Isabella 206.The news hit me like a ton of bricks, shattering the fragile sense of security I had managed to cling to in the wake of Emilio's warning. Ava's voice trembled as she delivered the harrowing news, her words hanging heavy in the air as they sank into my racing mind."He's alive," she said, her voice barely above a whisper as she reached out to grasp my hand in a silent gesture of support. "But it was close, Isabella. Too close."My heart lurched at the thought, the image of Damien's face flashing before my eyes as I struggled to comprehend the gravity of what Ava was telling me. He had survived, thank the heavens, but the mere thought of losing him – of never seeing his smile or hearing his laughter again – was enough to send a chill down my spine.We sat in silence, the weight of the news pressing down on us like a suffocating blanket as we watched the television screen, images of Damien and Emilio being escorted off the company premises flashing across the screen in a bl
Damien 207.The boardroom was a stark contrast to the chaos that had unfolded just hours earlier. The polished oak table gleamed under the soft glow of the overhead lights, casting a warm, inviting ambiance over the room. I sat at the head of the table, flanked by my legal team, as we awaited the arrival of the detectives.The door swung open, and Detective Alvarez and Detective Ramirez entered the room, their expressions grave as they took their seats opposite me. I could feel the weight of their scrutiny bearing down on me, their eyes sharp and probing as they prepared to interrogate me about the events of that afternoon."Mr. Moretti, thank you for agreeing to meet with us," Detective Alvarez began, his voice tinged with authority. "I'm Detective Alvarez, and this is Detective Ramirez. We're here to ask you a few questions about the shooting that occurred earlier today."I nodded, my jaw clenched tight as I braced myself for the barrage of inquiries that I knew would follow. The de
Isabella 208.As I sat on the couch, my hands trembling slightly, I couldn't help but feel the weight of fear pressing down on me like a heavy blanket. Ava, my mother-in-law, sat across from me, her worried eyes reflecting my own turmoil. We were waiting for Damien to come home, each passing second feeling like an eternity."I think we need to beef up the security around here," Ava said, her voice tinged with concern. "With everything that's been happening, I didn't want to take any chances."I nodded in agreement, my mind racing with all the possible threats that could be lurking in the shadows. "Yes, you're right," I replied, my voice barely above a whisper. "I couldn't bear the thought of anything happening to Damien."Ava reached out and squeezed my hand gently, offering what little comfort she could in that moment of uncertainty. "We'll do everything we can to keep him safe," she assured me, her voice filled with determination.But deep down, I kn
Damien 209."Gentlemen, I am sure that you are just trying to do your job but I think you should take your leave now," Camilla announced to the two detectives, who were reluctant to leave.The one called Alvarez walked to where I sat and pulled out one of his numerous contact card and tossed it on the table in front of me."Call me if you know anything and do not leave town," He gruffly said."My client is the one who was shot at, you can not obstruct his movements, he is a business man," The attorney beside me spoke out.Alvarez bristled at the legal objection the attorney presented. Why did was this Detective so aggressive? I wanted to find out."Excuse us, all of you," I said to everyone in the room."But Damien," Said Hamilton, my legal attorney."It's okay Milton, I got this," I said as I winked at him."Are you sure about this?" Camilla asked with a raised eyebrow. Her concern disarmed me."I think I know how to handle myself, I am the CEO," I announced
Damien 210.As I sat behind the wheel, navigating the familiar streets that led to my mother's house, a sense of unease settled over me like a suffocating blanket. The events of the day had left me shaken and on edge, my mind racing with thoughts of the dangers that lurked in the shadows.The interrogation by the detectives had been grueling, their questions probing and relentless as they demanded answers about the attempted assassination. I had done my best to cooperate, to provide them with any information that might help their investigation, but their suspicion and hostility had left me feeling like a criminal in my own skin.As I drove, my thoughts turned to the enemies that lurked in the darkness, unseen but ever-present, waiting for the perfect opportunity to strike. Monroe, Vito Moretti, Camilla Valdez – the list of potential threats seemed to grow longer with each passing day, each one more dangerous than the last.But amidst the chaos and u
Isabella 211."He will come around," Ava said as we all resumed to our respective seats."He needs to come around faster, there is too many things at stake," Emilio said in a grave tone."Including our lives," Vito grumbled and that statement caught my attention."What is talking about?" I asked Emilio."In due time, Damien needs to be here," Emilio said.I was fed up of the way he was dictating his way into my life and I was this close to losing it."You are not in charge here, and you do not call the shots," I snapped."I did not mean to offend you, Isabella, but time is not on your side or any of ours," Emilio gently said."Go get the boy, Ava," Vito snapped."You do not get to talk to me like that you son of a bitch," It was Ava's turn to snap.The tension in the room was high and emotions were all over the place.Vito scoffed and rolled his eyes. "Drama queen," He mumbled."I am here," Damien's voice rang out from where he stood. He looked troubled, like he had just heard a bad n
Damien 212As I entered the room, the tension hung thick in the air, palpable and suffocating. My father, Vito, sat on one side of the room, his gaze cold and unyielding as it bore into me with a sense of contempt that sent a shiver down my spine. On the other side sat Emilio, my father-in-law, his expression stern and disapproving as he regarded me with a look of disdain.Isabella and Ava were seated nearby, their faces drawn with worry and apprehension as they watched the exchange between myself and the two men who had played such significant roles in our lives."Damien," Emilio greeted stiffly, his voice laced with a hint of disdain. "It seems you've finally decided to join us."I bristled at his tone, the underlying accusation not lost on me. "I'm here, aren't I?" I retorted, my voice sharp and clipped.Emilio's eyes narrowed, his gaze piercing as he leveled a stern look in my direction. "Yes, you're here," he replied, his tone dripping with sarcasm. "But where were you when my da
Isabella 213As I navigated through the maze of my new reality, each step felt heavier than the last, burdened by the weight of uncertainty and fear that now permeated every corner of my existence. Gone were the carefree days of wandering through life with abandon, replaced instead by the suffocating grip of constant vigilance and paranoia.The tight security that had been implemented in the wake of Emilio's revelation had transformed my once-familiar surroundings into a fortress of steel and stone, guarded day and night by an army of vigilant sentinels. Bodyguards shadowed my every move, their watchful eyes never straying from my form as if anticipating danger at every turn.At first, I had resisted their presence, chafing against the suffocating confines of their protection like a caged bird yearning for freedom. But as the days wore on and the threat of danger loomed ever closer, I found myself begrudgingly accepting their presence, a reluctant acknow