WORSE THAN THE DEVIL

WORSE THAN THE DEVIL
Damien's pov

“Anderson,” I said, fighting myself, trying hard not to believe.

“How is this even possible? You? You were the reason we have more men… and, most importantly, you saved my life. I still don’t get it, why would you want me dead? You could have just left me to snap and let Merina’s gang have me, but no, you chose to save me, and I’m still very grateful. How could you?” I asked calmly.

“Boss, I’m telling the truth. I would never try to harm you or this empire! Never!! You need to…”

“Did you know this captive even before he was brought in?” I cut him off.

“I’ve never met him before. It was my first time meeting him the day he was turned in as a captive,” Anderson said, his voice firm.

“What, then, can you explain about how he’s got so many injuries and wounds, some always getting worse?” I asked.

“Ever since the day he was shot, he hasn’t received treatment, though he took the bullet out himself. But I guess that also made it worse,” he said.

“Then why do you always say he tries to escape and you beat him?” I asked, pointing at the captive.

“It’s not a lie. Sometimes he tries to escape, and I’ve always been the one to stop him, which makes me beat him up as a warning, never to try such a thing again,” Anderson said.

“Yes boss, I can never harm you! What for? I know the Morettis trust me. At least it’s a better experience compared to Isari’s. I can’t trade that for anything in this world,” Anderson added.

“I thought so too. Why would Anderson do such a thing? It’s unbelievable, truly it is.” I exhaled.

“I'm innocent, boss. You have to believe me.” Anderson begged, his hands clamped together.

“You failed me and I’m highly disappointed. How could you?” I asked firmly, staring at him.

If I followed the state of my rage, I could slit his throat with my blade.

“But you can’t believe him and what proof does he have to make such allegations? Boss, you need to see through this; he wants to tear us apart so their operation would be easier,” Anderson said.

I stared at the captive, who stared downward, and then back at Anderson.

“Do you know anyone in Gid's empire?” I shot at him.

“No. I know no one and can never know anyone there. They're against us,” he answered.

I don't know if Anderson is telling the truth or denying it, but if this turns out to be true… I’ll make sure he pays.

The captive was still afraid; it was obvious from his expression.

I walked toward him and tapped him from behind.

“You!” I called.

“I need you to tell him all that you told me,” I added.

“I… I…” He stuttered, meeting Anderson's gaze.

“Now!” I commanded.

“I… I can’t,” he said, looking downward.

Who in their right senses would be more scared of a Mafia man than a Mafia lord? This is crazy!

“I, Lord Damien, am asking you a question and you can’t speak because you’re scared. Scared of what exactly?” I thundered at him.

“Maybe he didn’t know what he was saying,” Anderson offered.

“He’s not a child and he knows exactly what he said. I just need him to repeat it in front of you,” I answered, fixing my gaze back on the captive, who shivered in fear.

Is this how fearful he is of Anderson?

“See!” Anderson said, pointing at the captive, whose gaze remained fixed on the floor.

“He was just telling lies all along. You see, he can’t speak now because he knows he was not speaking the truth,” Anderson declared.

I stared at both of them, one after the other, confused. They're playing with my intelligence.

“I don’t blame the captive for this. He did this thinking he could gain his freedom. But boss, you believe him so easily even without proof. I thought I was worth more than this to you,” Anderson said, playing the victim.

“How won’t I believe him? Don’t you know how strange you are now?” I blurted out as Anderson furrowed a brow.

“Yes, you seem different, Anderson. I can’t get over what you did, how you killed those innocent men. You killed them like they were nothing,” I said as he stared.

“If I were to be as cruel and heartless as you are, I would just slit your throat without proof, just like I did to them,” I added.

“I'm sorry, boss,” he said.

“I only thought I was helping. I thought they were the traitors because they fell in place during my search for the traitors,” he stated coldly.

He showed no trace of remorse, not even a tiny bit.

“Tell me, did you intend to kill the men for something else?” I asked.

“Something else? Something like what?”

“Like a command or should I say agreement,” I answered.

“Boss, you're getting this all wrong. What do you mean by agreement? About the killing, I already apologized. I know I went out of place and again I’m sorry,” he said.

“Can you listen to yourself? You don’t even feel remorseful,” I said.

“I can’t accept something I didn’t do. I didn’t give any information to Gid and I don’t know this scumbag from anywhere,” Anderson declared, pointing at the captive.

“Enough! Enough!!” the captive called at the top of his voice.

A captive giving orders to a Mafia lord? This is unheard of.

“There’s no need to be scared anymore. Besides, I’m dying in pain and don’t think I can last much longer. I’ve always pleaded with you for my release, so I could treat the gunshot I had earlier on my leg. None of you even wondered why I’m still alive…” He paused.

That’s true. I hadn’t even thought of that.

“Luckily I was shot in my leg and that’s why I haven’t died, but with time I might die, and I’ve accepted that, because I know I’ll surely be killed,” he said.

“Speak up if you want to speak.”

“Speak!!” I roared; he had kept silent for too long.

“Who knows, maybe I survived there so I could reveal this to you… Lord Damien,” the captive said, meeting my gaze.

“I’ll repeat what I said earlier… even before Anderson,” he said, staring at Anderson.

“Anderson is not who you think he is. He told Lorenzo all he needs to know about you and your empire,” he began.

“Have you gone nuts? What silly game is this? And besides, what proof do you have?” Anderson pressed.

“Proof? You need proof?... How about when you told us Damien wasn’t fit to be the lord of Moretti... Or when you called a name; Celine… though I don't know who she is, but you called her a fool for placing Damien as the…” the captive said.

“Shut the hell up! You've spat enough nonsense!!” Anderson yelled.

I stared at Anderson in both rage and shock.

This is the height of it!

“How dare you! Anderson, you…!” I thundered.

“You shouldn’t listen to him. He's trying to tear us apart,” Anderson said.

“You're… worse than the devil,” I muttered, still in shock.

“He’s lying, I can ne…”

“Shut the hell up.” I snapped, and gestured for the captive to continue.

“He… he’s always talked and joked about how easily frightened you are,” the captive added.

“Why should I believe anything you say?” I asked him.

“Because it’s nothing but the truth. I’m very good at eavesdropping and that’s how I knew everything I told you,” he explained.

“Ahhhhh!” Anderson screamed, holding his head.

“I can’t bear this anymore,” he said as he reached into his back pocket. He brought out a gun and pointed it at the captive.

“Anderson, don’t! Don’t,” I warned, but just then I heard a gunshot… and then another.

“You killed him,” I yelled, meeting Anderson's gaze, but he was slowly moving the gun
toward my direction as he pointed it at me.

“What do you think you’re doing?” I questioned.

“About to make my mission easier,” he answered coldly.