He adds this last sentence in a wistful, almost regretful voice. “You know, Damien doesn’t want…” he begins, then interrupts himself.
I wait, impatient for him to continue, but he doesn’t seem to want to. I’m torn between curiosity and nerves. Damien’s name on his tongue makes it impossible for me to stay silent, though. “Damien doesn’t want what?” I breathe.
“This,” he finishes weakly. “Well, actually, that’s not true.” He chuckles. “Damien definitely does want this. But his hand was forced. I can’t go into detail or they’d kill me, so don’t even try,” he adds when he sees my open mouth. “Just know that Damien wouldn’t have done it so… violently, if it had been up to him.”
I stare at him in incomprehension, and he tries to divert my attention by showing me the sprawling bathroom and fully-stocked kitchen, but at last he buckles under my gaze.
Right now I’m thankful for my scary eyes, because I’m aware they’re freaking Everest out a bit. Just enough that he finally gives in and returns to the subject that really interests me.
“What I mean,” he coughs, “is that if it had been up to Damien, a gun wouldn’t have been held to your head. You wouldn’t have been locked in the cell. And…”
“And I wouldn’t have been kidnapped,” I guess.
He snorts. “I don’t know about that. Damien’s a little crazy.”
“Crazy?” I echo.
“Well, no, not usually. But with you… Anyway, I need to go. Don’t worry, Damien won’t let anything happen to you. I’ll see if he won’t let me come visit you every so often. He’s kind of an asshole, though. But, well… we’ll see.”
With that, he walks back to the front door. The lock turns,and I’m left reeling with unanswered questions.
I can’t understand a thing that’s happening. Why did Damien kidnap me? Why do Logan, Vale and Igor want me dead? Is Damien actually interested in me? The thought sends a shiver down my spine, danger mingling with the strange new sensation of being desired. But a second later it all dies down. His hand was forced, Everest said. He didn’t want to take me. At least, not yet.
For a moment, I find myself clinging to that. Not yet. Hedidwant me, only not yet.
Then, I realize how absurd that thought is. I can’t believe I’m hoping Damien wanted to abduct me.
Still, maybe it would have been better if it had been his choice. Because something has led to my being taken, and I’m beginning to realize that whatever it is, it’s bad news.
It seems I’ve been far less invisible than I believed.
And I don’t know whether that frightens me, or thrills me.
Or both.
8
Damien
Watching the cameras on the fourth-floor apartment has replaced my previous hobby. Now that my shoplifter has turned into my captive, I sent word to the security team at the Astley stores.
No need to send me the tapes anymore.
It’s a lot easier to get the camera footage directly on my phone. Addictive, too, since I know I’m able to see her no matter what time of day I look. I’m far more in control of her than I used to be, and that thought is deeply satisfying.
But it also worries me because of how irritating Vale has gotten. Watching me around-the-clock, nearly as much as I watch my pet, looking for signs of weakness. And right now, what with my obsession, I’m sure he finds plenty.
The asshole infuriates me. He was the last guy to join Devil, and he got us our first meetings with investors and politicians. His father had dealings with the mafia, so he had a lot of useful connections. And the ability to give us a sheen of respectability.
Of course, we’re still criminals at heart, but you wouldn’t know it, what with our tailored suits, our days spent brunching with flabby-necked politicians, and our absolute lack of tattoos.
The mafia is no longer a thing, at least not in our state. Astley Business Magazine even breathlessly declared the Devil corporation had ‘rooted out evil.’
If only they knew.
Vale may have made Devil what it is, but he doesn’t understand it. It’s not a competition for control—it’s a brotherhood. I know he’s just aching to replace me, but he never will. The others won’t let him. At least, I think.
I sigh and turn my eyes once more to my phone.
