LUCAS ROSS

LUCAS ROSS
Damien’s pov

“What's wrong with you, Damien?!” Isari shouted.

Footsteps approached, his men were coming. I walked slowly backwards, keeping my pistol trained on him.

“Don't get smart,” I warned, locking the door while my gaze never left him. After I secured it, I held the keys for a moment, then stepped back toward him and tossed the keys onto his desk.

A knock sounded at the door. “Boss, is everything fine?” a voice called from the corridor.

“Yes. Leave it to me, I'll handle it!” Isari answered before I could say a word. His tone was firm. I felt it, he was hiding something.

“Now begin. I'm listening,” I threatened, my gun still leveled.

“And if I don't?” he asked, a smirk curling his lips.

“Are you questioning me?” I thundered. “Speak now!”

He sat down in his chair. I stared at him.

“And what are you doing?” I asked, confused.

“How dare you, Damien! How dare you come into my office, kill one of my men, then point a pistol at me!” he yelled.

He definitely had something. Wasn't he the same man I had seen shivering in fear? How could he be so bold now?

“I'll kill whoever I have to, just to find out the truth, I must know the truth,” I said coldly.

“Then kill me if you can. Shoot me, Damien!” he dared.

“I would gladly do that but I need to hear something important from you first,” the words spilled out before I could stop them.

“Impressive,” he exclaimed, nodding as a smirk tugged at his lips.

“Start speaking.” I tightened my grip on the gun, ready to fire.

“Try it!” Isari yelled and, to my surprise, motioned a pistol toward me.

How did he get a gun? I’d underestimated him, this was his office, after all.

“So what now?” I said, hardening my expression.

“If you try anything, I'll send you to visit your father,” he threatened.

Ah! There he goes again.

“Stop speaking ill about my father and tell me what I want to know,” I warned, setting my gun down but carefully, finger still on the trigger.

“Now you're talking,” he said, rising to watch my hands. “Weapons off.”

Weapons off? Another one of his ploys. I couldn't fall for it.

“Why would I believe you?” I asked.

“Because I'm doing the same,” he replied, tossing his gun onto the table.

He seemed serious. I stared at him for a long moment.

“What do you say?” he asked, gritting his teeth.

I exhaled, clenching my fists, confused. Finally, I shoved my gun onto the table. “I'm all ears,” I muttered, folding my arms.

“I've basically told you everything you want to know… but since you insist on details, I'll explain,” he said.

I felt relieved, now he's talking. I pulled out a chair, sat, and fixed my gaze on him.

“Lucas Ross, I didn't know much about him, I witnessed his death and heard he had a son… you,” Isari began.

“Cut the crap and spill it,” I snapped.

“During another battle with the werewolves, they all fought. Your father laid down his life to free the others. He was brave, courageous, but… stupid,” Isari said, his expression turning serious.

“What do you mean ‘stupid’? What exactly did he do?” I asked, eager for answers.

“He stood in front of Lord Marco when he was about to be killed. The attackers' claws caught your father. They weren't really werewolves, we couldn't identify them at the time and there were quite a number of them. Despite his wounds… your father…” He paused and exhaled deeply.

My father what?

“He offered to lay down his life for the rest. He had a bomb and got the creature with it; then the others ran. All we heard was the blast… we never saw him again. But do you know why I called him stupid? Isari asked.

My heart pounded. All my life I'd never heard stories about this.

“Why?” I demanded, steeling my expression.

“Because of you. Why would he give his life for someone else knowing he had a little son looking up to him?” he said. Those words echoed in my head.

“Though he told Lord Marco to watch over you and to tell you… He loves you so much,” Isari added, as he dabbed his eyes.

I forced myself to hold back the tears. He really had said that?

“You know the most painful part?” Isari asked.

“No,” I said.

“Before the battle, Lucas proposed a brilliant plan to win, but Lord Marco dismissed it, saying it wouldn't work,” Isari said sharply.

Lord Marco had dismissed my father's idea, and that dismissal led to his death.

“And the heartbreaking part is that history is about to repeat itself,” Isari said. I met his gaze.

“How?” I asked immediately.

“His daughter, Celine Moretti, for a while now has left you in charge to recruit more men, for God knows why. I heard you were almost murdered while doing it, thanks to Anderson. Anderson is a useful man,” Isari said.

How did he know I was almost killed? And I don't think he knows Anderson is dead. Maybe Anderson was feeding him updates about me.

“How do you know I was almost killed? Anderson told you?” I asked.

“Of course. He was one of my men, and I told him to keep me updated about you because I care,” Isari said.

“You care?” I scoffed.

“Yes. Do you really think I see a man as nothing more than a weapon? I don't. I did this for you, and I can help you recruit more men if you're ready,” he answered.

I swallowed hard. How was I supposed to take this?

“Why should I believe any of this about my father? How am I sure you're not making it up?” I demanded.

He frowned and rose from his chair, walking toward me. He might have a blade or a gun with him. I pushed my chair back.