Chapter 34

Alison

Damien had told me the mission was simple. Very simple.

I should have known better than to believe him.

Because here I was, back at the Perez mansion, my pulse hammering in my ears as I stared at the all-too-familiar estate that had nearly cost me my life the last time I was here.

“What are we doing here, Damien?” I hissed, gripping the edge of my seat. “You said it was—”

He cut me off before I could finish. “No more questions, get out of the car.”

I blinked at him, mouth slightly parted in shock. “But I—“

“Don’t make me repeat myself, Ally.” His tone was sharp, and I knew there was no point in arguing.

I exhaled through my nose, frustration growing inside me, but I did as he said. The cool night air hit my skin, and I crossed my arms over my chest, glaring at him.

‘I wouldn’t be silenced.’ I thought as I positioned myself in front of him.

I needed answers.

“Have you forgotten how things turned out the last time we were here?” I reminded him. “Because I sure as hell haven’t.”

Damien shot me a look, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. “I haven’t forgotten.”

“Then why the hell are we back here?” I asked once again.

“Stop asking me stupid questions. We are here for a new mission.” His voice was hoarse.

I knew we were here for a mission but what I didn’t know was what this mission was about. Damien didn’t say a thing in his study after he left me hanging after seducing me.

Before I could speak up. I noticed Damien was already walking away. I stayed where I was, watching as he circled the back of the house.

The minute I couldn’t see him, I picked up my steps.

“Stop!” Damien muttered and from the corner of my eyes, I spotted a security guard.

He stood near the entrance of the back door, dancing to the music in his headphones. He was unaware of our presence as he kept bursting into different moves.

One second, the guard was rolling his hips. The next, Damien had him in a tight grip, dragging him backward into the nearby bushes.

I heard a muffled grunt, followed by it was the sound of something snapping—then finally silence.

My stomach clenched, but I didn’t flinch.

Damien emerged from the shadows, with a firm gaze.

“Did you kill him?” I asked.

“Of course not!” Damien spat.

“So where’s he?” I asked determined to know what transpired in the bushes.

“He’s tied up and would remain like that until we are done.” He said firmly.

Damien picked up his steps and headed towards the door. “Follow me.”

I hesitated for half a second, before doing what he said.

We moved down the hallways of the Perez mansion. I was looking over my shoulder after each step.

It was eerily quiet—too quiet. My instincts screamed at me that something felt off, but I didn’t voice my concerns.

Damien moved like a shadow, peeking around corners before signaling me forward. I followed closely behind, my heart pounding.

Then, suddenly we heard voices.

Damien reacted instantly. He grabbed me, pushing me into the nearest room. I stumbled inside, nearly losing my footing, but Damien's hands stopped me right in time.

As I glanced around, I realized that this wasn’t a room at all.

It was a closet.

A tight closet.

Damien and I were pressed together in the dark, our breaths mingling, our bodies flush against each other. The heat of him surrounded me, and despite everything, my mind thought about filthy things.

I stared at his lips, my brain betraying me with flashes of memory—Damien gripping Gemma’s hair, the way his eyes had darkened as he moved inside her.

I swallowed hard.

I forced myself to focus on the voices outside, but they barely registered. All I could hear was the sound of Damien’s breathing.

Then, to my horror, he leaned in closer.

I felt his breath on my skin, warm and teasing. His hand trailed down my thigh, causing my breath to hitch. My fingers curled into fists.

A deep, traitorous part of me wanted him to keep going.

Then, just as suddenly as he had started, he pulled away.

I let out a breath I hadn’t realized I was holding. Once again, Damien had left me hanging.

“The hall is clear,” he murmured.

He stepped out of the closet like nothing had happened. Like he hadn’t just set my body on fire in the span of a few seconds.

I exhaled sharply, trying to shake off whatever the hell had just happened, and followed him up the stairs.

We moved carefully, dodging the occasional guard. Then, just as we reached the next corridor, another man appeared, stopping a small group of armed men ahead of us.

“Edwardo needs you in his chambers,” the man barked. “now.”

The guards barely hesitated before following orders, leaving the hallway empty.

Damien wasted no time. He moved forward, heading straight toward a heavy wooden door.

“What exactly are we looking for?” I whispered, hoping he would give me answers this time.

“Edwardo’s latest contract,” he muttered.

“Why?” I asked. “We already know he sealed a contract with Rodrigo.”

“Rodrigo isn’t the only one he’s dealing with.” He replied, focusing on the path ahead. I knew better than to say anything else.

We slipped inside the study. It was grand, filled with dark wood and expensive furniture.

“Search that part of the room for the contract. Make sure you confirm the date. It has to be recent.”

I nodded then I moved quickly, searching the desk while Damien rifled through a nearby drawer.

Then, finally—I found it.

“Got it,” I whispered, holding up the document.

Damien snatched it from my hand, scanning the contents with sharp eyes. A slow, satisfied smirk spread across his face.

“This,” he said, shaking the paper slightly, “is the reason I brought you with me.”

I frowned. “You needed me to find it?”

“No.” He tucked the document into his jacket. “I knew you would find it. You’re useful in situations like this.”

I didn’t know how to respond to that so I kept quiet.

We left the study quietly, moving out of the mansion as we had entered. To my surprise, nothing went wrong.

No gunfire. No sudden ambush.

By the time we were back in the car, I was still processing how smoothly everything had gone.

“That was… easy,” I admitted.

Damien smirked, starting the engine. “I told you it would be.”

I rolled my eyes, leaning back in my seat.

Then, out of nowhere, he said, “We should celebrate.”

I shot him a skeptical look. “Celebrate what? Breaking into a mansion and stealing a contract?”

He chuckled. “No. A successful mission.”

I shook my head, staring out the window. “I don’t see how that’s worth celebrating.”

Damien tapped his fingers against the steering wheel, considering something. Then, he asked, “When was the last time you let go?”

I turned to him, confused. “What?”

“When was the last time you danced?”

I blinked at him. I was so confused. Where was this conversation going?

“I… I don’t know,” I admitted pulling myself out of my haze.

He smirked. “Then I’m about to change that.”

I narrowed my eyes. “Damien, what are you—”

I stopped talking as I noticed he was already pulling the car onto another road, heading in a direction I definitely hadn’t expected.