Chapter 14 You Belong To Me, Little Lamb

The silence that followed Damien’s words was thick and suffocating, settling over Ivy like a weight she couldn’t shake off. Her body still trembled from the rush of adrenaline, her pulse hammering against her ribs as the reality of the situation pressed down on her like an iron fist. More than one group. Multiple forces were coming after her, and she had no idea who they were or why they wanted her so desperately. She barely had time to process before Damien grabbed her wrist again, his fingers firm but no longer crushing. This time, it wasn’t aggression—it was something else. Control. Possession. A silent reminder that she belonged to him now, whether she wanted to or not. “We’re leaving.” His voice was a command, deep and unwavering, leaving no room for argument. Ivy stiffened. “Where—” “Somewhere safer,” Elias cut in, his sharp gaze scanning the shadows, muscles tense, ready for another attack. “We can’t stay here. They’ll regroup.” Damien didn’t waste another second. He pulled Ivy with him, his long strides forcing her to keep up as they made their way through the bloodstained corridors. The bodies of the fallen guards and intruders were scattered across the estate like discarded puppets, their lifeless eyes staring up at the high ceilings, their deaths nothing more than an inconvenience to the man leading her away. She should have been horrified. But horror required shock and Ivy felt none. She had spent too many years surviving to be shaken by blood and violence. Still, the deeper they went, the more a sinking realization began to creep into her bones. This wasn’t just about her anymore. She was a pawn in something much bigger. And Damien knew it. ****** The underground garage was cold and smelled of oil and gunpowder. Black SUVs lined the space, their engines already running, headlights slicing through the dimly lit area. Several men in dark suits stood near the vehicles, weapons ready, their gazes blank but deadly. Ivy barely had time to breathe before Damien shoved her into the backseat of the nearest car. The door slammed shut behind him as he climbed in beside her, his presence consuming the space instantly. Elias took the front seat, speaking in low tones to the driver. The car roared to life, tires screeching against the concrete as they sped off into the night. The tension inside the vehicle was unbearable. Ivy could feel the heat of Damien’s body beside her, the raw energy rolling off him in waves. He hadn’t spoken since they left the estate, but the air around him was thick with restrained fury, his jaw locked so tightly she thought it might shatter. She shifted uncomfortably, her throat dry. “Where exactly are we going?” No response. She tried again. “Damien—” His head snapped toward her, those sharp blue eyes cutting through her like a blade. “Do you think this is a game, Ivy?” His voice was low, but the barely concealed rage beneath it sent a chill down her spine. Her lips parted, but before she could speak, he leaned in, his face inches from hers. “I just killed ten men tonight,” he murmured, his breath ghosting over her skin. “For you.” Ivy’s stomach twisted. “They weren’t after me,” she shot back, her voice steadier than she felt. “They were after you.” Damien let out a dark chuckle, but there was no humor in it. “Sweetheart, if they wanted me dead, they wouldn’t have sent amateurs.” He reached out, his fingers grazing the side of her throat, his touch deceptively gentle. “They wanted you. The only question is why.” Her breath hitched. She had no answer. Damien leaned back, expression is unreadable, his gaze never leaving her as if searching for something buried deep beneath her skin. The car drove in silence for miles, the city lights blurring past as they sped toward an unknown destination. Finally, Elias spoke. “We’re here.” The car slowed, turning onto a secluded road lined with towering trees. Ivy’s brows furrowed as they approached an estate, its high iron gates looming like the entrance to another world. The walls surrounding it were even taller than the ones at Damien’s mansion, with armed guards stationed at every possible entrance. She swallowed. This wasn’t just a safe house. It was a fortress. The gates opened, and they pulled up to the grand entrance. The second the car stopped, Damien was out, his long coat billowing slightly as he moved. The door beside Ivy swung open, and before she could react, Damien’s hand was around her wrist again, pulling her out of the vehicle with a force that sent her stumbling into his chest. He didn’t let go. Not when they stepped through the grand doors. Not when they walked through the marble-floored halls lined with security cameras. Not even when they reached a large bedroom that was both elegant and suffocating in its luxury. He finally released her when the door shut behind them. Ivy turned to him, heart hammering. “You can let go of me now.” Damien studied her for a long moment, then took a step closer, forcing her back until she felt the cool surface of the wall press against her spine. He caged her in, one hand on the wall beside her head, the other brushing a strand of hair from her face. “I’m going to make something very clear to you, Little Lamb,” he murmured, voice like silk wrapped around steel. Ivy’s breath hitched at the nickname. “You belong to me now.” He tilted her chin up, making her meet his gaze. “You don’t leave unless I say so. You don’t breathe unless I allow it.” A shiver ran down her spine. “And if you think you can run—” Damien’s lips barely ghosted over her ear, sending a dangerous thrill through her veins. “I’ll find you. Every time.” Her hands clenched into fists, but before she could respond, he stepped back. “Rest,” he said simply. “You’re going to need it.” Then, without another word, he turned and walked out, the door locking behind him with a soft click. Ivy stared at the empty space he left behind , her heart pounding. She was trapped. And for the first time, she wasn’t sure if she wanted to escape.