The Billionaire's Intern (Maya Thompson) novel Chapter 201

Chapter 97: The Edge of His World-2

Clau

Ashcroft remained calm, his gaze sharp and measuring, ready to step in if necessary. His eyes flicked to James, who caught the look and nodded, fully understanding what needed to be done.

James moved with quiet precision toward the other table where Trina and the rest were gathered. Leaning in, he whispered something to Trina. She paused, processing his words, then nodded before turning back to the group.

“Ladies,” she said, her tone light but authoritative, “let’s call it a day, shall we? Head back to your rooms and relax. The shoot’s cancelled, so we’ve got the entire day to ourselves-let’s make the most of it.”

A few murmurs of agreement rippled across the table. Relief softening their faces. James gave a subtle nod to Ashcroft, signaling that the group was now disengaging and the tension in the room could be redirected.

He turned to the staff, tone sharp and commanding. “Please clear the room-now.”

The staff moved quickly, following his instructions with practiced efficiency. The atmosphere shifted almost immediately-what had been a charged, tense dining hall now felt empty and controlled.

Damien’s gaze lingered on the retreating figures, his jaw still tight. Ashcroft’s eyes never left him, noting the subtle easing of the storm brewing within. Damien’s fists clenched and unclenched at his sides, jaw tight, but the controlled environment allowed the tension to settle just enough for him to regain focus.

His chest heaved, gaze fixed on the empty space where Ethan had stood. “He dares disrespect what’s mine-what matters to me,” he muttered, voice low and clipped, every word dripping with barely contained fury. “I will kill him.”

Ashcroft nodded slightly, reading the fury beneath Damien’s words. “I’ll handle it.”

Damien’s voice cut sharp, almost feral. “No! He’s mine!”

Then his chest tightened, the raw heat of anger still thrumming through him, but his gaze softened-just slightly-as it shifted to Maya. The memory of her eyes, wide with fear and trust, her tears, her blaming herself invaded his mind, unrelenting. She didn’t deserve the danger, the chaos… not because of him, but because of the world he lived in.

He ran a hand through his hair, jaw tight. Every fiber of him wanted to protect her, to shield her from the darkness he could never fully escape. But he knew the truth-there was no

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shielding, no escape from what waited in the shadows.

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He spoke, voice low and taut with controlled fury. “That son of a bitch knew something about Beckett… and now Maya… she’s not supposed to see this. Not yet. Not until she’s ready… not until I’m certain she can handle it.”

His fists clenched at his sides, knuckles whitening. The thought of her seeing even a sliver of the darkness he usually shielded her from sent a cold spike through his chest.

And then it hit him-something unfamiliar, unwelcome. Fear.

Fear that Maya might run. Fear that the glimpses she’d caught of his world, of the enemies circling him, would push her away. Fear that no matter how much he wanted to protect her, he couldn’t shield her from everything. That she might be caught in the crossfire of a life she hadn’t asked for, a life he couldn’t deny.

He swallowed hard, jaw tight. He had never been powerless before. But now… the thought of/ osing her, of failing her… it gnawed at him, sharper than any enemy’s blade.

Ashcroft’s voice was low but steady. “Damien… she’s going to find out sooner or later. Maybe it’s better if you two-”

“Yes!” Damien snapped, eyes flashing. “But not like this.”

His fists clenched, nails biting into his palms. The fire ignited by Ethan’s insolence now mingled with something deeper-raw, molten need to protect Maya at all costs.

A long, tense silence stretched between them.

Finally, his shoulders dropped a fraction. “I don’t want to scare her,” he muttered, voice rough.

Ashcroft gave a small nod. “Then breathe. Regroup. And when you go to her… do it as the man she loves-not the man who wants blood.”

Damien exhaled shakily, dragging a hand over his face, battling the storm still raging beneath his skin. “I’m scared this will be the reason she runs away from me,” he admitted, voice rough and stripped of all armor. His eyes burned with something stark and raw. “I can’t afford to lose her, Nick. I can’t.”

Ashcroft’s gaze softened, a rare flicker of genuine concern slipping through his usual composure. He stepped closer, lowering his voice. “You won’t,” he said firmly. “Not if you face her with the truth. She’s stronger than you think, Damien… but she needs you to be honest with her. All of you.”

Damien swallowed hard, the fear still clawing at his chest-but beneath it, a steely resolve began to form.

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