CHAPTER 83 — KNIVES IN THE DARK

CHAPTER 83 — KNIVES IN THE DARK
DAMIEN’S POV

I heard the sound of Laura’s footsteps fading down the hall echoed in the quiet kitchen as she walked away. 
Violet was  standing frozen by the counter with her hands wrapped around her tea mug like it was the only thing keeping her grounded. 
I watched her from the doorway where I’d been standing unseen, my jaw tight with a rage I hadn’t know I can feel towards Laura.

I’d known Laura was struggling with Violet’s presence, hell, I think even my brothers had. But hearing her speak to Violet like that, cutting her down when she’d already been through so much, it lit a fire of anger in me that I couldn’t extinguish.

“Hey,” I said quietly, stepping into the room.

Violet jumped, turning toward me with wide eyes. “Damien, I didn’t hear you come in.”

I moved to stand beside her, resting my hands on the counter on either side of her, boxing her in gently.
“I’ve been standing there a few minutes. Heard most of it.”

She looked down at her mug, her shoulders slumping.
“She hates me. I don’t blame her, I’d hate me too if I were in her shoes.”

“Laura’s just scared,” I said, reaching out to tilt her chin up so she’d look at me. 
“She scared that the life she fought to come back to isn’t waiting for her the way she thought it would be. But that doesn’t make what she said okay.”

“I just want everyone to get along,” she whispered, her eyes glistening with unshed tears.
“I never wanted to cause problems between you all.”

“Our problems aren’t your fault,” I said firmly, my thumb brushing her lower lip. 
“We’ve got bigger things to worry about than hurt feelings. Marco’s not going to wait for us to sort out our differences.”

Just then, my phone buzzed in my pocket. I pulled it out to find a message from our surveillance team, it's a footage from the hidden camera at Marco’s compound showed Laura meeting with one of his men in a back alley, slipping him an envelope before disappearing into the morning mist.

I stared at the screen, my blood running cold. After everything she’d been through, after everything she’d claimed to want, was she really betraying us?

“Damien?” Violet’s voice pulled me back to the moment. “What is it?”

I pocketed my phone without answering, pulling her close against my chest. “Nothing we can’t handle,” I said, even though doubt gnawed at me. 
“Come on, we need to get you ready for tonight.”

“Tonight?” She pulled back to look up at me, confusion in her eyes.

“Donovan’s planning something big,” I said, leading her out of the kitchen toward the training rooms in the basement. 
“Words around is that Marco’s hosting a gala at his mountain compound, it's says he’s going to formally announce his claim to the Gray Circle and introduce his ‘secret weapon’ to the city’s elite.”

“Me,” Violet said quietly.

“Which is why we’re going to beat him to the punch,” I said, pushing open the heavy steel door to the training area. 
Donovan and Alistair were already there, going over blueprints spread across a large table while our weapons master checked the modifications on a case of customized firearms.

“About time you two showed up,” Donovan said without looking up, his pen marking a route on the blueprint.
“We’ve got less than twelve hours before the gala starts.”

Alistair looked up, his eyes scanning Violet from head to toe before settling on mine. 
“You okay?” he asked, and I could hear the concern in his voice for Violet. 

“We’re fine,” I said, guiding Violet to a chair beside the table. 
“Laura’s jus... adjusting.”

Donovan finally looked up, his gaze sharp as it moved between us. 
“She said something to you,” he stated, not asked.

Violet shook her head. “It doesn’t matter. What matters is stopping Marco before he hurts anyone else.”

Donovan studied her for a long moment, then nodded slowly. 
“You’re right. Alistair, brief us on the compound’s layout.”

Alistair pulled up holographic schematics on the wall, the blue lines glowing against the concrete. “The compound sits on a plateau that's accessible only by three roads, all of them are narrow and easily defensible. Marco’s added new security since we were last there, the compound is equiped with motion sensors, thermal cameras, and what looks like a private army patrolling the perimeter.”

“Which is why we’re not going in through the front door,” Damien said, stepping forward to point at a section of the mountain side. 
“These old mining tunnels run right under the main hall, they were sealed off years ago, but Rosa found out some schematics that show a hidden entrance about two miles from the compound.”

“We’ll split into three teams,” Donovan said, his voice taking on a commanding tone. 
“Alistair, you’ll lead the medical and support team as usual, you'll set up a staging area in the tunnels and be ready to extract us if things go south. Damien, you’ll take the assault team through the tunnels, your job is to secure the main hall and neutralize any threats before they can react. I’ll take Violet in through the front, we’ll disguise as guests to get close to Marco and find out what he’s really planning.”

“Absolutely not,” Alistair said sharply, slamming his hand on the table. 
“You can’t take her into his stronghold like that, it’s an absolute suicide.”

“Which is exactly why it’ll work,” Donovan countered, his jaw tight. 
“Marco will expects us to come at him with guns blazing, so he’ll never see us coming if we walk right through his front door.”

“I’m going,” Violet said firmly, standing up. “I need to be there, not just to stop Marco, but to talk to my mother. She’s not a monster, I know she’s not. She’s just married to one.”

The room fell silent as we all looked at her, at the woman who’d gone from a broken divorcee to someone who could stand in front of three dangerous men and declare her intentions without flinching.

“Then we do this right,” I said, moving to stand beside her. 
“We’ll need to get and disguise you into something that looks the part and teach you how to defend yourself if things go to hell in a handbasket.”

Three hours later, I found Violet in the wardrobe room, surrounded by racks of designer gowns that Rosa had pulled from our family’s private collection and also almost a dozen wigs and a eye contact which can help complete the disguise.
She stood staring at a deep red velvet dress, her fingers tracing the intricate beading along the neckline.

“Not your style?” I asked, leaning against the doorframe.

She turned to look at me, a small smile playing at her lips. 
“It’s beautiful, but… it feels like something someone else would wear, and not me.”

I pushed off the frame and moved to stand behind her with my hands resting on her shoulders as we looked at our reflection in the full-length mirror. 
“You know you can't pick something that’s you, just for this night,” I said quietly, my lips brushing the shell of her ear. “Something that wouldn't show him exactly who he’s dealing with, something that will make you look like a stranger to him.”

Her fingers moved along the racks until they settled on a sleek black silk gown with simple lines, but with a plunging back and thigh-high slit that showed just enough skin to be dangerous.
She pulled it out, holding it against her body.

“This one,” she said firmly.

“Perfect,” I murmured, my hands sliding down her arms to rest on her waist. 
“Let me help you get ready.”

I unbuttoned her blouse slowly, my fingers brushing against her warm skin as I revealed her shoulders, then her back. She shivered under my touch, and I pressed a kiss to the nape of her neck, feeling her lean back against me.

“Damien,” she whispered, her voice breathless.

“Just let me take care of you,” I said, my hands moving to unclasp her bra.
“We’ve got a long night ahead of us, so let me give you something to remember when things get rough.”

I turned her around, pulling her close as I kissed her deeply, my tongue tangling with hers in a dance that was equal parts passion and possession. 
She responded eagerly, her hands tangled in my hair as she pulled me closer with her body pressing against mine with a hunger that matched my own.

I lifted her onto the dressing table, her legs wrapping around my waist as I pressed kisses down her neck, across her collarbone, and lower still. 
She arched her back with a soft moan escaping her lips as my mouth closed over her breast, my teeth grazing her sensitive skin.

“Damien,” she gasped, her fingers tightening in my hair.
“We don’t have time...”

“Time’s exactly what we have,” I said, pulling back to look into her eyes. 
“Every moment we have together is precious. Especially when we don’t know what’s coming next.”

I kissed my way down her body, pausing to nip at the soft skin of her inner thighs before settling between her legs. She cried out as my tongue found her most sensitive spot, her hips bucking against my mouth as I brought her closer and closer to the edge.

“Look at me,” I commanded, pulling back just enough to meet her gaze.
“I want you to see who’s making you feel like this.”

She looked down at me, her eyes dark with desire as I continued my slow, deliberate torture. 
When she finally shattered in my arms, her body convulsing with pleasure, I stood up and pulled her into my arms, carrying her to the large chaise lounge in the corner of the room.

I undressed quickly, then settled between her legs, entering her slowly as we both gasped at the sensation. 
She was warm and tight around me, and I moved slowly at first, savoring every moment and every sound she made.

As our passion built, I picked up the pace, driving into her with a force that matched our urgency. She wrapped her legs around me, pulling me deeper as she met each of my thrusts with her own movements.

When we finally came together with her name on my lips and mine on hers, we collapsed against each other, breathless and sated. 
I held her close, pressing kisses to her forehead as we lay there in the quiet room.

“I don’t want to be without you,” she whispered, her head resting on my chest.

“You’ll never be without me,” I said firmly, my hand stroking her hair. “Not if I have anything to say about it.”

We dressed quickly, Violet slipping into the black gown while I helped her with the zipper and fastened the delicate diamond necklace, I helped her fix her contact and her wig. If I hadn't helped her dress, I would swear she's an entirely different woman. 
When she looked at herself in the mirror, she sees what I saw,  the broken woman was gone, now replaced by someone who looked like she belonged in the dangerous world we inhabited.

“Ready?” I asked, holding out my arm.

“Ready,” she said, taking it with a determined smile.

As we walked toward the garage where the others were waiting, they also look very different in their disguise, my phone buzzed again. Another message from surveillance, this time, it's a footage of Laura meeting with Marco himself, handing him a small device that looked like a data drive.

I clenched my jaw, shoving the phone in my pocket. Whatever she was planning, we’d be ready for her and if she tried to hurt Violet… I don't care if I had love her once, she'll regret it 

I looked at the woman beside me, her head held high as she walked through the halls of our home, and knew without a doubt that I’d burn down the world to keep her safe.

The drive to the mountain compound took nearly two hours, winding through narrow mountain roads that dropped off into steep ravines. Donovan drove, looking so calm as he navigated the curves at high speed. 
Alistair sat in the front passenger seat. 

Violet sat beside me in the back, her hand resting on my thigh as she stared out at the passing landscape. 
The setting sun painted the mountains in shades of gold and crimson, it's looks beautiful but deadly at the same time, it looks just like the world we lived in.

“We’re approaching the checkpoint,” Donovan said quietly, slowing the car as we came to a gate guarded by armed men.

I squeezed Violet’s hand, then leaned forward to press a kiss to her temple. 
I feel Donovan eyes on me through the window, but I didn't let my eyes meet his, I'm not ready for whatever he's thinking now.“Remember, we’re just wealthy socialites looking for a good time. Let me do the talking.”

The guard approached the car, his hand resting on his weapon as he peered through the window. “Invitation?”

I pulled out the forged invitation we’d created, flashing it with a charming smile. “Luca Rossi,here to celebrate Marco’s new venture."
The guard stared at me for a moment. "You look like someone..." oh I get that a lot. I said cutting him off.
"Allow me introduce my lady, and this lovely lady is my guest, Chiara Ferrari.”

The guard’s eyes widened slightly at her as he leered at her, I felt the immediate urge to pluck out his eyes balls but I held myself in check, then he stepped aside and waved us through. “Welcome, sir. Enjoy the party.”
Woah that's was Close.

As we drove up the winding driveway to the main compound, I could see the gala was already in full swing, luxury cars were lined the cobblestone courtyard, and guests in designer clothes moved between the main hall and the terraced gardens overlooking the valley below.

“Stay close to me,” I said to Violet as we got out of the car, offering her my arm.
“Donovan will be right behind you, he’ll blend in with the other guests and find Marco’s position. Alistair’s already with the team in the tunnels and they’ll be in position in thirty minutes.”

We made our way into the main hall, a massive stone structure with vaulted ceilings and walls lined with priceless art, most of it stolen, I’d wager. 
The room was filled with Milan’s elite, all of them pretending not to know what Marco really did for a living as they sipped champagne and made empty conversation.

I scanned the room, looking for Marco or Laura or Violet’s mother. My eyes landed on a balcony overlooking the main floor, where Marco stood talking to a group of men I recognized as leaders of other crime families in the city. Beside him stood Eleanor Lancaster, looking beautiful but cold in a silver gown that seemed to shine even in the dim light.

And standing just behind them, her eyes scanning the crowd like a predator looking for prey, was Laura.

I felt Violet tense beside me, and I squeezed her arm reassuringly. “It’s okay,” I murmured in her ear. 
“We knew she’d be here.”

“Damien Einstein!” Marco’s voice boomed across the room, drawing every eye to us. Oh shit! He recognised me.
“What a pleasant surprise! I wasn’t sure if the Einsteins would grace us with their presence tonight.”

I led Violet forward with a smile that didn’t reach my eyes. 
“How could we miss the announcement of your new regime, Marco? Though I must say, you’ve outdone yourself with the decorations.”

Marco laughed, a cold sound that made my skin crawl. 
“Only the best for my guests. And who is this lovely creature on your arm?”

“Violet Lancaster,” I said, my hand resting protectively on the small of her back, he recognizes me already, there is no need hiding or it will scream foul play and put him on alert. 
“I’m sure you’ve heard of her family.”

Marco’s eyes lit up with a predatory gleam as he looked her up and down. “Lancaster… yes, she looks different, I didn't remember saying this is an identity change show but that aside I believe we have some unfinished business there. Eleanor, darling, come meet our guest.”

Violet’s mother stepped forward, her eyes meeting her daughter’s, for a moment, different emotions flickered across her face, sadness, regret and something else I couldn’t name, then it was gone, replaced by the same cold mask Marco wore.

“Violet,” she said quietly. “You look… well.”

“Mother,” Violet said, her voice steady despite the emotion I could feel radiating from her. 
“You too.”

Just then, the lights in the hall dimmed, and a spotlight focused on Marco as he moved to the center of the room. “Friends!” he called out, his voice carrying across the silent hall. 
“Thank you all for coming tonight to witness a moment that will change the course of this city’s history!”

I felt Violet’s hand tighten on my arm, and I leaned close to her ear. 
“Thirty seconds,” I whispered. “Get ready.”