Chapter 173 & 178: Clara

I was furious as I stormed into Damon's company. I'd texted Damon beforehand; he said he was in a meeting with Luca, so I knew exactly where to go.

I ignored the employees who bowed and greeted me. I'd acknowledge them later; for now, I needed to keep my rage burning.

I took the private elevator to the conference room floor. "Mrs. Donovan, you can't go in yet; there's a meeting," the secretary said, but I ignored her and stormed into the room.

"You!" I screamed, rushing toward Luca. I didn't care that I was interrupting their important meeting.

"My love! What's going on?" Damon asked, immediately standing. Luca also stood, and as I approached him, I slapped him hard across the face.

"How dare you?!" I screamed. He didn't dare look at me; he must have known what this was about.

An older man started to speak, "Queen Luna, this is highly inappropriate. We…" but he stopped when I glared at him.

"This meeting is dismissed," I said. They glanced at each other before looking at Damon, who raised his hands in surrender. "You heard the woman, dismiss," he said. They all left, leaving Damon, Luca, and me alone.

"Baby, what's got you so mad? What did Luca do?" Damon asked, approaching us.

"I just went to your house and found Delilah on the verge of a breakdown! She's practically slipping into depression, and you're not helping! She needs you, but you're prioritizing work! That's incredibly stupid!" I spat, clenching my teeth. He frowned.

"I don't know how to help her…"

"You don't need to do anything, except be there for her! She's experiencing postpartum depression and needs you, but she says you brush her off. What's wrong with you?" I demanded, giving him a scornful look. He groaned, grabbing his head.

"My head's not right these days, Clara. I know she's already going through a lot, and I don't want to burden her further. I want to be there for her—hell, I'd spend every moment with her—but I feel like I'm going insane. I am going insane, and work is the only thing that silences the voices in my head," he confessed. My eyes widened. Damon put a hand on Luca's shoulder.

"Are you okay?" Damon asked worriedly. Luca shook his head.

"I don't know what's wrong with me… but I'll try to make things right with Delilah. I'll go talk to her now," he mumbled, walking away despite our calls.

Damon and I stared at the door before he wrapped his arms around me.

"You looked so hot scolding Luca. It took everything not to bend you over that table," he murmured, biting my ear. I groaned, pulling away.

"Something's wrong with Luca, and it's been wrong for a while. You're his friend; you spend a lot of time with him. You must have noticed something," I said, frowning. He sighed, pulling me closer.

"I noticed, but he wouldn't tell me anything. I think he's stressed and hasn't adjusted to having a kid. Given his childhood, he's probably scared of becoming like his deadbeat father. Don't worry about him; he'll be fine," he said, embracing me. I sighed, snuggling closer.

"I hope so. I'll talk to Delilah later. Are you coming home with me?" I asked, looking up at him. He nodded.

"I'm glad you disrupted the meeting. I was looking for a way to get back to you," he murmured. I squealed as he lifted me into his arms and carried me out.

We were soon home, and Damon couldn't keep his hands—or lips—off me.

"You smell divine, baby. I can't wait to devour you," he murmured in my ear as we entered the house.

He kissed me fiercely, lifting me. I wrapped my legs around his waist, kissing him back with equal hunger.

My body tingled with anticipation. I gasped as he pushed me onto the bed.

"Be ready to scream, baby, because that's all you'll be doing tonight," he said, undoing his belt. And, goddess, did I scream. I lost count of how many times I saw stars.

We made love everywhere in the room. By the time he was finished, my body was shaking, my breath ragged.

"My Queen," Damon murmured, lying beside me, kissing my back.

I pressed my butt against his dick, and he groaned.

"Don't tempt me, love. Your body can't take anymore, and I don't want to hurt you," he said, kissing my forehead. I sighed; he was right.

"When the kids get back, we'll barely have time for this," I murmured. He turned me to face him.

"We'll make it work. Plus, we still haven't gone on that vacation," he replied.

"The kids…"

"My parents won't mind watching them for a week. Dimitri's back; he can help. Your uncle's there too. He and his people adore our kids, and Hunter loves him more than my parents," he said. I frowned.

"Damon…"

"I know you're afraid to leave them, and I understand. I won't force you. I just want some time alone with you," he said. I smiled, moving closer and letting him embrace me.

I stayed in his arms for a while before sighing.

"I'll talk to my uncle. He hasn't seen them in a while, so I'm sure he won't mind," I murmured. Damon pulled away, his joyful eyes making me giggle.

"Really? I'd better start planning that vacation then," he said, jumping out of bed. I chuckled as he excitedly made calls.

Who knew the man once known as the Death Viper could be so… sweet?

We really needed this vacation.