Chapter 4

Althaia

As we neared the group of men, I tried not to stare at anyone longer than a second in case they would take it the wrong way. They were huge and intimidating and kept watching us as we approached them, but Cara was unfazed.

She led me over to the two men at the center of the group; the two most terrifying-looking men. And one of them was the man Michael told me not to stare at, and holy shit, that man was even finer up close.

 I couldn't take my eyes off him.

I was nervous to approach him as his eyes followed me, and his stare made my heart race. He didn’t even try to hide it as he shamelessly checked me out, which gave me mixed feelings. I was not sure I was supposed to like his attention on me.

“Althaia, meet my fiancé, Lorenzo.” Cara introduced. I looked at the man next to him and wanted to drop my jaw. He was about the size of a tank! He was so muscular and tall that I had to tilt my head up a little just to meet his gaze.

Her vagina is going to be so wrecked.

I shared a quick look with Cara, a smug grin on her lips saying, ‘I know’ like she read my thoughts, which made me crack a smile.

Tank Man was quite handsome with his closely shaved head, dark brown eyes, and a strong jawline with light stubble.

“It’s nice to meet you.” I smiled and stuck my hand out for a handshake. He looked down at my hand with a bored expression, letting it hang there before shaking it.

Well, that was lovely.

“And this is his older brother, Damiano.” She gestured to the one I had looked at for too long.

They were about the same height, though Tank Man was more broad-shouldered than Damiano. Tank Man was, well, like a tank, but Damiano was way more intimidating, his golden-brown eyes so cold and deadly when he stared at me.

I almost wanted to gulp.

“Pleasure to meet you.” I smiled nervously at him and went for a handshake. He didn't just stare at my hand as Lorenzo did; thankfully, he shook it immediately.

“Althaia.” Damiano said my name, as if he was seeing how it sounded on his tongue. “Pleasure’s all mine.”

A shiver ran through me at how deep his voice was, and it elicited an inappropriate response in my body. I felt my face flush.

This man was seriously otherworldly.

Damiano glanced at Tank Man, also known as Lorenzo, and it was almost like they were having a silent conversation. Whatever it was, it had Lorenzo grab Cara around the waist, and they walked off.

Cara looked over her shoulder and gave me a confused expression. I looked around and realized that the rest of the group had disappeared too.

“Uh...” I trailed in confusion.

“Althaia.”

I shivered again as I faced Damiano, who already had his eyes set on me. He reached into his pocket and took out a pack of cigarettes, offering me one.

“Oh, no, thank you.”

“Good choice.” He gave me a small smirk and held the packet up to his mouth, took a cigarette between his lips, all while looking into my eyes. There was something about the way he did it that was incredibly hot.

“So, Althaia.” Damiano spoke while he lit up his cigarette and took a long drag from it. “You look awfully well for a dead person.” He spoke, blowing out smoke.

“I’m sorry, what?” I shook my head like I didn't hear him right.

“Your file says you’re dead.” He continued as if it was the most normal thing to say and blew the smoke right into my face.

 I waved the smoke away and frowned at him.

“What are you talking about? I think you have me confused with someone else.” I chuckled awkwardly.

“Althaia Volante, twenty-four years old, born on November seventh because her parents fucked on Valentine’s Day. You died instantly in a car accident on New Year’s Eve three years ago.” He said, inhaling from his cigarette as my expression fell.

“Usually, dead people don’t look this good.” Damiano gave me another look-over.

“I don’t know what you are talking about. Besides, my name is not Volante. It’s Celano. Big difference. You must have me confused with someone else because I’m pretty sure I’m not dead. Obviously.” I gestured to myself as I was literally standing in front of him in the flesh.

“Obviously.” He finished his cigarette, and my eyes followed the bud as he flicked it away. I glanced back at him, seeing his eyes lingering on my necklace between my breasts.

Damiano reached out to touch my necklace, and I reflexively stepped back. His eyes locked onto mine, giving me a warning look, like he was telling me to stay still.

“However, you are wearing the Volante heirloom around your neck.” He stepped closer to me and my heart beat faster when his hand trailed up and held my chin. I swallowed hard as he tilted my head slightly upward so I could meet his eyes.

His face was getting closer to me, like he was going to kiss me, and my eyes went wide. But Damiano moved his head at the last second, his bearded cheek brushed against mine as he stopped by my ear.

“Makes me wonder why your father is hiding you from me.” He whispered, and it sent a chill down my spine.

Damiano slightly stepped back and dropped his hand to his side. He shot a look over my shoulder and my stomach dropped in fear when I saw his expression.

So deadly and fucking feral.

I had to get away from him.

I spun around to leave, but halted in my steps as I came face-to-face with my father.

“Papá.” I breathed out in shock. It was strange seeing him in front of me after so long, and though we hadn't kept in touch, my heart still missed him.

“What are you doing here?” My father snapped at me, absolutely livid.

My heart squeezed. I guess the feelings were not mutual.

“What, you don’t want to see your daughter? Don’t worry, I’m not here for you.” I frowned back.

Everybody stopped and stared at us. Wasn’t that just fucking lovely? They were all witnessing a shitty father and daughter reunion. He clearly didn’t want me here, and it made me feel like shit.

Great, so the worst that could happen, happened.

I crossed my arms, shoving my feelings away as I was about to leave, but stopped when Michael’s tense form moved forward to stand behind my father, posing as a bodyguard.

Someone grabbed me around the waist and pushed me into their side. I let out a noise of surprise at the sudden action and saw it was Damiano who held me firmly.

“Gaetano, such a beautiful gem you’ve been hiding.” He taunted in Italian.

My father clenched his fists as he looked at Damiano, but Damiano just cocked his head to the side with a devilish smirk.

“Michael, take Althaia away from here.” My father ordered firmly.

“Holy shit!” I shouted when Damiano whipped out a gun and pointed it at Michael. I tried to break free, but Damiano held me tight.

“Don’t even think about it.” He snarled at Michael while he crushed me to his side to prevent me from leaving. My legs would have given out in fear if he hadn't had such a strong grip on me.

Michael tried to grab me again, but before he could even take a step, the sound of a gunshot rang out in the air, making me cover my ears as a scream escaped me.

“I won’t fucking miss your head if you move one more time.” Damiano stated in a deadly low tone.

I could feel my knees weakening with each passing second. Michael’s jaw clenched when he saw the fear on my face. I glanced at my father for help, and it looked like he was having an inner battle as he assessed the situation.

Now I knew why the fuck it felt dangerous to approach Damiano. He was crazy!

“Keep her out of this.” My father hissed.

“And why should I when you’re the one hiding her, Gaetano?” Damiano bared his teeth in a sinister smile.

“She has nothing to do with anything!” My father yelled at him.

“Now, now.” Damiano chuckled, not fazed at all. “I’ll be the judge of that.” He pulled me in front of him, and it felt like I was facing the Devil himself.

Damiano loomed over me, his eyes narrowing with a menacing intensity that sent shivers down my spine. I swallowed hard, a paralyzing terror gripping me, as I dreaded what he might do to me.

“We’ll have a little chat together soon.” He said with a wicked smirk as he ran a thumb along my jaw.

I couldn’t talk.

I couldn’t even breathe.

I just stared at him, my eyes wide, while my heart felt like it was about to jump out of my chest. What was I supposed to say, anyway? Tea or coffee? I was pretty sure he preferred blood.

And I could only hope it was not mine he was after.

He leaned back, gave me a wink, and walked off. I exhaled and my legs buckled, making me stumble. But a pair of arms caught me mid fall before I hit the ground. I was spun around and saw Michael had grabbed me.

“Are you okay? Are you hurt somewhere?” He frantically asked as he looked around at my face. I couldn’t answer him as my eyes went to Damiano’s retreating form.

He was walking away as if he had no care in the world with his hands tucked into the pockets of his slacks.