TEN

DAMON

"If you work for me. I will ensure The Pretties doesn't touch your family, otherwise, terrible things will start to happen,” Selena said.

"Is this fun for you? Do you think I am a charity case? What do you hope to get from me in return for this protection?" I asked after her words sank in.

Honestly, a part of me was already considering her deal. I don't take my family's safety lightly. They are all I have.

So, if I have to dine with the devil to have them protected, I will do so.

But... I still had so many questions.

Selena nodded as my eyes questioned her further. "As you know I have been watching you. What you don't know is that I have been watching you ever since your brother died.

I have watched you suffer at that vain job of yours. I have seen how you love your family. I know you are good at what you do. So, I want you to consider my proposition as a simple deal.

Take my words as the truth that they are. If I say I will protect you, I will do so. Work for me while using your new job at TIANOR as the perfect cover. I will pay you well and protect you and your family. And, if you want, I can let you avenge your brother's death as well as that of his wife."

On hearing her last words, I glanced at her and I felt anger like never before.

I recalled how I had vowed to make whoever was responsible for my brother's death pay. But that was when I had just heard he had an accident. I didn't know the details when I made that vow.

Eventually, I found out his brake had failed when he came head-on with a huge truck. My anger subsided when the police confirmed the statement.

But now, I have seen that it was planned. I watched how my father gave his sons into the hands of terrible people. He was the reason my brother and his wife died. And, why I was kidnapped earlier today.

I gripped the arms of the chair I was seated on tightly.

I really hate my father.

Ever since I learned he raped my mother when she was a teenager resulting in my brother's birth, I grew disgust towards him.

He came back when everything was rosy for my mother and did the same thing to her all over. Deceiving her with words, making her look like a fool, trapping her in an emotional cage, and forcing himself on her in front of my brother.

He did a lot of evil things to us.

I can still recall the pain my brother was in every night. When I was finally told the reason for his pain and incessant nightmares, I hated the man that conceived me greatly.

I made up my mind to have him pay for what he did to my mother and brother which is quite contrary to what someone as calm as me would do.

True, he gave my mom the best gifts she could ever have- her sons. But he still had the goddamn guts to take one of them from her and now...

"You might break that chair Damon, you're gripping it too hard." Selena's voice penetrated my inner monologue causing me to scowl at her. She seemed a bit taken back by the expression I gave her, but she had to admit, she caused it.

Though, I appreciate that she told me the truth. I also appreciate that she is offering to protect the people I love.

But, she is the devil of our country. She is the very reason Población shakes with fear every night. She is the reason rival gangs interrupt the citizens' sleep at night.

She is the reason our country is one of the dirtiest.

There's hardly a day that passes by that doesn't entail news about something terrible.

And, the Damish gang and Dangerous Dame are always mentioned.

So, working for that very evil? It sounded terrible to me.

But I recalled her words. Without her protection, my family could get wiped out because of a choice my bastard father made in the past before choking on a man's dick.

I felt a little tremble in my system as my mind fell into a state of turmoil.

What do I do? What choice do I make?

I closed my eyes and the image of my mother and Becca came up. I wore a small tug on my lips as I recalled their gracious smiles.

"Miss Selena..." I called quietly, my eyes still shut.

"Yes, Damon?"

"Wouldn't I be exposed to danger? I will be working with your gang and I know you have a lot of enemies."

"I will protect you."

My eyes snapped open. "How? You can't be everywhere every time."

"No, I can't," she replied, her head ducking slightly as her serious look was retained. "But I have my ways. And, I have my intentions. In this case, I intend to protect you in exchange for the wonderful work you will do for the gang. I will make sure to fulfill my promise."

"So, as a mafia photographer, what exactly am I supposed to do?"

"Take pictures, make videos, and whatever else you do as a photographer."

"I have to take pictures of the gang. Anywhere they are?"

"Yes. Even if they are burning in flames, take their pictures."

"Why?"

"Pictures are a portal to past memories. Just because we thrive on dirty deeds doesn't mean we are not allowed to glimpse at our past from time to time."

"Hmm," I hummed as I sat back. "That makes sense."

"I hope you are not forgetting your cover job at TIANOR. It's the opportunity you have been waiting for." One of her brows lifted as she watched my face intently.

As I exhaled hard, I grabbed a handful of my black hair and squeezed it tight, getting really frustrated with the clashing thoughts in my mind.

But, as my right foot tapped the carpet furiously I was able to filter the priorities in my life and I finally got an answer.

I faced her once again and she threw a smile in my direction. The smile was kind of... cute?

The woman is pretty anyway. While it is hard to believe that she's the leader of a crazy gang, there is no doubt that she is very attractive.

I soon stopped thinking about how pretty she looked and blinked slowly while my heart raced.

"Have you made up your mind?" she asked.

My chest rose and fell within seconds as I felt a small shiver in my spine. Closing my eyes as I licked my lower lip, I replied, "I'll take it."

I just hope I wouldn't regret this. I opened my eyes and repeated my response.

"I will take the deal. I will become your mafia photographer."