"
"Elena," he interrupted, his hands resting on her shoulders. "I'm fine. And your mother is safe. That's what matters."
She stared at him, her emotions warring within her. Finally, she sighed and stepped back, her arms crossing over her chest. "You can't keep doing this. Putting yourself in danger for me."
"Yes, I can," Damien said simply. "And I will."
Before she could argue, Marcus cleared his throat. "Boss, we need to talk."
Damien nodded, his expression hardening. "Give us a minute."
Marcus hesitated, his gaze flicking to Elena, then nodded and left the room.
Damien turned back to her, his eyes softening. "Elena, I need to ask you something."
She frowned, her heart skipping a beat. "What is it?"
He stepped closer, his gaze intense. "They won't stop coming for you. Not until we've taken them down completely. And even then, there will always be risks."
She swallowed hard, unsure where he was going. "What are you saying?"
"I'm saying I want to protect you," Damien said, his voice steady. "Not just now, but always."
Her breath caught as his words sank in. "Damien..."
He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small, velvet box. Opening it, he revealed a stunning diamond ring that sparkled even in the dim light.
"Elena Cruz," he said, his voice soft but resolute. "Will you marry me?"