The soft creak of the garden door closing behind him was the only sound Damon made as he stepped back inside. The moment his eyes met Eliana's, his chest tightened. She looked pale—too pale—and far too quiet. Her arms were folded as though shielding herself from something no one else could see.
He crossed the room in three strides and wrapped his arms around her.
"Hey…" he whispered, pressing his lips to her temple. "Don't be afraid. Nothing is going to happen to you. I promise."
Eliana leaned into him, her fingers knotting into his shirt. "Damon, I need to know who sent those photos. I want to see them."
He pulled back slightly, his jaw tightening. "You don't need to. It's better if—"
"Please." Her eyes searched his. "If someone is watching me… threatening me… I need to see it for myself."
A long beat of silence passed between them. Then, reluctantly, Damon reached into the inside pocket of his jacket and handed her the photos.
Eliana took them with trembling hands. The first image drew a gasp from her lips. "This was… when I went to get the dress."
She flipped through them slowly, her fingers brushing against the inked scrawl on the back of the last one.
"I'm coming for you. I know your secret."
She looked up sharply. "What secret?"
Damon's lips parted slightly. For a moment, something flickered in his eyes—hesitation. But it vanished almost as quickly.
"There's nothing," he said smoothly, too smoothly. "Maybe the sender doesn't realize you already know everything. Maybe they think they can blackmail me with it."
Her brow furrowed. "So you're saying… someone is trying to use our past against us?"
"Exactly."
Eliana stared at him for a moment longer. Her instincts screamed that something was off, but Damon's arms pulled her in again, warm and grounding.
He pressed a kiss to her forehead. "You're safe with me. I won't let anything happen to you."
She let herself relax into his embrace, but her mind remained restless.
"From now on," he added, "you won't go out alone. Martins will take you anywhere you need to go."
Her brows shot up. "What? Damon, I don't need a babysitter."
"It's not about control. It's about safety," he said gently. "And I'm also getting you a bodyguard."
"I don't want a bodyguard," she said firmly, pulling away. "I'd feel like a prisoner."
"I understand," he said after a pause. "But please, at least promise me you'll tell me where you're going. No surprises."
She hesitated, then nodded. "Fine. I can agree to that."
Just then, her phone buzzed. She glanced down.
Tilda.
A faint smile touched her lips. "It's the girl from the boutique—the one from university."
Damon nodded, watching her closely.
She answered. "Hi, Tilda! Oh… today?" She looked at Damon, then away. "Actually, something came up. Can we reschedule?"
After a quick exchange of pleasantries, she hung up.
"Everything alright?" Damon asked.
"She wanted to meet up," Eliana explained. "But with… everything, I thought I should stay in."
Damon touched her cheek. "Smart decision. I need to meet with Jimmy. I won't be long."
He kissed her softly, lingering longer than usual. She closed her eyes and held onto him for a beat longer, not wanting to let go.
As he left, Eliana wandered back to the couch, sinking into its cushions. Her fingers twisted together in her lap.
What if it was Sabastine?
Her breath caught at the thought of him—his voice, the way he used to tower over her, the way he made her feel small, cornered. Sick.
Or… what if this had nothing to do with her?
What if it was Damon someone wanted to hurt? What if someone from his past was out for revenge?
She rose restlessly, pacing toward the window.
And what secret?
That word wouldn't leave her.
Her mind spiraled with possibilities. She eventually retreated to her room, curling up on the edge of her bed. But even there, the questions wouldn't stop.
---
Damon's car pulled into a secured underground garage. A moment later, he stepped into the dim interior of an upscale restaurant's private lounge. Jimmy was already there, seated with a drink in hand.
"You look like hell," Jimmy muttered, gesturing for Damon to sit.
"I got a threat. Photos of Eliana."
Jimmy sat up straighter. "Someone's watching her?"
Damon nodded. "And the note—it said 'I know your secret.'"
"Damn," Jimmy murmured. "Any idea who?"
"Could be a competitor," Damon said. "The last few acquisitions didn't go down smoothly."
"Could also be Sabastine," Jimmy offered darkly.
Damon's jaw clenched. "He's the one person I wouldn't hesitate to bury if he tries anything."
Jimmy gave a dry chuckle. "Easy, tiger. You act now, you tip your hand. Wait. Let them make the next move."
"She was terrified," Damon said quietly. "I could see it in her eyes."
"And you'll keep her safe," Jimmy said. "But don't go charging into a war you don't understand yet. Let me do some digging."
Damon nodded, though his hands still curled into fists beneath the table.
Before they parted, Damon called his assistant. "Tell the office I've closed for the day."
He drove back faster than he should have.
---
The sun was dipping when he returned. The soft rustle of wind through the trees greeted him.
He found Eliana in the garden again, seated on a stone bench beneath the arbor. She looked up as he approached, her eyes a thousand miles away.
He knelt in front of her. "Hey."
She tried to smile. "You're back."
He took her hand. "Are you alright?"
"I don't know," she admitted. "I keep thinking about that note. About everything. It's hard not to feel… exposed."
He pulled her into his arms. "You are not alone in this, Eliana. I will protect you. No matter what it takes."
She rested her head on his shoulder. "I want to believe that. I really do."
"You can."
They stayed like that for a long moment before Damon helped her to her feet. "Let's go inside. I asked Chef Bernard to prepare dinner."