Chapter 5

Althaia

“Althaia!” Michael called my name sharply.

“I’m okay.” I tried to reassure him, even though my voice was barely audible.

“Michael, take Althaia to my office.” My father snapped, his face twisted with anger. Michael didn’t need to be told twice and practically carried me inside the mansion.

“You can let me walk now. I’m okay.” I reassured him again. He loosened his grip on me, but he was still holding me close as we entered my father’s office.

I plopped down on the couch and started massaging my temples as I felt a headache coming on. My mind was all over the place. One moment we were shaking hands, and the next, people were trying to shoot each other. It was a not-so-friendly reminder of what kind of people they were.

Michael sat on the coffee table in front of me and handed me a bottle of water.

“Thanks.” I gave him a small smile and took a big sip.

“You good?” He asked, leaning forward as he rested his arms on his thighs.

“Yeah, just so confused right now.” I sighed and sank back onto the couch. 

Before Michael could reply, the door swung open, and my father stalked in. Michael and I both rose, watching him walk up to his desk. He leaned against it, fixing me with a stern glare.

“Do you have any idea of what kind of trouble you have put yourself into coming here?” He snapped, and my mouth dropped open.

“How the hell have I caused any trouble just by showing up?” I exclaimed.

“Watch your language.” He said firmly, and I scowled.

“I should be the one asking questions because that man, Damiano, said some really crazy stuff about me out there.” I crossed my arms and eyed him suspiciously.

Even though he was wrong about the last name and car accident, everything else was correct. As much as I would like to think it was coincidental, I knew it wasn’t.

“Why did he call me Volante, hmm? And why in the world did he say that I died three years ago?” My eyes narrowed. 

My father closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose.

“I was trying to protect you, figlia. But I’m afraid I have done more harm than good.” He sighed and looked at me again.

“Protect me from what?” I uncrossed my arms as worry crept in. 

Fuck, should I fear for my life now? Move to a different country and change my name to Fifo? But I don’t look like a Fifo.

“I don’t want you to get involved in this mess, but since he already knows you’re alive, there’s no point in hiding this from you.” He went to the minibar, filled up a glass, and chugged it in one gulp.

I waited for him to elaborate. My dad pointed at the couch for me to sit, and he settled on the one opposite me. Michael went and stood to the side and listened.

“I’m only going to tell you what you need to hear. When we started going into business with la Famiglia Bellavia, things were going great. Then it took a turn, and a war almost broke out. The last thing I wanted was for them to find you to use you against me. So, I faked your death.” He shrugged.

“What the actual fuck?” I shrieked, and my father shot me a warning look.

I was supposed to be dead?

“But he said Althaia Volante, I’m a Celano.” I pointed out.

“Celano is a name your mother and I both decided for you to have so people wouldn’t be able to track you down easily.” He explained. “I never gave you my family name because I want to protect the only daughter I have.”

So, that was what he meant when he said I was causing trouble. It made sense now. In all fairness, how was I supposed to know that? No one told me I was supposed to play fucking dead.

“I couldn't take the chance of you going around and introducing yourself as Volante. Word would get out, and he would track you down fast to get what he wants.” He sighed, and it left me stunned once again.

“So…” I trailed off. “Does that mean I’m in any kind of danger now? Should I be worried?” I asked, probably looking like a lost child. 

If my father had faked my death, then that meant Damiano was more dangerous than I realized. I knew he was too gorgeous to be a sane man.

My father’s eyes softened.

“You don’t have to worry about anything. This is why Cara is getting married into their family. It’s for assurances for both families.”

“What?!” I rose from my seat as I erupted in disbelief. They were just giving Cara off as if she were some kind of peace offering? “You are sending your own niece into the arms of psychopaths!” 

“She knows what she’s getting into, and she happily agreed.” My father retorted, getting to his feet.

No shit. Her father was a complete maniac. Of course, she would do anything to get away from him, even if it meant being with another psycho. Anyone was better than her own father.

“Well, does that mean you trust them now since Cara is being married into their family?”

“No, I don’t trust them one bit. Especially Damiano. He’s the Devil.” He spat out, and I just gaped at him.

“Then what’s the point of her getting married to one of them?” I asked. “If he’s the so-called Devil, then why do you send Cara into their arms, huh?”

“Sometimes you have to sacrifice for the greater good.” He said calmly.

“What greater good? Don’t you even care that they could kill her?” I shot back. 

My father just sighed and shook his head.

“Listen, there are things you don’t need to know. This conversation ends here.” He said, leaving no room for discussion.

I wanted to shout at him, to make him realize how ridiculous all of this sounds. Instead, I exhaled slowly as I knew it would fall on deaf ears.

My father approached me, gently resting his hand on my cheek.

“I don’t want to involve you even more in this mess. Just leave it to me and trust me when I say it’s for the best for everyone.” 

“You still have some explaining to do.” I said, and he cracked a slight smile as he looked over my face.

“You’ve really become a beautiful young lady. La mia bellissima figlia.” He spoke softly. 

I couldn’t help the warmth that filled my heart at his words. I wrapped my arms around him and held him tightly without thinking about it.

No matter how much I wanted to be mad at him for not even trying to be around, the little girl in me who wanted her father didn't care right now. What mattered was that he wasn’t rejecting me as I had feared.

My father chuckled softly when he hugged me and kissed the top of my head. I decided that everything else could wait and just enjoy this small moment with him.

“Awh, look at that. A father-daughter reunion.” Michael said in an almost cute voice.

“Oh shoot, I forgot you were still here.” I laughed as I unwrapped my arms from my father, and Michael just pouted at me.

“I should find Cara and apologize for ruining her party.” I just hoped she wasn’t too mad at me. “Will you give me a ride back to the hotel? I’m assuming there isn’t much of a party going on right now.” I asked Michael.

“Sure thing!”

“You should spend the night here and not in a hotel.” My father chimed in.

“Thanks, but maybe some other time? I feel like my head is about to explode, and I need a little time to myself to process everything.” I admitted. He looked disappointed but was understanding.

I said my goodbyes to my father, and Michael and I made our way out of the office in search of Cara. But I couldn’t help that my mind wandered to a certain golden-brown eyed Devil, going by the name of Damiano, and his promise that we would have a chat soon.

A deadly man that somehow still had me curious about him.

 ֎ ֎ ֎

“What a grand entrance you made tonight.” Michael playfully bumped his shoulder into mine.

“Tell me about it.” I chuckled. Michael walked me to my hotel room to ensure my safety, which I was grateful for.

I swiped my keycard and held the door for Michael to enter as well.

“Not bad, Thaia. You got yourself a luxury suite.” He whistled in awe as he looked around.

“Well, I thought I would take advantage of this opportunity and treat myself a bit.” I grinned. I had asked for the biggest suite in the hotel because I wanted it to feel like a real vacation.

The suite was split into two large rooms; a lounge area with soft couches that would swallow you and a huge flat-screen TV, and the other with a king-sized bed. It had to be a king-sized bed because I had this irrational fear that if my arm or leg hung off the bed, some kind of nasty creature would definitely grab me.

I slumped down in the armchair and unstrapped my stilettos, sending them flying in different directions with a kick, then leaned back and closed my eyes. I moaned in relief as I curled my toes, making sure the blood was flowing down to them.

“Wow, that could not sound any more sexual.” Michael said with a smug tone. I opened one eye to catch a glimpse of him smirking as he settled into the couch across from me. In response, I flipped him off, which only made him laugh. “Why do you even wear those? They look so painful.”

“Because they are hot as fuck.” I stated, as if it was the most obvious thing. “Not everyone has been blessed with height like yours. I need the additional height, so I don’t disappear in the crowd of all you tall people.” I explained while struggling to unclasp my necklace.

“There is nothing wrong with your height. It’s cute and suits you. You’re obviously blessed in other areas.” He wiggled his brows and gestured to my breasts. My dress was actually quite revealing at the top, which gave him a great view of my cleavage.

“Creep.” I teased and tried not to blush under his gaze. “Can you help me take off my necklace? I think the lock is stuck or something.” I asked to distract myself from the intensity in his eyes.

“Sure.” 

I rose to my feet, and lifted my hair so he could get better access.

“Thank you.” I said once he slid off the necklace and gave it to me. 

My brows shot up when Michael trailed his hands down my back and rested them on my hips. I stilled when he pulled me in close until I was against his chest. A small sound came out of him when I felt his lips touch my neck.

My breath caught in my throat, and tingles erupted in my stomach when he wrapped his arms around me with his hands resting on my stomach.

“You look absolutely gorgeous tonight.” He whispered in my ear. I opened my mouth to say something, but nothing came out. “Goodnight, Althaia.” He gave me a small peck on my shoulder and walked out of my hotel room. 

I remained right where I was, looking at the door he just walked out in surprise. 

Still in a daze, I went to the bathroom. I needed a cold shower to help me figure out if any of it was real, or if it was my imagination playing with me.

I turned on the cold shower for just five seconds before switching to the soothing warmth. A sigh of relief escaped me, and my tense muscles finally relaxed. Though, I couldn't fully let go of my racing thoughts, especially those about Michael and the way his hands had sensually traced down my body. 

Just thinking about it made me blush.

I had a major thing for him when we were kids, and maybe he felt the same way about me? I let out a frustrated groan as these thoughts overwhelmed me. I was a total mess after meeting the Devil, and now Michael just had to add to that pile of confusion.

To get my mind off things, I gave a full-blown concert performance in the shower, using the shampoo bottle as my microphone as I sang ‘Butter’ by BTS at the top of my lungs.

My singing came to a stop when I heard the hotel door open and close. Room service must have arrived, and I hurried to dry myself off.

Just before getting into the shower, I remembered to order food. I told them I was going to take a shower and that they could come in if I didn't finish in time. 

I hadn’t eaten anything all day because I was so nervous about seeing my father, and my stomach reminded me as it made the biggest rumble sound ever. I was happy Michael had left before it happened.

I threw on the big, fluffy bathrobe and slippers provided by the hotel, then headed out to the lounge area to devour the delicious food I knew was waiting for me.

I was so ready to stuff my face.

My heart stopped beating, and I froze when I spotted someone on the couch. They reached over to the lamp on the end table next to the couch and flicked it on.

It was the Devil himself.

Damiano.

“Good evening, Althaia.”