Chapter 11

Alison

“So that’s the plan?” I asked as Damien and I sat in the car. My wounds had completely healed, and I was back to being Damien’s puppet.

“It sounds simple doesn’t it?” Damien asked, staring at me.

“Yes it does.” I replied.

“I must warn you, as simple as the plan sound. It is also very risky.” He said, starting the engine. “Ares is young, and because of that his brothers would do anything to protect him. They are also far more dangerous than you can imagine.”

“I have seen far more dangerous men, and I have dealt with them.” I said.

“Look at you, sounding like a gangster.”

Damien laughed. It was a genuine laughter, and it seemed to light up his eyes.

I looked away. I didn’t want to be blinded by how beautiful they were, reminding myself along the line that this man was a monster.

When we got to the mansion where the event was held. Damien’s expression had changed as he stared at me. The soft look had died, and he appeared cold.

“Do you want me to go over the plan over again?” He asked, freeing his hands from the steering.

“I got it.” I said. “All I have to do is plant the envelope in Ares’ room. There’s literally nothing to go over.”

Damien nodded, and together we got out of the car. The black dress that I wore had a small slit at the side where Damien had strapped a gun. Damien had thought me how to use a gun. Not that I was going to shoot anyone. I don’t think I have the balls for that.

I paid my attention to the gun, and as my hands glided down my legs, I saw Damien’ eyes linger on me before he pulled away.

“Hurry up!” His tone was hoarse, and I picked up steps. I didn’t want to get tangled up in Damien’s wrath.

“Welcome sir and Miss!” a tall man at the gate greeted as we approached him. “Can I have your name?”

“Mr and Mrs Martinez!” Damien said. His hand made its way to my waist, and he pulled me closer.

The man in front of us nodded, checking the paper in his hands. After he few minutes he looked up at us with a smile.

“Your name is on the list!” He declared. “You can proceed.”

“Thank you.” Damien said with a smile. His grip on my hands tightened and when we arrived inside the hall, I was surprised.

The place was decorated extravagantly. I couldn’t believe this was a birthday for a sixteen-year-old. Damien led me down the roll of seats, which were numbered alphabetically.

When he got close to the one with — ‘M’ he stopped scanning the tables. He sighted a table with our fake name and led me there.

“They really went all out!” I said, scanning the hall. I couldn’t get over the decorations.

“The Perez are really wealthy family, and throwing extravagant parties is what they are known for.” Damien replied, adjusting his hair.

I followed his eyes as they scanned the hall. Suddenly, he stopped his action, turning to stare at me.

“You can go now!” Damien said. “Ares just came downstairs, and I see his brothers at the table. Remember the letter needs to be kept in Arès room, nowhere else. It must be well—hidden too.”

“And one more thing Ares room is the last room down the hall. It has some inscriptions.” He added.

As I stood, Damien’s hand shot out and gripped my wrist. His fingers were cold as iron, and his gaze turned menacing.

“Don’t mess this up,” he said, his voice dropping to a dangerous whisper, “if you do, you’ll have more than me to answer to. Your next encounter in that room won’t be pleasant, I promise you.”

I swallowed hard, watching as his expression shifted from calm to monstrous in a matter of seconds. How can a man be sweet one moment and a devil the next?

“Take the back stairs,” Damien instructed, releasing my wrist. “Don’t let anyone see you.”

I nodded and turned away.

When I got upstairs, I paused when I heard giggling. My eyes landed on two teenagers making out. The boy had his hands under the girl’s dress, and her soft moans filled the air.

My cheeks burned as my mind brought back memories of my bad sex experience with Aiden.

Shaking the thoughts away, I realized I hadn’t even contacted him since my arrival. It wasn’t like I didn’t want to, but Damien’s constant surveillance made it impossible to have a moment alone. I promised myself I’d find a way to reach out to Aiden soon.

The couple was too absorbed in each other to notice me as I crept past them, careful not to make a sound.

Finally, I reached the door labeled ‘Ares’ Territory. Cross it and Die.’Taking a deep breath, I twisted the doorknob and slipped inside.

My eyes immediately landed on two people kissing on the couch.

Seriously? How horny are these people? I thought.

The girl noticed me first, her dark eyes narrowing, and she said something in Spanish as she stared at me.

“I don’t understand,” I replied, feeling uneasy.

Switching to English, she sneered, “What are you doing here?”

“I—uh—came to get something for Ares,” I stammered. “His brother sent me.”

The girl exchanged a look with the boy. “I don’t think any of the Perez brothers would send a random stranger into Ares’ room,” she said, rising to her feet. “They wouldn’t dare risk his temper.”

My heart race. I was caught.

“You’re lying,” the girl accused, stepping closer. Her hand slipped into the folds of her dress, pulling out a small pistol.

The blood drained from my face as she aimed the weapon at me.

“Who the fuck are you?” she demanded.

The boy also pulled a gun, pointing it in my direction.

“I told you,” I said, my voice trembling. “I’m here on Ares’ brother’s orders—”

“Liar!” the girl hissed, striking the side of my head with the gun. Pain exploded in my temple, and I stumbled backward.

“Speak now, or I’ll ruin that pretty little face of yours,” she spat.

I tried to think of a way out. During that moment, my hand brushed against the gun Damien had insisted I carry, but I couldn’t bring myself to use it. I wasn’t a killer.

“Speak up, bitch!” the girl screamed, raising her gun again.

Before I could respond, a familiar voice caught my attention.

“Hi,” Damien said, stepping into the room. “Am I interrupting something?”

“So, you have an accomplice?” She sneered, looking at me.

“Rio is going to be so happy when we bring him two dead bodies.” The boy, who had been quiet, spoke up.

He turned his gun in Damien’s direction, but Damien was faster. In a split second, he raised his gun and fired at the boy, who fell to the ground with a groan.

“Antonio!” the girl screamed, rushing to his side.

She wrapped the boy in her hands, whispering in his ears before turning towards Damien.

She aimed her weapon at Damien, but he didn’t flinch. A bitter smile spread across his face as he shot her in the head, her body collapsing next to the boy’s.

“Let’s go,” he ordered, grabbing my arm and pulling me toward the door.

“But the letter—” I began, my voice shaking.

“Forget about it.” He snapped.

We took the back stairs, and suddenly we began to hear the sound of approaching footsteps and shouts. The Perez brothers must have discovered the bodies.

When we arrived outside, gunshots echoed behind us as we ran. Damien shoved me into the car once we got to the driveway, and jumped into the driver’s seat.

“I’m sorry,” I blurted, my voice breaking. “I didn’t know they’d be in the room—”

“It’s not your fault,” Damien cut me off in a harsh tone.

As Damien drove, bullets hit the back of the car continuously.

“Alison!” Damien barked. “Shoot them!”

I froze, staring at him like he’d lost his mind.

“Do it!” he yelled, his voice thunderous.

With trembling hands, I pulled the gun from my thigh and turned toward the vehicles behind us. My heart pounded as I aimed, but the rapid gunfire from behind made me duck in fear.

“Coward,” Damien muttered bitterly, pulling out his own gun.

Before he could fire, a bullet hit the car’s tire. The vehicle spun out of control, swerving before crashing into the bush.

The car fell silent, and for a moment, all I could hear was the sound of my breathing.