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

27:

"I've hacked the systems," Gufo shrugs almost effortlessly, within seconds of whipping out his laptop and booting it up, he had brought his little apprentice that I learnt is called Dylan to watch what he was doing and asked him questions about what to do next; it's like watching a professional teacher with his student.

"We're approaching the city," Leone clarifies as I anxiously watch Gufo tap a couple of keys before glancing up.

"First lights to turn green," he mumbles. We speed up slightly and rush through before he presses a different key.

I look through the mirrors to see that two red cars have gotten through but has held off two others. Hope bubbles in my chest as I continue to watch as Leone and Gufo expertly navigate around the city, working as a team to escape the red cars leaving us free to drive safely.

"I don't think it's safe enough to drop you off Ashley," Leone frowns. "You're going to have to stay with us."

That little bubble of hope and happiness instantly pops as I send Leone a sharp look that he ignores. Keep in mind that Ashley wants my man and has slept with him multiple times in the past, I do not feel comfortable in the slightest due to this information. I'm sure everyone else feels the growing tension in the van as I clench my fist and place my other hand over my slight bump.

We exit the city at incredible speed, no red cars chasing us at all, heading out onto a long stretch of road leading off to nowhere but somewhere at the same time; I remain grumpy and glare at out of the window, watching the vast land encompassed by trees stare back at me with just as much emotion. To dampen the mood even more, the heavens open and thick water droplets drench the land bellow.

"What am I going to do with college? My professors don't appreciate how flaky I've been, especially since I don't actually know how long we're going to be gone for," I grumble.

"I'm sure Gufo can hack into the college and give you the material you'll need for your exams," Leone replies quietly.

I huff, "Sure."

"Stop being so grouchy, we all know how shitty this situation is but keep in mind that I lost good people today due to this attack- we're all mourning, some of us more than others like Toro."

"Why Toro?"

"He trained them all, despite how quiet he is he does have a heart. Zac will look after him. He's a good guy."

I nod, "So do you have a partner?"

He glances at me and his lips twitch, "I'm not sure if anyone would be able to handle me. I'm a tough shell to crack."

"I think you'll find someone one day, you'll find the perfect person for you and they'll embrace your every flaw and perfection; that's the best feeling in the world."

"Do you care for mi fratello?"

I glance at the back of the van to see Gufo sat in my original seat, tapping away on his computer with a slight furrow to his brow, "Yeah, I really do. Don't get me wrong he's a complete cunt half the time, but he can be a gentleman as well- rarely."

"You're right," Leone chuckles shaking his head.

We drive for another hour and I catch some sleep before waking up to a bumpier terrain. My heavy lidded eyes open slightly and my body automatically stretches, my back cracking in two places, then my neck pops and I slump back into the seat. Dopily, I look around to see we're on an off road path surrounded by thick forestry win warm undertones. The prominent smell of pine fills my senses and I exhale relaxingly, unconsciously placing the palm of my hand on my bump. How many weeks pregnant? Twelve, nearly thirteen. My last week of my first trimester.

We pull up to single-floor log cabin with a wrap-around porch completed with a hanging bench decorated in grey cushions.  A small smile etches itself onto my face as I slip out of the vehicle as it parks, appreciating the sheer beauty and serenity of the environment. I notice a jeep parked to the side of the cabin and freeze, my mind whirling. Then I notice that the lights a mysteriously switched on emitting a yellow glow into the trees, making the place feel warm and friendly; everything opposite to the emotions flitting through my mind.

"It's only Vipera," Comes a voice behind me before thick arms envelope me from behind. I melt into Damien's embrace and let out a sigh of relief, at least she's actually good female company. "No need to worries."

"Who said I was worried?" I ask, spinning around pushing my front flush with his head chest. I can't help but admire how we fit perfectly with each other, just like an enzyme with a substrate.

He leans forward and his breath fans over my face, desire glinting in his green eyes, "Your body language."

"I'm sure you know a lot about body language," I bite my lip. "Wouldn't you?"

"Whilst you've mastered chemistry, I am the sensei of the female body... I can read you like a computer code. Easily."

"You really have a way to turn me on," I snort, breaking the tension by burying my head into the crook of his neck.

"Baby I can turn you on like a light switch."

"And like a light switch, you've just turned me off," I laugh, turning out of his hold and sprinting into the log cabin after the rest of the party. I skid inside and admire the tranquility of the indoors.

It's an open plan with the living room to the left and the kitchen to the right. The living room consists of three terracotta leather loveseats shaped as a 'U' with a simple oak coffee table; these all face a stone fireplace with baskets of timber on either side. Two tall bookshelves are stacked at the far wall of the living room.

The kitchen has wooden cabinets with a charcoal grey marble counter top, an island with a stove and oven and a fridge next to the front door. Continuing down the division between the living room and kitchen is a hallway that fissure the back wall into two. This hallway reveals eight doors leading into different rooms lit by a simple yellow bulb.

"Holy moly," I whisper looking around with wide eyes.

"I know right? It's quaint, it's cute and it's perfect for a little family bonding," Vipera enthuses from the kitchen, stirring batter. "I'm baking muffins."

"That's... nice," my stomach instantly squirms at the idea and I put on a fake smile that I'm sure looks more like a grimace.

"You're such a teaser," groans Gufo hugging me from behind. "You got me so hard outside and ran off. Like who does that?"

"Me apparently," I laugh.

"You seem to be looking very happy, you coping well after you found out about Zoe?" Vipera asks, throwing in chocolate chips into the mixture before stirring.

"Zoe?" I question with a frown. "What about her?"

I feel Gufo stiffen against me and his hold tighten before loosening. He sighs and I can feel the intensity of his glare at Vipera. Her eyes widen and her mouth forms an 'O', placing the whisk down gently, "I'll leave."