Chapter 9 A Dangerous Distraction

(Ivy’s POV) Sleep didn’t come easily. I lay awake, staring at the ceiling, replaying every moment from earlier that night. Camilla’s hands on him. The way Damien allowed it. The way he had looked at me—not with guilt, not with apology, but with expectation. Like he wanted to see if I would crack. But I didn’t. And that clearly amused him. The bastard. I turned onto my side, exhaling slowly. My body was restless, still humming with the tension of our last conversation. Damien had been so sure of himself, so convinced that I would fall into the web he had laid out for me. But I wasn’t like the women he was used to. And I needed him to understand that. Morning Came Too Soon I woke to a knock at my door. Before I could respond, Elias stepped inside, looking as impassive as ever. "Breakfast is ready," he announced. I stretched, sitting up. "And if I refuse?" Elias sighed. "Then Damien will come get you himself." A slow smirk curled at my lips. "Again?" Elias’ expression didn’t waver. "I’d advise against pushing him before you’ve had your coffee." I swung my legs over the side of the bed, standing. "Fine," I murmured. "Lead the way." The halls were quiet as we made our way to the dining room, but the tension from the night before still lingered in the air. When I stepped inside, Damien was already there, sipping his coffee like he hadn’t spent the night taunting me. His gaze lifted as I entered, taking in my loose silk robe and the way my hair tumbled over my shoulders. "Good morning, Little Lamb," he murmured. I slid into the seat across from him, lifting an eyebrow. "You seem… pleased with yourself this morning." His lips curled slightly. "I always enjoy watching someone try to challenge me." I reached for my coffee. "And did you enjoy yourself last night?" His smirk widened. "Did you?" I took a slow sip, meeting his gaze over the rim of my cup. "I was entertained." Something flickered in his eyes, something dark and amused. He set his cup down, watching me carefully. "Good. Because I have plans for us today." I stilled. "Us?" He leaned back in his chair, fingers tapping against the table. "You’ve been inside these walls long enough. It’s time you see my world properly." Curiosity stirred in my chest. "And what exactly does that mean?" Damien smirked. "You’ll see." The World Outside His Fortress An hour later, I found myself stepping into a sleek black car, seated beside the most dangerous man in the country. Damien didn’t speak as the car pulled out of the mansion’s gates, but I could feel his presence, heavy and inescapable. The city stretched before us, towering buildings and bustling streets—so close, yet so far from the life I had once known. I turned to him. "Are you taking me somewhere specific, or is this just a way to keep me entertained?" His lips twitched. "A little of both." I rolled my eyes. Minutes later, we pulled up in front of a high-end club—one that catered exclusively to the elite, the powerful, and the ones who operated in shadows. The driver opened my door, and I stepped out, adjusting the hem of my dress. Damien came around the car, placing a hand at the small of my back as he guided me toward the entrance. The touch was brief, barely there, but it sent a jolt of heat through me. Inside, the club was dimly lit, the air thick with expensive liquor and whispered conversations. It was a place where deals were made, where power was exchanged with a simple nod. Damien led me through the crowd, stopping at a private booth. A man was already seated there, watching us with sharp, calculating eyes. "Damien," he greeted. "It’s been a while." Damien slid into the seat across from him, pulling me down beside him without a word. His arm draped lazily along the back of the booth, a silent claim that didn’t go unnoticed. The man’s gaze flickered to me. "And who’s this?" Before Damien could answer, I leaned forward, offering my hand. "Ivy." The man smirked, shaking it. "Well, Ivy, I hope you know what you’re getting yourself into." Damien’s fingers brushed against my shoulder. "She can handle herself." I fought the urge to shiver at his touch. The conversation between them drifted into business, and I quickly realized why Damien had brought me here. This wasn’t just about showing me his world. It was about showing them that I was part of it. I sipped my drink, listening as they discussed investments, alliances, and threats. It was a game I had played before—but the stakes here were different. Life and death. Power and control. I met Damien’s gaze from the corner of my eye, the heat between us simmering beneath the surface. He was testing me again. And I was ready to pass. Hours later, we returned to the mansion. The tension from the club still clung to my skin, the unspoken words between Damien and me lingering in the air. The moment we stepped inside, he grabbed my wrist, stopping me in my tracks. I turned, my breath hitching as he pulled me closer. His voice was low, rough. "You didn’t break once tonight." I lifted my chin. "Was I supposed to?" His fingers tightened slightly. "Most people do." I swallowed, my pulse quickening. "I’m not most people." A slow, wicked smirk crossed his lips. "No," he murmured. "You’re not." For a moment, neither of us moved. The air between us was thick, charged, the weight of everything that had built between us pressing down like a vice. Then, he released me. "Get some sleep, Little Lamb," he murmured. "Tomorrow will be… interesting." I exhaled slowly, steadying myself before turning toward my room. But as I lay in bed that night, staring at the ceiling, one thought echoed through my mind. I was falling into something dangerous. And I wasn’t sure if I wanted to stop.