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But it was a location very few people knew to associate with him, making it a safe place for Carrie, and that was the most important thing—especially after seeing the fear that had overridden her every defence, infiltrating every inch of her until she was cold to the touch.
Damon had had no idea she had suffered so much in the aftermath of the scandal. He’d been so preoccupied with his own pain and what he’d lost it had never occurred to him—not even in the time since—that the scandal had created numerous victims, inflicted untold suffering.
At the first test it seemed he’d lost sight of all the lessons his father had worked to instil in him—consideration, empathy and understanding.
Just like his mother, he had been selfish in his grief.
For that, he was ashamed of himself. Ashamed that he’d been so blind and thoughtless. Ashamed that he’d not acted like his father, or the man his father would have expected him to be. Ashamed of the way he’d taken every opportunity to bludgeon Carrie with the hurt of his past when the whole time she had been carrying around her own burden of hurt.
But now he knew and he would be better.
Starting with Carrie. He would protect her the way she should have been protected as a child. As far as he was concerned it was one more crime to add to Randolph’s docket that he had failed to ensure his daughter’s physical and emotional wellbeing, and it made his blood bubble with fury. Buthewould not fail her. He would keep her safe, doing all in his power to ensure she was never made to suffer again—by the press, by her father, or by himself.
But even as he made that vow a voice in his head questioned how he would keep it.
His actions of revenge would guarantee that their families were swept up in a new media storm, and no amount of hired security could protect her from the trauma of that. Nor would he be able to protect Carrie from the pain of seeing her father’s life in ruins. And what of the pain she would endure when she realisedhe’dbeen the architect of it all?
Randolph deserved everything that was heading his way.But, that voice in his head demanded,if you also cause Carrie pain with your actions, are you any better than her father?
CHAPTER EIGHT
OJAIHADTObe one of the most beautiful places on earth, Carrie thought, as she admired yet another spectacular view from yet another window of Damon’s home, this one stretching towards the mountains. Standing on the terrace of the guest room designated to her, she grazed her eyes over the majestic scenery, breathing in the scent of rosemary and lemon blossom as a soft breeze kissed her face.
She had just been stirring when they had arrived at the town limits, and although her sleep had been fraught with dreams of Damon and nameless figures chasing her, waking to the quaint and rustic glamour of Ojai had made her spirits lighter.
Then Damon had steered the car along a very quiet road, turning in at a set of high carved iron gates and following a brick driveway. And there, nestled amongst the abundant greenery of trees and hedges, had been the most beautiful villa. With bright white walls, terracotta roofs, and the trickle of a fountain hidden amongst the lush and colourful garden.
Carrie had loved the oasis on first sight, and inside had proved just as beautiful, remaining true to its Spanish colonial style with tiled ceilings, white walls and a flowing and open concept.
Damon had spared just enough time to give her a quick tour and show her to a bedroom before taking a call from his assistant and issuing instructions to postpone and rearrange scheduled meetings. That had been over forty minutes ago, and she hadn’t seen him since—which was hardly surprising, given that she was probably the last woman on earth he wanted to share his home with.
Whilst Carrie was grateful she hadn’t been alone to manage her panic when she’d received that call from her mom back at the clinic, and was even more grateful that Damon’s quick thinking had allowed them to escape unscathed, being far from home and an unwanted house guest was hardly ideal.
Carrie was still lost in those bleak thoughts when she was startled by a noise behind her. Twisting her head over her shoulder, she felt her heart jerk to see Damon in the open doorway.
‘You settling in okay?’ he asked with an easy smile.
She nodded, wishing he was asking because he cared and not because she was his responsibility by virtue of the baby she carried.
‘My assistant has arranged for a selection of clothes and personal products and whatever else she thinks you may need to be delivered.’
‘Thanks.’
But she was struggling to make her answering smile stick to her lips and Damon noticed it, surveying her with concern.
‘What’s the matter? Are you still feeling anxious?’
‘No. I feel a lot better than I did. I just... I feel bad you had to get involved,’ she admitted uncomfortably. ‘I overheard the start of your call with your assistant...organising how to rearrange your meetings. I’ve completely upended your life with this.’
He advanced towards her, his body seeming more powerful, more commanding, in the casual attire of black jeans and a black tee.
‘You haven’t upended anything. Technology being what it is today means I can have meetings any time, anywhere.’
His kindness was unexpected, and his words sounded sincere, but they did little to expunge her feelings of guilt.
‘Really, don’t worry about it.’
‘I just can’t help but think that if I’d told you who I was straight away, none of this would be happening right now,’ she blurted out.
