Page 31 of The Devil's Fire

“Carlos.” I elaborated, and her eyes widened.

“Carlos did this to you? Where the hell is that bitch?! I’m going to cut off his dick!”

“Be my guest.” I couldn’t care less about that scumbag.

The stinging I felt resulted in a freaking cut and left me with a nasty bruise. He was apparently wearing a ring, and it cut right into my cheekbone. I tried to cover it with makeup, but it was still visible. It didn’t help that it was also a bit swollen. It still hurts too, and so does my back.

I hope he gets fucking shot.

When we arrived, a crowd of people were already present outside. I guess they took Sunday Services pretty seriously. Well, with the kind of business they were operating, I was sure they had a lot of sins to repent for.

I used to attend these services when I was younger, but since my mother and I moved away, we stopped going. She wasn't a big believer and only attended because of my father, who came from a Catholic family. I'm not entirely sure where I stand, but I do find comfort in the idea of a higher power existing in some form.

My father's face lit up as soon as he saw us and waved us over. A smile on my face broke out, and I forgot about that cocksucker for ice cream as I embraced my father.

“Figlia, let me introduce you. This is Dale, Fabian, and Andrea, great business partners and good friends of mine.” He gestured to the three middle-aged men.

“Nice to meet you.” I smiled at them and offered a small wave, which they returned with a small smile and a head nod.

“And you have met Damiano and Lorenzo.”

“Sure have.” I muttered, smiling sweetly at my father.

I was still avoiding looking at the Devil. He had occupied my mind ever since the dinner party. And once again, I was ashamed to admit that I have been fantasizing about his fingers.

Yup, I definitely need a holy bath to purify me from all the unclean thoughts I’ve been having… and acting on.

“Gentlemen, shall we head inside? The Service is about to begin.” My father said as he and his business partners went inside.

I was about to take a step when I was suddenly being pulled backwards. I was met with the one person I was trying to avoid.

Damiano glanced at my face, and I felt my breath hitch. Tingles erupted, and my stomach fluttered when he softly cupped my chin as he examined the cut on my face. His features hardened the more he looked at the cut.

“Who did this to you?”

“Why?” I asked, interested to know why he cared.

“I don’t like asking twice.” His expression turned blank as he waited for my answer. “Althaia.” Damiano said warningly, his patience wearing thin. But all I could think of was the sound of my name coming from his lips and the warmth it stirred in me.

“Carlos.” I answered. He gave a brief nod and let go of me.

I quickly composed myself and hurried inside the church, finding my seat next to Cara. She gave me a teasing look, which I ignored, and focused on the priest.

Once the Service finished, we waited for my and Cara’s things to be moved to a different car as Damiano assigned one of his men to escort us to their estate.

At first, I thought it was to spare my father’s men the travel back and forth, but I quickly learned it was something about entering a different territory.

“Oh wait, I forgot my purse in the other car!” I said to Cara just when we slid inside.

I quickly went over to grab my purse. As I shut the door, the sound of screeching tires pierced the air. I looked to the main road and saw black SUV cars racing towards us.

“Get down!”

I froze in fear, my legs refusing to move when I saw guns pointing out of the windows. I squeezed my eyes shut at the sound of gunshots and felt the impact of being thrown to the ground.

I was prepared for some kind of pain and a hard landing. But it never came. Instead, I felt a pair of arms around me, protecting my head. I opened my eyes to see it was Damiano.

Protecting me with his body.

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