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The drive to Mercer’s house wasn’t nearly as tense as I expected it to be. In fact, it was oddly… light.
“So, when you’re planning your grand escape,” he began, glancing over at me with that usual mischievous grin, “are you going full undercover, or just starting a new life as, I don’t know, a librarian in some small town?”
I raised an eyebrow at him. “I was thinking more along the lines of ‘living under the radar’ than ‘librarian.’ But thanks for the vote of confidence.”
He laughed, the sound easy and light. “Hey, I’m just saying, it’s a look. You’d make a great librarian. All the books and the glasses… you could start a new life, just like that.”
Note to myself: wear glasses around him.
Baggy jeans and a light pink hoodie, messy bun, and glasses describes librarian, and I don’t give a fuck about your dinner, Mercer.
“Yeah, right.” I couldn’t help but smile despite myself. “You’d still find me, though. You’d probably show up with a fake mustache and demand to see the ‘criminal underworld’ section of the library.”
Damien chuckled, his eyes glinting with amusement. “I would! Just imagine me, strolling in with an accent, pretending I don’t know you. I’d pull the whole ‘I’m looking for my lost dog’ routine and ask you about a book on ‘escaping shady situations.’”
“Really sticking with the mustache idea, huh?” I teased.
“I mean, it’s a classic look. Effective and, dare I say, underappreciated,” he said, clearly enjoying the banter.
It was nice, this easy back-and-forth. I almost forgot the reason we were in this car at all—the jewel, the trouble, Mercer. Almost.
But then, the topic shifted, and I couldn’t help but feel the weight of it all. “I need that jewel back,” I said, my voice quieter this time. “The sooner, the better. I can’t keep running. I just… I need to get out of here. Find somewhere safe.”
Damien shot me a sidelong glance, a smile tugging at the corner of his lips. “Jewel, jewel, jewel, jewel,” he said, his voice almost sing-song. “That’s all you care about, huh? You know what? I’m just gonna start calling you Jewel from now on.”
I blinked at him, incredulous. “You’re not serious.”
“Oh, I’m dead serious,” he said with a grin. “From now on, it’s ‘Jewel.’ You’ll answer to it, I’m sure.”
“Great,” I muttered, rolling my eyes. “At least I’ll get something out of all this. New name, new life.”
Damien laughed, but then his tone shifted, becoming lighter again. “Hey, but seriously—you’ve got a criminal record to clear, right? You can’t just disappear without tying up those loose ends. Can’t leave a trail of chaos behind you.”
I shot him a playful glare. “I’m not that bad.”
“Uh-huh. Sure you’re not,” he teased, clearly enjoying the joke.
I couldn’t hold back any longer. The question that had been lingering in my mind bubbled to the surface. “But seriously, why are you helping me with all this? Why are you going so far to get the jewel back? I mean, it’s not like I’ve made your life easy.”
Damien’s smile faltered, his eyes flicking to the road ahead, a serious shift in his expression. “I’ve got loose ends to tie up. And you’re part of that.”
For a moment, his tone was so deadpan that it almost seemed like he meant it. But then, as if realizing how heavy his words had sounded, he smirked and added, “But hey, forget I said that. I’m just here for the free food at Mercer’s house.”
I couldn’t help but laugh, the weight of the moment easing away. “That’s the Damien I know.”
He grinned, his eyes dancing with mischief once more. “See? I knew you’d feel better about this whole thing if I threw in a joke. Loose ends, my ass.”
We both chuckled, but just as quickly, the tension started to creep back in again. The mansion loomed ahead, its towering gates casting a shadow over the road.
Damien slowed the car to a stop, turning to me with that same grin from earlier. “Alright, here’s the plan. You follow my lead, act charming, and we’ll be in and out of there in no time. We’re just here to make it look good.”
I nodded, feeling my stomach twist. “Right. In and out. No big deal.”
“Exactly,” he said, not missing a beat. “But if it goes south—” He paused for effect. “I’ve got your back.”
I gave him a half-smile, trying to mask the nerves creeping up my spine. “Thanks. Just, please don’t make me laugh too much in there. I have a feeling that’s not gonna go over well with Mercer.”
“Don’t worry,” Damien said, eyes sparkling with mischief. “I’ll keep the jokes to a minimum… maybe.”
With that, we arrived at the hell hole, AKA Mercer’s house.
"After you, Jewel," Damien said, holding the door for me like he's Prince Charming. I gave him an eye roll, stepping out of the car... just for good luck.
