Chloe stirred, the luxurious silk sheets of their private suite cool against her skin. The first light of dawn filtered through the expansive windows, casting a soft glow over the city. She reached out, expecting Damian's warmth beside her, but her hand met only the cold expanse of empty sheets.

A faint sound—rustling fabric, the metallic click of a belt buckle—pulled her from sleep. Her heart skipped as she opened her eyes to see Damian at the edge of the bed, his tall frame silhouetted against the rising sun. He was undressing, but something about his movements was off—each gesture slow, deliberate, as if he were fighting to keep it together.

She looked at his hand, wrapped in an ice pack, the knuckles swollen and bruised. A flicker of fear ignited in her chest. Damian, always so composed, now looked frayed at the edges, his emerald eyes shadowed with exhaustion and something darker.

"Dami?" Her voice was soft, thick with sleep and unease. She pushed herself up, the sheets slipping down to reveal her bare skin. "What happened?"

Damian's eyes met hers, a storm brewing in their depths. "There's been a situation. Let's shower first, and then I'll get you home."

Chloe was wide awake now, the tension in the room coiling around her like a serpent. "You're hurt," she whispered, reaching out to touch his hand, feeling the heat radiating from the swollen flesh. "What happened? Tell me, babe."

Damian sighed, the sound heavy with a burden she couldn't yet see. He sank onto the bed beside her, his presence grounding her. "A girl came to Valentina. Sixteen. Beaten. She said she heard about The Church."

Chloe's breath caught. "Was it Valentina who called last night?"

"Yeah. This place is a sanctuary for victims of trafficking," Damian revealed. "They're coming from upstate. The girl escaped while the driver stopped at a gas station nearby. She was smart—knew how to get here, asking for directions from strangers."

"And you..." Chloe's voice trembled as she glimpsed at his hand. "Is that why your hand..."

Damian's expression hardened, his angelic features taking on a lethal edge. "You don't need to know the details."

Chloe's heart pounded. The night's toll carved into Damian's every movement—the slump of his shoulders, the rigid clench of his jaw. It wasn't just about his injured hand; it was about something far more sinister gnawing at his soul.

"But what about the police? Child protective services?" she pressed, her voice trembling with the enormity of what he was telling her. "Who's going to help this girl?"

Damian's bitter laugh cut through the silence. "The system's rotten to the core. You know that. There are people in power—cops, even those in child protective services—who are in on it. They take these kids out of institutions and sell them to the highest bidder. My mother was the queen of it all. And now that she's gone, Gemma's taken the reins, according to my sources."

Chloe swallowed hard, the taste of bile rising in her throat. "Gemma," she whispered the name like poison on her tongue. "She's that desperate?"

"Desperate doesn't begin to cover it," Damian muttered, his voice low and dangerous. "With her father gone, she's lost the legal empire because she's not qualified to practice law. Now, she's clinging to Mike Marino like a lifeline, trying to keep up the facade of her perfect life while sinking deeper into the filth."

"And you?" Chloe's voice was barely a whisper while she searched his eyes for answers. "What are you going to do about it?"

Damian reached for her hand. "My family, Angelo, and I—we're supporting a task force, a secret one. We're working with Paul McGrath, the head of the Department of Justice. He's been Dad's friend for years. He's risking everything to provide the resources my family is funding to fight this battle."

Chloe's mind raced, trying to grasp the full scope of what Damian was telling her. "And the girl?"

"She's safe," Damian confirmed, his thumb brushing over her knuckles in a soothing gesture. "I had Valentina take her to our home. They're both there now, with a trusted child protective services officer from the task force, a couple of good cops, and a doctor. She's going to be okay."

Relief flooded through Chloe as she sighed. "Thank God," she murmured, squeezing his hand. "But we should go, Dami. We need to be there for her."

"We will," Damian promised. He hesitated, his gaze locking onto hers, something unspoken hanging between them. "But Chloe... there's something else."

Chloe's heart skipped a beat. "What is it?"

"You're hiding something from me." Damian's voice was low, almost pained. "I see it in your eyes—you've been distant. If there's something I need to know—something that could put us in danger—I need you to tell me."

Chloe's breath caught in her throat, her mind racing as she struggled to find the words. But she couldn't—not yet. Not when a child's life was hanging in the balance.

"Dami, I promise I'll tell you everything. But right now, let's focus on the girl. She needs us."

Damian studied her for a long moment, his eyes searching hers for any sign of deception. She could see his conflict, the battle between his need for answers and his desire to protect her. Finally, he nodded, though his expression remained tense.

"Later," he said, the word heavy with unspoken promise. "I'm holding you to that."

Chloe gave him a gentle smile, rubbing his palm. "How about we take that shower now?"

"Yeah," Damian said, the exhaustion evident in his voice. "I could use a break."

She reached out, her fingers gliding over his injured hand, feeling the rough texture of his skin. Leaning in, she pressed a tender kiss to his bruised knuckles, her lips lingering as if she could somehow take away his pain.

"How about a massage in the shower?" she offered.

"A massage?" He raised an eyebrow. "What kind?"

"The kind that melts away your worries. The loving kind."

A rare vulnerability glistened in his eyes. "I could use that loving. I'll return the favor—maybe even help you get dressed," he added with a teasing grin, his gaze drifting to the walk-in wardrobe full of freshly pressed clothes.

***

Chloe stepped into her home's expansive living room. The morning light filtered through the towering windows, casting a soft glow on the Scandinavian timber floors and high ceilings.

A teenage girl curled up on the leather sofa, her small frame swallowed by the vastness of the furniture. Her dirty and torn clothes clung to her like remnants of a nightmare she couldn't shake. Her shoulder-length chestnut hair, tangled and matted, hung around her face. Bruises mottled her pale skin, but her eyes—haunted and far too knowing for sixteen—held Chloe captive.

Diva, their Doberman, rested her head on the girl's lap. The dog's usual alertness had softened into a quiet, protective calm. The girl's fingers combed Diva's fur, seeking comfort in the only thing that felt safe in this strange new world.

Valentina stood nearby, her flawless appearance marred by a fresh bruise forming on her upper arm. Her eyes softened with motherly devotion to the girl. "Are you thirsty, sweetie?"

The teenager shook her head and continued stroking the dog's fur. Next to the girl, a woman with a badge on her blouse stood up from the sofa. Tall and striking, with jet-black hair and olive skin, she exuded calm authority.

"Miss Carter, I'm Doctor Elena Vasquez. I've examined Damian and Valentina, and both are fine, just bruised," the woman assured. "Mina's injuries are more complex. I've given her a full check and took blood tests. We should have the results within the week."

Chloe's heart tightened at the sound of the girl's name—Mina. The name shaped the fragile figure on the sofa, stirring Chloe's fierce need to protect the child.

Damian's deep voice cut through the silence. "Thank you, Doc. What can you offer for Mina's recovery?"

Doctor Vasquez met Damian's gaze, her own eyes reflecting the gravity of the situation. "For starters, she'll need more than just physical care. We have a great therapist at the medical center. The trauma... it's deep. She needs stability, security."

A woman in her early thirties with compassionate amber eyes stepped forward, shaking Chloe's hand. "Miss Carter, I'm Marissa Hargrove. I work as a child protection officer, and I'm a friend of Damian's. We're vetting a foster family, but I need to be certain they're the right fit before we move her. Until then, Mina can stay here."

Damian nodded. "Good. We'll take care of her until we know she's going to a safe home."

Marissa glanced at the doctor before turning to Damian. "I'll contact you tomorrow with an update before any decisions are made."

Two police officers stood a few paces behind Marissa. The man, in his fifties with a solid build, turned to Chloe and introduced himself—Detective John Parker—and his colleague, Officer Rachel Moreno, a woman in her late twenties with curly hair.

Detective Parker gave Mina a crooked smile. "You're a smart girl. You did the right thing, finding Mister Scott."

Officer Moreno spoke softly, empathy shining in her eyes. "We'll leave you with Mister Scott and Miss Carter, Mina. Hang in there. We'll look after you."

Mina's eyes darted at the officers before she turned her head away.

"We'll be in touch, Mister Scott. If you need anything, reach out," Detective Parker said.

Officer Moreno nodded reassuringly, looking at Mina. "Take care of her. We'll do everything we can on our end."

When the doctor and officers had left, the living room sank into silence. The echoes of their footsteps faded into the distance.

Chloe moved closer to Valentina, her brows furrowed with concern. "How are you holding up?"

Valentina managed a small, weary smile. "I'm a little shaken, but Damian and Angelo handled it. The man who tried to take Mina—he won't be coming back."

Chloe turned to the girl and smiled. "Hi, Mina. I'm Chloe. I live here with Damian."

"Hi," the girl whispered, refusing to make eye contact.

Damian crossed the room to the sofa, lowering himself to Mina's level. His dominance softened into something gentler, more human. "Mina, You're safe here. You can stay with us until we find the right home for you."

Mina's eyes flicked up to meet Damian's, the wariness slowly giving way to something more—a fragile flicker of trust, tentative but present. She nodded, her hand never leaving Diva's fur, as if the dog were the only thing anchoring her to this world.

Damian glanced at Mina before turning to Valentina. "Take a few days off, Val. Jodie can step in for you at the club."

Valentina hesitated, then nodded, her shoulders sagging slightly as the weight of the night began to show. "Thanks, Dami. I'll be back later in the week."

Mina clutched Diva like a lifeline. The dog growled, distancing herself from the tight squeeze. She stretched, pawing for a belly rub as her tail swished. Mina giggled, then paused, her eyes darting between Damian and Chloe.

Damian took Chloe's hand, guiding her into another room where they could speak privately. His grip was firm, grounding her amid the storm. "Chloe," he began, "are you okay with Mina staying here for a few days? Until we can be sure she's safe?"

"Of course," Chloe replied, squeezing his hand in reassurance. "What did Doctor Vasquez say?"

Damian's jaw tightened, his calm demeanor hardening into something resolute, almost grim. "She's got bruises and cuts. Signs of abuse. And... she's been violated, Chloe."

She gasped, feeling sick in the stomach. "That poor girl... Damian, we have to do something. We have to help her."

"We will," he assured. "She's been through hell. She needs time, patience, and a safe place to start healing. We can give her that."

"I'll take care of her for as long as she needs," Chloe said. After working at Harbor Alliances for one year, she resigned to focus on her health and personal affairs. Now, she knew where her time and energy would go.

Chloe excused herself, heading to the bedroom to gather clothes from her wardrobe. When she returned, she approached Mina with a soft smile, careful not to startle her. "Hey, Mina," she said, holding out the clothes. "These might be big, but they're clean and comfortable. Would you like to change into them?"

Mina looked up, her eyes sweeping with uncertainty, but she didn't shy away. After a moment, she reached out and took the clothes, mumbling quietly, "Thank you."

"Would you like to take a shower?" Chloe offered, keeping her voice as soothing as possible. "I can show you to a guest room where you can stay for now."

Mina nodded, her movements slow and cautious. Chloe led her to one of the rooms, a beautifully furnished space with a garden view. The bed was clean with a soft duvet, and the room smelled like lavender.

"There's a shower in here," Chloe said, gesturing toward the en-suite bathroom. "Take your time. If you need anything, ask me or Sara, our housekeeper. She'll be here soon."

Mina clutched the clothes to her chest, her eyes flicking up.

Chloe offered a warm, understanding smile. "You're safe now. I promise."

Mina slipped into the bathroom, closing the door quietly behind her. Chloe listened to the steady sound of the water running, a sense of relief washing over her.

For now.

***

The next day, Chloe stepped outside into the sunny garden and followed the sound of quiet voices. She found Damian crouched beside Mina near a large pine tree, showing her how to build a birdhouse. The sight was surreal—Damian, the man whose reputation was power and control, patiently guided a scared young girl through the simple act of nailing two pieces of wood together.

The contrast between the man she saw now and the one who commanded people with his mere presence was striking. Here, he was softer, more human—his every movement measured, his voice low and soothing.

"Hold the hammer steady, Mina," Damian instructed, his hand lightly resting over hers to guide the motion. "Just like this. You don't need to rush. We have all the time in the world."

Mina nodded, her brows furrowed in concentration as she tapped the nail into place. The tension in her shoulders eased with each successful strike. The fear in her eyes made way for pride—a tiny spark of confidence beneath the trauma.

"You're doing great," Damian praised, a genuine smile softening his usual intensity. "When the birds come, you'll know it's because you gave them a home."

Mina looked up at him, her eyes wide, but this time with trust. "I've never built anything before."

Damian grinned. "Well, now you have. And it's perfect. Just like you."

A tiny smile tugged at the corners of Mina's mouth, and she nodded again, more assuredly.

Chloe's heart swelled. Damian wasn't just good with children—he was made for it. It was miraculous—how he connected with Mina and brought out that tiny bit of confidence in her.

She had seen different sides of her lover—the playboy, the business entrepreneur, the protector—but this nurturing, patient side made her fall in love with him all over again.

She rested a hand on her belly, a soft smile spreading across her lips.

He'd be an incredible father one day.

Yet, Chloe couldn't shake the feeling that peace was fleeting. The ghosts of Damian's past lurked, waiting for a moment of weakness.

She knew their battles had started.

***

A/N: Do you agree with Chloe that Damian would make a good father?

What do you think will happen next?

What do you think of Valentina? Is she a trusted friend? Where will she stand between the lovers?