The Devil’s Rules
1416 Words
Serena Valenti had always believed that freedom was something nobody could take away unless you allowed them to.
She had built her entire life around that belief.
She left her family behind.
She walked away from their reputation.
She refused to become another person trapped by the decisions of people who came before her.
But Damian Moretti had a way of making people question everything they believed.
Three days after their meeting, Serena found herself standing outside the Moretti headquarters again.
She hated that she was there.
She hated that a part of her knew she had no other choice.
The building stood above the city like a symbol of power. Glass walls reflected the morning sunlight, hiding the secrets that existed behind them.
Serena walked through the entrance, ignoring the curious looks from people around her.
Everyone knew who Damian Moretti was.
And now everyone would know she was connected to him.
That thought bothered her more than she wanted to admit.
A woman at the front desk immediately stood.
Miss Valenti.
Serena looked at her.
How does everyone know who I am?
The woman hesitated.
Serena noticed.
Everyone here was afraid of saying the wrong thing.
That was the kind of influence Damian had.
Mr. Moretti is expecting you.
Of course he was.
Serena walked toward the private elevator.
When the doors opened, she stepped inside and waited.
The higher she went, the more she felt like she was entering a world she did not belong in.
When the doors opened again, Damian's office was waiting.
He stood near his desk, reading a document.
He did not immediately look at her.
Serena crossed her arms.
If this is another attempt to remind me that my family owes you something, you can save your time.
Damian finally looked up.
You always enter a room ready to fight.
Only when I know I am walking into a trap.
A small silence passed.
Then Damian placed the document down.
You are here because you accepted the agreement.
Serena frowned.
I never accepted anything.
You came.
That does not mean I agreed.
Damian walked closer.
Serena, you are smarter than that.
She hated that he was right.
Because she knew why she came.
Not because she trusted him.
Not because she wanted to be part of his world.
She came because she needed answers.
What are your rules?
Damian studied her.
My rules?
You said there was an agreement. Every agreement has conditions.
For a moment, something like approval appeared in his eyes.
Three rules.
Serena waited.
First, you do not investigate my business.
She raised an eyebrow.
I am supposed to trust a man who refuses to tell me what he does?
You are supposed to stay alive.
Second?
You do not leave without telling me.
Her expression changed.
Excuse me?
This world is dangerous.
You mean your world.
Yes.
She stepped closer.
And you think that gives you the right to control where I go?
No.
His voice remained calm.
It gives me the responsibility to know where you are.
Serena looked away.
She hated that his words made sense.
Third?
Damian's expression became serious.
You do not lie to me.
Serena looked back at him.
That is your rule?
Yes.
Interesting.
What?
Coming from someone who clearly has more secrets than I do.
The room became quiet.
For a moment, she thought she had gone too far.
But Damian only looked at her.
Not angry.
Not offended.
Just curious.
You are different from what I expected.
I hear that often.
I believe it.
She looked at him carefully.
There was something strange about Damian Moretti.
People described him as a monster.
But monsters did not usually look tired.
They did not carry sadness in their eyes.
And they definitely did not hesitate before speaking.
But Damian did.
Only for a second.
Only when he thought nobody noticed.
Serena noticed.
That evening, Serena moved into the Moretti estate.
She hated the idea.
She argued against it.
She refused.
But after discovering that someone had followed her car twice in one week and that her apartment had been searched again, she accepted that staying alone was becoming dangerous.
The guest room given to her was larger than her entire apartment.
Everything was perfect.
The furniture.
The decorations.
The view.
But Serena felt uncomfortable.
Luxury had never impressed her.
She had learned early that expensive things did not mean happiness.
She stood by the window, looking at the city below.
A knock came at the door.
She turned.
Come in.
The door opened.
It was Damian.
She immediately became cautious.
What do you want?
He looked around the room.
To make sure everything is fine.
She almost laughed.
You check on all your guests like this?
No.
Then why me?
Damian did not answer.
That annoyed her.
You do that a lot.
Do what?
Stay silent when the truth is inconvenient.
His eyes met hers.
You notice too much.
Maybe you hide too much.
For a moment, neither moved.
The tension between them was impossible to ignore.
Serena hated it.
Because she was supposed to fear him.
She was supposed to see only the danger.
But every time she looked at him, she saw something else.
A man fighting a battle nobody else knew about.
Damian looked away first.
You should rest.
She watched him leave.
And for the first time, Serena wondered if Damian Moretti was afraid of something too.
The next morning, Serena discovered exactly how dangerous Damian's world was.
She was walking through the estate garden when she heard raised voices coming from the main building.
She moved closer.
A man was arguing with Damian.
You are making a mistake.
Damian stood calmly.
No.
You are protecting a Valenti.
The name made Serena stop.
The man continued.
After everything they did?
Damian's expression changed.
Enough.
You know what they cost us.
Serena stepped back.
She had heard enough.
She returned to her room, but her thoughts were racing.
What exactly had her family done?
Why did everyone hate the Valentis?
And why did Damian still seem determined to protect her?
Later that day, she found Damian alone in his office.
This time, she did not wait for permission.
What did my family do?
Damian looked up.
What?
You heard me.
He became quiet.
Who told you?
That does not matter.
It matters.
No, Damian. What matters is that everyone knows something except me.
She placed her hands on the desk.
I am tired of being treated like a child.
Damian stared at her.
For a moment, she saw something change in his expression.
A memory.
A pain.
Then it disappeared.
Your father made a deal with my father.
What kind of deal?
A partnership.
Serena waited.
But something went wrong.
What?
Damian's jaw tightened.
He betrayed him.
She felt a strange disappointment.
Not because she loved her father.
But because she had spent years defending him.
My father betrayed yours?
Yes.
Why?
I don't know.
The answer surprised her.
You don't know?
Damian shook his head.
My father died before he could explain everything.
The anger in his voice was quiet.
But Serena heard it.
Loss.
Not hatred.
Loss.
Before she could respond, Damian's phone rang.
He answered.
His expression changed immediately.
What happened?
A pause.
Then:
Keep her there. I am coming.
He ended the call.
Serena watched him.
What is wrong?
Damian grabbed his coat.
They found the person who has been following you.
Her heart stopped.
Who?
Damian looked at her.
Someone who knows your family's secrets.
The fear she had been ignoring finally became real.
Because Serena understood something.
Her past was not just a story.
It was a threat.
And now that threat had found her.
Damian moved toward the door.
Stay here.
She followed him.
Where are you going?
To handle it.
I am coming with you.
No.
Damian.
His eyes turned toward her.
For the first time, his voice carried something close to concern.
Serena, this is not a game.
She held his gaze.
Neither am I.
The silence between them lasted several seconds.
Then Damian looked away.
Fine.
He opened the door.
But you follow my rules.
Serena walked beside him.
Which one?
His eyes met hers.
Stay close.
And for reasons Serena refused to understand, those two words affected her more than they should have.
Because for the first time since entering Damian Moretti's world,
She felt protected.
And that scared her more than danger itself.
- Writer
