Chapter 16 The innocence in the dark.
The cold night air in Italy greeted us as we both got off the plane.
It was my first time in a foreign country. I sucked in a deep breath, savoring the sweet scent of Italy, thankful for the night I had met Damien.
He took me out of a hellhole and into a world of bliss.
Twenty of Damien's soldiers stood before me to welcome us, their hands clasped together before them.
“Don Davenport,” one of the men stepped forward. “The driver is here to pick you up and take you to the hotel,” he announced.
His gaze shifted to me, and he bowed his head slightly, his hand pressed against his chest. “It is an honor to meet you, Mrs. Davenport.”
“Thank you.” I responded, “It is an honor to meet you as well.”
Damien's hand slipped into mine. “Hello, Marcus, I'll head to the warehouse in the morning to recruit the new men,” he said as he began to lead me to the car.
“Boss…” Marcus's voice trailed off; he seemed to hesitate about something he had to say.
“Go on,” Damien urged, “Do you have something to say?”
Marcus slowly approached us; he cupped his hand over his mouth and leaned in to speak in Damien's ear.
“Stop,” Damien spoke curtly.
Marcus froze and pulled away, his brows pinched together in confusion. “My wife can hear whatever you have to say; she's a part of this family.”
Marcus's gaze landed on me and then went back to Damien. “We found a mole, boss… Some shipments have been missing, and we realized that some of our boys have been selling it to another Mafia family for quick cash.
Damien's grip tightened against my arm, his jaw clenched tight in anger. “Quick cash! I'll make sure you get whatever you may need, won't I?!” He barked in anger.
Marcus bowed his head, his fingers trembled slightly, and he said, “I'm sorry, boss.”
“Who are the dumbfucks who betrayed me? For money? I can give them millions if they ask!” Damien's eyes reddened.
“Damien, calm down,” I spoke softly.
Damien’s gaze turned to me, his gaze softening instantly. “Vita mia, I help these men with everything I own, and they still do this?”
“I know…” I stroked his arm gently. “It's okay, I'm sure we can handle this, can't we?”
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He inhaled sharply. “We can.”
He turned to face Marcus. “Take me to them.”
We headed into the car, and a few minutes later, we arrived at a warehouse.
The rest of Damien’s soldiers had gone away, leaving only two, including Marcus, who stood ahead of us, leading us into the warehouse.
“Do you own this place?” I asked, my gaze scanning the place as we walked in.
“We own this place, amore mio,” he responded.
The loud humming of machines echoed through the air as we walked in; the place was stacked with sealed boxes and crates. The subtle smell of gunpowder filled the air; the harsh metallic taste of blood followed.
“My love”, Damien suddenly halted, turning to face mine, “ahhh….” He groaned softly, his hands reaching for my chin. “I understand that you want to be a part of my life, but I do not think it is a good idea for you to see what I'm about to do to these men.”
The innocence in those green eyes made my heart yearn even more for him. “Damien, I have seen you kill before; I'm fine with it.”
He cupped both sides of my face with his hands. “I do not want you to look at me like a monster…”
“What? Damien no.” I cut in, my gaze puzzled. “I cannot believe you think that I'd ever see you as a monster. You are my husband, Damien; that's all you are and will ever be.”
His gaze softened. “I love you so much, Charlotte,” he spoke as his lips pressed against mine.
He held my hand and led me deeper into the warehouse. My gaze flickered as I noticed three men tied up side by side to a chair, duct tape tied over their mouths. Their faces were severely bruised; they seemed to have been beaten up.
Their eyes widened with fear as their gaze caught Damien; they wiggled in fear, mumbling as hard as they could.
Damien stepped forward, approaching them, “You were working for the enemy, smuggling my cocaine to them for money?” He reached for one of them, the duct tape making a loud ripping sound as he tore it off his face.
“Boss! I'm sorry! I didn't know what came over me! Please!” His voice trembled as he begged.
Marcus walked past me and headed to Damien with a tray that contained a gun and brass knuckles in his hand.
Damien immediately picked up the brass knuckles. “I would break every tooth in your mouth with this,” he spoke to the man on the chair, “but not in front of my wife.” He placed the brass knuckles back and picked up the gun.
“So mercy shall be granted.” He cocked the gun and aimed it at the man's head. “A quick, painless death.”
The man's eyes widened as the loud gunshot echoed; the bullet had passed through his head. His head flung back as blood dripped down his face.
Damien aimed the gun at the other man; his eyes were as icy as snow, and he sent another bullet through his head.
My body jerked as the gun fired, my ears ringing from the loud echo.
I swallowed as I watched the last man struggle in his seat; he mumbled desperately, shaking his head as tears dropped down his face.
As Damien's gun cocked, I let out a loud shout, “Stop!”
Damien froze and turned to face me. “Is there a problem, my love? You can turn around if you cannot take it.”
“No, it's not that.” I stepped forward. “He seems to have something to say.”
The man quickly nodded.
“They always have something to say,” Marcus spoke.
Damien's head tilted up to the ceiling as he exhaled sharply, “Don't ever interrupt my wife again, Marcus.”
“I'm sorry, boss.” Marcus quickly took a step back.
Damien's head turned to me. “You want me to listen to this man?”
I nodded.
He sighed and moved to the last man; ripping the tape off his mouth, he spoke, “Do you have anything to say before I put a bullet through your head?”
“They have my sister! They weren't paying me. I did this to save my sister's life!” The man pleaded, trembling.
My heart dropped. “Did these other men do it for a family member too?”
He shook his head, panting heavily with fear. “They wanted the money and said they could build their own empire with the money they got from stealing from the Don. I didn't want a part of it until my sister was taken.”
“Why didn't you come to me?” Damien asked, a hint of concern in his voice.
“They threatened to kill my sister if anyone heard.” His voice trembled. “She's the only family I have.”
“We are your family, Derick.” Damien corrected, “You should have come to us!” He barked, and in that moment ,I saw the betrayal in his eyes; he wasn't angry at them, he was hurt.
Derick trembled. “I’m sorry, Don Davenport.”
“Which family took your sister?” Damien inquired.
“The Luciano’s,”Derick responded.
Damien's fist clenched tight; the mention of the name Luciano seemed to strike something in him.
“My wife has been on a twelve-hour flight; she needs to rest.” Damien tossed the gun to the ground and turned to face me. “Marcus, ask the necessary questions and postpone the recruitment ritual. Tomorrow we retrieve Derrick’s sister.”
A warm smile curled on my lips. “Thank you,” I mouthed.
“Thank you, boss!” Derick shouted as we began to walk away, “Thank you, Mia, Salvatrice!”
My head turned to Damien. “Mia salvatrice?”
“It means my Savior,” he explained.
A few minutes later ,we arrived at our suite; the place had a big chandelier dangling over the ceiling. On one side was a king-sized bed, and on the other end was a mini living room.
At the far end of the room was a glass wall; you could gaze into the city from up here.”
“This place is beautiful,” I remarked.
I felt Damien behind me, his hands slowly taking off my overcoat. “There's something more beautiful before me, mon monde.” He slipped the coat and tossed it onto the bed ,and spun me to face him.
“Mon monde?”
“It means my world.” He gently pressed his lips against mine.
I wrapped my hands around his neck and pulled him closer. “I love you, Damien Davenport.”
His hands gripped tightly against my waist. “Despite all you saw me do today?”
My heart tilted to the side; I hated that he feared that there would ever be a reason for me to fear him. “I have seen you do worse, Damien. I will always love you.”
He exhaled with relief as he pressed his lips against mine. He pulled me into a tight hug, inhaling sharply, “You smell so good.”
The sound of glass shattering against the floor filled the room. I quickly pulled away from Damien and spun aro
und, my heart hammering hard against my chest.
The glass wall had shattered into a million diamond pieces, and on the floor sat a gift box.
What is that?