Page 100 of Sticks & Serpents

Damien stood behind me, his palm resting possessively on my hip. The warmth radiating from his touch sent shivers down my spine.

Cooper raised an eyebrow from his seat at the counter, coffee mug in hand. “You two look… well-rested.”

I felt my cheeks flush hot, a rush of heat spreading across my skin. I could practically hear Damien’s smirk behind me, confident and teasing.

“We slept fine,” he replied smoothly.

Liar. I wanted to retort but instead settled for a nervous laugh that escaped before I could catch it.

Everly took a sip of her coffee, pretending to be uninterested but failing miserably. “Uh-huh. So what’s on the agenda today? More punching? More brooding?”

Cooper exhaled dramatically, shaking his head as he leaned back against the counter. “I was actually enjoying the silence, Ev.”

I shot a quick glance back at Damien, who chuckled softly at Cooper’s remark. There was something undeniably magnetic about him right now—the way he held himself with that blend of confidence and casual dominance made my stomach flutter.

Everly rolled her eyes playfully. “Well, someone has to keep you both entertained.” She turned to me with a sly smile. “So what are we doing today? You’re not going to let him drag you back into brooding again, are you?”

“Just hanging out,” I replied cautiously, trying to sound casual despite the whirlwind brewing inside me.

I watched Damien carefully as he leaned against the kitchen counter, a cup of coffee in his hand. The sunlight streamed through the window, casting a warm glow around him, and for a moment, he looked lighter. Relaxed, even.

It was strange to see him like this—his usual tension replaced with something almost carefree. He laughed easily with Cooper and Everly, the sound rich and full, filling the room with warmth. I couldn't help but let myself imagine a future where this was our reality. A world where it wasn’t just stolen moments between chaos but something normal.

A future where we could be happy.

But as soon as that thought crossed my mind, I felt a flutter of uncertainty settle in my stomach. Could we really achieve that? Could I trust that this peace would last?

Damien caught me staring and smirked, those familiar stormy eyes glinting with mischief. “What are you thinking about, little lamb?” His voice dropped low, playful yet challenging.

I just smiled back at him, unable to shake off the warmth blooming in my chest. “Nothing.”

Everything.

My heart raced at the weight of the word that hung unspoken between us—the possibility of more than just turmoil and passion. I wanted to tell him how I felt but feared what might happen if I did. The thought both thrilled and terrified me.

He stepped closer, his gaze unwavering as if trying to peel back my layers and see inside my mind. “Really? You look like you’re planning something.”

I shook my head lightly, attempting to maintain some semblance of composure despite the rush of emotions swirling within me. “Just thinking about how nice it is here.”

His expression softened slightly, that playful edge still dancing in his eyes but tempered by something deeper—a hint of vulnerability that made my heart ache for him.

“Nice,” he repeated thoughtfully. “Yeah, I could get used to this.”

For a fleeting moment, everything felt right.

My phone rang, the shrill tone cutting through the warmth of the moment like a cold gust of wind. I glanced down, and my heart sank as my father’s name flashed across the screen. Just like that, the fragile bubble we had created burst.

I swallowed hard, trying to steady my breath before answering. “Dad?”

His voice came through clipped and serious, devoid of the usual warmth I hoped for. “I need you to come in. Now.”

A tight knot formed in my stomach, dread pooling at the bottom. “What’s wrong?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

“Just get here,” he replied tersely. “We need to talk.”

Panic clawed at me as I disconnected the call. I felt a sense of foreboding wash over me, an ominous wave that threatened to drag me under. The lightness from earlier evaporated, leaving behind only uncertainty.

“What did he want?” Damien asked, his expression shifting from playful to suspicious in an instant.

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