Chapter 46

Elena's POV

My heart slammed against my ribs.

Trapped.

The door beside me was locked. His wasn't. He sat there, one leg crossed over the other, like this was some twisted reunion and not a nightmare creeping into daylight.

"You look... tired," Damian said casually, his eyes scanning my face. "I would be too. All that running, hiding, lying. Must be exhausting."

I swallowed hard, forcing my voice to work. "You're supposed to be dead."

A slow smile spread across his face. "So are a lot of people, darling. But here we are."

I glanced around quickly—people walking in the distance, a security guard across the parking lot. Too far. Too unaware.

"What do you want?"

"Want?" He laughed—a soft, amused sound that sent shivers down my spine. "Elena, I never stopped wanting. I want what's mine. What should have been mine if you hadn't been so... ungrateful."

His hand brushed something in his coat. My pulse spiked.