Page 231 of The Devil's Fire

I was about to turn around to walk away when I noticed that the door next to him was room 2509. The door opened, and my heart pounded like no tomorrow.

It was Damiano.

My breath halted at the sight of him. My body started to tingle and at the same time, my stomach churned in nervousness.

I walked towards the elevator as fast as I could.

Fuck.

Fuck!

Fuck!!

I repeatedly pressed the elevator button, hoping the doors would open faster. Frustration built up within me as it seemed to take an eternity. The footsteps approached, and it was too late for me to escape to the exit stairs.

I almost wanted to scream in frustration.

Finally, the elevator doors opened, and I quickly stepped inside, pressing random buttons and the one to close the doors as quickly as possible.

That damn Russian set me up! He knew Damiano was here!

Relief washed over me as the doors started to close. However, it was short-lived when a hand appeared between them. I pressed myself into the corner, watching Damiano enter with Giovanni and Luca. Panicking, I kept my gaze down, hoping he wouldn’t recognize me. After all, I looked different now, and there was no way he would know.

I tried to take a deep breath to calm my racing heartbeat, worried that the sound might give away my nervousness. Peeking through my eyelashes, I saw that none of them were looking in my direction. Trying to compose myself, I couldn’t resist stealing a glance at Damiano.

The sight of him, tall and intimidating with a muscular build, sent a flutter through me. He looked so unbelievably good in his well-fitted dress shirt.

Suddenly, he looked directly at me. I averted my gaze and faced the elevator doors, trying to maintain a neutral expression. Despite my efforts, I could feel his intense gaze on me.

My throat went dry, my body heated, and the elevator ride felt like an eternity. I barely breathed, fearing they might recognize me.

When the elevator finally came to a stop, I quickly stepped out. I felt a wave of relief as no one else exited on that floor.

When I heard the doors closing,I couldn’t help myself and turned around just to catch another glimpse of him. My eyes met his as he was already looking at me, but I couldn’t look away. He tilted his head slightly to the side before the doors closed and broke our eye contact.

I let out a breath and leaned on the wall for support, feeling my legs were about to give out on me. Placing a hand over my thumping heart, I rested the back of my head on the wall and closed my eyes.

I didn’t know how long I had been waiting, but it was long enough to be sure I wouldn’t bump into them again. It was time for me to get the hell out of here and back to the safe house. I quickly made my way out and towards where Chad was, thankfully, still parked.

“Thank you so much, Chad!” I quickly handed him the promised money.

I grabbed whatever I could in a hurry, giving him more than I had promised. But I didn’t care as I quickly got out and ran to the house in my dress and heels. I went to the side window, jumped to get through, and fell inside with a loud thud in my clumsy hurry.

“Ow…” I winced as I landed painfully. Scrambling to my feet, I let out a breath of relief as I went to the living room when I heard Kiara’s small voice. “You have no idea how close that was.” I said to her, giving her a pet.

“Was it?”

The light switched on, and I quickly pulled out my gun, aiming it in the voice’s direction.

“Oh, fuck.” I said, and quickly hid the gun behind my back.

“Oh, fuck indeed.” Damiano said in a low, dark tone.

I’m in deep shit.

seventy-seven

Damiano

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