I stumbled on the last stair in my haste, but quickly righted myself. I rushed down the hallway, ready to throw myself between Damon and his dad.

"You're in no position to make threats," I heard Gareth say.

"Damon, stop!" I yelled, coming to a stop in front of him.

Damon's eyes went wide in surprise, not expecting to see me.

"Faith, you don't need to be here," he said.

"I'm not going to let you do something you'll regret," I pressed.

He stared at me, before chuckling. "Don't worry." Damon held out his cell phone and tapped the screen.

You couldn't continue blackmailing me, so you tried it with August? Damon's voice rang out from the tinny speakers. Are you stupid or something?

That idiot tried to threaten me, too, their father's voice responded. I could hear the taunting in his voice. It's almost like you don't know what blackmail is. You give me what I want and I go away. You don't, and I make your life a living hell.

"I have you admitting to blackmail," Damon said confidently.

"And what makes you think I'm going to let you leave with that phone?" his dad scoffed.

Damon jerked his head to the side. "Because of them."

As if peeling themselves out of the woodwork, two security guards appeared beside Gareth. His eyes bugged out as they each took one of his arms and pulled them behind his back.

"What the hell do you think you're doing?" he screeched.

"Taking you to the police," Damon said calmly.

Gareth twisted back and forth, struggling to get out of the security guard's holds, but they held on tight, with stern expressions.

"You better let them take you away quietly," Damon said. "I'm pretty sure security guards carry tasers."

Gareth's eyes went murderous. "You goddamn—" He lurched forward, trying to lunge at Damon, but the guards simply yanked him back.

"I've got you on tape admitting to blackmail," Damon said. "I don't care how many buddies you have down at the police station. Extortion is a serious crime. Once a jury hears this, you're going away."

Damon looked smug, almost as satisfied with himself as he was after giving me multiple orgasms.

I suppressed a relieved laugh and turned to his dad.

"Have fun in jail," I said with a cheery wave.

Gareth sneered. "You little bitch."

"Call my girlfriend a bitch again and I will end you." Damon's eyes turned dark and deadly serious, his voice was firm, unwavering.

Gareth glared. He spit on the ground in front of us, rage on his face.

"We're done here," Damon said. With a nod of his head, the security guards ushered his father away.

We ignored his swearing and screeching as he was dragged down the hall.

The tight grip of anxiety around my chest finally eased.

Damon hadn't been threatening to beat his father up. He'd come up with a different plan. A smarter plan.

I clung to one of Damon's arms. He flashed me a grin, relieved and not a bit shaky.

"I honestly didn't know if the security guards would get here in time," he confessed. "I had a feeling our dad might show his face again, especially at such a high profile event. I figured I needed a plan."

I threw my arms around Damon's neck, pressing myself against him.

"I'm proud of you," I said, voice muffled into his chest.

Damon buried his face in my hair. "Because I used my head and not my fists?" he teased.

"That you didn't just go off half-cocked. That you thought things through."

"Well, I did still threaten to end him for insulting my girlfriend." Damon pulled back, staring at me intently. "I meant what I said."

My heart pounded rapidly, as I stared into his eyes, sincere, but also oddly abashed. Damon blew out a breath and ran a hand over his face.

"I told you before," he said, "but I have no idea what the fuck I'm doing."

I took his hands in mine, warm, large palms engulfing me.

"You're doing great so far," I said, repeating my previous words to him.

"Because I love Ian," he continued, "and I love the guys like they're my brothers, but I've never been in love before."

All the air left my lungs. Damon always did have that effect on me, but this time was different. This time…

"It scares the shit out of me," he admitted. "But there it is." He brought our hands to his mouth and pressed a kiss to my knuckles. "I'm in love with you."

My entire body felt light, like my toes were leaving the floor and I was floating into the air. The only thing keeping me grounded was Damon lips against my skin.

"Now it's your turn to say it," he said playfully.

I choked out a relieved laugh. "I already said it."

"You might have changed your mind," he said. "After all, I've been kind of a handful."

I shook my head. "I'll never change my mind. You're infuriating and immature and a pain in the ass. But despite all that, somehow I fell in love with you, too."

Damon wrapped his arms around my waist, pressing his warm chest to mine. He nuzzled the hair behind my ear. "I'm glad you were here," he whispered into my hair. "I'm glad you've been with me through this."

"I wouldn't be anywhere else," I said.

He pulled back, putting his hands on my hips. He examined me closely, gaze darting from eye to eye. Whatever he found must have satisfied him, because he gave me a soft smile. I sank into his chest, snuggling against him.

"Hey perverts!" a voice yelled out. "No making out at an event full of kids!"

We jumped and turned to find Jessie grinning at us from the top of the stairs.

"Damon, your band's looking for you," she yelled down. "Darkest Days is doing a surprise encore. Better run."

Damon's face lit up. He took my hand. "You want to watch me rock my face off?"

I looked down at our clasped hands. I squeezed.

"I wouldn't miss it for anything."

He pressed his lips to my forehead.

"Think we have time for a quickie?" he asked.

I laughed out loud.

Damon was infuriating and immature and a pain in the ass.

He was also the man I loved and I wouldn't give him up for the world.