Page 98 of The Merciless Don's Bride

“Sure, keep telling yourself that,” he says calmly, leaning against the wall. “Honestly, Cassie the truth is, I knew the jig was up. That husband of yours has been digging around, tryingto find proof of my wrongdoings. And last I heard, he’s found it, which meant I had to move fast. Get you in my custody. There’s no need to bother about the company anymore, little niece. You will sign everything over to me, your entire inheritance. I would prefer it if I didn’t have to kill you but unfortunately, my partner seems to have other ideas. It doesn’t matter though. All I need is the cash, and then I can escape all this. Come back when the waters are settled.”

My heart pounds in my chest at his words, “My dad trusted you. I trusted you! You’re supposed to be my family!”

“Family?” Miguel questions sneering. “Family’s never done me any good, Cassandra. I had to watch your father, my brother, get everything I’ve ever wanted in life. He got a beautiful wife and a beautiful daughter, he had a family and I was doomed to forever be alone. He built a company, became wealthy and still I remained in the shadows, surviving on the scraps he deemed fit to toss my way occasionally.”

Tears well up in my eyes as I shake my head, “Dad loved you.”

“Loved me?! He didn’t respect me. All he cared about was his precious daughter and his precious company. He would have done anything to protect that company. Which is why I have to take it from him. This plan has been in the works for years, Cassie. It started with getting rid of Gabriel and now that he’s gone, nothing will stop me.”

I feel a deafening thundering in my ear at that admission.

“What did you say?” I question shakily, looking up at him through tears.

“Oh, you hadn’t pieced it together yet,” Miguel asks, “Yes, I killed your father, Cassie. I didn’t shoot him of course. I’m nota monster like you’re new beau. But I directed someone to help me finish the job.”

Shock spreads through me and I suddenly feel very faint.

“He was your brother! Your family.”

“Like I keep trying to tell you, darling. Family means nothing to me. It’s a pity though. it wasn’t supposed to happen this way. But then you had to go and give your heart to that devil. My plans for you fell through as soon as you got married to him.”

A part of me wants to scream, the other part feels frozen, incapable of moving. It takes a moment before I speak again, my voice dry.

“You’re not going to get away with this.”

He smooths a hand over his coat, “Actually, I very much plan to. You’re counting on Luciano coming to save you but he’s not going to find you. And even if he somehow does, he’s not going to be able to get here in time.”

His words end on the sound of a distant gunshot ringing through the air. Satisfaction fills me as I watch him freeze, the light going out in his eyes.

“Actually, Miguel,” Damien’s voice fills the dark room. “I’m already here.”

The heavy steel door groans open and he’s truly here. Damien’s frame fills the doorway like something carved from shadow and fire, broad, dangerous, silent. He moves with purpose, gun in hand, eyes sweeping the room until they land on me.

The second they do something, in me uncoils. I exhale a breath. Relief hits me like a wave. Hot and dizzying.

Miguel stumbles back, mouth falling open, all that venom and posturing suddenly gone.

“How-”

Damien doesn’t even look at him. he’s already walking toward me, his voice quiet but iron-willed.

“Cassie,” he says softly.

His hands are on the chains, strong and certain, unlocking them with speed and precision. I collapse forward into his chest the moment they fall away and he catches me like he’s done it a thousand times before. His arms wrap around me, grounding me. Holding me. Safe.

“I’m so sorry, I was late, baby,” he whispers, pressing his lips to my temple. “But I’m here now. I’ve got you, Cassie.”

My fingers curl into the fabric of his shirt, still shaking, still stunned. I can’t even speak. I just bury my face in his neck and hold us. Behind us, there’s a thud, Miguel trying to run. But then Luca is there, just as fast, just as calm. He grabs Miguel by the collar and slams him to the ground in one notion, shoving a knee between his shoulders and forcing him to his knees.

Damien still doesn’t turn around, all his focus is on me. He smooths over my hair, down my back. His thumb grazes my cheek as he tilts my face up to look at him.

“Are you hurt?

I shake my head, barely able to form the words, “N-No. Just…. Rafael- he, he’s gone.”

“I know,” Damien says softly. “I know. I’m sorry you had to see that,mi vida.”

His voice breaks a little on the last word. I see it in his eyes, the rage, grief, guilt, all of it simmering beneath the calm surface. But with me he’s calm, gentle.

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