My time is up now! Once we are seen out together, the media furor around him that has just about abated will begin once more.

“Damien, I need to talk to you about something...”

He pulls me close. “Later, sweetheart, tonight?” He kisses my cheek and hesitantly releases me. “Right now, I have a meeting with Peter at Annette & Co. Shall I fetch you at eight from home?”

“I’ll be ready,” I say.

My heart churns as he leaves my office. This guilt ends today. I’m going to tell him everything and hope and pray he believes me. And that he forgives me.

Damien

“COME ON OUT, I’M WAITING for you,” I tell Aaliya on the phone. She disconnects the line and within a few minutes she steps out of the lobby, looking around.

I roll down the window of my black Ferrari 488 and her jaw drops as she takes in the car.

“Are you going to keep staring or are you getting in?” I twitch my brows at her.

She shakes her head and slides in next to me.

“Like my beauty, huh?”

“It’s a freaking Ferrari,” she screeches. “I’ve never been in close range of one, forget being seated inside. I didn’t even know you own it.”

“Oh, it’s a new acquisition,” I state, launching the car forward smoothly.

“Did you not recently have an accident with a fast moving car? And yet you bought another one?”

“My weakness, Aaliya. I like fast cars.” I slow the car at a signal and turn to her.

“And there’s the Devil Duke. He’s woken up again. God help us now!” she exclaims, crossing one knee above the other and giving me a sidelong stare.

I chuckle and she gives me a dirty look in return.

“Alright! I get that you’re concerned. I’ll be careful.”

“Fine,” she relents. “Where are Mike and Leo?”

I point my thumb backwards.

She pivots to see the Range Rover following us with Mike at the wheel and Leo seated next to him.

We reach the club and a valet opens my door. I step out and a camera flashes in my face. The frenzy starts as soon as the paparazzi see me. I reach the other side to help Aaliya out.

“Don’t utter a word,” I whisper in Aaliya’s ear.

I grip her waist and guide her up the stairs to the reception while questions flow all around us.

Where’ve you been for so long Your Grace?

Who’s the woman?

Are you dating her?

Is she the reason you’ve disappeared for so long?

Aaliya releases a shaky breath as soon as we’re inside and away from the melee.

“Don’t let it bother you, sweetheart. We were bound to draw attention the first time we stepped out and this place is a hot spot for the media. Trust me, the attention will die down at some point.”