Lines that shouldn't be Crossed

Chapter 6: Lines That Shouldn't Be Crossed

Isla's heart pounded as Damien's words hung in the air.

"I can't lose you. Not now."

The weight of his voice settled deep inside her chest, making it harder to breathe. For all his coldness, there was something real beneath the surface—something raw and vulnerable.

But she couldn't afford to let her guard down. Not when the world around them was filled with secrets and threats.

"You won't lose me," she said quietly, meeting his gaze. "But I need the truth, Damien. All of it."

For a moment, he didn't answer. His jaw clenched, and his eyes—usually so unreadable—held something else. Something softer.

"I'll tell you everything," he promised, his voice low. "But first, we need to set some rules."

Isla arched an eyebrow. "Rules?"

"You don't leave the estate without me," Damien said firmly. "Cassian isn't the only danger. If Victoria sent that key, she's already watching us. And she's capable of much worse."

She swallowed hard, remembering the cold touch of Cassian's words in the garden. "And if I break your rules?"

His expression darkened slightly. "Then you're on your own."

Isla knew it wasn't an empty threat. Damien Calloway didn't play games. And if she wanted to survive whatever was coming, she needed to stay close.

"Fine," she agreed. "But I'm not your prisoner, Damien. Don't treat me like one."

His lips curled into a faint smile. "You're not a prisoner, Isla. You're my wife."

The way he said it sent a shiver through her—not of fear, but something else. Something far more dangerous.

Later that evening, Isla sat alone in the mansion's library, surrounded by the scent of leather and aged paper. A fire crackled softly in the fireplace, casting flickering shadows across the room.

Her fingers traced the edge of the mysterious silver key sitting on the table. No matter how much she thought about it, the meaning behind Victoria's message remained unclear.

What does she want from me?

A soft knock on the door pulled her from her thoughts. She looked up to see Serena standing there, her sharp eyes scanning the room before stepping inside.

"Nice place," Serena said, leaning against the doorframe. "Though I can't decide if you're a guest or a hostage."

Isla let out a dry laugh. "Maybe a little of both."

Serena's face softened as she crossed the room and sank into the chair across from her. "You should have called me sooner. What the hell is going on, Isla?"

Isla hesitated. She trusted Serena—she always had—but the situation was bigger than either of them.

"I woke up married to Damien Calloway," Isla said softly. "I don't remember how it happened. And now, someone is watching me. Someone who wants to control both of us."

Serena's eyes narrowed. "Victoria?"

Isla nodded. "Damien thinks she's behind it. And after everything that's happened… I believe him."

Serena tapped her nails against the arm of the chair, thinking. "Victoria Hale isn't just dangerous—she's smart. If she's playing a game, she's already three steps ahead."

"I need to know why," Isla said. "Why would she go this far to trap us in a marriage?"

Serena leaned forward, her expression serious. "You need to be careful, Isla. You're in the middle of something much bigger than a marriage certificate. And Damien? He's not the kind of man who lets people get close without a reason."

A cold weight settled in Isla's stomach. "You think he's hiding something from me?"

"I think everyone is," Serena said. "And that includes Julian."

Hearing Julian's name made Isla's heart twist painfully. She hadn't spoken to him since their confrontation at Calloway Industries.

"I need to talk to him," Isla said softly. "I owe him that much."

Serena sighed. "Just be careful. Whatever you think you know—it's only the surface."

The next morning, Isla stood at the window of her bedroom, watching the early light stretch across the estate grounds. A sleek black car rolled through the gates, and her stomach turned when she saw who stepped out.

Julian.

Her heart raced as she left the room and made her way downstairs. She found Damien waiting at the front door, his posture tense, his face unreadable.

"I didn't invite him," Damien said coldly as he opened the door.

"I did," Isla said, brushing past him.

Julian stood on the steps, his usual calm cracked by the tension in his face. His blue eyes softened the moment he saw her.

"I needed to see you," he said quietly.

Isla stepped outside, pulling the door shut behind her. The last thing she needed was Damien's cutting remarks making things worse.

"You shouldn't be here," she said.

"I had to come," Julian insisted. "You're not safe with him, Isla. You know that, right?"

A bitter laugh escaped her lips. "And you think I'm safer out there? Someone sent me a threat, Julian. I don't know who to trust anymore."

His face darkened with frustration. "You can trust me. I would never hurt you."

"I know," she said softly, her chest tightening. "But this… this is bigger than us. I have to figure it out."

Julian stepped closer, his hand brushing against hers. "Come back with me. Let me help you. We can figure this out together."

For a moment, Isla wanted to say yes. She wanted the safety of the life they had planned—the future they had once dreamed of.

But things weren't that simple anymore.

"I can't," she whispered.

Julian's jaw tightened as he pulled his hand back. "Then I'm not walking away. If he hurts you—I swear, Isla, I'll destroy him."

Before she could respond, the front door opened behind her.

Damien.

His expression was cold as steel, but his eyes burned with quiet fury. "Your visit is over," he said to Julian.

Julian stepped back, but not before fixing Damien with a hard stare. "This isn't finished."

"No," Damien said smoothly. "It isn't."

As Julian walked away, Damien closed the door behind them. For a long moment, he stood in silence before turning to face her.

"You shouldn't have brought him here," Damien said quietly.

"I had to," Isla said, refusing to back down. "I owe him answers."

His jaw tightened, but instead of arguing, he stepped closer. "You're mine now, Isla. And no one—not Julian, not Victoria—gets to take you away from me."

His words sent a shiver down her spine, but she met his gaze without flinching.

"I'm not a possession," she said firmly.

A flicker of something dangerous crossed his face—but then, just as quickly, it was gone.

"I don't share," Damien said, his voice soft but lethal. "And neither does Victoria. If you let Julian pull you back, she will destroy both of you."

Isla's heart pounded in her chest as the truth settled like a stone inside her.

She was trapped.

Between two men. Between two lives.

And the game was only beginning.