THE DEVIL'S MISTRESS

Chapter Five - A Mystery?

DAMIEN RAPHAËL POV

As soon as we pulled up to the estate, I could sense Fred’s growing concern. He wasn’t one to let things slide.

"Are you sure it was smart to leave that loose end?" Fred asked, his tone carrying a hint of disapproval.

"She's not the issue right now." I responded sharply, keeping my voice low. Angel was fast asleep in my arms, her tiny hand clutching the teddy bear.

"But I need to know who's behind this." I added. Whoever had planted the bomb wasn’t going to slip away.

"We're still working on identifying them." Fred explained as we headed upstairs.

"We have some leads, but nothing concrete." He opened the door to Angel's room and I stepped inside.

I laid Angel gently on her bed, watching her snuggle closer to the teddy bear. I reached out to take it, but she tightened her grip, pulling it against her chest.

I let it go, standing there for a moment, thinking. Maybe I'd misjudged Roxanne after all.

I exited Angel's room, closing the door softly behind me. "Thomas." I called, my voice echoing in the hallway. Fred followed me down the stairs.

"Yes, Boss?" Thomas appeared at the bottom of the staircase, his military background evident in every move he made.

"I need you to gather every scrap of information on Roxanne." I ordered, my voice steely. "As soon as possible."

He straightened his glasses and nodded. "The same girl?" He asked, a flicker of surprise crossing his face.

"Yeah." I confirmed. "And have someone tail her until I say otherwise. I want to know what she's up to at all times."

Thomas gave a quick nod before turning away to carry out the task. Efficient, as always.

"Why the sudden interest in this girl?" Fred asked as we entered my study. "I thought she wasn't important."

I settled into my chair, pulling out a drawer to grab a box of cigars. "She’s the one who ran me over."

Fred stopped short, staring at me in disbelief. "And you let her live?" His voice was incredulous, almost amused.

"...accidentally." I muttered, retrieving a cigar and leaning back in my chair.

Fred shook his head. "You’re unbelievable." He tossed a lighter across the desk, which I caught deftly.

"I’ll handle keeping tabs on her myself." He added, his tone casual but resolute.

I lit the cigar, the smoke curling lazily upward as I took a slow drag.

"Just the man for the job." I agreed. If anyone could keep a low profile while watching her, it was Fred.

"I'll handle it, but you need rest." He advised, sounding like he’d been waiting to say it all night.

I chuckled darkly, exhaling a plume of smoke.

"Going soft on me, Freddy?" I taunted, narrowing my eyes. "Just because I got a little scratched up this time?"

His smirk widened.

"Glad to see you're still you, Boss." With that, he turned and left the room, the door clicking shut behind him.

I took another drag from the cigar, leaning back in my chair as the silence of the room enveloped me. My hand absently combed through my hair as I closed my eyes.

But then, the memory of those piercing green eyes staring up at me surfaced, unbidden. That moment, the look on her face, played on a loop in my mind.

I opened my eyes, staring blankly at the ceiling. "Roxanne, huh?"