Owned by Sin

8. "You're under my protection, Zara."

DAMIEN’S POV ⚜
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I left Uncle Vittorio's study, but the challenge of his expectations and the fury in his eyes lingered in my mind.

I made my way to the guest room where I had left my things.

Vittorio wanted vengeance,which will basically be a debt of blood repaid, but I knew in my heart that torturing Zara would only perpetuate the cycle of pain and betrayal.

Nicholas, was already waiting by the SUV when I stepped outside.

The crisp night air of Milan felt way too good to me in comparison of the conversation I just had inside with Zio.

"We're leaving for Florence," I said, and Nic nodded, probably understanding the urgency in my voice.

The drive was silent, just the thunder inside my mind.

Because all I could think about was — Zara, Zara and Zara.

Zara had been living at my home for almost two week now, and though she despised me for keeping her confined, I knew it was the only way to protect her from the wrath of both my enemies and, now it seemed, my own family too.

Damn fuck, why am I even recalling uncle's words.

His call for vengeance is going to be fucking dangerous as his old ways, ways that had kept the Ashford name feared and respected.

Right now, I can only imagine the image of Zara's terrified eyes, her innocence in the middle of this useless yet dangerous chaos her brother had wrought upon her.

We reached my apartment just before dawn.

I breathed a sigh of relief that I was finally home. It will be fine. I'll have to make every thing fine.

Entering the apartment, I first moved towards HER room to check upon her, because my heart and mind was racing with just her thoughts.

The door of her room was unlocked.

It's me who has asked her to always keep her door unlocked, and it's also me who has ordered no one to enter inside her room without permission.

Only I hold that right. Ofcourse.

Also because I don't want any men of mine to intrude in her personal space. I don't know if it's jealousy, over possessiveness or —

Zara was still asleep, unaware of the decisions being made around her.

Her presence had become a point of contention, but also a strange source of solace for me. I don't know why.

I couldn't deny the growing feelings I had for her, feelings that complicated an already impossible situation. The situation that led me to act so possesive of her infront of my uncle.

It actually gave him a chance. He came to know that I care for this girl. And in our world, being soft at heart is considered weak. Damn weak. You cannot be a mafia leader and soft at your heart at the same time.

You're trained to be cruel all your life. Imagine getting trained to be CRUEL around people. 

I was standing by her door, watching her sleep, her face so peaceful and serene, despite of everything that has been going on in her life.

Protecting her now has become my ultimate priority, ONLY because of my own self. Only because I acted like a foolish and possesive man, even if it meant defying my family.

I couldn't let Uncle Vittorio's thirst for revenge corrupt what little innocence remained in our world.

I would protect her at any cost, and in doing so, I would seek a way to mend the rift that threatened to tear us all apart.