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

23:

The car flips, a scream tears itself out of my throat and my entire world spins before crashing to the ground. The cold concrete nears my head, slowly, quickly, my arms brace my skull although the sheer impact I'm positive will be too much. I will die. I'm going to die. The baby in the back of the vehicle let's out a helpless wail and I'm filled with guilty dread as I know my poor child won't survive.

A dead mother and child on breaking news.

My entire world becomes slowed as I forget about my protection and turn to help the bundled child in the backseat- although nothing's there, only Rita grinning with crazed eyes and a gun pointed towards my head. The car twists and the impact hits me first as she mouths the single word: BANG.

"Chloe!"

I cry out and jolt awake to Damien's shaking, his hands grip my biceps fearfully as his cool hands touch my heated skin, his bright eyes staring down at me worriedly by bringing me back to the present. Back to reality.

My lip trembles and a sob escapes my mouth as he quietly takes me in his arms and buries me into his hard chest, my sweaty frame against his cold one. My body shakes as flashbacks ricochet around my mind like a continuous deflecting bullet on crack, piercing my every fear and leaving me vulnerable, frightened and traumatised.

"Chlo, come on, you're safe," he whispers reassuringly, kissing the top of my sweaty head. "Nobody can get you now, I'm here."

I sniffle and finally begin to calm down, finding comfort in his tracing fingers as they draw invisible patterns onto my spine. I practise deep breaths that Zac told me to do when I feel stressed and slowly close my eyes again, listening to the faint thud, thud of Damien's heartbeat.

"Want to talk about it?" He asks, his voice croaky with sleep.

"It was different this time," I whisper after a pause. "I was in the car crash, only Owen wasn't there and our baby was born and in the back seat."

"And did you..."

"We flipped, the crash was way worst than the real one. I knew I was going to die and if that wasn't bad enough, I heard our baby crying... crying for help," I sob. "Oh god—"

"Hey," he hushes me. "It's not real."

I sniffle and nod, "Rita was there though instead."

He pushes me back and studies my face intently, his eyes searching for some unbidden answer, "Have you not seen her since...?"

Since the accident that happened two weeks ago. Meanwhile, I've been taking therapy and focusing on my pregnancy (I'm twelve weeks along) and doing what I can to help myself. I've been doing research and talking to some other mothers whilst going to my college and studying chemistry. Everything to help distract me from this mental scar. Also my wrist's in a mother fucking cast that kills like a bitch. "No."

He sighs through his nostrils, "Zoe's been asking to see her."

My brows furrow, "No, I'll not let her be around such a toxic woman. Did she say why?"

"Nope, just wanted to see where she was. At the same time she's probably suffering from not seeing her own mother right?"

"But I'm here," I grumble.

"You're not Zoe's mom Chlo. No matter how hard you try, you can't replace the past, but you can try to help the healing process. Perhaps letting Zoe see her for contact isn't such a bad thing? Sort of like a goodbye."

I look him in the eye and huff, "Since when have you become such a Yoda?"

"Ever since I found out that Yoda one for me," he winks.

I push his head back with the palm of my hand and chuckle, "Dork."

"Only a dork for you."

I sigh and get up, stretching from side to side and popping my back comfortably. I freshen myself up after glancing at the time: four-ish. Realising I'd not be able to fall back asleep, I wander out of the bedroom and into the suite where I pour myself a glass of water and drink it all, looking out of the dark window and over the woodlands.

"Didn't realise that somebody would be awake," grumbles a familiar voice from behind me.

I flinch and turn to see Leone exiting his bedroom wearing his casual business wear consisting of a pair of jeans, a buttoned down top with his collar unbuttoned, sleeves rolled up to his elbows and hair tousled fresh from a shower.

"Sorry," I mutter. "I didn't realise that you snuck out so early."

He shrugs, "It means I don't bump into anyone. I prefer it." I can sense the underlying edge to his tone meaning that he dislikes me. I can't help but bite my lip and look away from his accusing stare.

"Sorry."

He huffs, "You've changed. Usually you'd be such a bitch to be around, something I despise, now you've gone... soft."

"Soft?"

"Yeah. I'm guessing it's from the accident. Given that you haven't seen Rita since my men haven't notified me, it shows you're afraid. You know what my father told me? Never let your enemy know your fears. By you not visiting Rita, it proves to her that you're scared."

My nostrils flare and I hate to admit it, but he's right. I'm fucking terrified of that psycho bitch. "I never said thank you for saving me."

"I didn't save you, I supplied resources to aid you."

"Same thing."

"Not really," he sighs. "Listen, I may not like you but my brother does. Sadly, you're apart of our family whether you like it or not. Hurt him, I hurt you and take the child without your consent. Family is very important to me; don't test it."

I purse my lips and narrow my eyes, "Fuck you."

"No, that's what my brother wants to do to you but you're too traumatised to realise. He bitches and moans in my ear every day about blue balls. Sort it out and keep the noise down and we'll be fine, Okay?"

My eyes widen as he grabs an apple and takes an obnoxious bite out of it. Nodding once he shrugs and exits the suite leaving me stupefied and feeling somewhat warm with embarrassment.