Chapter 20

Alison

I stared at Damien with a stunned look on my face. His words hung in the air as thoughts swirled in my mind.

“Where are you going with this?” I finally asked.

Damien’s lips curved into a sly grin, and he burst into laughter, his deep chuckle reverberating through the room. “Oh, don’t tell me you thought I meant riding as in the sexual activity. I was talking about horse riding.”

My cheeks flushed with embarrassment, and I averted my gaze, muttering under my breath. I was so stupid!

“You’ve got a dirty mind, Alison,” he teased, his laughter subsiding.

“Now, hearing you say this has made me curious?” He raised a brow. “Why don’t you show me just how good you are at riding?”

His darkened gaze and raised brow made me gulp as his words echoed in my head.

“I’m waiting, Alison!” He leaned backward, pointing at his lap.

The tone of his voice was mystic, and at that point I began to imagine myself in him.

“Are you shy Alison?” He asked. I watched as his hands moved to his zip. He was about to pull it down when suddenly he started laughing. His laugher was so loud that it echoed across the room.

“You need to have seen your face!” He continued laughing. “You look like you just saw I ghost.”

I stared at him horrifically. Damien was messing with me. Why did he do that?

As that question settles in my mind. I watched as his expression grew serious.

“Well, back to business.” He said in a stern voice. “The plan this time is a lot more complicated than the last one.”

I straightened in my seat, focusing on him as I tried to shake off that thought of riding him.

“The day I left the hospital. I had followed Edwardo around the city, trying to figure out what he has been up to,” he explained. “Turns out, he’s formed an alliance with a mafia gang based in the West Lands. I’m not familiar with them, but I’ve identified their leader he goes by the name Rodrigo. The guy owns several resorts, one of which is in the city. That’s where they’ve been meeting.”

“What does this have to do with me?” I asked cautiously.

“You’re going undercover,” Damien said bluntly. “I need you to figure out the extent of Rodrigo’s connection with Edwardo. I also need you to dig up any dirt on Rodrigo—something we can use against him. The Perez family never forges an alliance without a contract, and that contract always includes leverage. You need to find out what Edwardo got on, Rodrigo.”

My stomach tightened at the weight of his words. This wasn’t going to be easy, and I knew it. “So why did you ask if I was good at riding?” I asked.

Damien smirked, leaning back in his chair. “Rodrigo’s a fan of horse riding. He runs an underground betting club based on it—completely illegal, of course. But he’s rich enough to bribe the right people and keep it running. That’s why I asked if you’re good at riding.”

I let out a breath I hadn’t realized I was holding, nodding slowly. “Okay, so I get close to him through this riding club and dig up information. Got it.”

“I’m glad you picked up real quick,” Damien said firmly, his dark blue eyes piercing mine. “I won’t bothering wasting my time filling  your ears with the usual threats about not messing up—I hate clichés. I’m sure  you’re already aware of what happens when  you mess everything up.”

I swallowed hard, the gravity of his words sinking in. “I do,” I said quietly.

“Good,” he said, standing up and straightening his jacket. “Get some sleep. We head to the city tomorrow.”

As I stood to leave, the door to the study swung open, and Hugh stepped inside, his expression stormy.

“So, you’re choosing her over Silvia?” Hugh spat, glaring at Damien. “After everything she’s done to screw things up?”

Damien’s jaw tightened, and he folded his arms. “Silvia’s asking for a fortune to take this job,” he said evenly. “I’m being practical.”

“Practical?” Hugh scoffed, stepping closer. “The money Silvia’s demanding is pocket change for us. Hell, we could double it if we wanted to.”

Damien sighed, running a hand through his hair. “I know that, Hugh. I just—”

“You just want someone to screw while you’re in the city,” Hugh interrupted, his voice rising.

“Enough!” Damien barked, his face darkening.

“You know I’m right,” Hugh shot back. He jabbed a finger at Damien, his voice filled with frustration. “You’re letting your personal desires cloud your judgment. And if this flops, I’m done. I’ll leave the gang.”

“Hugh, wait—” Damien began, but Hugh turned on his heel and stormed out, slamming the door behind him.

The silence that followed was deafening. Damien stared at the door for a long moment before turning his attention back to me. His expression was unreadable, but his tone was filled with anger when he finally spoke.

“Get out,” he said flatly.

I obeyed him, and immediately after I stepped out of the mansion, I pulled out my phone and dialed Aiden’s number. It took some time before he picked. It was quite frustrating that Aiden never answered the phone after the first call.

I called him again, and finally he picked up.

“What’s going on?” Aiden’s voice came through the line.

“Damien’s sending me undercover to dig up dirt on Rodrigo, some gang leader in the west land,” I said, keeping my voice low. “Apparently, Rodrigo’s in some sort of alliance with Eduardo the youngest brother of the Perez family.”

“This is fantastic news. You are slowly getting incorporated into his plans,” Aiden said after a pause. “This is why I love you. You’re smart, brilliant, and amazing.”

Aiden sounded so excited. This was the first time I was hearing him sound this way.

That excited tone disappeared, and it was replaced by a firm time.

“Make sure you do well on this mission. Remember, whatever you discover would be useful to us.”

“I know,” I said, glancing over my shoulder to make sure no one was listening.

“And one more thing,” Aiden added. “Keep me updated every step of the way, and I want to know everything.”

“I will,” I said in a whispered tone.

The line went dead, and I slipped my phone back into my pocket. As I made my way back inside the Mansion, Hugh’s words echoed in my head. Was Damien really sending me on this mission because he trusted me, or was it something else?