Damon stared at Nancy in disbelief after she coldly revealed that she had poisoned Robert.

"How could you do this?" he demanded. His voice filled with agitation and edginess.

Nancy, her tone icy, replied, "I couldn't take any risks, Damon. I didn't have the time to test Robert's loyalty. I acted to secure my child's life."

Realizing the gravity of the situation, Damon rushed to the phone, dialing Robert. As the call connected, Nancy heard Damon's terse question: "Is Robert around?" Nancy silently looked at Damon. It was obvious with his actions that Robert was in this with him. She almost felt worried how Damon would react on this one but then firmly believed it was bound to happen because they chose to not let her in. This inconvenience was the result of their actions of not trusting her enough.

"How are you feeling?" Damon listened intently to the reply before asking Nancy, "How did you poison him?"

"It's in his favorite wine. The bottle would be on his plane by now," she answered, her words hurried as she added, "I made sure there was only one bottle like it."

Damon raised an eyebrow but remained calm. "Well," Damon said looking at the phone. He knew Robert had heard of to be cautious and put the phone down. "Well, he won't be dead. He was never getting on that flight to Alaska tonight. If you have told me earlier even calling him wasn't necessary.

Nancy blinked, confused. "Why not? So, I was lied about them getting back to Alaska. So, you could see what would be my step?" Nancy asked,

Damon walked over to her, explaining, "This was all a façade. I wanted this..." Damon stared at Giovanni's body. "...rat to come out. I knew he would show up only when he would know I wasn't around. None of my men were aware. Except for Robert, no one knew." Damon had reached Nancy already and held her in his arms as he continued, "...many of my men wanted to go against you but Robert who knew that I was very much around prevented them from turning against you. Robert has been protecting you from the start."

Nancy finally glanced at Giovanni's lifeless body before turning back to Damon. "And how did you know I wasn't lost at sea?"

Damon's expression softened. "We found a piece of your dress washed ashore. When you didn't contact me, I knew something had gone wrong. We recovered a few bodies of those attackers, but none had identifying marks. We couldn't confirm who they were working for."

"I waited for you. I was hopeful that you would reach me. But what reached me was the news of your death. Wasn't it cruel by your part?" Nancy asked making Damon smile. "You think I was sane after learning that you aren't dead but pretty much taken by the man I haven't managed to track down for weeks? The moment you were home I knew I could breathe. I could have shown right away but we played along to see what he would come up with. I needed to learn who is he and what is his motive?" Nancy bit her cheek. "And, what did you find out?"

"Nothing, it was a job unfinished." Nancy realizes how cold Damon is sometimes. Giovanni was just an unfinished job for him. And, she was going to spend her life with a man like him. But she was the one who had killed Giovanni for her child. And, after the arrival of this child, she is nothing but what Damon chooses to be. Because no matter what she would always be Damon's wife and the mother of his child. This is what she would be. If there is anything she would like to change she will stand for it. But could never leave Damon's side.

"But I am here now," Damon kissed her nose lovingly.

Nancy's breath hitched, her hand trembling slightly with the newfound realization of her life's dynamics. "Is Robert safe now? Did you warn him about the poison?"

Damon placed a hand on her shoulder, his voice soothing. "Calm down. It's handled. He knows what to avoid."

But Nancy's mind whirled with unresolved emotions, and she asked sharply, "Why weren't you furious when you saw me with Giovanni? In his lap, no less?"

Damon's eyes darkened as he met her gaze. "I was beyond mad," he admitted. "I was ready to come for your throat. But then, instead of apologizing, you looked worried—for me. It was like you had found something precious. It was the first time I saw you really look at me, Nancy. In that moment, I knew you were mine. And no one else's."

Nancy pulled him into a fierce kiss, her arms wrapping around his shoulders. When she finally broke away, she whispered, "And how did you know I'd poisoned Giovanni?"

Damon chuckled softly. "I know you, Nancy. I knew you wouldn't let anything happen to our child. I was listening to everything from my room—even the things you thought aloud. I wonder why didn't he get it when you mentioned poisoning Robert to him. Also, the thought of drinking the antidote before the poison. Marvellous! You have got a witch's mind."

"So, you were coming for my throat even after listening and understanding that all I am doing is poisoning him."

"Yes, I was listening to you. Yes, I knew when to make the entry but I wasn't expecting you on him. The image was too much for me when I saw you. But the moment your eyes shone and savoured my sight instead of frightening of what you were doing. I couldn't. All I could recall was the time I was horrified that you were gone forever into the black sea. I am never letting you anywhere close to the sea. Ever."

Nancy's eyes narrowed at the revelation. He truly seemed to be madly in love with her. "Damon? These three days make me realize what you are in my life."

Damon interrupted with his voice low and intense. "For now, I just want to cherish my wife—the one I feared I had lost forever."

He scooped her into his arms, carrying her out of the study and away from Giovanni's rotting body. As he laid her gently on their bed, they made love with an intensity heightened by the relief of their reunion. Between breaths, Damon confessed, "Oh, Nancy, you can't imagine what that piece of fabric meant to me. I loved that you were not perished in the sea and hated you were not perished in the sea already." Nancy winced when Damon pushed her harder. As if the memory was giving him new vigour.

"I knew you would come for me..." Nancy winced trying to hold onto him. "...but when I looked at your grey face."

"It was colour," Damon corrected her but Nancy couldn't help but sob. She had been scared for so long and now she was finally in the arms she had weirdly started betting everything on. She knew she could do anything for him. Damon got slower in his moves and held her to him.

"Cry it out. You are safe. No one will ever harm you. I will make sure of it." Nancy sniffed rubbing her tears away and Damon got off her to roll her above his chest instead. He wrapped his arm around her naked back and massaged her hair. "Look, you are with me again. And, you will be here, always." Nancy sobbed in his arms. She knew she didn't have to show any strength here.

"Did you really spent hours at the sea?" Nancy asked,

"I didn't come ashore once. But the moment they found your fabric around 80 meters ashore and the tracks of a car on the sand. We knew someone has taken you."

Nancy listened to his heart thumping before she asked, "It's just one enemy trying to get you down. What if there are more coming?" Damon remained silent at her question before he said, "I will be what I have never been then," Damon replied and Nancy took a moment before she asked, "What?"

"Cautious..." This made Nancy raise her head from his chest and look at him. "...I will be cautious because I haven't had enough of you yet Nancy." Nancy got her head down and realized this matter wasn't as grave for Damon as for her. She was anxious about what lie in their future while Damon had everything in his present.

But she felt Damon's fingers in her hair while Damon told her. "Don't worry about the future. After this episode, I know you can rule anything you set your mind onto. But we don't know if we would be like this tomorrow. Nothing is promised in the future. We only own this moment." Nancy wonders how was he able to address her concern perfectly.

Nancy's heart swelled with emotion, realizing just how deeply Damon cared for her. She kisses his shoulder before asking him. "How could you trust Robert to pull you out of that grave?" Her fingers were tracing the lines on his arm.

Damon smiled. His voice tinged with admiration. "I've won a lot of bets on Robert. And even if he hadn't come through, I would have crawled out of that coffin for you. Nothing could keep me from you."

As they lay together, their breaths slowed down. Nancy silently came to hold his hand. The hand he promised will always suffocate her. Yet, she has him around her to shield her from anything that could come. "Are you disappointed in me for trying to kill your cousin?"

Damon's lips curved into a smirk. "I am the opposite of that. I'm proud of you. You're fierce when it comes to protecting our legacy." Nancy loved how his body was emitting the warmth of life. She didn't know how much Damon loved her but she has started to accept Damon as her man. And, the emotions he has started getting out of her were numerous. After becoming his wife, she knew it would be the identity she would never be able to shed. But his death had caused her to see what she was without him. And, she never wanted to feel that vulnerability ever again.

"I know you can kill anyone for my baby." Nancy smiled looking up. Her eyes were darkened but her voice remained steady when she told him touching his nose. "I'd kill anyone for this baby, Damon. Even you."

He raised an eyebrow, warning her playfully. "Careful, Nancy."

She laughed softly but then grew serious. "I was terrified, Damon. It wasn't strength—it was fear. I wanted to attack shadows. I was this scared and crazy. The line between morality and crimes was nowhere. I feared of what I was becoming. Completely insane!"

Damon brushed her hair back from her face. "I want to see this side of you more often," he teased.

Nancy frowned. "Be careful what you wish for. It might not end well for you."

Damon grinned, unfazed. "Try me. There's nothing I can't handle. Especially when it's coming in your package."

She smiled back but then asked quietly, "So... what about Giovanni? And my brother?"

"Your man is back. So, you stay where you should be. Stay away." Damon's face hardened. He tried to be firm so she didn't see any space to raise her question. But Nancy had her brother on the line. "You saw my brother, didn't you?" Nancy froze, fear gripping her. Damon already knew. Didn't he?

"Ken and Aria were Giovanni's pawns," Damon said coolly. "Giovanni used them to get me..." Damon then looked quite serious when he said, "I won't let Ken live the day he would realize to be the uncle of my blood. Never. He won't see that day,"

Tears filled Nancy's eyes as she pleaded, "Please, Damon. Try to understand." Damon got her off his chest and got on his elbow to face her.

"I've fallen in love with you, Nancy. Not your brother."

"But Damon—" Nancy tried to use her tears on him. '...Please,"

He cut her off, his tone final. "You'll have to make peace with it. It's coming."

Nancy stared at him, her voice shifted from a trembling one to a firm one. "There will be consequences if you kill him." Damon looked at her. She wasn't pleading anymore though her tears were still rolling down her cheeks.

Damon's jaw tightened at the challenge in her voice. "What did you say?"

"I said there will be consequences," she repeated, her tone unwavering.

Without warning, Damon grabbed her wrist, pulling her against him. "Careful, Nancy. You're pregnant. I don't want to hurt you. I know how to keep my woman and you already know this."

She gasped but stood her ground. "I have survived your ways when you hated me. I am sure there is nothing I can't handle when you claim to love me..." But then she tried to calm her expression down and sighed before trying a negotiable tone. "...try to understand, Damon. I can't let this matter slide. He's the only family I am left with."

Damon shook his head, his voice cold before a humor passed his face. "That doesn't help his case. It makes me want to kill him even more because that would make me your only family."

"You won't kill my brother," Nancy said, her tone resolute. As if she owns every inch of Damon.

Damon's eyes narrowed. "You really think you can talk me out of this?"

"I'm not leaving this until—"

Damon silenced her with a deep kiss, pulling her closer. Her firm voice swirled something inside Damon. He has never liked people looking at him without fear. He could adjust to seeing love, admiration and yearning in Nancy's eyes instead of fear. But right now, her eyes were steaming with anger. And, he feared he would do something he would later regret on. He let his tongue slide with her. Nancy tried to fight off the dominance but Damon was trying to dissipate her energy. He kissed her as long as she didn't give up and even after that. Nancy was breathless and knew exactly what he did.

She refused to open her eyes. A tear was sliding on her left cheek. Damon stared at her before he asked softly, "What consequences?"

Nancy's breath hitched when she opened her eyes. "How can I be with a man who's killed my brother?" She was breathless and hated how Damon make her feel vulnerable in front of him.

Damon exhaled sharply. "Fine. I won't be the one to kill him."

"And you won't order anyone else to, either," Nancy pressed.

"Fine, I will give you this." Nancy narrowed her eyes before pushing his boundaries even more. "Swear on your child." Nancy expected some resistance but Damon only stared at her for a long moment before relenting. "I swear on our child that I won't kill your brother. I will also not order any of my man to kill him."

Nancy, still wary, searched his eyes but eventually relaxed, knowing Damon wouldn't break a vow like that. She cupped his face lovingly. "Let go of Ken and Aria. Let's focus on our lives."

Damon smiled bitterly, knowing she persisted and didn't give in to his wishes. But it only gave him more reasons to wanting to kill Ken.

The next morning, Nancy woke without the weight of fear for the first time in a long while. She rolled over, watching Damon sleep, and smiled to herself. Their world had shifted, and for once, she felt like she had some power over her fate. She admired how he even promised her to let go of her brother. It was impossible a few weeks back. But now it really seems that he cares for her.

As they shared breakfast, Nancy asked, "When do we head back to Alaska?"

Damon reminded her about the hotel party they had promised to throw. The party was no less than her reception for Italian commerce chambers. Everyone was to introduce to Nancy as Damon Anderson's wife. A lot of other families were invited too.

"Are you missing home?" Damon asked to which Nancy shook her head. "It is opposite of it. We have great memories in Italy. There is a stupid fear that nothing good can come out of Alaska."

Damon held her hand and told her. "It gives us more of a reason to return to Alaska and write our history again. It's home Nancy. And, it is not negotiable."

Nancy smiled before huffing. "I know I am not saying otherwise. But I can tell I am going to miss Italy. You have been kind to me here. Like, a gentleman. I truly believed it was the weather here. I wonder if Alaska's winter will get you back from me."

"This is stupid. You are my lover now. Not any hanging collateral on a tree upside down. I am not a changed person, Nancy. It is your position that has significantly moved upward. And, you have earned it. Nothing can take it back from you." Nancy realized Damon would never understand her fears. She had fallen in love with Italy, the place where they had started their lives. But despite her fears, she knew they had to return to Alaska.

Damon was reading a document in his study when a maid came to announce Robert's arrival. Damon asked the maid to let him in his study. Robert walked in with a certain edginess. He seemed disappointed. Nancy, lounging with a book, barely looked up as he entered. Robert wasted no time, addressing the elephant in the room. "About the poison, Nancy."

Nancy glanced up briefly. She offered Robert her smile but didn't change her relaxed posture as she enjoyed her book. "I apologize for that. I wasn't in my right mind, but you should've told me Damon was alive."

Damon chuckled, adding, "Isn't she something? Realizing her mistake and apologizing for that." Damon stood up sensing Robert's tension. He knew he had been busy handling everything about Giovanni since morning.

Robert wasn't amused and kept looking at Nancy demanding her undivided attention when he raised the matter. "I think the chef who helped her make the decoction and the man who helped her place the bottle in my plane should be dealt with a capital punishment."

Nancy tensed, knowing she couldn't allow innocent men to die for following her orders. This time Robert had gotten her attention. "They did nothing wrong," Nancy said firmly. Finally, closing her book she looked at Damon to side her in this case.

"They tried to kill me," Robert countered.

"They followed my orders," Nancy replied firmly looking at Damon. "As Damon's pregnant widow."

Robert turned to Damon. "Did you tell her to poison me in case you are gone? Did she follow your advice?"

Damon huffed with a humor. "No, it was all her doing. You can tell she's mama bear when it comes to protecting my blood."

Robert gave Nancy a long, considering look. "You're loyal to him, aren't you?"

Nancy didn't flinch. "Any doubts?"

"We will see," Robert challenged before he looked at Damon. "Damon? I have been in contact with the Rossi family. As we have figured Giovanni was indeed the Rossi family's representative and had their full support. They have released an official statement for us that they were never a part of Giovanni's plans. They've also offered us the estate. Anything that Giovanni had..." And, then Robert looked at Nancy before completing. "...everything,"

Damon cut him off. "It's yours, Robert. I give it to you," Damon offered without taking a moment.

Nancy swung her feet down from the couch and stood up asking him. "Where are Ken and Aria?"

Damon's sudden focus on a nearby painting spoke volumes of his priorities and Nancy's eyes narrowed in suspicion.

"Damon, look at me," Nancy's voice rose drawing Robert's attention.

"Did she just raise her voice at you? And you're letting this happen? What happened to keeping a woman who doesn't have a tongue?" Robert's eyebrows arched in disbelief.

Damon turned away from the painting realizing these two people have decided to evaluate the favor he can have for both of them. Damon looked at Nancy who he knew would refuse to budge. And, unlike Robert who will walk out in anger Nancy will shed her tears the whole day. He knew in an instant who to choose.

Damon started speaking too slowly as if he is making the words. "She didn't have a tongue before. But I guess the blood she shares with me has made her a bit more courageous. I'm hoping she'll return to—"

"I won't return to anything!" Nancy interrupted, her fierce determination cutting him off. She shot a glance at Robert and snapped her book on Damon's table. "You interrupted my reading. The only reason you stand here is not because you're an Anderson and killing you would be inconvenient. It's because I trust that Damon can trust you as much as he can trust me."

Robert looked at Damon and asked, "Is she talking to me? And, you are letting her..." But cutting him off Nancy continued and Robert in his ego refuse to look at her.

"...I don't care how closely you're related to Damon; I value your ability to remain loyal to my husband. And, anything that threatens to estrange our relationship isn't worth the trouble. Ken, my brother, is one of those things not worth to estrange the relationship we share, Robert. If you have any leads on him or his whereabouts, let it go..." Nancy stepped right up to Robert, her challenge evident in her stance. "...killing him isn't worth jeopardizing what we have. Listen to me..."

Damon walked to Nancy and pull her elbow to get himself in the space between them but Nancy already added, "...and you'd better listen to me."

"Don't talk. Just don't talk. He's my brother. No one disrespects him..." Damon told Nancy to contain her emotions and actions alike.

Nancy's gaze darted back to Damon. Her defiance was unyielding. "...I'm not disrespecting him. I'm saying killing Ken isn't worth the risk of messing with me. You two need to talk it out. Otherwise, there will be consequences." Her neck was rigid, her expression a mix of anger and resolve, as she turned on her heel and strode out of the room. But then walked in again and get her book. Robert looked into her eyes. They had something none of the women who had spent life in the Sin City could have. She didn't fear a thing. And, he wonders why? Damon and him were the most influential men in the Sin city but she wasn't one bit nervous let alone fear.

Robert turned to Damon, a mixture of admiration and confusion on his face. "What was that?"

Damon stared at the door Nancy had just slammed shut, his frustration evident. "I don't know. She's like this since I found her."

"Is it the ocean to blame? Are you blaming the ocean instead of your inability to keep her in line?" Robert's tone was half-serious, half-teasing.

"Perhaps," Damon said making Robert widen his eyes.

"I am all in with treating your wife tenderly. But she has you. Completely. Put a leash on her." But this made Damon look at Robert and snap.

"Who in the hell can put my wife on a leash?" Irritation flaring at Robert's flippancy. Robert quickly give up raising his hands. "I wonder what's coming in the future if your start is like this."

But not listening to him Damon told Robert, "And she's right. Nothing is worth damaging your relationship with her. So, you'd better not kill Ken."

"I have a hold on both of them. Come with me and finish the job. You wanted this so bad a few weeks ago. Nancy will come around to accepting the fact if she wants to be kept by you."

Damon's expression turned deadly serious as he locked eyes with Robert. "I won't kill him. And I won't order his murder."

"What? How could you? Has she scrambled your brain? He's dangerous! First, he rose against you by eloping with your fiancé. And, now he's sided with our enemy to destroy us. You're not seriously hoping he'll join us because he is your wife's brother and you should offer him a job."

Damon rolled his eyes, cutting Robert off. "No, I'm not doing any such thing. I said I won't kill him or order his killing. But I can plan it. And as my wife said, no one can kill her brother; I believe she will be the one to do it."

Robert blinked in disbelief, processing what he just heard. A slow grin spread across his face. "You're the same old Damon, aren't you?"

"Not entirely. I have a woman now that I want to spoil, so you'd better not provoke her. Because I won't ever side with you in front of her. You will take a drink or two if I didn't side with you. She will cry and won't let me sleep for a whole week. If she's less stressed, I'm less stressed. Keep that in mind."

Robert smiled, quick to respond. "Fine, I'll let this matter go, believing you're handling it."

"I'm doing more than handling it. She'll be the one to take care of him. With her own hands."

"Wouldn't that make her sad and depressed? Even though I hate her, it wouldn't be good for her during her pregnancy. Just letting you know," Robert informed him making Damon smile. "Are you serious? I have thought it through. Don't worry. She'll never know she killed her brother." Damon's tone was unwavering, confidence radiating from him.

Robert looked at him, convinced. "Damon Anderson, you've truly won at life. Truly,"

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