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

24:

Zoe nods once as I give her the news and doesn't display any emotions. She's clean and wearing an innocent rainwater jumper over a pair of basic jeans and trainers, however her wide eyes are still dull and lifeless like her thin hair. She picks up the book she was reading and shuts it, putting it neatly on the bedside table of my old room. She's staying here until we design her own bedroom, especially since this is supposed to be my baby's bedroom once it's old enough. Zoe brushes her jeans and looks at me expectantly.

"Let's get going," I smile as I offer my hand for her to take. She ignores it and brushes past me, a pang hits my chest but I push it back. She was neglected, leave it be. I lead her down the halls and into the main foyer that is quieter than usual, before leading her to a set of stairs that lead to the basement. I'm surprised that Zoe doesn't flinch when walking down the steps, just allows herself to walk down the carpeted steps and wait by the guards.

I follow her and smile awkwardly at the two women, "Hi, I'm here to see Rita."

"Has Leone given you permission?" Asks the one on the left, a tough brunette with an unlit cigarette between her chapped lips and a cold look in her grey eyes.

"Yes, he was the one who recommended this," I respond.

"And the kid?"

"Parent contact," I shrug.

Their eyes narrow before they shrug and open the door, pushing in a numbered passcode on a silver dial pad. The door beeps, something inside shifts and clicks, a whirring sounds before the door sighs and opens automatically, being pushed by the woman on the right. I nod my thanks before stepping inside alongside Zoe who's looking around expectantly.

It's a simple room consisting of an aisle between cells. Two visible people can be seen here, one to our immediate right and the other to the left further back. Looking to my right I see a middle aged, Asian man with a sly grin and a sheen of slick sweat on his buzzed head. He has an upper moustache and thick brows that quirk at our arrival, his stained white vest is paired with baggy jeans and a pair of boots. He gives me incredibly bad vibes.

"Don't mind him," a woman warns. "He messed with a bunch of gang girls and thought he could get away with it."

The man's smirk widens which causes a sickly feeling to bubble in my stomach, the slight rise of bile causes my skin to pale and my fists to clench. He lifts up his hand and wiggles his fingers mockingly, eyes flashing with a scary desire.

"Come on Zoe," I urge, pressing a light hand on her back. She listens and walks to the end unfazed, moving towards fine figure at the back of the room. My eyes lock on Rita and her rugged appearance, but a sickly sweet smile darkens her face.

"Well, isn't it my dear best friend," she taunts. "And my backstabbing daughter. Sounds like the title for a next hit drama series, hm?"

"We just wanted to see you Rita, to let you know you've lost whatever sick and twisted game you're playing," I growl, although it sounds weak to my ears.

She rolls her eyes, "Stop acting like you know everything, you don't. You don't know half of this, but let me tell you, when my people figure out what I've achieved, they will praise me and see me for who I really am."

"A monster?"

"No, a queen."

I snort and pretend her words don't chill me to the core, "I don't see no crown anywhere, especially with the way you're flouncing about. You lost. Get over yourself and prepare for severe torture- don't think I haven't heard about your little reluctance to answer questions. Leone will eventually beat it out of you anyway."

"Says the coward who was too afraid to face me for two weeks," she cackles. "How pathetic. Can't even face another woman."

"I was recovering."

"You were hiding!" She shouts and I take a step back. She notices and her smile only widens, head cocking to the side like a curious puppy. A fucking possessed curious puppy. "You are afraid. Well, you should be. You have no idea what's going to happen and when it does, there will be hellfire and death at your doorstep."

My brows furrow, "Are you always extreme? Like 'hellfire'- Seriously? If you mean there's going to be an attack at the mansion then just... say it."

Her lips twitch as my blood turns to ice, my eyes bug out of my sockets as I shake my head, "How..."

"Some things you don't need to worry about," she smiles. "Don't you have something to do?"

Without further ado, I turn on my heel and sprint to the door, the creepy guy hooting as I open the locked door and bump into the women, "Get me on the phone to Leone now!"

They stare at me like I grew a second head, "We don't take order from—"

"Do you want to fucking die!?" I roar, snatching a mobile from one of their palms with Leone's number already on the screen. I dial it and begin pacing as the tone rings but he doesn't pick up. Muttering beneath my breath, I rush up the steps, then into the foyer where Ashley stands talking to a few girls.

Biting the bullet, I shout, "Ashley! I need your help."

The ginger whips around and glares at me with poisonous hatred in her eyes, "Like I'd help you."

"Get your petty head out your ass and listen to me: where is Leone's office?" I questions hastily.

She sticks her chin up, "Wouldn't you like to know. Going to steal him too?"

"I don't have time for this," I glare. "Just to let you know, if we all die, it's because of you and your ignorance. Hope you can live with that storm over your head." I turn on my foot and rush up the steps only to freeze on the spot.

"I'll show you," she offers in defeat. "For the gang, not for the likes of you."

I nod once and we continue our way around the mansion until we end up at a door. She indicates for me to knock which I do. There's no response on the other side of the door and I begin to tap my foot.

"It takes him a while, he's usually on an important phone call or something," she mumbles sheepishly.

With an aggravated sigh, I open the door despite his lack of orders to see Leone talking to his phone, palm on his forehead and a strained look on his face. This is wiped off when he jumps at the site of me and my abrupt entrance.

"I'm going to have to call you back..."

"Leone, I spoke to her," I rush.

"Uh, what do you want? A medal?"

"She spoke to me," I groan. "And she mentioned something about 'hellfire' and it arriving at our doorstep. I think all of this is a setup, I think whoever she's working for planned for this to gain the location of the mansion—"

I hear a thundering crash and a sound of screams as my eyes widen in shock. Leone gets up and pulls out two pistols from his draw, passing me one and tucking the other one into his back belt.

I gingerly pick it up and grimace at the cool metal. He sighs before walking over to his mirror and tugging at a sconce attached to the wall. Like in the movies, the mirror opens up to reveal a large shotgun with other smaller weapons, however he picks it up and sighs, checking for ammunition and moving out of the room. Ashley stands by the doorway shocked, that's when I realise.

"I've left Zoe with Rita," I whisper thickly.