FIFTY TWO

DAMON

While her statement reminded me that I was very close to avenging my brother, I was still in shock from the last time I saw Selena in a conscious state. The scenes from that dreadful day kept playing in my mind and one particular thing was unforgettable… the slap her grandfather gave her.

Nodding in reaction to what she had just told me, I wondered what kind of ill relationship was between her and her grandfather that would cause the old man to be more focused on insulting her than helping her with her injury.

Honestly, it is just messed up. But, I am glad Selena survived the gunshot wound because she had lost a lot of blood before an ambulance arrived. And I hoped the troubled people that witnessed the bloody day were okay.

My eyes occasionally landing on Selena who was having hushed discussions with Lucius, I recalled that the husky man had made mention of the President being back in the capital.

I was no fool. It was evident that they were talking about the President of Poblacion.

It was often rumoured that the government worked hand-in-hand with the top Mafia gangs and not once have I doubted that.

But if the President would actually visit Selena as she confidently claimed, I had to wonder what else the government was getting from the biggest Mafia gang.

Soon, my attention shifted to Selena who was now staring at me, a blank look on her face. Seeing how Lucius was pulling the chair he was seated in aside, I decided to step in and check on her.

But my steps were intercepted when Lucius met me midway. His wide eyes placed intently on me, and the man grumpily said, “Let’s talk.”

“Uh…” I tried to argue that I wanted to talk to Selena.

“Now.”

Sighing, I followed him. Once we were outside and standing in the quiet corridor, our backs rested against the pale walls and for the first few seconds, all we did was glare at each other in silence.

I know that Lucius doesn’t fancy my presence in the gang. He definitely hates my entire gut, but the way he was looking at me at that moment…

If there was a word that surpassed hatred, I would use it to describe the flaring emotion in his eyes.

That fury made me instantly more curious. I began to grow in slight desperation to know what he wished to say.

A sharp exhale soon chased the silence away. Intending to intimidate me, which he always tries to do, Lucius slid his hands into the pockets of his suit trousers, then, he asked, “How did you know about that place?”

Ah, right. I should have known. Judging by how Selena almost murdered me because she thought I knew about their family secret, it is not surprising that Lucius would question me.

Since I had nothing to hide, I wore my confidence with pride. “I volunteer there from time to time.”

“Really?” he scoffed. “I don’t believe you.”

“I know.” A small smirk was curling the side of my mouth. “And, I don’t care.”

“I have my eyes on you, Jones,” his booming voice quickly changed the subject. Loud footsteps approached me as well and once again, I could strongly perceive the muskiness of his after-shave. “Don’t think you are good because Selena protects you.”

“Why are you bringing her into this?” I asked, my tone more defensive than I needed it to be.

Lucius's smile made me realize that the man was turning up his intention to mess with my mind. “Don’t think you are safe because she lets you fuck her.”

“Lucius…” My brows were now knitted as I failed to quench the anger that was building inside me. How dare he mention the intimacy Selena and I share? Sure, it seems like a fickle thing. But I see it as something that is private. So, how dare he act like he has the right to make comments? I also took a step closer, making the moment more heated. Then with a warning tone, I said, “Watch your words.”

Eyeing me with a mix of anger and delight in his gaze, Lucius continued, “Selena will dump your ass before you know it, so watch the way you act in the gang and in front of me.”

My arms crossed over my chest, I was determined to remain strong in front of the taller man no matter what he says. Returning his daring glare, I said, “It is my problem if I get dumped. You are the one with the issue.”

“Me?” His brows arched.

“I can’t tell if you are secretly in love with Selena or if you are being nosy…” I spanked him with my sweeping lashes. “Either way, I want you to mind your business. If you are so jobless, you can attend a three-way session as a spectator. I am sure you will have a lot of fun there.”

“How dare-”

“If you are done, I have other things to do.” Throwing him one more warning glare, I started to walk toward the entrance to Selena’s VVIP ward.

Soon, my face-off with Lucius was forgotten as I closed the door behind me and locked eyes with Selena.

“What did you two talk about?” she asked with that voice I have been silently yearning to listen to. “What did Lucius say?”

“We were just catching up.” The expression that grazed her face was enough to tell me that didn’t believe me. Well, that is good. At least she is aware that Lucius doesn’t like me. “Selena…”

Smiling dismissively, Selena said, “You don’t have to worry about that day. That day was-” Her unnecessary response was cut short when I pulled her body into my chest, my hands caressing her skin with assurance. “Damon…” that damn whisper of my name was produced.

“It is okay,” came my tender voice. While I urged myself to abstain from referring to the day she got injured, my hug got tighter and I realized more and more how much I wished for her presence when she was still unconscious. “Let’s just stay this way.” In response, her hands came to rest on the lower part of my arms. “I am just glad you are okay.”

For the next few minutes, we stayed in that position. And my aching heart, which could not bear to see Selena injured and covered in blood, finally felt peace.

~

“Oh my!” Selena gasped with delight as she got off the car. Her arms spread in the air, she exclaimed, “It is so good to be back.”

“Be careful, Selena,” I said as I relaxed her arms to avoid her putting strain on her injury. Pulling down her baggy, lengthy sweatshirt as well, I hoped that Selena would not do things that would make her wound worse. She can be a person that acts recklessly.

As we both stared at the small structure of the prison behind the mansion, Selena surprisingly hooked her arm with mine, her little warmth tickling my insides.

Then she surprised me more when she said, “Okay Damon, I will be careful.”

Uh… I think her injury has messed with her head. Selena never agrees to do anything I say. She hates it when she is not the one giving commands no matter how subtle.

“We are ready,” Lucius announced, his hand carrying a fairly large gift bag. While I wondered what was in it, I noticed that Lucius had gotten a new tattoo that turned his neck into some kind of artwork. I might dislike the man, I might not fancy the idea of getting tattoos that much, but I can appreciate something beautiful when I see one. Though it was hard to tell if what was inked on his neck were random circular lines or a type of flower, it was pretty either way.

Now walking past the corridors which I have been seeing way too much, I asked Selena what we were doing there.

“We found someone that will lead us to your brother’s murderers,” came her response.

Whipping my head in her direction, my heart picking race, I asked, “Really? I didn’t think things will be this fast.”

“The Dangerous Dame does not waste precious time.” Selena sure took pride in her position and though I am still not a big fan of the Mafia and their dealings, I can tell that she’s doing a great job as a leader. I only had to wonder why her grandfather was so harsh to her the other day.

Soon, one of the prison bar doors slid open and we walked into the space that gave a rather flowery scent. Man, things are just greatly weird in the Mafia world.

The only bed in the room was occupied by a lanky guy who instantly sat up upon hearing our arrival. With sunken eyes, the prisoner looked at each of us. Then, when his gaze fixed on Lucius who he seemed to be familiar with, he said, “Is this a joke?”

“What is?” Lucius sounded impatient.

“You told me that The Dangerous Dame would be seeing me soon.” His eyes fell on Selena, disbelief in the scoff that followed his words. “Is this a joke?”

Well, I don’t blame him for undermining Selena’s presence. With the baggy sweatshirt and messy ponytail, she looked like a high-school student who was trying to pull through the last days of senior year.

But then, I feared that the prisoner’s grave ignorance might cost him something. Selena could choose that moment to unleash the beast within her…

… or maybe not.

Her converse dragging lightly on the cemented floor, Selena began to walk toward the seated man who now had his scanty brows quirked with curiosity.

Placing a hand on his shoulder, Selena leaned closer to the man. “Hello, Stephen. I am The Dangerous Dame.”

“Oh, please, you… Ow!”

“Oh, my bad,” Selena feigned innocence as she pulled at his curly hair a little harder. “I just wanted to make sure you get to know who I am.”

The confidence the prisoner called Stephen quickly diminished and fear crept into his soul. “I didn’t-”

“I will get down to business,” Selena continued speaking as she took retreating steps. “I need information on The Pretties.”

“But-”

“I will give you something precious in return.” Lucius rushed to her side and handed her the bag in his grasp. Clinking sounds followed and I watched as she took out gold bars from the bag and laid them beside the man. Once six of the bars were seated patiently, Selena spoke. “Each bar costs five hundred million. If you give me what I want, I will give you everything.”

“Uh…”

Selena didn’t give him the time to breathe. “You have five seconds to make up your mind.”

“But, I-”

“Are you going to give me what I want?”

“I can’t-”

One gold bar was removed.

Selena stretched the bar at Lucius who stood quietly. Stephen looked like he was in utter shock as Selena reached for another gold. “If you don’t make up your mind in five minutes, I will remove two gold bars. It seems I have offered you too much.”

Wow. What a way to torture a soul with money.

Eyes darting confusedly, Stephen started wincing, his hands digging into the sheets of the bed. “Please, don’t…”

Selena handed Lucius two bars. Her voice sounding dangerously pleasant, Selena continued the torment. “It seems you don't want my gift. I will take the rest back if you don’t-”

“I will tell you everything!” Stephen instantly screamed as his hands began to hug the remaining gold beside him. His distress was written all over him as he began to fervently repeat the sentence, “I will tell you.”

Dropping the withdrawn gold beside Stephen, Selena turned to face me. My amazed mind was instantly drawn to the devious smile on her lips.

Then, her voice filled the room just as Stephen’s did. “It is time, Damon Jones. It is time to know the truth about your brother’s death.”