BLOOD SILK SYNDICATE

The bullet smashed the window right next to my head. I looked in disbelief, i couldn't comprehend what was happening at the moment. Glass flew everywhere around me. I dropped hard, my knees and elbows stinging in pain. Red wine spilled across the table soaking my black dress. My heart was hammering so loud it drowned out the screams. Another shot rang out. The chair I was just sitting on exploded into pieces, I quickly crawled under the table, glass cutting into my palms. People were screaming and running everywhere. This wasn't a normal shooting, someone came here specifically for me. I could feel it. A third bullet hit the floor inches from my fingers. I squeezed my eyes shut tight, breathing fast, trying not to cry.. then the lights went out completely. Everything turned red from the emergency signs. Pure chaos. People were pushing and trampling each other to escape. I stayed under the table, my whole body shaking. Heavy footsteps came straight toward me, I looked up slowly.... He crouched in front of me. Black suit. Rain dripping from his dark hair, gun in his hand like it was nothing. His face looked sharp and scary. His eyes were dark and way too calm for what was happening. "You're harder to kill than they said," he muttered, his voice low. I tried to move back but he grabbed my wrist fast. His grip was strong, I couldn't pull away even if I wanted to. "Who the hell are you?" I gasped, my voice shaking. He didn't answer me. Another gunshot came from across the restaurant. He suddenly shoved me behind him and fired back. His back felt warm and solid against me, I hated that I noticed it. "Stay down," he ordered. His men appeared out of nowhere, all wearing black suits. He spoke to them quickly in Italian. Then he pulled me up roughly and started dragging me toward the side door, his arm tight around my waist. "Let me go!" I tried to fight him, twisting my body. He didn't even look at me. He just kept pulling me outside into the heavy rain. A black SUV was waiting. He pushed me inside first, then got in after me. The doors locked with a loud click. The car sped off fast. I pressed myself against the door, breathing hard. My hands wouldn't stop shaking. "What the f**k is going on? Who are you?" He finally turned and looked at me with cold eyes. "Damien De Luca," he said. "And right now, you're more trouble than you're worth." His touch made my skin crawl as we drove through the rain. Damien sat too close in the back seat, watching my every move like I was a problem he hadn't decided how to solve yet. I kept my body pressed against the door, trying to put as much distance between us as possible. The penthouse he took me to was cold and empty despite how expensive everything looked. When we stepped inside, I felt like I was walking into a trap. "I need to call my friend," I said, my voice shaky. "No." "You can't just kidnap me like this..." "I can," he cut me off. "The people who want you dead are still out there. One call from you and they find both of us." He poured me a bottle of whiskey but I refused the whiskey he poured. He stepped closer to me. I didn't move back, but my breathing became fast and shallow. I could feel the heat coming off his body. "You have no idea what kind of world you just stepped into," he told me. I looked up at him. "Then explain it to me." He reached out and removed a small piece of glass from my hair. I flinched. For a second our eyes stayed locked, and something heavy passed between us. Damien stood too close, staring at me like I was a problem he needed to solve. The penthouse felt cold and empty, I felt very trapped. "I need answers," I said, my voice cracking a little. He just pointed down the hallway. "The bathroom is there. Clean up. There are clothes in the closet. Don't even try the elevator. It needs a code." Then he walked away. I went to the bathroom. When I saw myself in the mirror I almost cried. I looked terrible — wild eyes, blood on my face, dress ruined. I took a fast shower, wincing every time water touched my cuts. The clothes in the closet were all my exact size, that made me feel even more scared. I changed into a sweater and leggings and came back out. Damien was waiting. He gave me painkillers and water, I took them without touching his hand. We stood in silence for a while. I sat on the couch because my legs were very weak. The adrenaline was crashing hard now, I felt very exhausted and scared and completely alone. Damien didn't say anything else. He just stood there watching me like he was deciding my fate. I pulled the blanket over myself and turned my back to him. I didn't trust this man at all. As my eyes started getting heavy, one thought kept repeating in my head: He saved me from those bullets tonight... But what if he was the one who sent them?