DAMIEN: Book 2 of The De Luca Brothers Series [COMPLETED]

22:

Zoe's remained quiet after I calmed her down from seeing Owen's state. She's remained in a corner, sleeping or just staring blankly at nothing. Meanwhile I've been trying to comfort Owen's unconscious form; if it wasn't for his faint pulse, I'd have sworn he was dead. Currently his head rests on my thigh as I brush his hair soothingly back, unsure of what to do or what I can do.

A deep groan resonates from Owen as his one eye cracks open without seeing. His eyes refocus before shutting and wincing after opening it fullg; his other eye is literally swollen shut. He opens his mouth slightly and lets out a wheeze, suddenly emerging into a coughing fit that shakes his entire body. He cries out and shuts his eyes, trying to figure out what's going on.

"Hey, shush," I Hush him. "It's me Owen, you're okay. You're alright for now." I glance over my shoulder to Zoe and offer her a weak smile which she doesn't return. "You need to try and stay still, you're seriously injured."

"W-what—"

"I'll explain as long as you promise to stay quiet," I sigh. "We've been kidnapped and it's not looking good. I got sent down here a couple of hours ago I think where I met Zoe." I check on her again to see her eyes trained on my working hand that is subconsciously playing with Owen's hair; I frown. "She's Rita's daughter."

"Daugh—?"

"What did I say about talking?" I mumble. "She's been kept down here for a while now apparently, she's stopped talking though."

His entire body gives in and just remains still, his tight muscles relaxing on the hard floor. Slowly his one eye closes leaving me silent once again; I shouldn't complain, he needs his energy back to heal. I don't know how much more time passes, but when the door opens again, I know it's been hours.

My instinct is to flinch away from the steps hammering down the stairs, but instead I raise my chin and gently place Owen's head off my lap. Zoe pushes herself into the corner, as if she wishes it to swallow her whole like an escape. I stand up and protectively hold my wrist, glaring at the two burly men rounding the corner. They take one look at me and grab my arm, a spasm ricochets through my wrist and upwards to my shoulders, the searing hot pain spiking my muscles and bones. I hiss and curse, muttering about my pregnancy and how they should take care of me; they don't listen. Biting through the pain and trying to ignore the sting in my eyes and the lump in my throat, they escort me up the steps into the hallway.

Once again, my eyes take time to readjust, only to be hastily blindfolded- dickheads. Blindly, they take me through hallways ignoring my stumbling on weak legs and sometimes shoving me to hurry up. I grumble words beneath my breath trying to put on a facade of bravery; my heart hammers against my chest, my palms are sweaty whilst dread and fear oozes from my pores.

"Wait," a gruff voice comes from my left and I do as I'm told. A door unlocks and quiet whispering are exchanged before I'm pushed into the room. Walking, I breathe in deeply only to smell dirt mixed with metal: blood. I try and listen out for how many people are the room, only it's nearly impossible due to my heavy, laboured breathing. I'm shoved down by my shoulders onto a chair, a gasp escapes my lips and a slight tremor shakes my body. I try and control it, however the trembling only seems to intensify and the need to cry becomes prominent.

Violently, someone removed the cover and I'm doused in harsh LED lighting, the white light flickering and sounding a deep buzz in the quiet room. I glare at the man; a tall, crooked nosed, beefy built guy wearing all black with a buzz cut of ginger hair atop of pink head. He doesn't even flinch, rather takes a couple of dutiful steps back towards the wall next to his other 'friends'. I glower at them all despite the heavy feeling I feel in the back of my throat.