Page 14 of De Luca: The Saint

“I don’t know, man, I have no answer for that,” I admit, “I want her more than I’ve ever wanted anything. I can’t let her be. I won’t.”

He groans loudly, “Fine. I’ll text you the address.”

My brother knows me better than anyone. While he may not understand my newfound obsession, he is well aware that if I want something I won’t stop until I get it.

“Thanks,” I mutter as I disconnect the call. I go upstairs to shower and get dressed because I’m going to get what’s mine.

Chapter Nine

Kat

Coming back to my shit hole apartment after spending most of the night in Damian’s Penthouse was slightly depressing. I’ll never have more than this, especially now that I’m jobless again. I’ve started packing boxes to go back home. It’s the last thing I want to do, but I don’t have a choice now. My rent is overdue as it is.

When I came home, I found an eviction notice decorating my door. I wasn’t surprised because I don’t think that’s ever a shock. Eventually, this is the result when you don’t pay your rent. I was hoping to talk to my landlord and pay it next week when I get paid from Devil. Now, I don’t have a job since I quit this morning, and even if I pay this month, I won’t make rent next month for sure. There’s no point in delaying the inevitable.

I made my choice, and now I have to live with it. I’m a complete failure, but this is temporary. I’ll get a job as soon as I get there and save money so I can leave again. Living under my parent's roof is not my idea of a good time. Listening to my father belittle my mother on a daily basis is bothersome. Watching my mother put up with it is infuriating. I barely made it through high school. I take a deep breath as I pack the last of my clothes.

A knock at the door causes me to jump. “Coming,” I yell as I leave the box on my bed and walk to the door. I look out the peephole in annoyance when I realize whoever is on the other side is covering it. Probably, my landlord, coming to yell at me again.

I swing the door open, with a scowl, and the person standing in front of me returns it tenfold.

“Damian,” I sigh, “You need to go. I have a lot going on right now and don’t have time for whatever this is.”

He glances around my shoulder before barging into my apartment, “Are we going somewhere, Angel?”

I close the door behind me, “Oh, come on in, won’t you, Damian?” I quip sarcastically.

Turning to me, he arches an eyebrow, “You didn’t answer my question.”

Rolling my eyes, I say, “We are not going anywhere. I am going somewhere.”

Damian stares at me, his arms folded over his chest, dress shirt sleeves rolled up, exposing his forearms, looking all sorts of delicious.

I hate him for that. Even when I’ve decided this is done, he affects me. My eyes can’t control themselves, my gaze travels from his face to his feet, taking in every inch of his hard body. I can’t help the memories of him bringing me more pleasure than I realized was possible. I swallow hard, trying to clear my thoughts. I need to stay strong.

“Alright, I’ll bite. Where are you going, Kitty Kat?”

I sigh, “I’m moving. I can’t stay here.”

He unfolds his arms, relaxing his tense stance, “The eviction notice?”

Embarrassment floods my cheeks as I fill with shame. I nod my head, unable to get any words out.

“I’ll take care of it.”

My eyes snap to his, “No, Damian. I don’t need you to take care of it. I can take care of myself.”

He shakes his head with what appears to be aggravation, “Is that so, Katherina? You can’t pay your rent. I will.”

I don’t respond; I just stare at him with anger as he walks over to my empty refrigerator and opens it.

“What are you doing? You can’t just come into someone’s house and go through their things, Damian.”

He glances at me over his shoulder, “What things, Kat? It’s fucking empty.”

When he moves onto my cupboards, I freeze as he yells, “What the fuck have you been eating?”

Picking up my lone package of beef ramen noodles, he tosses it in my garbage can, “Are you done packing?”

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