Page 107 of The Devil's Fire

“S-stop it.” Althaia’s hoarse voice caught my attention.

“Try not to speak.” I spoke softly to her when she placed her hand on her throat.

“Ellie is on her way.” Arianna informed me, and I gave a quick nod.

Lorenzo stopped beside me; his hand extended to show me the gun Sofia had been holding moments ago. I shared a look with Lorenzo, and he nodded in agreement.

“Arianna, tell me how the fuck Sofia got a hold of your gun?” I snapped at her as I showed her the gun.

“I don’t know.” Her brows furrowed at the sight.

“You don’t know?” I gritted my teeth as I walked up to her.

“I keep this one in my purse. I guess she must have snooped around and found it.” Arianna sighed.

“You left your gun unattended? Then you better take care of her.” I pushed the gun into her hands.

“Fine.” She snapped and turned to walk down the stairs, but not before shooting me a look. “But I warned you, Damiano. I told you she would be a problem if you didn’t get rid of her.”

I rubbed my jaw in annoyance.

“Get Rosana to my office.” I told Lorenzo as I turned to Althaia. When I reached for her, she stepped away from me, holding onto Cara.

“Can you help me?” She whispered to Cara as she refused to look at me.

“Don’t be ridiculous, Althaia.” I sighed. She continued to ignore me, limping to the stairs with Cara’s help.

Frustrated, I clicked my tongue and motioned for Lorenzo to help her. I didn’t like that he was carrying her, but I couldn’t risk her slipping and breaking her fucking neck because she was refusing my help.

I closed my eyes and rolled my neck to get rid of the tension. My foolishness in the past was biting me in the fucking ass right now.

I entered my office to find Althaia already settled on the couch with Cara by her side. She was talking to Althaia softly, who kept her eyes down on her lap.

“My goodness, what happened?” Rosana gasped when she saw Althaia.

“Sofia did that. She tried to kill Althaia.” I said, leaning against my desk. Rosana’s eyes went wide, covering her mouth in shock.

“My Sofia? No, it can’t be…” She shook her head, refusing to believe what she just heard.

“She stole Arianna’s gun and tried to kill Althaia in front of all of us.” My expression hardened. “I’m simply saying this out of respect for you. You have been good to the family, but you should prepare yourself.” I stated calmly. I didn’t need to clarify what I meant. She knew.

“No, please! Please don’t!” Rosana cried out, grabbing my hands as she begged me to spare her daughter’s life. “I’ll do anything! Please, she’s my only daughter.”

“You know the consequences.” I frowned.

“You can send her away. I promise to make sure she won’t be any trouble. I’m begging you!” She sobbed, tears streaming down her face.

I was about to dismiss her when I looked at Althaia, her eyes soft and glistening with tears. In the traditional sense, she would have been the one to decide about what would happen to Sofia, given that she was the one who had been attacked. However, since she was not the type to dictate someone’s death, I decided on her behalf.

Althaia looked at me as a tear escaped her eye. She gave a slight shake of her head before returning to look at Rosana with so much sadness.

I rubbed my jaw, not agreeing with her decision.

“Lorenzo, stop Arianna.” I called out. Rosana’s gaze locked with mine, filled with hope. “I’ll send her away. But I won’t spare her life if I see her again.” I promised her. She cried tears of relief, her voice trembling as she promised she would ensure Sofia stayed far away from us.

Just as Lorenzo walked Rosana out, Ellie entered the room with her medical bag.

“Althaia, I only need a nod or a shake of your head to answer my questions, okay? I don’t want you to talk until I know what the injuries are.” Ellie said when she immediately noticed her neck.

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