39

Two days have passed since I called my father and so far, I haven't heard a anything. I'm a nervous wreck, if they find out Damon is truly Stefano, then they'll kill him. There's no doubt about that.

I want to warn Damon, but he would hate me. I did what many others did to him, went behind his back. I'm just showing my distrust for him and betraying him.

Or I'm the one being betrayed and lied to. I thought to myself.

I quickly shook the thoughts from my head. I need to warn him some how, even if it means he never speaks to me again.

God, it has only been about a month since we first met and I'm already getting him killed some how. I just want to bang my head against the wall.

I jumped slightly when my phone went off, I quickly grabbed it.

"Hello?"

"Well, I've done my research." My father sounded.

I stiffened, "And?"

"Damon isn't Stefano. Stefano apparently left the state two days ago."

I swallowed, "Good."

"Well, I need to get back to work. And you're going to learn about the side business tonight. I think it's time for you to step out of the shadows."

"Okay, bye dad."

"Bye Princess."

I sighed, I swiftly dialed Damon's number, praying he'll pick up.

"Hello?"

I sighed in relief, "Damon?"

"Yeah?"

"Are you still in New York?"

"Yeah, why? Something happen?"

I bit my lip, "No, just...do you want to go to the cafe later?"

He was silent for a bit, I furrowed my eyebrows as I focused on the background noise. I frowned when I only heard someone speaking Italian. I was even more shocked when Damon responded in Italian.

"Uh, I can't today, baby girl."

My eyes widened, "Baby girl?"

"Yeah, that's my new nick name for you."

I rolled my eyes, I can already see him smirking.

"We've only known each other for a month, Damon." I chuckled.

He laughed, "Well, I have to go, darling. I'll call you later or text."

"Alright, bye."

"Bye."

After he hung up I finally relaxed, Damon isn't Stefano. Now, I'm back on square one. If Damon isn't Stefano, then where the hell is he?

Damon POV

"You know, I think Vienna is good for you." Hank said as I counted my money.

I smiled, "Which is why I want to get even closer with her."

"Damon Blood is actually letting someone in?" He teased.

"You didn't hear me correctly, I want to let her in."

"But you can't?"

I sighed and placed my money down, "I don't know how anymore."

"Damon, you know how. You're just too scared." He replied.

I looked at him, I wanted to argue and deny that, but we both know it's true. I leaned against the back of my chair and stared at the ceiling.

Ever since I met Vienna I stopped sleeping around. I stopped being a player and actually focused on her. I'm not a fan of relationships, which is why I have the no strings attached rule. However, that rule went flying out the window when I met her.

She's not some girl I'm going to screw and then leave, she doesn't deserve that. I know there are far better men out there for her, but I don't want her to be with them. I want her to be with me. I just hope she trusts me, so far, my men are the first few people to trust me in a very long time.

"Well, I'm going to go and pick up Payton. Hey, did Vi tell you anything about Payton shadowing her?" He asked.

I shook my head, "Not yet, she is figuring out when though."

"Well, tell her to take her time. She's still new to this whole business thing."

I nodded as he clapped his hand on my shoulder, he gave me a reassuring sqeeuze before leaving.

I ran my hand through my hair and grabbed my keys, maybe going for a drive will help with my suckish decision making.

"Come on, go!" I snapped, glaring at the car in front of me.

For some reason I'm anxious, I have nothing to be nervous about. Maybe it's because of this whole relationship need with Vienna.

I sighed when my phone sounded, I glanced at the screen to see it's an unknown number. I frowned, I reached for it, but couldn't quite reach it.

I sighed in defeat and looked ahead, I grinned when the car finally moved. As I drove across the intersection everything suddenly went black.

Vienna

I smiled as I put the last file in my drawers and sent the fashion show plans to my mother. I think I'm starting to get the idea of this.

I grabbed my purse and got ready to leave when my phone started ringing. I quickly answered it as I walked out of my office.

"Hello?"

"Vienna?"

I frowned and froze mid-step, "Hank?"

"Listen, I need your help."

"My help? With what?"

"With Damon."

My heart skipped a beat at the mention of him. I swallowed the uneasiness.

"Okay...what did he do?" I asked softly.

"He didn't do anything, someone did something to him."

"Hank, what's going on?" I asked, hurrying my steps as I practically sprinted down the stairs.

"Just meet me out front, I'll have someone drive your car to the house." He told me before hanging up.

I ran out of the building and skidded to a stop. Standind beside a black SUV was Hank, covered in blood.

He looked at me with wide and frightened eyes before opening up the car door. I gasped at what I saw.

"Damon...oh my god...what...what the hell happened?" I demanded, scurrying into the SUV.

"Sal, follow us with her car." Hank ordered, gently grabbing my keys and throwing them towards some guy.

The man, Sal, caught them and frowned.

"Black, 2012 Honda Civic " I said.

He nodded and walked into the parking lot. I took my jacket off and pressed it against his side. He immediately groaned and tried shoving my hands away, but I kept them still.

"I know it hurts, but I need to stop the bleeding." I whispered.

His eyes opened halfway as he looked at me. I was confused by the spark of anger in them.

"Y-you...w-why?" He whispered.

I furrowed my eyebrows, "Why what?"

He winced as he shifted a bit, I looked over as he handed me a note. I asked Hank to keep the pressure on his side before reading.

Thank you, Vienna, for calling your father. Now this bastard is finally dead.

- Angelo

I swallowed and looked at him with wide eyes. I slowly backed away from him.

"Y-you're...S-Stefano?" I asked.

He smirked, "H-hello, darling."