Page 9 of The Devil's Fire

Someone grabbed me around the waist and pushed me into their side. I let out a noise of surprise at the sudden action and saw it was Damiano who held me firmly.

“Gaetano, such a beautiful gem you’ve been hiding.” He taunted in Italian.

My father clenched his fists as he looked at Damiano, but Damiano just cocked his head to the side with a devilish smirk.

“Michael, take Althaia away from here.” My father ordered firmly.

“Holy shit!” I shouted when Damiano whipped out a gun and pointed it at Michael. I tried to break free, but Damiano held me tight.

“Don’t even think about it.” He snarled at Michael while he crushed me to his side to prevent me from leaving. My legs would have given out in fear if he hadn't had such a strong grip on me.

Michael tried to grab me again, but before he could even take a step, the sound of a gunshot rang out in the air, making me cover my ears as a scream escaped me.

“I won’t fucking miss your head if you move one more time.” Damiano stated in a deadly low tone.

I could feel my knees weakening with each passing second. Michael’sjaw clenched when he saw the fear on my face. I glanced at my father for help, and it looked like he was having an inner battle as he assessed the situation.

Now I knew why the fuck it felt dangerous to approach Damiano. He was crazy!

“Keep her out of this.” My father hissed.

“And why should I when you’re the one hiding her, Gaetano?” Damiano bared his teeth in a sinister smile.

“She has nothing to do with anything!” My father yelled at him.

“Now, now.” Damiano chuckled, not fazed at all. “I’ll be the judge of that.” He pulled me in front of him, and it felt like I was facing the Devil himself.

Damiano loomed over me, his eyes narrowing with a menacing intensity that sent shivers down my spine. I swallowed hard, a paralyzing terror gripping me, as I dreaded what he might do to me.

“We’ll have a little chat together soon.” He said with a wicked smirk as he ran a thumb along my jaw.

I couldn’t talk.

I couldn’t even breathe.

I just stared at him, my eyes wide, while my heart felt like it was about to jump out of my chest. What was I supposed to say, anyway? Tea or coffee? I was pretty sure he preferred blood.

And I could only hope it was not mine he was after.

He leaned back, gave me a wink, and walked off. I exhaled and my legs buckled, making me stumble. But a pair of arms caught me mid fall before I hit the ground. I was spun around and saw Michael had grabbed me.

“Are you okay? Are you hurt somewhere?” He frantically asked as he looked around at my face. I couldn’t answer him as my eyes went to Damiano’s retreating form.

He was walking away as if he had no care in the world with his hands tucked into the pockets of his slacks.

five

Althaia

“Althaia!” Michael called my name sharply.

“I’m okay.” I tried to reassure him, even though my voice was barely audible.

“Michael, take Althaia to my office.” My father snapped, his face twisted with anger. Michael didn’t need to be told twice and practically carried me inside the mansion.

“You can let me walk now. I’m okay.” I reassured him again. He loosened his grip on me, but he was still holding me close as we entered my father’s office.

I plopped down on the couch and started massaging my temples as I felt a headache coming on. My mind was all over the place. One moment we were shaking hands, and the next, people were trying to shoot each other. It was a not-so-friendly reminder of what kind of people they were.

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