The Enticing CEO’s Chosen Bride

with an uncontrollable twitch. His clenched fist, resting on the table, was white-knuckled, the bones pressing hard against the wood. “What did you just say?”

Nathan, too consumed by his own nerves to notice the storm brewing in Damon, repeated his question hastily: “I said, could Anya possibly be your daughter with Yulia?”

He couldn’t finish his sentence before a solid punch collided with his face. His nose felt like it was about to shatter.

“Damn it.” Nathan clutched his throbbing nose, bending over and tears streamed down his face. It wasn’t the pain that made him cry. It was totally sheer reflex.

Damon had no sympathy for him, stepping closer as Nathan stumbled back, pleading. “Hold on, hold on, man, this really sucks.”

Anya, perched on the table, blinked her wide eyes, not quite grasping the situation. She’d assumed they were just messing around.d1

As she turned to follow Nathan’s retreat, confusion clouded her gaze. When she saw the blood trickling between Nathan’s fingers, she let out a startled yelp. “Don’t be mean to Nathan.”

Anya scrambled to her feet, flailing her little arms, jumping anxiously on the table.

Nathan, noticing the blood gushing from his nose and Damon still fuming, backed away, looking for an escape. “I was just asking. Just tell me yes or no. Even if she is your daughter, I wouldn’t tell Chloe, man.”

Damon’s face went from dark to downright thunderous.

Nathan sighed desperately, nearly in tears as Damon closed in on him.

“We’re blood, man. If I keep mum and you keep mum, and Yulia keeps mum, Chloe will never have to know. We’re all family here, right? What’s yours is mine, right?”

Damon shut his eyes tight, took a step forward, and grabbed Nathan by the collar, followed by another punch to the gut.

“What’s mine is mine, and yours…” He paused, his entire body tensed, his lips pressed together.

Just the thought of Nathan associating him with Yulia sent him into a rage, itching to turn this fool into pulp.

Did Nathan not get it? How could he picture his woman with another man?

“Damon, chill out, you’ve gotta stay cool. I messed up, I really did. I shouldn’t have asked.”

It took every ounce of Damon’s willpower to suppress the fury inside. He raised his eyes, and those dark, menacing orbs sent shivers down Nathan’s spine.

like you? I’m just being realistic here. Isn’t it better to know if there’s any legacy of your

me? Have you

blurted out, then took a deep breath. “You’re not suggesting that Anya’s dad’s

of Damon’s teeth grinding was all

go clean up this bloody mess?” He figured if he

a cold stare

gently grasped Damon’s wrist and nudged it aside. “You don’t want the blood to dirty those

desperate. “The smell, man. You don’t want

struck a nerve. Damon abruptly let go, and Nathan

Nathan…” Anya fretted on the table, watching Nathan run with his

to Damon. They were left alone in the study. Damon also turned around, his piercing

Without a need for pretense, the moment Damon stepped toward her, Anya burst

had an

Chloe were chatting when Anya’s cries

you stay here.

advised Chloe with care, and she was already on the move,

advice and followed. Yulia slowed

Anya’s

surprise to see Damon at the top of the stairs, cradling Anya in one arm, the other wiping away her tears with an awkward tenderness. She realized it might be

through every little detail, from feeding and changing diapers to soothing their cries, but she

just messing with Nathan.

Damon’s neck with

and added, “He’s just a bit under

had followed Damon around, it seemed almost like he was asking for trouble. Chloe could guess what had happened—nosebleeds from stress, probably Damon’s doing. And

Anya was utterly convinced by his version of events, lost in the reassurance of his gentle voice. She nestled closer,

attention was stolen by Chloe’s laughter. “What

as anyone, and his question snapped

to look at him as he descended the stairs with Anya in

“It’s nothing serious. Nathan just

smile widened. “Under

focusing on the floor as he nonchalantly confirmed. Without prying further,

living room, Anya seemed eager for more of Damon’s affection. As soon as Chloe was