Page 20 of Just One: Box Set

Chapter Two

D amon had done plenty of reckless things in his life, but this might be his most irrational yet.

After four connecting flights and more than twenty exhausting hours, he was finally touching down in Italy.

He had practically begged Harley and Archer, his newlywed sister and brother-in-law, for details on where Allison Hunt had disappeared too.

Allison—the woman who had snuck out of his hotel room like a thief after a night that had turned his world upside down.

He had met her at Harley’s wedding, and despite every rational reason to keep his distance, he’d been drawn to her.

No one had warned him off as hard as his own conscience, but it didn’t matter.

She was now family through marriage, Harley’s sister-in-law.

Off-limits. Especially since she was mending a heart shattered by a man who didn’t deserve her.

Yet here Damon was, slinging his backpack over his shoulder and racing through customs, all because he couldn’t forget the woman who should have been celebrating her honeymoon in Venice—but was instead nursing a broken heart.

As soon as his sister had said her vows, he’d tried getting Allison to dance, but she’d rejected him, understandably wary of men after what her ex had done.

Damon had respected that, though he couldn’t ignore the way he was drawn to her sadness.

Later, when he found her crying alone in a darkened hallway, he didn’t think twice.

Wrapping her in his arms had felt instinctual, and she hadn’t resisted.

Convincing her to come to his room wasn’t part of some calculated move to seduce her; he’d just wanted to be there for her, to talk, to listen.

But Allison had other plans. When she’d begged him to help her forget, he’d refused at first, knowing she was vulnerable.

Yet, when she dropped to her knees, every shred of self-control he’d clung to snapped.

Just the memory of that moment sent heat rushing through his body.

That night hadn’t been a simple distraction for him.

It had felt like something far deeper, something permanent.

Allison had burrowed her way under his skin, into his very soul.

He’d spent thousands on this last-minute trip to Venice because he couldn’t let her walk away without a fight.

The best sex of his life, yes—but more than that, she’d become someone he needed, like oxygen.

Love.

The word made his breath catch. Maybe it was too soon to call it that, but the way his heart hammered in his chest every time he thought of her, it felt like the only explanation.

He’d wanted to wake up with her in his arms, to hold her and tell her everything would be okay.

But when he reached for her that morning, she was gone, and he’d been left with an ache that wouldn’t fade.

Without thinking, he’d jumped out of bed, showered, and started chasing her halfway across the world.

Now, standing in Venice, exhaustion pulling at his eyelids, Damon knew he had to find her. He wasn’t going to let her slip away again. Pulling out his phone, he found Harley’s contact and dialed.

"Damon!" Harley’s voice was soft and groggy when she picked up, clearly having just woken. "Did you make it?"

He glanced at his watch, realizing how early it was back home. "I didn’t mean to wake you," he said with a grimace. "I’m here, though. I’ll figure things out once I find a place to stay."

Harley yawned. “Already done,” she said, laughing softly. “You really think I’d let you fly all the way to another country without a plan?”

Damon ran a hand through his hair, letting out a long breath. "You just got married, Har. I didn’t expect you to deal with my mess."

Archer’s voice rumbled in the background. "Tell him thank you," he muttered.

"For what?" Damon asked, genuinely confused.

Archer’s voice came through the line, strong and full of emotion.

“For going after my sister. She shouldn’t be alone in a place she’s never been.

I know she acts tough, but she’s been through hell.

Austin didn’t just wreck her life—he broke her spirit.

And Damon, it’s a little weird that my brother-in-law is the guy chasing her, but I know you.

You’re a good man. Just make sure she sees that. ”

Damon swallowed hard, feeling the weight of Archer’s words. "I’ll try," he managed to say, overwhelmed by the unexpected support.

When Harley got back on the phone, she gave him the hotel details. "You’re staying at the Venezia Grand Hotel Palazzo dei Dogi. Same place as Allison. All you have to do is bump into her."

Damon’s heart raced. "The same hotel?" His voice wavered with disbelief.

"Yep. You’re welcome." Harley’s voice was playful. "Just remember, she’s hurting. Don’t expect her to fall into your arms right away. But don’t give up, okay?"

He nodded, though she couldn’t see him. "I won’t."

"Good. Now stop calling unless it’s to tell me you’re bringing a girlfriend home."

The line went dead, and Damon stared at his phone, shaking his head in disbelief. His family had his back. Now all he needed was to find Allison.

Climbing into the water taxi, Damon directed the driver in Italian, thanking his younger self for being such a language nerd.

As the boat glided through the water, the driver made small talk, mentioning how he had shuttled a sad American woman to the same hotel just hours earlier.

Damon’s chest tightened. It had to be her. Allison.

Venice passed by in a blur of beautiful canals and historic buildings, but Damon barely noticed.

His thoughts were consumed with the woman who had haunted him since Vegas.

She had mastered the art of hiding her pain behind a smile, but Damon saw through it.

He had seen the real her—the woman who craved love but was terrified to open herself up to it again.

Austin had damaged her, but Damon was determined to show her that not all men would betray her trust.

As they neared the hotel, Damon clenched his fists, bracing himself. Allison had no idea he was coming. No idea what he was willing to do to win her over.

But soon, she would. Because no matter how high she’d built her walls, Damon was ready to climb them all.