Chapter 10 - Chapter Ten: All the Rules Burn

I wore red to be remembered.Red that didn't whisper. Red that screamed. Red that clung to my curves like it was painted on, the slit high enough to make a statement and low enough to tempt. My lips matched. My perfume was lethal.And I was doing it all for him.Even if I told myself I wasn't.Even if the man beside me wasn't Damian Cain.Eric was polite. Smart. Funny. He held doors open, complimented me without leering, and smelled like fresh rain and decency.So why did I want to claw my skin off the moment I stepped out of the car with him?Because I could feel Damian's eyes on me.Before I even saw him.***The SoHo club pulsed with low music, golden lights, and the scent of sin wrapped in money. I sat beside Eric at the candlelit table, smiling at things I didn't hear. My laughter was calculated. My hand lingered on his forearm a second too long.I wasn't on a date.I was on display.And I knew when Damian walked in. Not because I saw him.But because the air changed.Like the tension of a loaded gun in the room.He was at the bar. Alone. Dressed in all black. Hair slicked back. Jaw tense.Eyes? Locked on me.He didn't blink.Didn't smirk.Didn't look away.And I burned."He's here," I muttered.Eric followed my gaze. "Ex?"I laughed dryly. "Something like that.""You want to leave?""No," I said, standing slowly. "I want to play."I led Eric to the dance floor.The music was slow, sensual. Designed for bodies that craved contact.I pressed against him, his hands politely resting at my hips.But the burn I needed? It didn't come from him.It came from across the room.Damian was still watching.And when I turned my back to him and let Eric's hand slide lower He moved.Like a storm.Eric didn't see it coming.One second we were dancing.The next, Damian had him by the collar.A single punch to the jaw sent him stumbling back.Gasps. Flashbulbs. Phones lifted.And then Damian turned to me.His chest heaved. His knuckles were red."Let's go.""No."He grabbed my wrist.I yanked away. "I said no.""Leigh ""I'm not yours to command."He looked like I'd slapped him.Then he pulled me close.Too close.His mouth brushed my ear. "No, but you're still mine to ruin."And God help me, I shivered.We didn't speak as he drove.Didn't touch.Didn't breathe.When we reached his penthouse, I stepped out without waiting for him.He followed.Silent.Predator.The moment we got inside, I spun on him."You don't get to claim me after ignoring me for two days!"He dropped his keys on the counter."You think I didn't see the folder she gave you?""What?""Miranda. She wanted you to run.""Maybe I should have.""But you didn't.""No. I came here.""Why?"I stared at him.At his hands.At his mouth.At the damn bruise on his knuckles from hitting Eric."Because you drive me insane."His voice dropped. "Then let me ruin you properly."He didn't wait.He pinned me against the wall.Tore the slit in my dress wider.Dropped to his knees.And kissed the inside of my thigh like it held the answer to every question he never dared ask.His mouth was fire.His hands, chaos.I gasped. Moaned. Cursed his name like it was holy.When he stood, I was breathless.He spun me around, bent me over the table, and entered me from behind with a growl.It wasn't soft.It wasn't love.It was fury and ownership and apology and obsession.And I wanted all of it.Later, when my lipstick was smeared and my thighs trembled, he carried me to bed.Laid me down like I mattered.And kissed my collarbone with something that tasted like regret."I'm sorry," he whispered."For what?""Everything I haven't told you.""Start with the board. What's happening?""They want me out. They think you're a liability.""Because I exist?""Because I care.""I didn't ask you to care.""I know. But I do."I turned away.He reached for me."I'll burn the company to the ground before I lose you.""You already are."The next day, the headlines hit."Damian Cain Assaults Man Over Woman in So Ho Club."Photos. Rumors. Speculation.Cain Industries stock dipped 4%.His PR rep called me a crisis.I packed my things.Left my apartment.Cut my phone.And disappeared.Because maybe loving him meant letting go.Even if I didn't want to.Especially because I didn't want to.