Chapter 6 - CROSSING THE LINE
The aftermath of the sniper attack forced Damon's hand. He needed to make a public show of strength, a declaration to the New York underworld that the Cross syndicate was impenetrable. The venue was the Annual Sterling Gala—a masquerade for the elite, crawling with politicians, socialites, and mobsters alike.
He needed a date. A display of normalcy and confidence. He chose Nora.
"I can't go to this," Nora argued, staring at the midnight-blue silk gown laid out on her bed. "I'm a nanny. I'm a waitress from Queens. These people will eat me alive."
"Let them try," Damon said from the doorway, leaning against the frame in a bespoke tuxedo that made him look like a lethal James Bond. "You walked into my restaurant and commanded the room with a glass of milk. You can handle a ballroom full of hypocrites. Besides, you won't leave my side."
When Nora descended the grand staircase an hour later, the silk dress clinging to her curves like liquid night, Damon stopped breathing. He extended his arm, his eyes dark and possessive. "You look like you own the city."
At the gala, the tension was palpable. Whispers followed them everywhere. Rival bosses eyed Damon, trying to calculate the weakness this beautiful, unknown woman represented.
During a slow, haunting waltz, Damon pulled Nora flush against his chest on the dance floor.
"Smile, Nora," he murmured against her ear, his hand firm on her lower back. "Ivan Petrov is watching us from the balcony. We need to look untouchable."
Nora forced a laugh, wrapping her arms around his neck, looking up into his eyes. "Is everything a performance to you?"
"Not this," Damon answered quietly.
Before she could process the weight of his words, a man bumped harshly into Nora's shoulder. Damon's arm shot out, grabbing the man by the throat before he could take another step. The music seemed to stop for them.
"Apologize to the lady," Damon hissed, his civilized veneer vanishing instantly, revealing the monster beneath.
"Damon, don't," Nora whispered, gripping his forearm. "It's fine."
May you like
Damon held the man for a second longer, letting the sheer promise of violence radiate from him, before shoving him away. He pulled Nora close again, his heart pounding against hers.
"I'm crossing every line I drew for myself," Damon muttered, burying his face in her hair. "I'm letting you in. And if anything happens to you because of it, I will burn this city to the ground."
