12. Cara
— ? —
Cara
The Next Day
We’re on the warehouse roof. The city spread out below us. The same spot where I first started to see him as something other than Marcus’s brother.
“There’s something I need to tell you,” Damien says. “About why he hates me so much. Why he’s always hated me.”
I wait. Let him find the words.
“Before you, there was someone else.” His voice is rough. “A woman I loved. Really loved. We were engaged.”
My chest tightens. “What happened?”
“Marcus happened.” He stares out at the city. “He didn’t want her. He just wanted to prove he could take her. So he did. Seduced her. Made her think I was dangerous. Got her to leave me.”
“Damien…”
“He dumped her a month later. Just to prove he could.” His jaw tightens. “She had a breakdown. Three months in a psychiatric facility. And the family paid her off. Made her sign an NDA. Erased the whole thing.”
“That’s why you hit him. The night they exiled you.”
“I beat him so badly he was in the hospital for three days. Broke his nose. His ribs.” He finally looks at me. “They chose him. They always choose him.”
I move closer. Take his face in my hands.
“You’re not telling me this so I’ll feel sorry for you,” I say. “You’re telling me because you’re scared.”
“I’m telling you because everyone I’ve ever loved, he’s taken. Or destroyed.” His voice cracks. “I’m not good for you, Cara. You should-”
“Don’t.” I cut him off. “Don’t tell me to run.”
“I’m trying to protect you-”
“From what? From loving you?” I hold his gaze. “Too late. I already do.”
He goes still. “What?”
“I love you, Damien. The broken parts too. The parts you think make you unlovable.”
“I love you too.” His voice is barely a whisper. “I’ve loved you since you burned his world down. I just didn’t think I deserved you.”
“Then let me prove you wrong.”
I kiss him. Soft at first, then deeper.
When I pull back, his eyes are wet.
“We do this together,” I say. “Whatever comes next. Together.”
He pulls me close. Holds me like I might disappear.
“Together,” he agrees.