Page 141 of The Devil's Fire

I felt empty. Like there was a deep hole inside of me that wouldn’t close. I rose from the couch once the paramedics left but was stopped by Giovanni.

“I have to go to work...” I mumbled quietly, keeping my eyes down when he blocked my way.

“The hell you are! Go back and sit down. You need to rest.” He sat me back down, and I didn’t even protest. I was too weak to do anything. Too upset. Too much in pain.

I lay down on the couch, closed my eyes, and listened to the hushed voices of Luca and Giovanni as they talked to each other. A blanket was pulled over my body, and I soon let sleep take over me to escape my reality.

A feeling of something caressing my stomach woke me up. It took me a few tries to open my heavy eyelids, and I tiredly blinked a couple of times before my eyes adjusted to the darkness in the room.

A sob immediately escaped my lips when I saw him.

“Damiano…”

forty-four

Althaia

I quickly sat up and wrapped my arms around his neck. Damiano held me tightly in his body with his strong arms as I sobbed into his neck.

I couldn’t believe he was here, right in front of me and holding me.

He caressed my back as we were in each other’s arms. Something I had missed so much for the past weeks. Something I desperately needed right now.

“Althaia.” Damiano spoke softly and had me look at him. He cupped my face, wiping the tears away. He looked around my face with concern before meeting my eyes. “Tell me what’s wrong.”

I looked at him with teary eyes, not knowing how to even tell him. Where do I even start? This whole thing had gotten out of control, and I didn’t know what to do.

“I -” I bit my lip when my voice cracked and I looked down, trying to breathe before I continued. “I had a fight with my mom…” I decided to say, and I let out a breath before I looked back at him.

He looked at me with furrowed brows, waiting for me to elaborate, but I didn’t know how to break it all down to him.

“Because you’re pregnant?” He asked, and I held my breath. Fresh tears went down my cheeks as I looked at him with a defeated look, but I gave him a small nod, confirming it to him. “Why?”

“Because it’s with you…” It came in a whisper. “She… she wants me to… to get rid…” I broke down, refusing to finish the sentence.

Damiano stilled, his expression hardened, a storm of rage unfolding in his eyes before he pulled me into him again.

“Shh, don’t worry. No one is going to take our baby away. I promise.” He told me quietly.

“Did Luca and Giovanni tell you?” I asked as Damiano sat against the headboard with me on his lap.

“No. I found the pregnancy tests in your purse when I packed a bag for you.” He said, and then I looked around. We weren’t in my house anymore, but in what looked like a hotel room. I had been so disoriented that I hadn’t even noticed where we were.

“I had to get you out of there.” He spoke softly and continued to rub my back. I gave a small nod, wrapping my arms around him tightly.

“Luca called, telling me they had called the paramedics because you were not doing well. Fuck, Althaia, for a minute I thought I was losing you. I was driving like a madman from the airport to get to you.” Damiano held me tightly, almost as if his life depended on it.

“It was just a panic attack.” I sighed.

“That was more than just a panic attack.” He gently lifted my bandaged hand, revealing small spots of blood that had soaked through. “I told you not to get hurt.” He kissed my palm.

“I know, I’m sorry.” I felt guilty about having him worry like that.

“I’m here now. I won’t let you get hurt anymore.” Damiano promised. “Did you go to a doctor yet?” His hand went down to my stomach, caressing it.

“No, not yet. I haven’t really had time to process the fact that I’m…pregnant.” I admitted. It was such a strange word to use about myself. “I was worried about telling you.”

We were in the early stages of our relationship, and it was not like talking about babies ever occurred to me. We were still getting to know each other, and I was living in the moment. I honestly didn’t know his thoughts about kids or if he even wanted them one day.

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