Page 114 of The Devil's Fire

“Put me down!”

“No. You have overworked yourself. Now, stop being stubborn.” He gave me a firm look.

I crossed my arms, turning my attention elsewhere, and trying to suppress the effect his touch was having on me. I had to resist the urge to lean closer to him and inhale his intoxicating scent.

My heart ached for him, yet my pride silenced my words of longing.

thirty-six

Althaia

We drove back to the manor in silence. I sat as close as I could to the door to create as much distance between us as possible while facing away from him.

“How long are you going to be like this?” Damiano’s deep voice broke the silence. I ignored him as I focused on the window, savoring the view of the stunning green fields.

“Althaia.”

“You’re the one who kept your fuck buddy around, so I’ll stay like this however long I want to.” I snapped, finally looking at him with a frown on my face.

“Fuck buddy? Is that what you’re calling her now?” His hands clenched around the steering wheel.

“I’ll call her something much worse…” I muttered under my breath, and Damiano rubbed his jaw.

“I already told you it was a mistake.”

“Easy to say after you get caught.” I swallowed hard, my emotions getting the best of me. “Did you sleep with her while being with me?” The thought made my heart clench, but I couldn't stop wondering about it.

“Don’t be ridiculous.” He growled when we came to a stop in front of the manor.

“That’s not an answer, Damiano.” A tense silence filled the air as we stared at each other, his brows knitting together. “Whatever. This whole thing was a mistake to begin with.” Deep down, I knew I didn't mean it. It was the hurt part of me that spoke those words.

Tears welled up in my eyes, and I hurriedly opened the car door. Ignoring the pain in my foot, I rushed inside, consumed by an even greater agony in my chest.

I ignored Damiano as he called after me. I tried to pick up my speed, but his long strides caught up with me.

“Let go of me!” I yelled at him when he threw me over his shoulder. I felt the tears escape my eyes, my own body betraying me when it was at this point I didn’t want to feel anything the most.

Damiano slammed the door shut to his room and dropped me on the bed. Without hesitation, I sprang to my feet and darted towards the door, but he held me once more. His grip felt like steel, forcing me to meet his gaze.

“You’re going to listen to me.” He said firmly. His hard expression slowly softened as he placed his hand on my cheek, and wiped away the tears that didn’t seem to stop falling. “I may be many things, but a cheater isn’t one of them.”

I turned my head away from him, trying to hide the turmoil of emotions I was feeling. With a gentle touch, he lifted my chin to look at him.

“When will you get it inside of that stubborn beautiful head of yours that there is no one but you?”

“What else was I supposed to think when she was here all this time?” I asked, my voice heavy with sadness.

“I know, and I shouldn’t have.” Damiano’s brows furrowed. “She never meant anything to me. I was willing to get rid of her, I still am, because that’s how little I care about her. I gave an order but took it back because of you. I never take back an order. That’s how much I care about you.”

I looked into the sincere expression in his eyes, assuring me that he was telling the truth. I wasn’t sure what to say.

Damiano gave me a soft look as he caressed my cheek.

“Are you going to stop torturing me now by not letting me see you?” He said with so much dissatisfaction that I let out a small, choked laugh.

“I would hardly call it torture.” I playfully rolled my eyes, and he let out a soft smile as he cupped my cheeks.

“If only you knew…” He spoke quietly, and my heart went back to doing backflips. “You have no idea what I will do for you… My Althaia.”

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