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

right? What’s yours is mine,

a step forward, and grabbed Nathan by the collar, followed

gut.

is mine, and yours…” He paused, his entire body tensed, his

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

it? How could he picture his

you’ve gotta stay cool. I messed up,

of Damon’s willpower to suppress the fury inside. He raised

sent shivers down Nathan’s

being

of your wild days?”

brain-dead? She looks like me? Have

blurted out, then took a deep breath.

Damon’s teeth

I go clean up this bloody mess?” He figured if he stayed any longer, he

make it

cold

and nudged it aside.

those pristine hands.”

“The smell, man. You don’t want Chloe

you?”

go, and Nathan

on the table, watching Nathan run

turned to Damon. They were left alone in the

meeting Anya’s wide-eyed look.

the

Anya burst into

volume of a child’s sudden crying had an indescribable piercing power. Damon felt

were chatting when Anya’s cries startled them. Realizing it was

upstairs.

here. I’ll

advised Chloe with care, and she was already

heed Yulia’s advice and followed. Yulia slowed to

belly.

up, Anya’s sobs

surprise to see Damon at the top of the stairs,

other wiping away her tears with an awkward

holding a child, and with

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