“Of course,” he murmurs. “This is what family is for.”
“How do you know what’s fake and what’s real?” Damien asks as he leans closer.
I use a pair of tweezers to pick up the largest diamond and hold it closer for him to inspect, then I explain. “There are a couple of ways. Personally, I prefer the sandpaper test. If you rub a fake diamond on it, it will be scratched, where it won’t do any harm to the real thing.”
Damien nods as Alexei closes the case and places it back in the vault. When he takes a seat again, Damien asks, “What do you know about the smuggling routes?”
“There are a couple. None by land. By air, it’s fairly easy as Africa doesn’t have strict border controls. Our biggest problem will be dealing with the rebels.” Alexei’s gaze settles on me. “It won’t be safe for you to go.”
I instantly frown. “I know it won’t be safe, but if I don’t take a stand, I’ll never be taken seriously in this business.”
“We’ll talk about it later,” Damien mutters, and then he changes the subject by asking, “The men are arriving tomorrow morning, right?”
“Yes, we’ll leave for Italy as soon as they’re here.”
Damien rises to his feet. “We have a lot to prepare before we leave.”
“Demitri will make sure the jet is fueled and ready,” Alexei says, and when he rises to his feet as well, I do the same.
I watch as the men leave, anger starting to simmer in my chest.
I won’t sit on the sidelines while Damien makes the runs. I refuse to.
I walk out of the office and grab hold of Damien’s arm before he can take the stairs down with Alexei. He turns to me with a questioning gaze.
I wait until Alexei’s gone, then say, “You will not do the runs without me. I told you I won’t be some docile wife that sits with my hands folded at home.”
Damien’s eyes sharpen on my face, and he takes a threatening step closer to me. “The rebels aren’t the Blancos, Princess. They’re barbaric. If they get their hands on you, they’ll use you before torturing you. For weeks if not months. I will not risk you.”
“I can fight,” I hiss at him.
Damien moves fast, and before I can think to fend him off, he shoves me back against the wall, and pressing his body against mine, he growls, “Fight me off.”
I try to squirm out of his hold, but Damien uses more strength than I’m used to, keeping me pinned. As my breaths speed up, he moves a hand between my legs and cups me hard.
With his face an inch from mine, he growls, “I can take you right here, and you won’t be able to stop me. How will you stop a whole group of savages?”
My body relaxes in his hold, and then I whisper, “I’ll have you.” I let out a breath, my eyes not leaving his. “You’ll never let anything happen to me.”
Damien slackens his grip, and then his mouth crashes against mine. The kiss is bruising and controlling, a punishment for arguing with him. He ravages my lips and tongue until they’re tingling from all the friction before his mouth moves down my throat.
Breathless, I say, “I’ll always be safest at your side. Don’t leave me behind.”
Damien grabs hold of my thighs and lifts me against his body. The moment I wrap my legs around him, he carries me back to our bedroom. He kicks the door shut behind us and walks us to the bed, where he drops me.
My heartbeat speeds up as he rips my boots and pants off, and I try to prepare myself for his intensity. Damien doesn’t even bother taking off his clothes. He just unbuckles his belt and unzips his pants. After freeing his cock, he yanks my legs apart and enters me hard.
He’s relentless as he takes me, and it doesn’t take long before we’re both breathless from our orgasms seizing our bodies.
My body’s still convulsing when Damien wraps his hand around my neck and yanks my face closer to his. “I will not put you in a position where another man can take what’s mine. You will not be present during negotiations with the rebels. Don’t fight me on this.”
I will. I’ll find a way to convince him. Maybe not this moment but definitely before the next run.
Damien must see the defiance on my face because his features turn to granite as he bites out,
“Your life is not your own anymore, Princess. You belong to me, and it’s time you realize that. When I say no, it’s not negotiable.”
“Everything’s negotiable,” I murmur. “Everything but death.”
Damien’s eyes narrow on mine before he pulls out of me. I watch him walk to the bathroom, his tense posture telling me he’s raging mad.