Page 102 of The Devil's Fire

“You’re not supposed to. That way, I know you’re staying put.” He retorted with a raised brow.

“But I need to move around at some point.”

“I’ll carry you.”

“…That can’t be healthy for me.”

“She has a point.” Ellie backed me up.

“See! You can’t argue with a doctor. She knows best.” I grinned at him. His eyes slightly narrowed at Ellie before giving in.

“Tomorrow then. You’ll rest today.” He said as a final order, which I agreed to.

“Do you have any questions before you go?” Ellie asked.

“Just one. How long is this supposed to be like this?” I pointed to my stitched brow. It was tight on the skin, and I already wanted it off.

“Around five to seven days. Come back at the end of the week, and I’ll have a look. Deal?”

“Sure.” I smiled as I thanked her.

I let out a sigh when we were back in Damiano’s car, thinking about my mother.

“I have to call my mom and tell her I won’t be able to come home this week. I need to find an excuse.” There was no way I was going to tell my mother that someone tried to kill me. She would have a heart attack.

“You’ll get your phone later. I need to make sure nothing is wrong with it.”

“What would be wrong with it?”

“A tracker, since you left your phone in the hotel room.” He clarified.

“I don’t know why I keep getting surprised by your answers.” I mumbled as I thought back to last night. I nervously bit my lip while glancing at Damiano.

“Was that really a heart I saw on the wall?” I finally asked. I may not be familiar with his world, but I wasn’t that clueless to not know what a heart with my face on it meant.

Damiano frowned at my question.

“A cow’s heart.”

“How do you know?”

“I just do.” He replied curtly, and I dropped it. I was disgusted, but kind of relieved it wasn't a real human heart.

“What’s going to happen if you find him?”

“When.” Damiano stated as he parked the car in front of the manor. His expression hardened when he looked at my stitched brow. “I’m going to make sure he won’t be able to lay a hand on you again.” His promise sent a shiver down my spine, as if a gust of cold wind had passed through me.

I let out a small sigh, my stomach twisting in nervousness that I had become a target. Could it be people using me to retaliate against my father now that I wasn’t dead on paper anymore?

A hand on my cheek brought me out of my thoughts.

“I’ll keep you safe.” Damiano’s gaze held an intensity that sent a wave of fluttering butterflies through the pit of my stomach.

“I know.” I gave a small smile as he caressed my cheek. Instead of feeling afraid or traumatized, his mere presence had a way of making me feel protected.

“Let’s get you to bed.”

“You’re going to break your back if you keep carrying me.” I chuckled as I wrapped my arms around his neck.

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