Stealing The Devil's Heart

Chapter Three - A Triangle Of Chaos

Elena

In the blink of an eye, Damien was in front of me, glaring at our conjoined hands. I could feel the tension in the air as his hands clenched at his sides. “Who the hell is this, Lena?” His growl echoed in the still corridor. Why was he so mad at me?

Noah pushed me behind him as if he could protect me from Damien’s wrath. “I’m her boyfriend, Noah Weber. Who the f*ck are you?”

“Damien Sylvester, who else? Fu*k off, loser.” Damien trembled with fury, towering over Noah as if itching to punch him in the face. I had to intervene, or there would be war. Why couldn’t Damien go to his wife?

I stepped forward and glared back at him. “You heard him, Damien. Please, can you move aside? We wouldn’t want to miss the fun.”

“Right, baby! Let’s dance.” Noah ignored Damien and pulled me towards the elevator.

I gave Damien a discreet glance only to find him frozen to the spot, as if in a daze. What was wrong with him? Why did he react to Noah when he had a wife? He had no business interfering in my life.

The elevator door closed, and I snatched my hand from Noah’s hold. He gave me a surprised look. “Is he the one?”

I shrugged. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

He rolled his eyes and smiled. “I think he likes you.”

My heart stopped for a split second. It was my turn to roll my eyes at his joke. “He’s married, for your information. Can we stop discussing him, please?”

He frowned and gave me a surprised look. “Are you sure? I saw no wedding ring on his finger.”

How had I not noticed it? Before I could respond to him, the elevator doors opened, and Noah grabbed my hand again. Wasn’t he overdoing it? I had to set boundaries now before he started taking this fake relationship seriously. “Noah, no touching unless it is necessary. We’re faking it, remember?”

He gripped my hand tightly instead. “Shhh, he’s watching us, silly.”

Startled, I looked up to search for him. “Who?” Then my eyes locked with Damien’s across the banquet hall. He sat on a barstool at the crowded bar, swirling a drink in his hand. How did he reach here before the elevator did?

“Oh, there you are!” Mom’s voice brought me back to reality. She glared at us as she approached me. “Where did you disappear with him, Ellie? Everyone was asking after you?” Her gaze shifted to Noah, and he released my hand abruptly. “I need to talk to my daughter in private, young man. Do you mind?”

“Not at all. I need a drink anyway.” He gave me an uncomfortable look and walked away towards the bar. My heartbeats escalated as I watched him join Damien. Why couldn’t he go elsewhere? There was bound to be trouble now.

“What’s going on, Ellie? Why have you brought him here? Everyone is talking about it.” Mom steered me toward the rest of the guests.

“Why not, Mom? He’s my umm, boyfriend.” I couldn’t hold her angry stare. Why couldn’t she approve of Noah?

She groaned and flailed her arms helplessly. “Break it off with the guy. I don’t approve of him. You deserve someone better, Ellie.”

Aunt Carol walked towards us, and I panicked. She would announce it to everyone, and there would be chaos in the family.

“Mom, can we discuss this later, please?”

“What are you discussing? Where were you for so long, Ellie? We wanted you to help Serenity get ready.” Aunt Carol’s gaze swept over my attire. “You look beautiful. This dress fits you perfectly.”

I felt a little guilty for neglecting my duties towards my family. “Oh, I was in my room, freshening up. Why didn’t you call me, Aunt Carol?”

Mom scoffed and glared at Noah. Thankfully, Alex, Alecia, and Serenity joined us, steering the conversation away from Noah. A brawl near the bar made us drop everything and rush to the scene. My heart sank with dread. Through the sea of guests crowding around, I could hear Damien’s growly voice.

“Stay away from her, asshole!”

It echoed in my head, robbing me of my mental peace. I pushed through the people to reach the spot.

“s**t! What the hell, Damien!” Alex reached them faster than me.

The crowd fell apart, and I froze to see Noah lying on the ground, groaning in agony with busted lips and multiple bruises all over.

“Beat me as much as you can, shithead! She has chosen me. I’m Ellie's today and tomorrow,” yelled Noah, rising to fight.

“You won’t live to see your tomorrow.” Damien lost control and punches flew non-stop. Even Noah threw in a few. It made my head reel. Why were they fighting over me?

“Stop it, Damien. You’ll kill him.” Alex and his friends rushed to stop the duo. Even Uncle Jeremy came in to tackle Damien. I stood transfixed to the spot, watching the mad fury swirling in Damien’s eyes. Why was he fighting for me when he was a married man?

“I intend to. Let me go, Alex. Either he lives, or I do.” Damien thrashed desperately while my head reeled. Was he drunk?

I hadn’t expected my plan to have such repercussions.

“I won’t stay here to watch this madman misbehaving with my girlfriend.” Noah barked and wiped the blood off his lips. He turned towards me. “Come with me, Ellie. We’re leaving right now! This place isn’t safe for you. We’ll go home.” He trembled with fury as he strode towards me.

I had never seen him this furious before. I couldn’t move. The others tried to intervene, but it was of no use. No one could restrain Damien for long. Where the hell was his wife?

“She isn’t going anywhere with you. This is her home. Escape alone while you can, asshole. Once I’m free, I’ll kill you.” Damien never gave out useless threats. I wondered what made him react so violently.

“Try me. My dad is in the FBI. Be ready to rot in prison for the rest of your life.” Noah gripped my arm to drag me away.

It brought me to my senses, and I yanked my arm free. “I can’t leave without attending my brother’s wedding, Noah.”

Noah froze and whirled around to face me, his cheeks flushed from the insult. “What did you say?” he gritted out, twisting my arm behind me.

I winced and struggled to free myself.

My mom came forward and slapped Noah across his cheek. “You heard her. Leave her hand. She’s going nowhere with you.”

Noah staggered backwards while I felt guilty for involving him in this. “Stop, Mom. He’s leaving anyway.”

“No, I’m not going home without you.” Noah stood his ground.

My uncle walked up to Noah, and I dreaded another fight. “Leave now. We don’t want trouble on the wedding day,” warned Uncle Jason.

“Please leave, Noah. Don’t worry about me.” I pleaded with him. Wasn’t he overdoing it?

“I can’t leave. Your dad sent me with you to take care of you. How will I face him if I go home without you? He promised to pay me a good amount in return,” he blurted out.

Mom gasped with shock, and so did I. Why did Dad send a spy after me?

“I knew it! I knew he was using Lena!” yelled Damien as Alex led him away from the venue.

“I’ll talk to him. Please leave before we throw you out.” Mom seethed with fury.

“No need. I’m leaving.” Noah’s shoulders sagged, and he walked away towards his room.

I felt empty and confused. I had considered Noah my friend. But he was here with me for money. I had no friends, no one who liked me.

Noah left without meeting me. I stuck to Serenity, refusing to meet Damien’s penetrating gaze following me around. Why was he behaving like a scorned lover when he was the one who rejected me and chose another? A million questions flitted across my mind. I wanted to confront Damien, but not in front of everyone. He had no right to intervene in my personal life.

We sat at the grand dinner table when Damien walked out. Maybe he realized his wife was missing!

Just as I had thought, he returned with Veronica and another man who resembled him. Alex rose to greet them. Then he turned towards us and introduced the guy.

“This is Damien’s cousin, Davion Sylvester. He’s our chief investor and Veronica’s husband.”

My jaw dropped to the floor.