"What was that, Lucrezia?"
"Shut up."
"Why? Why did you do that?"
She stopped.
My aunt was staying in the pouring rain, in her teared-up Valentino and her hair disheveled.
I was watching the fall of a titan.
And I was crying at that scene.
Not because her pointy Chanel heel struck me directly in the eye socket.
No, that was it too. But not the main reason.
Know when you’re young and you suddenly realize that your mom is actually not the most beautiful woman, nor the most intelligent one in the world? That acknowledgment, that fall from the pedestal -
That’s what it felt like.
Not sour or abrupt.
Despite the scene I witnessed, not as shocking as it should have been.
It was meant to happen one day.
I just hoped I would be the one tearing her down.
Emiliano keeps checking off the boxes of my checklist- Luther, Lucrezia.
I need to get a grip. Fast.
But for that I need to know exactly how much power he holds.
Blood is coming out, mixed with tears, and yet Lucrezia doesn’t turn. She remains like a shaken statue, dripping in rainwater and embarrassment.
"It’s your fault. All your fault."
Oh?
What happened to your rigid, cold voice, auntie? You sound like a wounded kitten.
"I had to crawl in front of a-a street rat to keep Clara and the company. Get the car. I’ll crush that disgusting brat even if it means dirtying my own hands."
Sure.
I am not about to destroy the last hope of a broken woman. But the gag is-
I will destroy Emiliano. Eat him piece by piece.
He is mine to kill.
I dropped my aunt at her house in a blur. Didn’t lose another second there. I had to be fast and smart.
I know what she will do. Gather information with her lackeys and her gossip circle.
But Emiliano is not sloppy. Everyone that knows something about him, no matter how small, is dead or more terrified of him than death itself.
Stripped by individuality or wishes. Shells of a human.
That’s why you need something new. Still intact. To be pulled out of his claws just in time- before he becomes a walking body too.
"Missed me that much, baby?"
Damian.
"I need you to do what you do best."
"Oh?"
He came closer to me. Brushed his lips against mine, not enough for a kiss or a meaning. Just a tease.
"No, D., I need you as my spy."
He stopped. Stopped rummaging his hands on my chest, dragging his lips on my neck, breathing into my ear.
"What’s in for me?"
"What do you want?"
"You."
"You already know I don’t feel anything for you, D."
His blue eyes darken. His gaze became cold.
I knew this would break his heart. I’ve never been so ruthlessly direct with him.
It was a necessary sacrifice.
"It doesn’t matter"
The echo of his voice was just as cold and detached as his gaze. And yet, his hand trembled as he mindlessly stroked his blonde curls.
"Stay. I don’t care if you love me or moan another man’s name in bed. Just stay."
"Damian."
"That’s my one request. Stay with me and I’ll let you use me to an inch of my life."
"2 years."
That’s the price I’ll pay.
I can see Damian arch a brow. His scent was let loose. The excitement was too much for him to handle.
How pathetic. Yet how alike we are.
He is selling himself for my love and I am selling myself for Luther’s safety.
How utterly hopeless and grotesque.
We were using a Louis-Vuitton parachute to jump into the limitless pit that was Emiliano.
Stylish, impressive on the eye, but futile.
Yet, I was gonna find that out much, much later.
Now, I was selling 2 years of my life to Damian for a scrap of a chance at Luther’s freedom.
"2 years I’ll be yours. I’ll dedicate myself to you. Body and mind."
"Killian Akna? Loyal to just an omega? Don’t promise me things you can’t do."
"Let me free Luther and I will do as I said."
"If your plan fails and Luther is not free?"
"No. I’ll free him even if it’s the last thing I’ll do."
A soft sob escaped his lips.
"If only you had loved me like that.", I hear him mumble.
I hugged him.
That was the seal for our deal. The soft tremble of his body in my arms was the agreement.
2 years for a life. For Luther’s life.
After that, I can conquer him. I could make him fall for me.
Forgiveness is easier to get from a broken heart than from a necrotic one.
Damian whispered softly into my chest:
"What do you want me to do? Kill Sanchez?"
"No. Make him fall in love with you."
A sudden stop.
It could be the tension or the stillness of his breath, but even the hum of the house seemed to quiet down.
"It’s impossible."
"Not for you."
I placed a gentle kiss on his nose.
All I need is an inch of uncertainty in Emiliano. A small crack in his obsession with Luther.
"Make him fall in love with you, D, and I’ll be yours completely for 2 years."
Damian chuckled between sobs.
"How cruel you are, my love."