TWENTY THREE

DAMON

"Are you okay?" I asked Selena as I pushed the dead man off her body.

A small groan escaped her lips as she stood upright, her hand clutching her head. As my eyes roamed the numerous bloodstains on her outfit, I found myself frowning. "You need to get rid of-"

Selena sent a sharp gaze in my direction. It was sharp enough to shut me up. Then, she asked, "Are you worried about me, Damon Jones?" The tone of her voice contradicted the evil look in her eyes and I became more confused.

My hands which were wrapped around her arms were soon withdrawn and with caution, I watched her as she looked away and checked the stains on her leather jacket. The light-coloured top she wore underneath was heavily stained as well.

And, as I stared more and more at those blemishes, I became concerned for myself.

The sight of blood was starting to get to me and all I wanted at that moment was to throw Selena into the shower so she could get clean.

"I knew you were useless," Lucius spoke from behind. As I turned to face him, he had crouched to use the dead man's towel to cover his exposed nakedness. With a twitch of one of my brows, I stared intently at Lucius who soon locked his firm gaze with me and said bitterly, "You don't even know how to handle a gun."

"I am not one of you, Lucius," I quickly retorted. "I didn't grow up romancing weapons and engaging in criminal things."

Lucius scoffed as he got up and took a step closer to me. That action was clearly meant to be an intimidating one. Yes, his proximity scared me a little, but I stood my ground.

"You are so useless. What if you were the only one that could save the boss? Would you have pussied out and let her die?"

"Why would I let her die? I am not as wicked as most of you."

"You are-"

"That's enough!" Selena commanded and the noise of an object falling down followed her protest.

I looked at the ground a d saw that she had dropped the knife with which she intended to stab the Towel Man.

Interesting thing is that the knife's blade was coated with blood.

I looked at the man's body and, apart from the bullet holes that decorated his body in more than three places, I saw the unmistakable, deep penetration of her knife.

"Lucius, take care of the man," Selena calmly said after she exhaled hard while rubbing her bloodied hands over her body. She just made things worse by doing that. "It's a pity we couldn't keep him alive. I have so many questions."

"Do you think he was sent by someone we know?"

"It's definitely not Basiton, I am sure of that." My face smeared with disgust as I watched her cross her arms over her chest. "So-"

"Selena?" She looked my way in response. And, without much thought, I grabbed her hand and rushed out of that space.

I was making us run up the stairs when she suddenly pulled her hand out of mine. As she did that, it felt as though something significant was snatched out of my grasp.

I was staring hard at my hand after I had turned to face her. Then, with a voice that sounded almost angry, she asked, "What are you doing?"

"You need to get cleaned, Selena," I said, my voice as firm as my mother's whenever she wanted me to do something I am stubborn about.

"Damon Jones..." She folded her arms over her chest again and my face wore that look of disgust again. She was so unbothered by the blood and that was highly concerning. And, it was more reason to make sure she got rid of all the stains. "... are you concerned about me?"

She asked the question she asked earlier. This time, her voice was tender just like it was when she called my full name.

"Why would I be concerned about you? I just hate seeing so much blood."

Selena chuckled as though something was amusing. As her eyes quickly roamed the plain walls that surrounded the staircase area, she wore a small smile.

"Are you certain, Damon Jones?" It seemed she was trying to drive a point.

It was obvious she was trying to insinuate that I am attracted to her.

No, ma'am.

I am just irked by the sight of blood.

"Where is the bathroom? You need to get cleaned," I said when my thoughts made me realize that pulling Selena earlier would have led to me looking for bathrooms endlessly.

Selena's head slightly tilted to the side and her youthful eyes wore a playful look. As her smirk grew bigger, she dissolved her arms fold and smeared her hands over her leather pants which gave her lower body a special look.

Okay, what?

A special look?

What is wrong with me?

"Why?" I heard Selena ask and I cleared my throat as I tried to forget about my mind derailing into the path of mild perversion. "Do you want to take a bath with me?"

"Why would I do that?"

"You don't have to sound so angry." Selena nudged her head toward my hands. "Your hands have blood all over them as well. Let's make good use of this opportunity and spend a great time together."

"What great time?" I wore a scowl. "You are really out of your mind, Selena."

"No, I just want you." The determination in her voice reached her eyes and for a second, my heart thumped in reaction. "I want only you."

"Wh-" I was no doubt flustered. I needed a minute to get myself together before I end up giving Selena an opportunity to win the little game we have going.

"You are right." Selena began to walk toward me. "I need to bathe." This time, she grabbed my hand.

I barely had time to process what was going on as I suddenly felt intrigued by the slenderness of her fingers which sat well in my palm even though it was bloodied as well.

Instantly, I felt a tug.

I was being dragged up the stairs.

Like a fool, I refused to think about stopping her. I followed her lead as we walked past corridors.

I followed her because each step she took became as intriguing as the seeming fragility of her fingers. As her hair danced gently, I watched her walk. Even though the sight of blood on her clothes irked me, I still stared at her like she was a mysterious being who had come out of nowhere.

It was just like that day.

The first day I met her, I felt trapped in her presence.

But, it was a good kind of trap.

Even now that I have promised myself to stay away from Selena, I still find myself in that cage.

I think I have gone insane.

Yes, that's it.

I have gone insane.

And, I need to wake up from my insanity.

Quickly, I rushed out of that entrapment, and by the time I looked around, I was met with the sight of tiled walls and a sleek-looking bathtub that faced a glass-walled shower cubicle.

Then, I heard a click behind me.

"Did you just lock the door?" I asked Selena firmly as I watched her walk away from the wooden door.

"Yes," she replied nonchalantly.

"Why would you do that?" I quickly rushed to the door. As I searched for the key on the cabinet beside the entrance, I heard a small thud-like sound.

Curious, I turned.

"I have to make sure my one-week plan works," Selena replied to me as our eyes met.

Then, she took off her top to reveal her bare chest.

I found myself taking a sharp inhale as I quickly turned. As I closed my eyes, my hands fisted and I wished to forget the sight that I just saw.

"You can't deny it, Damon. You are attracted to me." Her voice sounded closer yet she had not moved an inch from where she was. My ears picked rustling sounds which suggested that she was taking off her leather pants as well.

That sharp inhale was quickly followed by an exhale. With no intention to turn, I replied to her with a grim, "I am not attracted to you."

"I know I am." The confidence in her voice almost made me turn and scream into her face to forget about her stupid game.

I hated that certainty her voice carried. How can one be so sure of such a thing when you barely know the person you claim to like?

Is it ever that simple?

"Losing what you want is stupid, Damon," Selena said and the next thing, I heard a slight screeching noise which was followed by the sound of running water.