Chapter 10: Trapped in the Game

The air between them was thick with tension.

Damien stood at the threshold, his imposing frame blocking the doorway as he stared at Richard Lawson. His eyes were sharp, assessing. Calculating.

Elena felt a tightness in her chest as she looked past Damien to the man standing beside her brother.

Richard Lawson.

His presence alone was enough to send a warning through her veins.

And William?

She didn't know whether to feel relief or suspicion.

The brother who had disappeared from her life years ago was suddenly here—on Richard's side?

It didn't make sense.

Damien was the first to break the silence. His voice was calm, but there was an unmistakable edge to it.

"You're trespassing, Lawson."

Richard smirked. "I didn't realize visiting an old friend was a crime."

"You and I both know you're not here for pleasantries," Damien said coldly.

Richard's gaze flickered toward Elena, then back to Damien. "You're right. I came for her."

Elena's breath hitched.

Damien's stance shifted slightly, subtly positioning himself between her and Richard. A protective move.

"That's not happening," Damien said flatly.

Richard raised an eyebrow. "You don't even know what I want."

Damien's jaw clenched. "I don't need to."

For a moment, the two men just stared at each other. A silent battle of wills.

Elena's heart pounded. She didn't like this—being spoken about as if she weren't standing right there.

Before she could open her mouth, William stepped forward.

"Ellie," he said softly, using the childhood nickname she hadn't heard in years.

It sent a pang through her chest.

"Why are you here, William?" she asked, forcing her voice to stay steady.

A flicker of hesitation crossed his face. "Because I needed to see you. Because there are things you don't know."

She narrowed her eyes. "Things like what?"

Richard chuckled. "Like the fact that Damien isn't who you think he is."

Damien stiffened beside her.

Elena frowned. "What are you talking about?"

Richard stepped closer, and for the first time, she noticed something unsettling in his eyes.

Amusement.

Like he was enjoying this.

"Has he told you why his father really died?" Richard asked.

Elena's stomach dropped.

She turned to Damien.

He didn't flinch. Didn't show any sign of weakness. But she felt the shift in him.

A muscle ticked in his jaw.

"Whatever game you're playing, it ends now," Damien said, his voice like ice.

Richard smiled. "Is that so?"

"Leave. Before I make you."

The amusement didn't fade from Richard's face. If anything, it grew.

Then, he nodded at William. "Let's go."

William hesitated, his eyes lingering on Elena. Something unspoken passed between them.

And then, he turned and followed Richard without another word.

Damien slammed the door shut the moment they were gone.

The silence that followed was deafening.

Elena exhaled shakily. Her mind was spinning.

"Damien," she said cautiously.

He didn't look at her. His hands were clenched at his sides, his entire body wound tight like a predator ready to strike.

Finally, he spoke.

"You can't trust him, Elena."

Her throat felt dry. "William?"

"Richard," Damien said, turning to face her. His eyes were unreadable. "And anyone who stands with him."

She swallowed hard. "That includes my brother."

Damien didn't deny it.

A lump formed in her throat.

"Tell me the truth, Damien," she whispered. "What did Richard mean? About your father?"

His gaze darkened.

For the first time since she had met him, she saw something in Damien Blackwood's expression that scared her.

Not anger.

Not arrogance.

Fear.

And that terrified her more than anything else.

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