Bound To The Devil

chapter 20

Luca stiffened, feeling the weight of both their gazes on him. His throat went dry, his mind scrambling for the right words. He knew Valarie wouldn’t believe a word of his forced responses, but Damien’s unyielding presence beside him reminded him of the consequences of defiance.

“I… I’m fine, Valarie,” Please stop it. he whispered, barely able to meet her gaze.

“Fine?” she repeated incredulously, slamming her hand on the table, causing the silverware to clatter. “Luca, you’re lying! Look at you! You’re scared, you’re trapped—”

Damien exhaled sharply, shaking his head with amusement. “Such dramatics. Do you think you can simply storm in here and take him away from me? You have no idea what you’re up against.” His voice darkened, his patience wearing thin.

Valarie leaned forward, her voice dropping to a low whisper. “You think I don’t know who you are? What you’ve done? I’ve been watching you, Volkov. You’re a monster, and I will do whatever it takes to get my brother away from you.”

Damien’s smile faltered, his eyes glinting with something lethal. “Is that so?” He tilted his head, studying her with mild amusement, but there was no mistaking the threat beneath his expression.

Luca’s heart pounded, the air around them suffocating. He had to intervene before this turned into something irreversibly violent. “Valarie, please,” he begged, gripping her hand. “This isn’t the time or place.”

But Valarie wasn’t deterred. “You’re not staying with him, Luca. I won’t let you.”

Damien placed his glass down with a deliberate thud. “And what, exactly, do you think you can do about it?”

Valarie’s fists clenched. “You’ll find out soon enough.”

A slow, dangerous smile spread across Damien’s lips. “I look forward to it.”

Luca shuddered. He knew that this was only the beginning of the storm.
***

The argument between Damien and Valarie had already reached a boiling point. Valarie, eyes blazing with fury, clenched her fists as Damien smirked at her arrogance. "You think you can take Luca away from me?" Damien sneered, his voice dripping with condescension.

Valarie didn't hesitate. Her fist connected with Damien’s jaw, the impact echoing through the restaurant. Gasps filled the air as tables trembled from the sheer force of her punch. Damien stumbled slightly, his expression darkening with something far more dangerous than anger—pure, unfiltered wrath.

a slow, predatory grin as blood dripped from his split lip."You little brat," Damien growled, wiping his lip with the back of his hand before lunging. His hand wrapped around Valarie's throat, slamming her against the nearest table, causing glasses and plates to shatter onto the floor.

Luca screamed, rushing forward, but Damien’s glare froze him in place.

"Stay out of this, Luka," Damien warned, his voice low and menacing. "This is between me and your dear sister."

Valarie struggled, gasping for air as she clawed at Damien's wrist. Before he could tighten his grip, a force yanked him backward.

Valarie’s boyfriend, the detective, tackled Damien, landing a solid punch to his ribs. Damien twisted, retaliating with a brutal knee to the detective’s stomach. The man stumbled back, coughing, but stood his ground.

"You think you can take me on, cop?" Damien sneered, cracking his knuckles. "I’ve ended men for less."

Damien scoffed, straightening his suit and wiping the blood from his lip. "You have no idea who you’re dealing with, detective. Stay out of this."

Valarie’s boyfriend met his gaze with unwavering resolve. "Try me."

Luca threw himself between them, pressing his hands against Damien’s chest, pleading. "Please, Damien, stop! Please!" His voice broke with desperation, eyes shimmering with unshed tears.

For a moment, something flickered in Damien’s gaze, but then his grip tightened around Luca’s wrist. "We’re leaving," he declared, his voice final.

Meanwhile, Luca clutched Valarie’s arm, his heart pounding. "Valarie, please. I promise you, I'll make this end. Just trust me."

Valarie searched her brother’s eyes, hesitation flickering across her face. Luca’s plea held weight, but she knew Damien was a monster who wouldn't let go so easily.

Valarie gasped for breath, eyes blazing. "Luca, don’t go with him! He’s a monster!"

Luca turned, his expression unreadable, before whispering, "I’ll make this end. Trust me."

With a final glance at her brother, Valarie exhaled sharply and nodded. "You better keep that promise, Luca."

Luca turned to Damien, his expression unreadable. Without another word, he followed Damien out of the restaurant, the weight of his promise pressing heavy on his shoulders.

Damien dragged him out of the restaurant, leaving shattered glass, overturned tables, and a seething Valarie in his wake. The war had truly begun.