Bound To The Devil

Chapter: “Mine. All of Them.”
(Damien Volkov’s POV)

The Volkov estate was unnaturally quiet.

Damien sat alone in the vast conservatory, the floor beneath him cold marble, the walls made of glass. Morning light filtered through pale curtains, painting soft gold across the dark wood furniture and the fine sheen of Ava’s curls.

She was curled up in his lap like a kitten, her tiny fingers drawing slow circles on his chest. Her favorite stuffed bunny was tucked under her chin. His shirt was wrinkled from her climbing him like a tree earlier. He didn’t care.

The silence was sharp. Echoing.

Like something vital was missing.

Because it was.

Luca.

His Luca.

His.

Damien exhaled, long and low, one hand resting over his daughter’s back while the other toyed idly with the edge of her hair.

His mind hadn't stopped all night.

The warmth of Luca's body. The softness of his voice when he got sleepy. The way his porcelain skin flushed with every kiss. The small smiles he gave when he thought Damien wasn’t watching.

He felt everything in his chest squeeze again.

A child. Their child. Growing inside the man who made even a devil like him kneel.

His thumb brushed against Ava’s soft hair.

"You're going to have a little sibling soon," he said softly.

Ava looked up at him, blinking sleepily. “I'll be the best sister .”

He nodded.

“Can I name it?”

He chuckled—low and dangerous, but real. “Let’s not traumatize Luca.”

Ava giggled, then leaned her cheek against his chest again.

He stared out at the garden, but his mind was elsewhere.

He could feel it—every inch of distance between him and Luca like a thorn under the skin. He didn’t sleep well without Luca beside him. Couldn’t breathe properly. Couldn’t exist in silence without the ghost of his touch.

He clenched his jaw.

He Hated that Luca had to be away. Hated that the one man he was supposed to respect now—Andre Ivanov—looked at him like he was one second away from murdering his son.

Damien had earned his sins. Wore them like medals. But if that man thought he could take Luca from him—

He felt the edge of madness lick at his ribs.

“Papa?”

His thoughts snapped.

Ava stared up at him, curious, innocent, too much like Luca in her expressions.

“Will the baby love me?”

Damien looked down at her—his fiercest softness, his blood—and brushed his knuckles over her cheek.

“More than anything,” he said. “You’ll be the reason they smile.”

She beamed. “I’m gonna teach them everything. Like how to draw a tiger and where to hide candy.”

He raised a brow. “You’re already corrupting them, and they’re not even born.”

She giggled again.