Damian's POV: 

I was walking to my office when I heard the sound of the front door opening. I looked over to the door, finding my stepbrother coming in with a wide smile on his face. "Damian!" he patted my back. "Nice to see you again." 

"What are you doing here, Dick?" I said, annoyed that my brother copied the key to my house and can now just break in whenever he wants. 

"I heard that you have a lady upstairs," he smirks, winking at me. "I see you finally took my advice and got yourself a woman." 

"She is the waitress from the dinner that was shot up last night," I sighed. "She is not my woman." 

"When do I get to meet her?" He asked as I walked into my office and took a seat at my desk. 

"Hopefully never," I glared at him as he took a seat across from me. 

"Oh, come on. I want to meet her," he pouted. 

"Shut up with your useless tactics, Greyson." I ignored him as I pulled out the file on Rachel and looked over it once again, wanting to make sure I didn't miss anything. 

"So, seriously, what are you going to do with her? She has a target on her back because of you," Dick said, finally thinking rationally. Dick was all fun in games but could be serious at times, and right now was one of those times.

"I gave her two options. She can go home and try to evade being kidnapped, or she can marry me." I said without a hint of emotion because I knew my brother would use that over me. "She has two days to decide." 

"You are going to marry her?!" Dick said, practically falling off his chair. 

"If she chooses that option, then yes," I nod. 

"But there are other options," Dick shakes his head in disbelief. "We could send her away to a place where not even our rivals can get to her. Marriage doesn't have to be the only other option. Unless..." he turns to me with a wide smile on his face. 

"Unless what, Greyson," I can't help but show how annoyed I am in my voice. 

"Unless you like the girl," he stands up. "You do, don't you? You want to keep her close because you find her attractive. I never thought I would see the day when my baby brother has feelings for someone other than himself." 

"Shut up, Greyson," I stand up. "Stop talking nonsense." 

"Man, you must have it really bad," he can't help but burst out into a fit of laughter. I throw a ninja star beside his face as a warning, and he stops laughing instantly. He becomes serious before sitting down again clearing his throat. "I am sorry. I didn't mean to get you so worked up." 

"Shut up," I fix my jacket and sit back in my seat. "Look, I don't care what you think about this. The choice is up to her." 

"And you deny having feelings for her?" Dick leans back in his seat with a smirk. 

"She is pleasing to look at, that I can not deny, but she is innocent in all this. She has no ties to the mafia at all. It is because of me that she was almost killed last night. After a good background check on her, I know she had nothing to do with this. What would you have me do?" I try to defend myself. 

"This same thing has happened before, but you just sent them away with enough cash to get a new life. Why don't you give her this same option? Is it because you know that even sending them away has its risks?" Dick sat up and leaned on his knees. 

"I... I don't know," I sigh and sit back in my chair. "Something about her... draws me in. I don't know what it is, but I want to be around her all the time. I can't help but think about her. I just don't want her to be used as another pawn to get to me." 

"Then take my advice," he stood up. "Marry her. Keep her safe. But don't smother her. Let her get to know you. The real you and not the mafia killer persona you hide behind. Let her fall in love slowly." 

"Love? We aren't talking about love?" I say in confusion. 

"Aren't we?" he smirked before walking out of the room. I heard as he left the house, and I sat back in my chair and thought about what my brother has said. Was he right? Did I want love? I never planned on it, because I always thought my life would be too hard to find love, but... maybe I did want it. 

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Rachel's POV: 

After eating and taking another nap, I was feeling better. I even had enough energy to start exploring the room. It was larger than my whole apartment and much nicer than it was. There was a large bathroom with marble countertops and flooring. I looked at the closest and found it empty besides a few spare blankets and pillows. 

But once I had a look at everything, I sat back on the bed and started to think about my options. It wasn't like I wanted to die or anything, but I never thought about marriage either. I was always fighting to stay alive, so I never was in any serious relationship. I never even planned to marry in the future either. 

What would it even mean to be married? Would it just be on paper only or would I have to sleep in the same room as him? Was I really ready to tie my life to the Mafia? I tried to stay as far away from it as I could, but fate seemed to have other ideas. 

No matter what I choose, it would forever change my life, so I knew I needed to think about this. I needed to make a list of the pros and cons of marriage or leaving here. I stood up and walked to the desk, grabbing the pad of paper and pen to start jotting down my thoughts. 

After about an hour of going back and forth, I had four pages for the pros of marriage and five pages for the cons of leaving this place and trying to run. It seemed like I had my answer, but I still couldn't make my decision. I hardly even knew Damian. How could I just agree to marry a perfect stranger? 

There was a knock on the door, and I instantly shoved all the papers in the desk drawer and closed it, standing up as the door opened. "I hope I am not interrupting," Damian said as he stepped into the room. "I thought we could have supper together if you are feeling up to it?" 

"In my room?" I questioned. 

"No," he smirked. "Downstairs at the dining table." 

"Alright," I nod as I followed him down. I was curious to see the rest of the house anyways, so happily followed him to the dining room. Once there, he held out the seat for me, then sat across from me.

A couple of servants set plates in front of us with stakes, mashed potatoes, and green beans. Then it was just Damian in I in the dining room, with only the sound of chewing and the clinking of the china. 

"So," Damian broke the silence after a while. "What do you want to know?" 

"What?" I looked up from my plate. 

"What do you want to ask me? I am sure you have things you want to know to help make your decision easier," Damian explained as if he was reading my thoughts. 

"Oh," I nod. "I guess I want to know how a marriage would work between us if I chose option two." 

"Well, we would be married at the courthouse with two witnesses. Then we would move all your belongings into my house, where you would be given free rein. You may leave, but you must have a bodyguard with you at all times for your protection. Unless you leave with me because then I would protect you." 

"Would we sleep in the same room?" I couldn't help but ask. 

"No," he shook his head. "After we consummate the marriage, we will not need to share the same bedroom, unless that is what you prefer. But if we ever have to stay somewhere like a hotel or something, then we would share a room then for sure." 

"Consummate the marriage?" I couldn't help but mumble. 

"We can't have our marriage annulled, so we would need to consummate," Damian explained without showing any emotions. As if what he was saying wasn't about sex, which I have never had before. Like it was no big deal. 

"Oh," I nod though my voice was soft. 

"What else?" He continues. 

"Would I be able to go into any room in this house?" I asked, trying to see where he sets boundaries. 

"Yes, but I would prefer you not be in my office when I am not there," he sets down his knife. "My office is my workspace and I don't like others in it." 

"Alright," I nod. "Sounds reasonable." 

"You may find the library to be a calming room, so feel free to stay in there for as long as you would like," he added as he started cutting up his stake. 

"Libary?!" I say, not able to hide my excitement. 

"Yes," he nods. "It's full of books from my own personal collections, but if you want a book, just ask. Money is no problem." 

"I am going to need a map of this house if I am ever going to learn about this place," I sigh. 

"I can have one made up for you," he nods. "And I will personally give you a tour after we are finished eating. After today, you will no longer be locked in your room, so you may explore the house tomorrow if you would like." 

"I wouldn't be locked up? Aren't you scared I would run?" I can't help but ask. 

"I have guards everywhere. Even if you get out of the house, they will follow you and bring you back. I am not worried." Damian said as if it was normal. As if this whole situation happens every day. 

"Alright," I nod, feeling overwhelmed. 

We finished eating in silence, which I didn't mind because I needed that time to think of what to say or questions to ask in order to clear my head some more. And besides, the food was so good that I focused on finishing my plate. 

"Are you finished?" Damian asked as I pushed the plate in front of me. He had finished some time ago, but he was sipping on his coffee and reading the newspaper without complaint. 

"Yes," I nod and stand up, taking the dirty plate with me. 

"Where are you going with that?" He asked in confusion. 

"To the kitchen," I said as if it was obvious. "I have to at least put this dish in the sink. That way I can clean up easier after we finish the tour." I decided to explain further when I noticed his confusion. 

"I have maids," he stood up and took the plate out of my hand. "No need to clean up after yourself."

"It won't take more than a minute to place the dishes in the sink," I rolled my eyes and grabbed the plate from him once again. "Besides, maids shouldn't have to clean up after every little mess we make." 

Damian sighed but picked up his plate and lead me to the kitchen, showing me where to go. I place our dishes in the sink and turned on the water to soak them while we were gone. Once finished, I turned to him and waited for him to start the tour. 

After another hour of walking the large manner, I had figured out the essentials such as the living rooms, bathroom, bedrooms, and library. Damian finished by stopping in front of my bedroom door. 

"I will have a map made up for you by tomorrow," he said, closing his tour. "If you have any questions, feel free to ask me or one of the maids." 

"Where is my phone?" I asked before I could forget. 

"Why?" He looked at me as if I was crazy. 

"I have to pay my rent this month, and I can do that with my phone. I should also inform my boss of what happened so he doesn't get worried. I mean, I am sure I was already fired," I rambled, starting to get nervous again. 

"I had to have your phone looked through by my computer experts to make sure there were no bugs or no trackers in it. I will have it back by tomorrow and give it back," he explained. "And I already talked to your boss about everything and he was just worried about your safety. I have already paid for all damages, so they are rebuilding now." 

"Oh," I nod, all of this too much to process. 

"Sleep well, Rachel," Damian nodded before leaving me alone in the empty hallway. 

I walked into my room and closed the door, heading straight for the bathroom to take a quick shower and change into more comfortable clothing before hopping into bed. I feel asleep almost immediately as I was so exhausted.