Chapter Fourteen
Unraveling the Past
I was having trouble breathing.
I felt as though the documents, photos, and surveillance reports strewn all over the desk were choking me. In some way, Gray had woven himself into every page, which described a different aspect of my life and past.
Why?The connections were so intricate and twisted that I was unable to understand them. However, it was starting to become apparent that I was more than just a victim of two men—Grey and Damian. I was the cause of the conflict. Gray was pursuing me, and I did not know why.
"Damian," I said in a tremulous whisper, "What does this mean? He wants me, but why?
Damian read the material with a calculating, icy expression while his eyes remained focused on the papers and his brow was furrowed. He did not respond for a second, and I could feel our tension rising. We were no longer the only ones involved. Damian was not sure he wanted me to know the whole extent of it, but it was something much bigger.
But I had to know.
I said, "I need you to tell me," in a louder voice. "Whether I like it or not, I am already involved in this. Tell me everything, please.
When Damian's eyes shifted to me, I briefly believed he might say no, but then his shoulders drooped as the realization finally set in. He set the papers aside and looked directly at me.
"Gray and I…" he began, halting as if the words were hard to utter. "We have a common past. It is a history that goes beyond business. It is personal.
I gazed at him, attempting to comprehend his words. "What are you saying? What sort of past?
Evidently struggling with the weight of the truth he was about to reveal, Damian ran a hand through his hair. "Gray and I were involved in something... risky a few years ago. Both of us were employed by a bigger organization, one that functioned in secret. Both of us participated in it, engaging in more unlawful activity than I would like to acknowledge. However, we were more than just coworkers. We had a partnership. We were related.
As his words took hold, my heart began to race. "Relatives? You mean.
Damian's mouth clenched. "Yes. When we were younger, we were both recruited and trained in the same brutal setting. However, I broke away somewhere along the line. I desired to leave that life. I wanted to create something authentic and genuine.
As he went on, I could sense the rage brewing beneath his composed exterior.
At that point, Gray betrayed me. He had no desire to leave. He desired more. He desired authority. He desired everything. And he held me responsible for his demise.
"So, everything that is going on right now all stems from something that happened years ago?" I asked, sounding almost disbelieving.
Damian gave a nod. "Yes. It is not the worst part, though. Naomi, Gray was not just after me. From the start, he was pursuing you.
I was frozen. "Me?"
For the first time, I noticed a profound sadness in Damian's eyes as they met mine. "This is related to you. He is been looking for something from your past, something about you, Naomi. He thinks you have the secret that will grant him all he has been seeking.
The ground seemed to be slipping away from me. "What is it that he wants that I could have?"
Damian's face darkened as he hesitated. "Your dad. He had previously collaborated with Gray. Your father was a member of the same organization as us, but you do not recall. He created adversaries. strong adversaries.
I felt sick to my stomach. "My father?"
"Yes," said Damian. He had information about Gray, the organization, and a deal that had been made long before you were born. Gray thinks you are aware of the location of that information's concealment.
A chilly chill went through my body. "You think that Gray thinks I know this? What made him believe that?
Damian got up and walked to the window, gazing out at the night skyline of Paris. "Due to the manner in which your father passed away. It was no coincidence. Gray is now attempting to wrap things up. And you are the final loose end, Naomi."
---There was an overwhelming silence in the room. My mind was a confused jumble that was racing. How could I have been unaware? How could I have forgotten?
With a look of regret and resolve in his eyes, Damian turned back to me. "For years, Gray has been observing you. He saw an opportunity the moment you landed in Paris. He believes you are aware of where your father concealed the facts. Whatever it is, he thinks it will grant him supreme authority.
I shook my head, my mind hazy with incredulity. "I have no knowledge of it. I promise.
Damian's eyes grew softer. "Yes, Naomi, I understand. "Yes, Naomi, I understand. And you will continue to be a target until we determine exactly what he is searching for."
Even though I felt like the walls were closing in on me, I was unable to allow myself to collapse. I was unable to.
"What do we do next?" Despite my internal storm, I asked in a steady voice.
"We fight," Damian stated in a firm and determined tone. "We locate Gray and put an end to him. We must first ascertain his true objectives, though. Additionally, you must be ready for whatever comes next.
I inhaled deeply. Even though everything was too much to bear, I was not going to give up just yet. Gray had another surprise in store if he believed he could ruin Damian and me.
I said, "We need to act fast," in a firm voice. "We have to outpace him."
Damian gave a nod. "We will proceed swiftly. But I need you to trust me, Naomi, no matter what. Gray will do whatever it takes to reach you. And we will figure out a way out of this once it is over. Together.
There was more than just the threat of danger in the words that lingered between us. They were a pledge. A pledge that Damian would be there—by my side—no matter how perverse or hazardous this battle got.
And I would do everything I could to be by his side.
And I would do everything I could to be by his side.
And I would do everything I could to be by his side.