Taming the storm

Chapter 3

Damian Moretti sat at the edge of the king-sized bed in his penthouse suite, his back turned to the woman still sprawled beneath the silk sheets. Her whispers of satisfaction filled the quiet room, but he barely registered her presence. To him, she was just another fleeting distraction—nameless and unimportant. He buttoned his crisp black shirt, his mind already elsewhere.

“Will I see you again?” the woman asked, her voice soft and hopeful.

He didn’t answer. He didn’t even glance back as he slipped his Rolex onto his wrist and adjusted the cuffs of his shirt. The moment he stepped out of the room, she ceased to exist in his world.

Damian exited the bedroom, his polished shoes echoing against the marble floors. His penthouse was immaculate, a perfect reflection of the man himself—cold, calculated, and utterly devoid of unnecessary emotion. As he entered the living room, he found his closest confidant and childhood friend, Enzo Ricci, lounging on the leather sofa, a glass of whiskey in hand.

“You’re late,” Enzo said with a smirk, swirling the amber liquid in his glass. “Let me guess, another one-night stand?”

Damian shrugged, grabbing a bottle of whiskey and pouring himself a glass. “She served her purpose.”

Enzo chuckled. “You’re a piece of work, Damian.”

Damian leaned against the counter, his sharp features unreadable. “I don’t have time for attachments. You know that.”

Enzo raised an eyebrow, watching his friend closely. “Well, you might not have a choice soon.”

Damian’s jaw tightened. He knew what Enzo was referring to, and the thought irritated him. “My father has been going on about this arranged marriage nonsense,” he muttered. “I don’t need a wife, Enzo. I need control, power, and loyalty—not some useless woman to complicate things.”

Enzo leaned forward, a mischievous grin playing on his lips. “Do you even know who she is? Or what she looks like?”

“No,” Damian said bluntly. “And I don’t care. She’s probably some spoiled little princess, pampered and naive. Or worse, a gold-digger looking to play house with a mafia boss.”

Enzo laughed, shaking his head. “You’re harsh, man. What if she’s actually decent?”

Damian scoffed, his dark eyes narrowing. “Decent? In this world? Women like that don’t exist, Enzo. They’re all the same—manipulative, deceitful, and weak. I’ll marry her if my father insists, but I won’t pretend it’s anything more than a transaction.”

As if on cue, the door to the penthouse opened, and Giovanni Moretti strode in. The head of the Moretti family carried an air of authority that demanded respect. His presence alone silenced the room.

“Damian,” Giovanni said, his voice low and commanding.

“Father,” Damian replied, setting down his glass and straightening his posture.

Giovanni’s sharp eyes flicked to Enzo. “Give us a moment.”

Enzo nodded, grabbing his drink and heading to the balcony. “Good luck,” he muttered under his breath as he passed Damian.

Once they were alone, Giovanni took a seat, gesturing for Damian to do the same. “We need to discuss your future.”

Damian sighed inwardly but sat across from his father. “I assume this is about the De Luca girl?”

Giovanni nodded. “Her name is Alessandra. She’s Vincenzo De Luca’s daughter.”

Damian raised an eyebrow. “Since when does Vincenzo have a daughter? I’ve never heard of her before.”

“That’s because she’s been kept out of the public eye,” Giovanni explained. “She has no interest in the mafia world and has managed to live a relatively normal life. She’s a nurse, from what I’ve heard.”

Damian’s lips curled into a smirk. “A nurse? You’re telling me Vincenzo has been hiding his precious little daughter while the rest of us fight his battles? Typical.”

Giovanni’s expression darkened. “Watch your tone, Damian. This alliance is crucial for our family’s future. Vincenzo may have his flaws, but his resources and influence are unmatched. This marriage will solidify our partnership and ensure our dominance.”

Damian leaned back in his chair, his smirk fading. “And what about her? What kind of woman agrees to an arranged marriage with a stranger? She’s probably no different from the rest—weak and desperate.”

Giovanni’s gaze hardened. “You will not speak of your future wife that way. She is your equal in this arrangement, whether you like it or not. You will treat her with respect.”

Damian clenched his jaw, his father’s words stinging more than he cared to admit. “Fine,” he said through gritted teeth. “I’ll do as you ask. But don’t expect me to fall in love with her or play the doting husband. This is a business deal, nothing more.”

Giovanni stood, his imposing figure casting a shadow over Damian. “You’ll do more than that, son. You’ll protect her, honor her, and ensure this alliance is unbreakable. You may not want this marriage, but it’s your responsibility as the head of this family. Don’t forget that.”

Without another word, Giovanni turned and left the room, leaving Damian alone with his thoughts.

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Damian poured himself another drink, his mind racing. A nurse? An innocent, sheltered daughter of Vincenzo De Luca? He couldn’t picture her, but his imagination ran wild with possibilities. Was she timid and fragile, someone who would crumble under the weight of his world? Or was she a cunning opportunist, hiding behind a façade of innocence?

He didn’t know, and he didn’t care. All that mattered was the power this marriage would bring. Love, trust, companionship—those were luxuries he couldn’t afford.

Enzo reentered the room, his expression curious. “So? What’s the verdict?”

“I’m marrying her,” Damian said flatly. “But don’t expect me to like it.”

Enzo chuckled. “You might surprise yourself, Damian. Who knows? She could be the one to tame the infamous Moretti.”

Damian shot him a withering glare. “Don’t be ridiculous. Women like her don’t tame men like me. They survive us—if they’re lucky.”

The weight of his words hung in the air, a chilling reminder of who Damian Moretti truly was. As he stared out the window at the city below, his thoughts drifted to the woman he was destined to marry. Alessandra De Luca. A stranger, a pawn, a means to an end.

But somewhere deep in his heart, a spark of curiosity flickered. Who was she, really? And what would she bring to his world of chaos and blood?

For now, Damian could only wait.

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