Page 204 of The Devil's Fire

“I need you to take her away.”

“What?” Confusion marked on her face as I looked at her.

“Althaia. She wants to leave, and I need you to take her to a safe house.” I ordered. It was what she wanted, and it was for the best.

I had already ruined her.

“You can’t be serious? Are you letting her go?” She asked in disbelief, searching my face for confirmation.

“Just do it.”

“Damiano, you can’t -”

“What the hell am I supposed to do?!” I yelled at her. “Hasn’t she suffered enough because of me? I would rather watch her walk away and be safe than watch her die. I can’t live through that again. I won’t survive if it happens to her too, especially to her.” My chest rose and fell rapidly as I spoke. I ran a hand through my hair in frustration. There was nothing I could do for her.

“I need you to take her away because I know I won’t be able to let her go.” I declared, leaving no room for discussion.

Arianna didn’t know what to say but gave a small nod before leaving my office. I grabbed the bottle, took a long swig, and sank into the couch, hoping to drown out the unfamiliar feelings within me that only she could extract.

I glanced across the office, my eyes settling on the baby shoes on the floor. Chuckling to myself, I leaned back on the couch and stared at the ceiling.

“You fucking idiot. You really thought you could have it all.” I should have known better. I wasn’t meant to be happy.

I was meant to be alone.

My office, once a haven of order and control, now bore the scars of my internal storm. The air was thick with the scent of spilled alcohol and shattered dreams.

The room seemed to pulsate with the aftermath of my rampage. The silence that followed was deafening, broken only by the occasional creaking of damaged furniture.

Today was the day she was leaving.

I couldn’t see her off because I wouldn’t be able to let her go. I went to the window, observing the cars ready to take her away. Antonio, Giovanni, Luca, and more of my men were to escort her to the safe house.

I stayed back, hidden in the shadows of my office as Althaia followed Arianna out to the car. I clenched my fists.

I stormed towards the door, swinging it open, only to be met by Lorenzo, who blocked my way.

“Move.” I sneered when he didn’t budge.

“No.”

“I said move, before I fucking kill you.”

“You’re not getting past me. You’re drunk.” He shoved me back inside the office.

“She can’t leave.”

“Yes, she can. If that’s what she needs.”

I shook my head, heading for the door when he blocked my way again. I drew out my gun, aiming it at him.

“If it will make you feel better, shoot me, but you’re not going after her.”

“Lorenzo!” Cara’s voice rang out, and I snapped my eyes towards her. She looked worried as my gun aimed at him.

I gripped the gun so tightly in my hand that it trembled. For the first time, jealousy filled my body that my brother gets to be happy while I lost everything.

Slowly, my gun moved to point at her.

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