Page 232 of The Devil's Fire

The LuxePalace, adorned in opulence and glittered with the glow of wealth, presented an ostentatious display of grandeur. Yet, it still failed to impress me. I wasn’t here to make an appearance; in fact, I entered discreetly through a staff entrance.

I was here to hunt and not to startle the prey into flight.

Exiting my hotel room, I made my way to the secluded back corridors to avoid prying eyes. I reached a hidden service elevator that required a special card that Raffaele had secured for me. I scanned the card, stepped in, and pressed the button for the top floor—an exclusive area where those fuckers were celebrating for killing the life that was growing inside of the woman I love.

This day couldn’t have come fast enough. My hands have been uncontrollably twitching, wanting to get my hands on them so badly, but I had to be patient, and usually, I was anything but.

For my Althaia.

For her, I would be anything she desired.

I closed my eyes, losing myself in thoughts of her. Who was I fooling? I couldn’t find it in my heart to ever let her go when she had thoroughly infiltrated my heart in every conceivable way.

So much time has passed since I last held her in my arms; the ache in my heart remains, leaving me feeling emptier with each passing moment as the hollowness within me deepens.

I shoved the thoughts of her aside when the elevator doors opened.

I stepped onto the top floor, taking a quick scan of the situation. Men were drinking and having the time of their lives with women on their laps. A stage was present with women entertaining them on poles while waitresses glided through the space, catering to their insatiable appetites for drinks, drugs and flesh.

Unbeknownst to them, each one of them worked under my command.

“Shut down the elevator.” I instructed Raffaele into the comm link hidden in the collar of my dress shirt.

“Copy.”

The lights of the elevator went out, and the exit sign extinguished where my men were waiting behind the door. I sauntered in, hands in the pockets of my slacks, as their eyes turned toward me. My presence startled them; recognition spread across their faces, but they kept it together, pretending to continue enjoying the party.

My aim was the biggest table where their so-called leader was sitting, enjoying himself with his closest comrades.

I slid into the booth in front of them, catching their attention.

“Gentlemen.” I greeted with a short nod. “I hope you don’t mind me joining you.” I smirked. One of them turned to their leader, speaking in their native tongue, before returning their gaze to me once he replied.

“He says, of course not, and would like to get you a drink.” He spoke for his leader, making me raise a brow. Was he his spokesperson?

“How generous of you. I’ll take you up on that offer.” I waved over a waitress, and she placed a bottle of fine whisky along with four glasses on the table. “Allow me.” I said when he was about to reach for the bottle.

I poured the glasses, raising mine.

“Un brindisi… al il tuo funerale.” A toast… for your funerals.

I downed the drink and slammed the glass onto the table.

The music stopped, and complete silence followed right after. All their eyes were on me after my toast. I grabbed my pack of cigarettes and took one between my lips, offering them one, but they declined. Tension filled the air as they watched my every move.

I took a drag of my cigarette, the smoke curling around me as I glanced to the side, observing his men closing in. A humorless chuckle escaped my lips.

“I wouldn’t do that if I were you.” I warned, exhaling the smoke.

“This is an exclusive area. You have no business being here.” The spokesman declared.

“Really?” I challenged. “Then let’s get right into it, shall we?”

They drew out their weapons just as my men stormed through the doors, aiming guns at them. The women seated on their laps held knives to their throats.

“I warned you that it wasn’t a good idea, no?” I laughed, taking a final drag before extinguishing the cigarette in their leader’s drink. “I’m not interested in staying long. I have one question, answer it, and you won’t have to suffer. Much.”

Their leader and his comrades exchanged glances as they scrutinized me.

---