The city stretched before them, glowing under the night sky. The sirens had faded, the chaos had settled, and for the first time in a long while there was peace.
Eve stood beside Damian on the rooftop, the cool breeze brushing against her skin. He hadn't let go of her hand since the police left.
"I still can't believe it's over," she murmured.
Damian turned to her, his dark eyes softening. "It's over because of you."
Eve smiled, leaning into him. "Because of us."
Damian exhaled, running a hand through his hair. "For years, I thought I could never escape my past. That no matter how much power I had, I'd always be empty." He looked at her, his voice lower. "Then you happened."
Eve's heart swelled. "And you let me in."
His grip on her tightened. "You are in, Eve. And I'm never letting you go."
She smiled, teasing. "Sounds like a promise, Blackwood."
He smirked. "It's more than that."
Then Damian reached into his pocket.
Eve gasped as he pulled out a small velvet box.
Her breath caught as he slowly opened it, revealing a stunning diamond ring. The lights of the city reflected in the stone, making it sparkle like a dream.
Damian's voice was steady, but his eyes held something raw, something real. "Marry me, Eve."
A lump formed in her throat.
She had always been cautious, always second-guessed everything. But standing here, looking at the man who had broken every wall she had built—
There was no doubt.
"Yes," she whispered. "A thousand times, yes."
Damian's smile was rare, but tonight, it was breathtaking. He slipped the ring onto her finger, then pulled her into his arms, kissing her like the world had faded away.
And for them it had.
Because after all the secrets, betrayals, and battles fought in the shadows
Damian Blackwood had finally found the one thing he never thought he'd have.
Love.
And he wasn't letting it go.
Not now.
Not ever.
Love and Control
The morning light poured through the massive windows of their penthouse, casting a golden glow over the silk sheets. Eve stretched, feeling the warmth of Damian's arm draped possessively over her waist.
"You're awake," he murmured, his voice deep with sleep.
Eve turned to face him, brushing a hand over his jawline. "I have a big day today."
Damian smirked lazily. "Big day?" His fingers traced the curve of her hip. "I had other plans for you."
Eve laughed softly but pulled away, sitting up. "I'm serious, Damian. I have a meeting with a publishing house today."
His smirk faded slightly. "For what?"
"My book." She faced him fully. "I told you, I want to write."
Damian sat up, his dark eyes unreadable. "Eve, you don't need to work. You have everything you could ever want right here."
She sighed, already sensing the conversation turning. "It's not about money. It's about purpose. I want something that's mine."
Damian ran a hand through his hair. "And what if they reject you? What if it doesn't work out? Do you really want to put yourself through that?"
Eve's jaw tightened. "I appreciate your concern, but this isn't about failing or succeeding. It's about doing something I love."
Damian exhaled, his protective instincts warring with his love for her. "I don't like the idea of you being out there in the industry. It's ruthless."
Eve shook her head. "I need to do this, Damian. You have your empire. Let me build something of my own."
Silence stretched between them. Then, Damian leaned in, brushing a slow kiss against her lips. "Fine," he murmured. "But don't expect me to sit back if someone tries to hurt you."
Eve smiled, knowing this was his way of compromising. "I wouldn't expect anything less."
But as she left for her meeting, a sense of unease settled in Damian's chest. He had spent his whole life protecting what was his.
And Eve was his.
Letting her go into a world he couldn't control?
That was going to be a problem.