Chapter 7 - A Kiss Beneath the Storm
The drive back to the estate was silent.
Kate sat beside the window, watching rain blur the city lights.
Her mother's confession replayed in her mind.
Someone in the Blackwell family had ordered her father's death.
And Damon was the only Blackwell she trusted.
That contradiction hurt more than she expected.
When they reached the mansion, Kate refused to go inside.
"I need air."
Damon followed her into the garden.
Rain fell softly across the stone paths.
"Kate."
She turned.
"Did you know?"
"No."
"Did your father?"
"I don't know."
She wiped rain from her cheeks.
"I don't know what to believe anymore."
Damon stood several feet away.
"I won't ask you to trust me blindly."
"Then what are you asking?"
"Let me help uncover the truth."
Kate studied him.
"Even if it destroys your family?"
His answer came without hesitation.
"Yes."
For a moment, neither spoke.
Then Kate whispered, "Why?"
Damon looked toward the dark mansion.
"When I was seventeen, my mother died after a long illness. My father had every resource imaginable, but he treated her suffering like an inconvenience."
His voice grew quieter.
"I promised myself I would never become a man who could look at someone in pain and turn away."
Kate felt something inside her soften.
"You've already helped me more than anyone."
"That doesn't mean you owe me anything."
"I know."
He looked at her carefully.
"Do you?"
She stepped closer.
"Damon, I know the difference between gratitude and something else."
His breath caught.
"Kate—"
"I don't want you to make decisions for me. I don't want to be protected so completely that I lose my own voice."
"You won't."
"And I don't want to become another secret you hide."
Damon held her gaze.
"You deserve better than that."
Rain soaked through his shirt.
Kate almost laughed.
"You're getting drenched."
"So are you."
She reached for his hand.
It was the first time she'd touched him without fear.
Damon looked down at their joined fingers.
"Are you sure?"
Kate nodded.
Then she kissed him.
It was gentle.
Unhurried.
A moment neither of them had planned.
When they separated, Damon rested his forehead lightly against hers.
"I don't know how this ends," he whispered.
"Neither do I."
"But I know I won't lie to you."
Kate closed her eyes.
For one brief moment, she believed the world might become safe again.
Then Damon's phone rang.
Matteo.
His voice sounded urgent.
"Boss, Julian's gone."
Damon straightened.
"What do you mean?"
"His accounts are empty. His apartment's been cleared."
May you like
A pause.
"And he took the original notebook."
