Page 206 of The Devil's Fire

“Luca.” Antonio warned him, but he didn’t care and continued to look at me with a disapproving expression.

“He’s hurting too, you know. Staying here won’t help either of you.” His words felt like daggers stabbing into my heart, making me take a couple of steps back. My throat closed, and I looked down at the floor, feeling my eyes burn with tears.

“That’s enough, Luca!” Antonio sneered, silencing him. Arianna and Giovanni didn’t say anything, making me wonder if they were silently agreeing with him.

Without saying another word, Luca stormed out, and Giovanni was right behind him. I didn’t know what they were expecting of me. What I was going through... no one should ever have that happen to them. But it did to me, and I had no idea what to do with myself.

I could barely breathe, let alone think. I just wanted to be alone, to have a chance to figure things out for myself.

“You can always call, remember that.” Arianna said, giving my shoulder a small squeeze before she went out, leaving me alone with Antonio.

“Here. Keep this with you.” A gun entered my view. My eyes widened a little before I looked at him. “Do you remember how to use it?”

I gave a slow nod.

“Yes.”

“Good. I don’t expect you to use it, but it eases my mind a bit to know you have a weapon on you.” Antonio placed the gun on the table. I had absolutely no intention of using it either.

“Damiano?” I wanted to ask him about it but hesitated, fearing I would get the same reaction Luca gave me.

“He’ll be fine.”

“Is he mad at me? Is that why he didn’t want to see me off?” I held my breath as I waited for his answer, feeling my heart beat faster.

“Does he hate me?”

That was what I wanted to ask, but I wasn’t bold enough to ask, nor ready for an answer.

“It doesn’t matter what he thinks. We all heal differently, and this is what you need. Just get better, that’s what we all want.” His words made me feel a little better about the situation, and I was thankful he wasn’t scolding me for staying here.

“Take care, Althaia.” Antonio said softly.

“Thank you for doing this for me. And take care of him…please.” My voice cracked, and I took a deep breath. I didn’t want to cry.

“Don’t mention it. He’s in good hands.” Antonio gave me a small smile. He closed the distance between us and embraced me. “I can’t imagine what you’re going through, so please, do what you have to do to get better.”

I couldn’t hold it in anymore and I cried into his chest.

I cried and cried, and not once did it stop for a week.

sixty-eight

Damiano

My fist connected with the punching bag, making it swing before it came back to me once again as I kept throwing punch after punch. Sweat dripped down my face, and my muscles were sore from the relentless workout.

I wasn’t giving myself a break. I knew I was overworking my body by spending hours in the gym, but it was the only thing that could keep me from going to her.

One week.

It had been one agonizing week since she left, and not once had I heard from her. I had no idea why I had expected to hear from her when she had begged me to let her go. She left the next day as if she couldn’t wait to get away from me.

Her tear-streaked face was still burned into my mind, and I felt guilty for letting her go through this much pain.

I kept punching the bag, throwing one powerful punch after another, but no matter how much I worked out or how hard I hit the bag, the tension and anger wouldn’t subside. Sweat continued to drip down my face as I continued, pushing myself to go harder and faster, desperate to divert my mind from her.

At least she’s safe now.

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