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21
Damon’s trip back to the States lasted a full week.
Then, on the fourth day, Mr. Crawford-the guy who’d hosted the auction that night – suddenly got reported. There was a ton of evidence proving he’d been luring and sexually exploiting minors, even taking illicit photos of them. He was taken to the police station for questioning that very night.
Without a doubt, he’d probably rot in jail for the rest of his life.
When Damon finally walked out of the holding cell, his assistant couldn’t even bring himself to look at his horribly battered arms.
‘Mr. Blackwood, I’ve confirmed it. It was Mr. Hart who got Young Mr. Crawford locked up. So, you wanna go to the hospital now? I can call a car.”
Damon swayed a little, gritting his teeth against the awful itch and pain from the bug bites.
No. Get me on the next flight to Italy.”
He looked weak, but his eyes burned with fierce determination.”And hey, while you’re at it, grab some thorny branches and some fine-grit sandpaper for hand-polishing.”
Two days later, I was just heading out with some cake to feed the stray cats when I saw him-a total wreck.
A week later, Damon looked like he’d lost twenty pounds.
His suit pants flapped loosely in the sea breeze, practically empty. He’d rolled up his sleeves, exposing huge patches of red, angry
¡kin.
knew those kinds of wounds all too well. Bug bites. From that damn isolation cell.
‘Elle, I got your photos.”
He carefully extended his hand, passing me a Kraft paper bag. I didn’t refuse, I just took it.
Damon let out a breath, then handed me a second item: a Thorn-Woven Amulet, stained crimson with blood.
I locked myself in the isolation room at my place for three days, Elle. You said I didn’t know that kind of pain, but now, I do.”
His eyes stung.”And this Thorn-Woven Amulet… I’m sorry. I want to give it to you.”
shot him a cold look, not bothering to reach for it.”No thanks. Those photos are what you owe me, so I’ll take them. But this mulet? I’m pretty sure if I wore it for even a single day, I’d have nightmares for weeks.”
Hearing that, Damon flung the amulet straight into the trash.”So, now what?
What other hangups do you have? Just tell me, and I’ll do anything.”
As I turned to leave, he grabbed my hand again, a pleading look on his face.”Please, tell me,” he begged. “Is it about those slaps?”
As he spoke, he stubbornly pulled my hand up and slapped his own face with it, over and over again.
‘Is that good enough?”
But finally, I just looked up, my eyes calm as they met his. “No, Damon. We’re completely even now. Don’t ever come looking for
me again.”
That moment, for him, felt like the final verdict for a guy on death row.
My words were the executioner’s swift blade, severing Damon’s last thread of hope.
“Why?”
“Elle…”
<21
Why can’t this happen?”
Did you… did you fall for someone else?”
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My voice, crisp and cold, was carried away by the sea breeze. “What’s that got to do with anyone else?
Damon, some love, once it’s gone, it’s gone. Once it’s over, it’s over!”
My words were crystal clear. Bottom line: there was no ‘us’ anymore. Not ever.
That evening, when I closed up shop and headed home, Damon was already gone from outside. I figured he’d finally taken the hint.
Until I hit the corner of the Coastal Scenic Route.
A car came screaming down the road, braking hard right beside me. Before I could even register it, a figure practically sprang out of he passenger door, and a rag soaked in something sweet and chemical slammed over my mouth and nose…
