Page 18 of The Last Morgan

Lucy was still shaking off the heat of Byron’s presence when the knock came.

Not Corey’s usual thudding, a firm yet softer sound.

Byron’s head lifted slightly, sensing it too. His whole body tensed.

Lucy adjusted her sweater and opened the door.

And there he was. Damian. He stood tall and proud, around six foot two, with warm caramel-toned skin and soft brown eyes that crinkled when he smiled. Short, neat dark curls framed a face that was... perfect.

He wore a black fitted polo, tactical pants, and boots — clean, crisp and very professional.

But what really hit Lucy was the energy around him. It was calming and not the smoldering, dangerous undercurrent she felt from Byron.

Damian smiled, extending a hand.

"Miss Morgan," he said, voice smooth like velvet. "It’s an honor."

Lucy blinked at him for a second too long before reaching out to shake his hand.

His touch was firm but gentle — reassuring without being possessive.

So different from Byron. Byron hadn’t moved from his spot across the room. But Lucy felt him. His gaze burning a hole straight through Damian.

"Call me Lucy," she said, finding her voice. "Welcome to the madness."

Damian’s smile widened slightly.

"Thank you. I’ve been briefed by Corey. Full protection detail, twenty-four seven."

His brown eyes flicked behind her to Byron — not challenging, just aware.

Byron finally pushed off the wall, the two men stared at each other.

No words.

Just a silent measuring.

Where Byron was rough edged and coiled threat, Damian was smooth power and patience.

Complete opposites.

Two wolves from different worlds.

And Lucy?

Lucy stood between them, feeling like she was about to be torn in half.

Corey arrived a second later, clapping a hand onto Damian’s shoulder.

"Now you’ve met Lucy come, I’ll show you your room and the security setup."

Damian nodded politely to Lucy and followed Corey down the hall.

Byron didn’t move.

He stayed rooted to the spot, Lucy stepped closer, lowering her voice. “Are you always this welcoming?" she teased, trying to cut the tension.

Byron finally looked at her.

And what she saw there made her shiver.

Frustration.

Something darker, deeper, almost violent in its intensity.

"He’s not safe," Byron said flatly.

Lucy raised an eyebrow. "What, because he smiled at me?"

Byron’s jaw flexed.

"He’s too open. Too soft. He’ll get you killed if he’s not careful."

Lucy folded her arms, half amused, half trembling.

"And you’re not?"

Byron stepped closer.

The air between them thickened.

"I would kill before I let anyone touch you " Byron said softly.

Lucy’s stomach twisted painfully.

He meant it. Every word.

Later, after showing Damian the basics of the house and the shift schedules, Corey directed him to the lounge, where Lucy and Byron were alone.

The sun streamed through the glass, throwing a soft glow over everything — making it all look deceptively peaceful. A whole hour of awkward behavior had passed before Lucy decided to change it up a bit.

Her fingers tapped against the screen as she typed out a message to Corey.

Lucy: "Is now a good time to devise a plan?"

She hesitated before sending it, chewing her lower lip.

Lucy sighed.

The tension in the room was suffocating.

Her phone vibrated.

Corey: "What do you think I’ve been doing for the last few days ?"

Lucy smirked and fired back a reply.

Lucy: "God knows, that’s why I asked"

She bit back a laugh, picturing Corey scowling at his phone.

Seconds later:

Corey: "How’s your personal security team getting on?"

Lucy peeked over her screen.

Byron was still staring at Damian like he was calculating exactly how many ways he could kill him before anyone noticed.

She quickly typed:

Lucy: "Exactly what you would expect them to be. Hurry up and come before Byron kills him with his glare."

Her phone buzzed almost immediately.

Corey: "What is it with you and Byron, Lucy? I’ve been sensing some real tension lately."

Lucy froze.

Heat prickled at the back of her neck.

She typed back slower this time, suddenly self-conscious:

Lucy: "I don’t know... What’s up with you and Davina?"

There was a long pause.

Her phone stayed stubbornly silent.

Lucy stared at it, half wondering if she’d crossed a line.

Just when she was about to put it down, the door burst open.

Corey strolled in, a stack of folders tucked under his arm and a knowing smirk playing at his lips.

"You’re nosy," he said by way of greeting.

Lucy blinked innocently. "Just returning the energy."

Corey rolled his eyes and dumped the folders onto the coffee table.

"Ignore him," he said, nodding toward Byron, who was still glaring daggers at Damian.

"that’s his resting killer face” Corey said this in a fit of giggles.

"You're all children," Lucy muttered, but her lips twitched.

"Alright, listen up. Plan time." Corey spoke, loud to gain everyone’s attention.

Byron finally peeled his eyes off Damian, sitting forward slightly, Damian looked up from his tablet, professional as ever, very little care with regards to Byron’s nonstop gazing.

Lucy leaned in.

Corey pulled out a rough layout of the estate

and slapped it onto the table.

"Barnaby’s surveillance is running twenty-four-seven. Rebecca’s still quiet, but that's not going to last."

He pointed to the layout.

"We’ll split the estate into four zones."

Zone 1: Main House – Lucy’s personal space, kitchen, library.

Zone 2: Grounds – Gardens, pool, guest houses (where the Doves are).

Zone 3: Gate Perimeter – Front entrance, service routes.

Zone 4: Emergency Tunnel Access – Hidden exits.

"Each of you," Corey said, looking between Byron and Damian, "will be responsible for alternating zones with your teams when not directly shadowing Lucy."

Lucy raised an eyebrow. "Shadowing?"

Corey smirked. "You're not leaving anyone’s sight, princess."

Lucy made a face but didn’t argue.

"Understood," Damian said calmly, his brown eyes warm and steady. "My priority is Lucy."

Lucy cleared her throat awkwardly.

"Anything else?" she asked, desperate to break the tension.

Corey shrugged.

"We’ve also arranged a dummy schedule for you — normal activities, some public outings. To make it look like you’re not hiding."

Lucy nodded slowly, absorbing it all.

"And when Rebecca shows her hand?"

Corey’s smile turned sharp.

"Then we end this."

Lucy leaned back in her chair, letting the plan sink in.

Her phone buzzed again — another message from Corey.

Corey: "You and Byron... just be careful, okay?"

Her heart thudded painfully.

There were too many battles brewing around her. And inside her. And no amount of planning could protect her from the war that was coming.