Page 316 of The Devil's Fire

“Without me?!” Raffaele erupted in offense.

“We haven’t told anyone. You’re the only ones who know. So, keep your mouth shut.” Damiano spoke sternly to Raffaele.

“Does that mean she -” He stopped talking when Damiano gave him a deadly glare.

“Althaia, get started. We don’t have much time today.” Damiano gestured for me to get out on the field before I could ask what Raffaele was implying.

“Which one of you losers is fighting me today?” I looked at Giovanni and Luca with a teasing smile.

“Oh, look who’s confident! Let me go for a round.” Raffaele rubbed his hands together and got ready. “Ready to get that ass spanked?” He wiggled his brows.

Damiano pulled out his gun.

“It’s my turn to beat him up.” I told him before he could pull the trigger.

“We’ll see about that.” Raffaele caught me off guard when he grabbed me and put me in a headlock. I had practiced this at least hundreds of times now and knew exactly what to do.

I swiftly moved my head to the side to free my airway. I elbowed him in the stomach and created some distance between us before he could restrain my arms. Next, I firmly gripped his arm, lowered my chin, and bit him as hard as I could.

“Ow, shit! You bit me!” he yelled in surprise and immediately loosened his hold on me. It gave me the chance to get a better grip on his arm before I flipped him over my shoulder.

He landed with a resounding thud, upside down in front of me.

“Don’t underestimate me. Look who’s my trainer.” I let out a taunting smile.

“Don’t get cocky!” He smirked and grabbed my ankle. Anticipating his move, I swiftly got down on one knee before he could push me down. Taking advantage of the situation, I delivered a sharp punch to his bicep, causing temporary paralysis.

“Doubting my mad skills?” I teased when he groaned in pain.

one hundred

Althaia

I did my makeup and set my hair in an elegant low updo, leaving a few strands to frame my face.

Pleased with the result, I stepped out of the bathroom to grab my dress but stopped when I noticed my phone flash before going black. Frowning, I checked my phone and saw several missed calls. Before my mind could dwell on the worst possibilities, it rang again.

It was Michael.

I stared at the phone in my hand, not too sure if I should take the call or not. But I kept thinking something happened to my father, and he was calling to let me know. I took a deep breath to calm my pounding heart and hoped it wasn’t anything serious.

“Hello?”

“Althaia! Are you okay?!” Michael asked frantically.

“I’m okay.” I said, confused why he was reacting like this.

“Why didn’t you answer your phone? I thought something happened to you!” He shouted with frustration.

“I was getting ready and didn’t have my phone on me. Is everything okay? Did anything happen to my dad?” I asked nervously.

“Listen, I need to talk to you. Can I see you tonight?”

“We can’t.”

“Thaia, please… I know I said some fucked up shit to you and I’m sorry. I really am, but I need to see you.” He pleaded.

“I can’t, Michael. I’m not in the states right now.” I muttered.

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