Page 92 of Ruined By Protection
We walk in silence back inside the mansion. Just before we reach the door Daniel pauses. "For what it's worth," he says quietly, "I would've done the same thing. Montgomery crossed a line going after Evelyn."
I give him a short nod, appreciating the sentiment but not trusting myself to speak. My emotions are too raw, too close to the surface.
The warmth of the mansion is enveloping as we step inside. I follow Daniel through the foyer, past the living room where Lucrezia sits with Evelyn, both of them looking up as we pass. Evelyn's eyes are red-rimmed but she gives me a brave smile. I nod in acknowledgment but don't stop.
Damiano's office feels different at night. The warm wood paneling seems darker, more imposing. The lights are dimmed, casting long shadows across the room. Noah leans against the wall near the window, arms crossed, face unreadable. Damiano sits behind his massive desk, fingers steepled in front of him.
"Sit," Damiano says, gesturing to the chairs across from him.
I take a seat, the leather creaking beneath me. Daniel sits in the chair beside mine, his posture military-straight.
"Tell me what we have on this piece of shit," Damiano says, his voice deceptively calm. I know that tone—it's the quiet before the storm.
"We know where he's staying. But somehow he managed to leave the hotel while making it look like he was still in there." I shake my head, annoyed at being outplayed. "He's got someone working with him. Someone with skills."
"You didn't grab him when you had the chance?" Damiano's question isn't accusatory—just gathering information.
"No." I meet his eyes. "We could have but I wanted to see what he'd do first. Find out who he's working with, what his endgame is." I clench my jaw. "That was before he went after Evelyn."
Noah pushes off from the wall. "We've put resources into digging up information about that missing girlfriend—Melissa Winters." His voice is hard. "The pregnant one."
Daniel nods. "Initially we thought we could use that intel to pressure him into leaving Hazel alone." He glances at me. "But now..."
"Now I'm just going to kill him," I finish, the words coming out flat and final.
Damiano studies me, his dark eyes giving nothing away. The only sound in the room is the soft ticking of the antique clock on the bookshelf.
"You know what Montgomery is–just a rich boy playing gangster."
I keep my face neutral, waiting for him to continue.
"These silver-spoon types think they're untouchable. Daddy's money bought them out of every consequence for their actions their whole lives." Damiano's eyes harden. "So they learn the wrong lessons. They think they can kill pregnant women—because I'm sure he did. Beat their wives. Terrorize anyone weaker than them."
My fingers tighten on the armrests.
"I don't really care about him, Matteo." Damiano spreads his hands. "Feed him to sharks. Throw him off the EmpireState Building and watch his brains splatter on the sidewalk. Do whatever you want with him."
Noah shifts against the wall, a small smile playing at the corner of his mouth.
"The only problem," Damiano continues, "is that I don't want our name anywhere near this." He leans forward. "We can't afford the attention right now. Not with the casino expansion, not with the relationship we're building with the commissioner."
I nod, understanding completely. "Clean and untraceable."
"Exactly." Damiano's eyes bore into mine.
"I'll handle it personally," I say.
"Do it fast," Damiano adds. "He's desperate and desperate people are unpredictable. We don't know who he's working with or what he's planning next."
The room falls silent for a moment. I feel Noah watching me, calculating as always.
"I want details on how you'll do it," Damiano says finally. "I need to know there won't be blowback."
I lean forward, my mind already working through the possibilities. "I have a few ideas."
"Good." Damiano nods. "Work with Daniel on the logistics. Noah will provide whatever resources you need."
I rise from the chair, my mind already mapping out the most efficient way to handle Montgomery. No witnesses, no evidence, no connection to the family. Just a problem that disappears.
