Page 253 of The Devil's Fire

She moved in closer, leaning slightly down, and spoke to them in a hushed tone. A smile crossed her face, and whatever she had said made one of them lunge forward in response.

I yanked her back and delivered a powerful kick to his face, sending him sprawling to the ground.

“Make sure they suffer. They deserve it.” Althaia walked out of the door. I exchanged a surprised glance with the others before letting out a wicked smile.

“You heard her.” I left the room to follow her. I immediately pulled her into me, holding her tightly. “Are you okay?” I placed my hands on her cheeks to make her look at me.

“I am.” She gave me a small smile. I looked around her face to see if she was lying, but she was fine.

“What did you say to them?”

“I warned them that time was running out and their loved ones’ lives hinged on their cooperation. I may have hinted they could say their goodbyes by providing valuable information. Once they confessed everything, I promised they would suffer for killing my mom and our baby.” Her eyes glowed with satisfaction.

I couldn’t be prouder.

I gently tilted her chin and kissed her.

“Good girl.” I whispered against her lips, watching her blush at my words. “My innocent Althaia, welcome to the Darkside.”

eighty-three

Althaia

I didn’t feel remorse. In fact, I felt a sense of satisfaction. I hoped the consequences they faced would truly make them suffer for their actions, not just against me, but against us.

They had ruthlessly snatched my mother from me and poisoned me, causing me to lose our baby. I was enraged by their success in taking away the life we had created and the one person who had been by my side my entire life.

Their blood deserved to be spilled, and I wished for them to rot in hell.

“Althaia.” Damiano pulled me out of my thoughts, realizing we had made it out of the underground passage. He looked at me with concern, taking my hand in his as I had unconsciously clutched my stomach.

“I’m okay.” I reassured him, giving his hand a small squeeze and taking a deep breath of the fresh night breeze.

“Talk to me. What’s on your mind?”

“It’s just that... now that they’ve confirmed they wanted to make me lose...” I couldn’t even finish the sentence, clenching my jaw as anger fumed inside of me and pain pierced my heart.

“I know, baby, I know. I promise you, we will get them all and make them pay for it. Whatever you want, I will do it. You call the shots.” He spoke softly, yet his expression was deadly serious.

“Does that make me your boss now?” I joked, and he cracked a smile. Damiano pulled me into him, and I rested my hands on his chest as I looked at him with a teasing smile.

“If only you knew just how much power you hold over me.” He gave me one of his beautiful smiles as he lightly caressed my cheek.

“Oh, is it a good idea to actually tell me that?” I grinned.

“Are you planning my downfall?” He asked quietly, leaning closer to me, our faces only inches apart. My body tingled at how close he was.

“Hmm, then who will be pissed at me for doing something reckless and stupid if I do?” I said, pretending to think about it.

“You mean to punish you?” Damiano’s voice dropped to an alluring depth.

He flashed that devilish smirk, transforming him into the sexiest Devil alive. My body immediately responded to his words, a wave of excitement surging to the pit of my stomach.

“Perhaps... I happen to enjoy it when you tie me up.” I slid my hands slowly down from his chest, tracing the contours of his rock-hard body until my hand rested on his crotch.

I smirked when I felt his excitement growing from my touch. Licking my lower lip, I pulled it between my teeth, and he exhaled a small grunt as I teasingly palmed him outside of his pants.

“You are quite the intoxicating trouble.” He grabbed the back of my neck before forcefully capturing my lips in a heated kiss. Forgetting everything else, I responded eagerly. My hands explored his body as he emitted a soft groan at my touch.

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