Lucca's POV
After the girls left, Dominic suddenly stood and confronted Damon, who was sitting comfortably, not even afraid that we might hurt him.
"Why use other people to target us?" Dominic yelled at Damon, who was grinning like a wild dog.
"What? I'm a businessman too. Can't I have business partners?" Damon replied.
"We know what your intention is," Dominic said through gritted teeth.
The tension in the room was rising. Even I wanted to hurt Damon so badly. Did I feel like killing him right then? Yes. But the truth was, we couldn't do anything because, aside from this being his party, Mira's parents were involved too. What would they say if they saw us hurting their business partner?
Damon grinned again as if he knew we couldn't lay a hand on him.
"You can't hurt me again, Lucca. Just like last time," he said, reminding me of the day he came to the mansion, when I couldn't even touch him because of Seraphina.
He tilted his head. "I can feel that this year is my year. Don't you think this will be my golden year too?" he said before standing and strolling around the room.
The three of us tried to control ourselves. As much as we wanted to unleash the anger boiling inside us, we couldn't, and that hurt the most. Our enemy was standing right in front of us, yet we couldn't do anything.
"Why not give Seraphina to me? She seems to like me."
"Like you? Hah! In your dreams," Dominic scoffed.
Instead of getting annoyed by what Dominic had said, Damon laughed loudly, the sound echoing throughout the room.
"Why? Because you can't accept it? You know I can be a better lover than Lucca," he said before laughing even harder.
"Stay away from Seraphina," I said through gritted teeth. Only five percent of my patience remained, and I was about to snap.
"Why, Lucca? What did Seraphina see in you that made her agree to be your boyfriend?"
"Boyfriend?" Dominic asked, looking at me. I ignored his gaze and kept my eyes fixed on Damon.
"Well, of course Lucca has far more going for him than you do. First, he's more handsome than you. And second, Sera prefers mysterious guys over flirty ones," Dominic explained instead of correcting Damon's choice of words.
"I can be whatever she needs to because I know I'm better than Lucca," Damon said with a smile. His smile irritated me more than anything.
"You're evil, Damon, and Seraphina doesn't like that," Damian interrupted.
"Does Seraphina know that Lucca is a murderer too? I'm sure she wouldn't like that," Damon shot back.
"You're a murderer too. Don't act like you're a saint," I said.
"I'm not acting like a saint. I'm just telling the truth, that you're just as evil as I am. We've both tasted human blood, haven't we?"
Damon stepped closer until we were face-to-face.
"You know me, Lucca. I can get whatever I want. And I want Seraphina," he said in a hoarse voice, his smile gone. His eyes showed nothing but determination.
What worried me was the possibility that he might kill Seraphina simply because he believed she was my lover. But would that somehow work to my advantage because I could finally obtain the ring? Did Damon know about the ring?
I doubted it. If he did, he would've mentioned it already. At least that secret was still safe. If Damon ever learned about the ring, he would surely do everything in his power to take it and kill me in the process.
"I hope you're enjoying the party. As much as I'd love to stay and chat with you, I can't. Too many business partners are waiting to speak with me. I wish you the best, boys," he said before leaving the room.
As soon as Damon walked out, Dominic finally vented his anger with a string of curses.
"Damn that evil man! He's a fucking bastard!"
I could feel all the frustration Dominic had been suppressing earlier. I wanted to release my anger too, but I didn't want to join him. We were both already heated, and I didn't want to make things worse.
"Lucca, he thinks Seraphina is your girlfriend. Now he'll do everything he can to take her from you," Dominic said as he sat beside me.
"Shouldn't we be relieved that it's Seraphina Damon wants and not the ring? Because if it were the ring, Lucca would have far more obstacles to face. At least he doesn't know about it," Damian said, crossing his arms and legs as he sat.
Damian was right. As long as no one knew about the ring except us, we were still safe.
"Now you have no choice but to protect Seraphina from Damon. Thank goodness she's working with you now. At least you have a reason to stay by her side all the time," Dominic said before grabbing a wine glass and downing its contents in one gulp.
I did the same, hoping the wine would ease the tension that had been building inside me.
"Damon really knows how to pick the perfect time to provoke us. We couldn't even lay a finger on him. He has the upper hand for now. But the next time I see him, no matter where we are, I'm going to rip his neck off," Dominic said before throwing back another glass.
I emptied my own glass as well, my mind already working on a plan to protect Seraphina.
Seraphina's POV
A few minutes later, I saw Damon leave the room. Mira and I were standing at the bottom of the staircase, watching and waiting to see what would happen after the boys were left alone.
"Do you think they reconciled? Why did Damon leave so soon?" Mira asked.
Damon didn't go downstairs. Instead, he headed toward the other side of the second floor.
"Mira, I'm going to follow Damon and see where he's going," I said.
"Why follow him? Can't we just ask him later?"
"I'm not going to talk to him. I just want to follow him and see what he's doing."
"I'm coming with you," Mira said.
"No. Just go join the boys and ask your boyfriend what happened."
Mira nodded, and we headed upstairs. As soon as we reached the second floor, we parted ways. I walked toward the right wing while Mira headed left, back to the room.
I couldn't see Damon anymore, but I didn't give up. I continued searching for him.
I wasn't planning to confront him or ask him about what had happened inside the room. I simply wanted to know what he was doing. I didn't even know why I was following him. Something inside me urged me to keep going, even without knowing the reason.
At last, I found him standing on the second-floor balcony. He looked agitated as he pulled his phone from his pocket.
I moved closer but stayed hidden behind a pillar. I just wanted to hear what he was saying.
"Have you prepared my men? Gather an army if you have to. Let's see if he can fight them all!"
Damon's voice was filled with anger.
Had Lucca, Dominic, and Damian fought with him?
"They're getting on my nerves. They think they can stand above me? As if! I'm going to get what I want."
Then he said the words that made my blood run cold.
"I'll have Seraphina no matter what it takes."
Those were the last words he spoke before ending the call.
I froze.
My heart pounded wildly, not because I was flattered, but because I was terrified.
He sounded like someone willing to hurt me just to get what he wanted.
Had I done something to make him hate me?
Before Damon could notice me, I quietly hurried back to the room.
When I entered, I saw the three men and Mira drinking wine while chatting as if nothing had happened.
Meanwhile, I stood there, shaken by what I had just discovered.
Those words echoed over and over inside my head.
I'll have Seraphina no matter what it takes.
The more I remembered them, the more I shivered.
"Sera?"
Mira's voice snapped me out of my thoughts.
"Huh?" I answered.
"What happened?" she asked.
I glanced at the three men, who were also waiting for my answer. I subtly signaled Mira to stop asking, and thankfully, she understood.
"Seraphina, can I talk to you about work?" Lucca asked, making me curious.
Even so, I nodded and followed him.
We left the room and walked downstairs. I had no idea where we were going, but I silently followed him.
After a long walk, he finally stopped.
We were standing in the garden, where no one else was around. It was just the two of us beneath the moonlit sky.
Lucca stood there with his hands tucked inside his pockets, staring at me with an unreadable expression.
"What?" I finally asked, breaking the silence.
"Tell me what's on your mind," he said.
"Huh?" I frowned, confused.
"Where were you? Mira came back to the room alone, then immediately started asking us about Damon."
I was at a loss for words.
I couldn't tell him what I had heard. I was afraid it would make things even worse between them. Whatever had happened inside that room, I still wanted to know the truth.
"Didn't you and Damon settle your misunderstanding?" I asked instead.
"What misunderstanding?" he asked, frowning.
"You used to be friends, right? I don't know what happened between you, but I hope you'll work things out soon."
"So that's why you pretended to have a stomachache earlier? Because you thought leaving us alone would help us fix our misunderstanding?" he asked in disbelief.
"Yes."
I hated admitting it, but I had no way out.
Frustration flashed across his face.
"Damon is not our friend and never will be. Whatever he told you isn't true and never will be."
His voice was sharper now.
So... they weren't friends.
They were enemies.
Then I remembered what Damon had said over the phone, that he needed more people, even an army. He hadn't mentioned Lucca's name, but I was certain he had been talking about them.
"Don't make assumptions on your own. Why didn't you ask us first before jumping to conclusions?" he said.
"I'm sorry."
That was all I could say. My mind was still in chaos after hearing Damon's words.
"Now tell me where you went and why Mira came back alone."
Should I lie?
If I lied and Lucca found out later, he would definitely be angry. But if I told him the truth, he would probably be angry too.
Did I even have a choice?
"What? Don't you dare lie to me," he warned.
"I followed Damon," I admitted.
He stared at me intently.
"Why?"
"I wanted to know if you and Damon were really okay."
"And? What did you find out?"
I hesitated.
"Should I tell you what I heard?"
"Just tell me."
"I saw him talking to someone on the phone. He told the other person to prepare more men... even an army... to fight someone."
For the first time, I saw Lucca caught completely off guard.
He clearly hadn't expected what I had just told him.
"He also said... that he'll have me no matter what it takes."
Since I had already told him part of the truth, there was no point hiding the rest.
Lucca remained silent.
He stared into the distance, deep in thought. I couldn't tell what was going through his mind.
Several minutes passed before he finally spoke.
"Listen to me carefully, because I'm only going to say this once."
His eyes met mine.
"Stay away from Damon."
He emphasized every word, making sure I understood.
I wanted to ask why.
But he didn't give me the chance.
"Don't ask the obvious. Damon is evil, and he wants to harm you. If you don't want to die young, then listen to us," Lucca said bluntly.
I still had so many questions, but I kept them to myself for now because Lucca was clearly not in the mood to answer them. He looked like he was carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders.
After our brief conversation, we returned to the room where the others were waiting.
As soon as we entered, Lucca called Dominic and Damian over. He told us that they were going to talk to some of the businessmen in the hall.
That left Mira and me alone in the room.
Lucca's POV
"What?" Dominic exclaimed as soon as I told them what Seraphina had told me.
"Now we need to prepare for Damon's plan," I said, feeling uneasy. Uneasy because I was itching to take down the most evil man we knew.
"And he plans to have Seraphina no matter what it takes. Does that mean he might hurt Sera too?" Dominic asked.
"It's possible. Tsk. Damon is getting on my nerves too," Damian said.
"We need a concrete plan. Since we can't tell Seraphina the truth, we'll have to move quietly," I said.
"Let us deal with Damon's men. You focus on protecting Sera from him," Dominic replied.
Dominic was right. Working with Seraphina was a huge advantage for me. Aside from protecting the ring she was wearing, being with her gave me strength. At least my plans were working.
"Our goal is simple: don't let Damon get the ring before you do, Lucca. If he does, that'll be the end of you," Damian said.
"I guess this is the end of our vacation. From now on, we'll have to focus not only on our business but also on dealing with Damon. Tsk. He's such a pain. Why can't he just accept that you're stronger than he is?" Dominic said, shaking his head.
An evil person will never tolerate someone more powerful than themselves. To people like Damon, being the strongest is everything. Seeing someone surpass him is a wound to his pride.
A murderer?
Yes.
I wouldn't deny it because I had killed hundreds of people.
But was it intentional?
No.
I only did what was necessary to protect everyone. I never went after Damon just to destroy him.
But him?
He always does whatever he wants because that's his nature.
"Damian, can you convince Mira to stay away from Damon too? Her parents are at risk as well," I said.
"Okay."
I looked up at the sky and let out a long sigh.
This was going to be a lot of work.
Damon wanted a war?
So be it.
Seraphina's POV
"Why did Lucca call you? What did you two talk about?" Mira asked endlessly, never seeming to get tired of questioning me.
"Can you please stop asking so many questions? My head is already spinning. Can't we just go home?" I pleaded.
"But the party isn't over yet..." Mira answered with a concerned look.
Right.
This wasn't our party.
It was the party hosted by Damon and Mira's parents.
"I'm sorry," I said, regretting that I had acted as though I owned the place.
"But I can tell Mom that we're leaving. I don't think they need us here anymore."
"You should stay, Mira. Your parents might still need you."
"What about you?"
"I'll be fine. Can I just go to the van and tell the driver that I'm heading home?" I asked again.
"Let me walk you there."
"Please, no. I can manage. I don't want to attract attention. I just want to slip away without anyone noticing."
"Even Lucca, Dominic, and Damian?" she asked.
I sighed. I didn't even know where they had gone.
"I don't want to ruin their night. Just let them enjoy themselves until they get tipsy."
"Are you sure you'll be okay by yourself?"
I laughed despite my dizziness.
"I've been on my own for years. This isn't a problem for me. Now go back to the party and spend time with your parents. I'll head home."
"You sure?" she asked again, making me frown.
"You're so persistent that you're starting to annoy me."
She laughed.
"Just making sure."
"Go," I said.
She finally left.
I let out another sigh before heading downstairs.
I walked along the side of the hall while people continued dancing and drinking on the dance floor.
As soon as I stepped outside the hotel, I took a deep breath.
Being surrounded by so many people was exhausting for an introvert like me.
I looked around for the van we had arrived in earlier. I remembered both its appearance and its plate number. All I had to do was find it.
I walked toward the parking area and searched among the parked vehicles, but I still couldn't find it.
"What are you looking for?"
I froze the moment I heard that familiar voice.
Then I remembered what Damon had said on the balcony, that he would do whatever it took to have me.
A chill ran down my spine.
I slowly turned to face him, trying to calm myself.
Lucca's warning echoed in my mind.
Stay away from Damon.
He wasn't Lucca's friend.
He was their enemy.
Although Lucca hadn't explained everything, the seriousness on his face earlier was enough to make me believe him.
"Oh... hi, Damon," I greeted, forcing myself to sound calm.
He couldn't know how nervous I was.
"You don't like the party?" he asked.
"It's not that I don't like it. I'm just not comfortable socializing with so many people. Besides, I'm not a businesswoman, so I don't really have a reason to mingle."
I let out a fake laugh.
He nodded before taking a step closer.
Every instinct told me to step back, but I didn't want him to realize I was avoiding him.
So I remained where I was, forcing myself to meet his gaze.
"Have I told you how beautiful you look tonight in your gown and makeup?" he asked, lowering his voice into a flirtatious tone.
If he was trying to charm me again, he was wasting his time.
"You just did," I replied.
He smiled and stepped even closer until only a few inches separated us.
My body stiffened when he gently tucked a loose strand of my hair behind my ear.
Then he smiled even wider.
"I'll never get tired of telling you that you're the most beautiful woman I've ever met. Even my ex would admit that I have excellent taste."
I made a face, causing him to laugh even harder.
"I know, babe. You're not used to this," he said.
I gasped when he suddenly leaned close to my ear and whispered,
"But I promise... you'll get used to it."
His voice sent chills all over my body.
Without thinking, I shoved him away.
He barely reacted, as though he hadn't taken my resistance seriously.
"I already told you. I'm not the kind of woman who falls for your tricks. And I don't like flirty men," I said firmly.
"But I like you." He smiled. "What does Lucca have that I don't? Whatever it is, I'll become that person if it means you'll like me."
"Don't."
I frowned at him.
"If someone truly likes you, they'll like you for who you are. You don't have to change yourself just because you've fallen for someone."
A smile slowly spread across his lips.
"That's what I like most about you. You always have something meaningful to say." He chuckled softly. "But what can I do? I've already fallen for you."
I was about to answer when a voice suddenly called my name from behind.