Page 154 of The Devil's Fire

“Why?” He frowned.

“She needs a safe place to stay for the night, and all my things are at home.” I told him quietly, but he wasn’t liking it at all.

“You don’t know her. Why are you helping her?” Damiano questioned, making me look at him in shock.

“She was sold to him.” I could barely believe my own words. Damiano had his blank expression on his face, not allowing me to see what he was thinking. “Can we talk about it later and just go home?” I pleaded.

“Fine. Get her, but don’t look in the room.” He said sternly, and I gave a nod, keeping my eyes down as I returned to Laila under the desk.

“Laila, would you be comfortable coming home with me? Get cleaned up, eat, and have a good night’s sleep? I promise you will be safe.”

Laila stared at me with hesitation.

“Why are you helping me?” She was suspicious, and I didn’t blame her one bit.

“I was almost a victim of human trafficking. The only reason I’m not, is thanks to Damiano, the man who was here before. He… took care of it and kept me safe. I can’t imagine what you must have gone through…but if I can help you, even if it’s just a little, then I will.” I gave her a warm smile.

Her eyes watered, sniffing before wiping her tears away and taking a deep breath.

“He… he won’t come after me?”

“He won’t.”

“Are you sure?” Laila’s voice was laced with so much fear.

“I promise you. You will never see him again.” I assured her. It was a promise I could be sure of, and I hoped the scumbag was burning in hell as we spoke.

“Thank you…I don’t know your name.” She mumbled in embarrassment.

“I’m Althaia.”

“Thank you, Althaia.”

The ride back home was quiet as I sat in the backseat with Laila. She clung to me and kept her head down whenever the others came close.

“This is the guest bedroom, and the bathroom is right there. I will get you some clothes to change into. Take all the time you need, okay?” Laila nodded after I made sure she would be all right.

“Come here.” Damiano closed the door to my bedroom and pulled me into him. I let out a relieved breath and let myself relax in his arms. “Are you really okay?” He asked softly.

“Yes, just shaken up. I’ll be fine.” I reassured him. He took a step back to look at me, a crease between his brows.

“You’re helping the girl. Why?”

“What do you mean, why? She was being mistreated by him, and not to mention sold to that sadistic bastard.” I explained with a frown.

“At the expense of your own safety? What were you thinking?!” He was fuming with anger, and I watched him in shock.

“I saw a woman who needed help, so I helped!”

“You put yourself at risk, Althaia. It wasn’t just your life at stake, but our baby’s as well. He could have pulled that fucking trigger, and I would have found you dead.” Damiano clenched his fists.

“It’s not like I tried to take him down. I wanted to call for help, but he took my phone. He didn’t shoot me, and I’m fine now.” I said dismissively and tried to walk away, but he caged me between his arms against my desk.

“No, thank God he fucking didn’t. What you did was reckless!”

“Did you expect me just to turn a blind eye to it and leave her with that psychopath?!”

“Yes. You had absolutely no business interfering.” He simply said, and I gaped at how little he cared.

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