Chapter 39

Damien

I left the room the moment I was sure Alison was asleep. The tension in my body hadn’t eased, as I still thought about Hugh and what had transpired between us.

At this point, my mind was fueled by frustration and anger. I needed a drink.

As I headed down to my wine cellar, I barely made it halfway before Hugh stepped out of the shadows, blocking my path.

I clenched my jaw. “Not in the mood, Hugh.”

He didn’t move, and that made me even more angry.

“I don’t want to talk to you.” I declared.

“Stop acting like a fucking child!” Hugh said and my eyes widened.

“Says the man that acted in a crazed manner.” I groaned and Hugh seemed to take my words to heart because I noticed as. His expression went from neutral to angry.

“If anyone was to hear what I did they would commend my actions,” Hugh said. “I acted like a true mafia leader.”

“You took matters into your own hands there’s nothing true about that .”

Hugh crossed his arms. “I did what was necessary.”

I let out a bitter laugh. “Necessary? You nearly blew everything up. What the hell were you thinking?”

“I was thinking about the mission,” Hugh shot back. “Unlike you.”

My eyes narrowed. “Unlike me?”

Hugh stepped closer. “You’re getting too close to her.”

I scoffed. “You don’t know what the hell you’re talking about.”

He tilted his head, smirking. “Don’t I?”

I exhaled sharply, trying to keep my temper in check. “I don’t want to talk about what happened. But you need to understand—what you did tonight could’ve ruined everything.”

“Or,” he countered, “it could’ve made things happen faster.”

I shook my head in disbelief. “You really think that? You think putting a gun to her head was the right call?”

Hugh’s expression hardened. “I think we don’t have time for your games.”

I took a step closer, lowering my voice. “I had a plan, Hugh. I explained it to you. So why did you go behind my back?”

He didn’t answer right away. His jaw clenched and slowly I watched as the rigid look in his eyes vanished.

He wasn’t angry anymore and the gaze he displayed showed me he regretted his actions or maybe I was overthinking it.

My thoughts were right, I was overthinking it. Hugh’s face twisted to a sly grin. Of course, he didn’t regret his actions. He loved it.

“I will keep saying this Damien. I did what I felt was right. If only you would have just allowed me to do what I wanted instead you ruined everything.”

I groaned. “I can’t believe you can’t see a single fault in your actions.”

“Why should I?” He declared.

I shook my head, staring at him in disbelief.

“First you go against my plans, then you act like you don’t feel a single drop of regret.”

Hugh didn’t say a single word he just stared at me.

“I’ve always seen you as a brother,” I said, my voice quieter now. “But after what you did… I don’t know who you are anymore.”

There was so much truth in my words. It was as though I had no idea who he was. Hugh and I were two peas in a pod.

We both trusted each other and carried out plans together unlike most men in the mafia circle who loved to dominate one another. I guess we acted that way because of the fact we knew all we had was ourselves and also because we saw what the quest for power and dominance did to our families. We promised to stand by each other's side no matter what and never become like our parents but now, it seems that Hugh has forgotten the pact we made to each other.

“Remember what I told you before!” Hugh’s voice bore into my thoughts, and I peered his way.

“One slip up and I will not hesitate to go back on my plans!” He walked away, and I shook my head. Who was this man?

I watched him disappear into the hallway, and I made my way to the wine cellar.

I picked up a bottle from my strongest collection and poured the wine into a glass. I heard the sound of footsteps, and without turning I knew exactly who it was. No one other than Gemma wore shoes that made clicking sounds against the marble flooring.

“Damien!” She called out and the next thing I felt was her hands on my neck.

She didn’t wait for me to speak as she tightened her grip.

“I have missed you.” Her lips slowly trailed down my neck. She was planting kisses, soft ones that made me feel nothing but irritation.

I pulled away from her touch and from the corner of my eyes, I noticed a change in Gemma’s expression.

“Don’t you miss me?” She asked in a low tone, displaying her pain.

“I don’t. I would love for you to let me be. I’m tired and not interested in whatever you’re trying to do.”

“If you’re tired I can ease your pain.“

I furrowed my brows. “Are you fucking deaf? I said I’m not interested.”

“Some days you were—“ her words were interrupted by Hugh’s voice. Why did he fucking return?

“Don’t waste your time trying to please him, Gemma. He’s not interested because he has someone else on his mind.”

Gemma’s brows raised and ignored the both of them. But Hugh kept on talking.

“Gemma darling, do you know that after you told Damien that Alison is a spy? He decided to—“

“Do you really have to involve her in this?” I asked standing on my feet.

“I’m just trying to make Gemma see things through my eyes,” Hugh said and I furrowed my brows.

“You’re fucking sick Hugh, and I don’t blame you for acting this way. You seem to have forgotten your role in my life.”

I was about to say more words but they

barely left my lips when a scream tore through the air.

I stiffened.

It was Alison.

Without another word, I pushed past Hugh, running down the hall toward her room. I could hear footsteps behind me but I ignored them.

My heart pounded as I threw the door open.

Alison was sitting up in bed, her body trembling, her breath coming in sharp, panicked gasps. Her eyes moved in my direction the moment I entered.

“What happened?” I demanded, stepping closer.

She looked at me, still shaken. “I——was attacked.”