The air was thick with anticipation as Lena sat across from Damien, her hands tightly clasped. The news of her father's impending release from prison had shattered her fragile peace, and now, with every passing second, the threat of his reappearance loomed larger.
She hadn't heard from her mother in weeks, but the last message she'd sent her had been cryptic at best: "Be careful, Lena. He's coming for you."
She didn't need to ask who he was.
Paul Whitaker the man who had abandoned her and her mother all those years ago, the man whose crimes had scarred their lives beyond repair.
Damien's presence beside her was the only thing keeping her grounded. His steady, comforting hand on hers reminded her that she wasn't alone, even if it felt like the world was crumbling around her.
"We'll deal with it," Damien said, his voice low but unwavering. "I'll protect you."
Lena squeezed his hand, but there was a flicker of doubt in her eyes. "But what if I'm the one who has to face him? What if he wants something from me?"
Damien's gaze softened. "You don't owe him anything, Lena. You're not the little girl he left behind."
Her throat tightened at his words. "But I still feel like I am."
The Following Day Blackwood Enterprises
Damien sat in his office, a cold cup of coffee in front of him, staring at the reports scattered across his desk. His mind was elsewhere on Lena, on her father, and the storm that was brewing just outside their door.
He couldn't let this man Paul Whitaker destroy the fragile peace they'd started to build. Not after everything Lena had been through. She deserved to be free from him.
He grabbed his phone and dialed a number, waiting for the call to connect.
"Harold," Damien said when his father's voice answered, "we need to talk."
Blackwood Mansion 10 AM
Harold Blackwood's eyes narrowed as Damien sat across from him in his lavish office, his posture rigid, as always.
"What is it now, Damien?" Harold asked, his tone tinged with impatience.
"I need you to help me with something," Damien began. "It's about Lena's father."
Harold raised an eyebrow. "Whitaker? What do you want me to do about him?"
Damien's voice grew darker. "I want him out of our lives. Permanently."
Harold leaned back in his chair, his fingers steepling in front of him. "You're asking for more than you think, son. Paul Whitaker has a way of making people disappear, but not without consequences. You want me to go after him? I'll need leverage."
Damien's jaw tightened. "You're the one who controls the city's power, not him. If you want Lena to be safe, then do what you do best."
Harold smiled coldly. "I'll handle it. But remember, the price of protection is always higher than you expect."
Damien stood, not even flinching at his father's warning. "Whatever it takes."
Lena's Apartment Late Afternoon
Lena paced the length of her apartment, her heart racing. She had already gone through the file Damien had given her about her father's past, and everything she had read only confirmed what she had always known: Paul Whitaker was a dangerous man.
But the real question was why had he waited this long to come after her?
Her thoughts were interrupted by the sharp ring of her phone.
"Hello?" she answered, her voice shaky.
"Lena," came the voice on the other end, low and smooth. "I think we need to have a conversation."
Her blood ran cold. The voice was unmistakable. Paul Whitaker.
"Where are you?" she demanded, her voice trembling despite her best efforts to remain calm.
"I'm not far," he replied, his tone darkly amused. "In fact, I think I'll be seeing you very soon. You're going to help me with something. Whether you like it or not."
The line went dead before Lena could respond.
She dropped the phone onto the table, her hands shaking. She had no idea what her father wanted, but one thing was clear he was coming for her. And this time, she wasn't sure she'd be able to escape.
Blackwood Mansion – The Same Day
Harold's assistant walked briskly into his office, a file in hand.
"Sir," she said, "we've confirmed that Paul Whitaker is out of prison. He's been making calls to various contacts in the city. And there's something else..."
Harold raised an eyebrow. "What is it?"
She handed him the file. "He's in contact with someone on the board. Someone close to you."
Harold's eyes flicked over the page, his fingers tightening around the edges of the document. "Who?"
"Sarah Larkin," the assistant said. "She's been meeting with him. Regularly."
Harold's expression darkened. "Sarah is playing a dangerous game."
He picked up his phone, dialing a number with a single press of a button.
"Get Sarah Larkin into my office. Now."
Back at the Penthouse – Evening
Damien walked through the door to find Lena sitting on the couch, her face pale and drawn. She looked up at him with haunted eyes, and for the first time, he saw the full weight of fear in her gaze.
"He called," she whispered. "He's here. And he wants something."
Damien's blood ran cold. "What does he want?"
Lena stood and walked to the window, looking out over the city. "I don't know. But whatever it is, I don't think it's going to be easy."
Damien crossed the room in two strides, taking her hands in his. "You don't have to face this alone. We'll do this together."
Tears welled up in Lena's eyes, but she didn't pull away. "I don't know if I'm strong enough to face him. I'm not the person I used to be. I don't have any power left."
"You're stronger than you think," Damien said, his voice firm. "And I'm here. We're not letting him destroy you. Not again."
Lena swallowed, nodding slowly. For the first time in days, she allowed herself to lean into him, taking comfort in his strength.
"We'll stop him, Lena," Damien said quietly. "I'll do whatever it takes."
And as Lena allowed herself to believe those words, she knew that, for better or worse, this fight was only just beginning.