Page 61 of The Devil's Fire

The things he was doing to me.

twenty

Althaia

“And why exactly can’t Michael come and get me?” I asked again. Not only were his fingers thick, but apparently his head was too as I tried to knock some sense into him.

“I don’t like him.” Damiano gave a curt reply and resumed sifting through the scattered papers on his desk.

“Well, I do!” I said, and his eyes snapped to mine with a sharp look.

“Antonio will drive you.”

“Why bother the poor man by going back and forth? I’m just going to my dad’s house.” I sighed as I kicked my legs back and forth.

I had made myself comfortable on his desk, watching as he went over a list of numbers. I hadn't wanted to disturb him, and I even considered leaving earlier, but he insisted that I stay. Besides, his hand rested on my thigh, and I couldn't find the will to move away.

“He will stay with you. For protection.” Damiano replied, his eyes narrowing on something written on the paper.

“That’s dumb. Protect me from what? My own father?” I wondered. He sighed and put the paper in his hand down to look at me.

“I have something I need to take care of and won’t be there with you. With Antonio, it will give me one less thing to worry about.” Damiano explained, making me feel bad when he put it like that.

“Okay.” I gave in. “Where is he then?”

“Waiting for you. Come, I’ll walk you out.”

Antonio was already standing by the car when we walked out to the driveway. He actually looked like the type of man you would see on a fashion runway with his dark, dirty blonde hair, blue eyes, and short beard.

Antonio gave a firm nod when we approached him and opened the backseat door for me. Before I could even get in, an arm wrapped around me, and I was pushed flush against his chest.

Damiano cupped my cheeks and pressed his lips to mine in a long, sweet kiss that had me melting completely in his arms.

“Behave.” He whispered when he pulled away.

“I always do.” I grinned, but that just earned me a raised, unconvinced, brow.

“So, Antonio.” I started. We had been driving for a while now and neither of us was talking. It made me feel slightly awkward sitting with him in complete silence.

I didn’t really know what to say to him, but I thought maybe I could get to know him. All of them were dark and serious and never showed any emotion.

Antonio looked at me through the rearview mirror, and my mind went blank. All of a sudden, I didn’t know how to make small talk.

“Uh, I’m sorry for troubling you like this. I’m sure you have other things to take care of.” I gave him an apologetic smile.

“It’s fine.” He replied, cold and brief as I had feared he would. I sighed quietly to myself. I guess none of these men were really a fan of any type of conversation.

“How long have you been working for Damiano?” I tried again. I knew it was a long shot with this question, but I guessed I preferred awkward conversation instead of silence.

“Since day one. We grew up together.” He answered.

It made sense then why he was one of Damiano’s most trusted men. Well, I just assumed he was because wherever Damiano went, he was right there with him.

“That’s nice.” I smiled. “Do you have a family of your own?”

“Why the sudden interest?” His tone was sharp, and it left me startled.

“I’m just making conversation. They are fairly normal questions to ask when you want to get to know someone.”

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