Chapter 67: Get Blasted

DAMON

The mansion glared at us, high defense security to bypass, but we came prepared. Wizard, one of my tech men, came forward with his device, placing it on the security code and destroying the system with practiced ease.

I gave a curt nod to one of my men, leaving part of my crew to guard the entrance while I walked in with Carlo, Andro, and some of my other men. The night air felt heavy with danger.

"Boss, we need to be prepared for what's in there."

He said, and I smiled, a simple smile which signified I didn't care about the danger ahead. Danger was my middle name.

"Okay. We should all be careful."

I said, and with one kick, Andro kicked the door open. It was a huge door, but it cracked anyway and swung wide.

The house was neat, well arranged, but there was no one inside. Too clean. Too perfect.

"I told you this was a trap."

He said, and I nodded, looking around carefully.

"Yes it is. You mentioned that already, but look at the cushion. The rough movement of the cotton on the cushion signifies that someone just stood up from it. And then look at the bar – there's a wine glass on the bar table."

I said, walking towards the bar as I picked up the glass, analyzing the content with my trained eye.

"The content was just taken. I can still see the lines of his mouth around the glass."

I said, and the men were shocked at my revelations, surprised at how I was able to find all these details. But Carlo wasn't – I was trained by the biggest Mafia fathers.

"So what does this mean?"

Andro asked, everyone on guard, weapons ready.

"It means Ronald just left this building because I felt human warmth in this building the moment we came in. And he left evidence which he wants us to see. He wants us to know that we're here..."

I said, the heartbeat in my chest slowly rising, that familiar dread creeping in.

"Why do you think so?"

Andro asked again, his voice tense.

"Fuck, so he could distract us."

I said, and with that realization, my phone rang. I stared at the strange number on my screen, slowly sliding to answer.

The call was silent for a while before he finally spoke, his voice cutting through me like a blade.

"You seem not to be stressed out. I'm actually in bed with your cupcake."

He said slowly, and each single fucking word he said made my heart break into pieces. I could feel my chest tightening with fear, so much fear it nearly choked me.

"You are joking."

I said, wishing this was all false. I fucking had the house guarded – how did he walk in?

"Oh, you think? Well, check your phone."

He said, and right then, a notification came up. It was from the same strange number, and it was a video.

My heart beat frantically as my fingers trembled on play. There she was, sleeping so soundly in my room, oblivious to who was with her as Ronald stroked her hair gently. The sight made me want to vomit.

My hands trembled as the video ended, rage and terror mixing in my veins.

"Well, if you do not send that device my way in two days, I promise you, I will kill her next time, and you wouldn't even know when that happens. And know that once this call ends, half of your men will die. I have a bomb which will blow up the entire mansion in exactly five..."

My eyes widened at the revelation, adrenaline shooting through me.

"Fuck, everyone outside! Outside! This is a trap! Run out!"

I screamed, my voice echoing through the mansion.

"Four..."

He kept saying, still holding onto the phone, as my men scrambled out from the building. But my mind was only in one place – Annabel.

"Three..."

Just when I was running, I saw a file. It was so hidden, lying under the marble table, and I dashed towards it, ignoring the countdown.

"Boss!"

Carlo screamed at me, panic in his voice.

"Two..."

I knew I was making a reckless move, but I ran towards it, grabbing it so fast my fingers burned.

"Go! Fucking go!"

I ordered at Carlo, who wanted to rush right back in for me.

"One..."

I ran out, almost there, almost there, my legs pumping harder than they ever had.

"Zero..."

And the mansion came blowing up into pieces, the explosion throwing me forward.

"Capo..."

"Damon..."

I heard a voice calling my name. My head was fuzzy, making some weird electric sound like something had burst into my ears and covered my earbuds. Slowly, the faces in front of me started getting visible, and the first face I came in contact with was Carlo.

"DAMON!"

He said, holding my hands while he was tapping me, relief flooding his features.

"I'm fine, brother."

I whispered, and he chuckled. If there was one thing me and Carlo had together, we hardly smiled at each other.

"You smiled at my near death. Maybe I should start dying more often."

I said, and he gave a little growl. I gave him a little smile. We weren't acting like boss and loyal right hand – we were acting like siblings, siblings from different mothers. Yes, Carlo was my stepbrother. My father had gotten him in one of his expeditions and trained him as his son. We grew up as brothers. He was the only sibling I had and the only one I could trust.

"Please, Capo, don't try that stunt you pulled. Please, especially for her sake."

He said, and I looked at him. I hadn't looked around, and fuck, she was the first person that crossed my mind. I hadn't seen her yet. I needed to see her.

"Where am I?"

I asked, looking around. I had bandages on my ribs and wraps around my forehead. Everything ached.

"Capo, you need to take it easy. The doctor said you would be in pain."

He said, but I really didn't care what the doctor said. I needed to see her, to see if she was safe, alright. Flashes of what happened started rolling into my head like a broken movie reel.

"She's safe. She's very fine, and she heard about your situation. Told her it was an accident. She's very safe, and she's not happy with the situation."

He rambled, and I looked at him in shock, trying to process everything.

"How long did I pass out?"

I asked, and he stared at me, then at the front door. I followed his gaze, and standing there was Annabel. She was looking at me through the door, and her eyes were filled with so many tears.

"You have been in a coma for seven days, and Ronald didn't make any attack yet. I guess he must have heard of the situation, so he withheld from his operation or plan."

He whispered before standing up to leave, giving us space.

"Remember, you had an accident."

He said, standing up and walking out from the room. But my focus remained on Annabel. She was standing there, tears filling her eyes, and all I wanted to do was hug her, know she was real.

"Cupcake."

I whispered, my voice croaked with brokenness and shame, for not protecting her as I had said I would. The word came out like a prayer.