Page 29 of The Devil's Fire

“Let’s go, Thaia.” I tore my eyes away from Damiano’s retreating form and looked at Michael, seeing him glaring daggers at the jacket around my shoulders.

“Does it mean the wedding is off?” I asked after we arrived at my hotel room.

Cara was already lying down, her eyes half-closed, while Michael stood at the end of the bed with his hands in his pockets. He had been quiet the entire ride to the hotel.

“No, they have moved the wedding up.” Cara explained.

“Really? I thought that since…. Well, that happened, they would break off the engagement and some kind of war would break out?” I tilted my head in confusion.

“It’s strictly for business.” Cara failed to keep her eyes open and dozed off. I looked at Michael for him to explain.

“Profit. Their products are the most sought after, and whether they like to admit it or not, we are the fastest in moving products with our connections. We can move twice as fast as they can, which means we make a shit ton of money. That’s why there will be no war between the families.”

“But why would my father still work with a man who just cut off the tongue of his brother?” I gaped in shock.

“Because there is more to it.”

I waited for him to tell me, but he looked hesitant. He sighed and ran a hand through his hair.

“Look, I’m not supposed to say anything, but your father wants to gain access to their weaponry. They have currently taken over the biggest weapons trafficking operation. Every type of lethal weapon you can think of, they have it, and only them. And, with Cara marrying not just any man from the family, but Lorenzo, we hope to gain access sooner rather than later.” Michael finished explaining, and my jaw dropped. When they claimed it was all business, they truly meant it.

“Shit… that’s freaking awesome! I mean, it sucks for Cara, but still, it’s like we’re living in a movie!” I grinned in fascination.

A couple of weeks ago, I had lived an ordinary life. And now, I was getting a glimpse of such a dark world. It was terrifying, but so intriguing too. I couldn’t help but be fascinated by it all. It made me feel alive in a whole different way.

I wanted to know more.

Michael's mouth curved into a shocked O, and then he erupted into laughter.

“God, Althaia. You surprise me in every way.

twelve

Althaia

“You promised me, Althaia!” Cara scowled.

“I did no such thing!” I mirrored her expression.

I was in Cara’s room, helping her pack her bags since she was going to stay with the Bellavia family to plan the wedding. Actually, she was packing while I was laying on her bed, flipping through a random magazine I found.

Since it was a good few hours between the residences, it was easier for her to stay at their place instead of constantly going back and forth to plan the wedding. And now she was trying to make me go with her.

“Yes, you did! Remember when we went out for brunch, and I told you I needed help planning the wedding? You told me you would be happy to help since you’re staying here for a while and have nothing to do, anyway.” She insisted.

I stopped flipping through the magazine as I tried to remember when I had said that.

“Are you actually trying to implant a fake memory into my mind?” I looked at her accusingly.

“No.” She avoided looking at me.

“Yes, you are, you sneaky little bitch!” I threw a pillow at her face. She let out a huff.

“What are you going to do here alone, anyway?”

“I don’t know. Eat and chill with Michael?” I shrugged.

I had been staying at the mansion for a couple of weeks now, and she actually had a point. I wouldn’t have anything to do once she left. Unless I wanted to become best friends with Morella.

---