Heart of Pains

Chapter Forty-five

Hannah's POV

After admitting my love for Damien, he's been all smiles and laughter. But as much as I love him and want to protect him, he's stubborn and insists he doesn't need anyone to guide him.

So, I sat Leo and Mariel down and tried to explain everything that was going on in a way they could understand. I then relocated them to one of my safehouses with Nonno and Nonna. I wanted to keep them safe and away from being hurt and used to get to me.

I've also been training with Carson, the guy who turned me. He's been helping me control my powers, especially the ones I've recently discovered. However, he remains tight-lipped about his origins, and my attempts to dig into his background have revealed nothing.

It's strange, but I've decided to let it go. I did, however, implant a tracking device in him, and he consumed it with the food we provided. Cameras are now placed everywhere, including his bathroom. At this point, no one can be trusted, not even those I consider family.

"Boss," my underboss interrupted my thoughts.

He had a bandage on his head from a previous injury but was healing well. I wasn't sure why he still had it; he was a hybrid that healed faster than any normal werewolf.

"Speak," I replied abruptly.

"We got him, and..." he began, but something was off. My underboss never stuttered, but now he was hesitating.

"Come see for yourself, my queen," he said, leading me towards the dungeon. "This is the first time you've locked up an enemy immediately. Who is he?"

"You'll see."

I followed him as we descended a series of steps. The room we entered was pitch-black, with no windows to allow any light. It was designed to make people claustrophobic, but both of us had eyes that could see clearly in the dark.

"Why am I surprised?" I muttered as I left the room.

"What about Monica?" I asked when we were outside.

"We're close to her," he replied.

I turned to Cole, my dark eyes on him, and crossed my arms.

"They say blood is thicker than water, but I never expected it to be this thick, Cole. My instincts say there's more."

Cole didn't say anything in reply. He just continued sitting there and staring at me. Someone then came to me with my phone, which was ringing loudly. The person gave me the device.

"Here's your phone, your Highness," they said.

I thanked them with a nod before promptly answering the device and putting it to my ear.

"Speak," I said.

"Slow down, or you will lose it," a hoarse voice said from the other end.

"Who are you?" I asked.

"Someone you don't want to know," and the line was disconnected.

I instructed my men to look into the number, but all they could tell me was that I was getting closer to this mysterious person. He wanted me to slow down.

"As if, I will," I muttered. "Now is not the time to slow down. I'm sorry, Mr. Unknown."

"We have her," my underboss said as he returned.

"Let's go pay her a visit, then," I said.

We arrived at the cell where Monica was being held. As expected, it was close to where her darling son was imprisoned.

"Let me go, you bitch!" Monica screamed.

"I knew you were going to say that," I replied. "I'm sorry, but that's never going to happen, Monica, unless you talk. It shouldn't take time if you comply."

"Yes, Your Highness," my underboss answered as he unlocked the cage.

As I stepped inside, a chair was placed for me. I sat down and watched the woman who had caused so much trouble, chained and shackled to prevent her from escaping.

"I don't hurt women, Your Highness," my underboss said.

"Very nice of you, gentlemen," I said. "But I'm sure we have people who do."

I noticed my underboss press a button, indicating that he had control over the situation. I didn't interfere; he knew what he was doing.

"You know, Monica," I began. "I'm going to step out of this room now and let the ladies do their job. Oh, I can imagine how good they're at it. If they hear their boss will give them a raise, enough of the talking. I just wanted to let you know that piece of information."

My underboss opened the door, and we stepped out.

"Don't you fucking leave me here, bitch!" Monica yelled.

I watched my underboss wince, but he simply nodded.

"My queen," one of my people said as we left the area.

"Christine, you know what to do," I told her.

"Yes, of course, my queen," she replied with a bow before heading inside, following the same path we had taken.

"You like her?" I asked my underboss.

"No, Your Highness," he replied abruptly.

"You were quiet, Kenneth, and you never mentioned a mate," I noted. "I understand you're busy, but I made you an underboss with a lot of people to assist you. Right after this fiasco, appoint a temporary person for the position and go find your damn mate."

He blushed a crimson red. "Yes, my queen."

We arrived in a room full of my men and women, equipped with gadgets that most of the FBI didn't even have yet. A MAC device was handed to my underboss, who, in turn, gave it to me.

"What's this?" I asked.

"Our man," was all he said.

"He's going to make a mistake. Set a trap and follow him," I ordered. "Listen up, everyone. I need some people assigned to this man. Watch his every move and report to us. Do you understand?"

"Yes, my queen," they all replied with a bow.