A Love Born From Darkness
1183 Words
The doctor arrived within fifteen minutes.
Serena stood outside Damian's bedroom while two trusted members of his security team guarded the hallway. She folded her arms tightly across her chest, trying to ignore the knot in her stomach.
She barely knew Damian.
She had every reason to distrust him.
So why was she worried?
The bedroom door opened.
An elderly man stepped out, removing his gloves.
The bullet only grazed his shoulder. He lost blood, but he'll recover.
Serena released a breath she hadn't realized she was holding.
Can I see him?
The doctor smiled.
He's asking for you.
She hesitated before walking inside.
The room was surprisingly simple. Dark wooden furniture, shelves filled with books, and large windows overlooking the gardens. There were no expensive decorations meant to impress visitors.
Damian sat on the edge of the bed wearing a clean white shirt with the top buttons undone. A fresh bandage covered his shoulder.
He looked tired.
You should be resting, Serena said.
I've rested enough.
You were shot less than an hour ago.
I've survived worse.
She rolled her eyes.
You really enjoy pretending nothing affects you.
A faint smile appeared on his face.
It usually doesn't.
She sat in the chair opposite him.
For several moments, neither spoke.
Finally, Serena broke the silence.
You saved my life.
Damian looked at her.
I did.
Why?
I already answered that.
No.
She shook her head.
You told me you made a promise.
I did.
I think there's another reason.
His expression remained unreadable.
You think too much.
And you avoid questions too often.
He looked out the window.
My father taught me something.
What?
A leader protects people before protecting himself.
Serena studied him carefully.
Even strangers?
He looked back at her.
You stopped being a stranger the day someone decided to hunt you.
His words lingered in the room.
For reasons she couldn't explain, they made her feel safe.
That frightened her.
Because safety was dangerous.
It made people lower their guard.
And lowering her guard around Damian Moretti could destroy her.
A knock interrupted them.
Luca entered carrying a leather folder.
His serious expression told Damian something was wrong.
We found another body.
Damian stood immediately.
Where?
Near the river.
Serena frowned.
What body?
Luca glanced at Damian.
He was one of the men watching the estate.
Damian's eyes narrowed.
He was executed.
Serena's heart raced.
Executed?
Luca nodded.
There was a message.
What did it say? Damian asked.
Luca placed a photograph on the table.
Serena looked down.
Three words had been written in blood across the wall behind the body.
She's next.
A chill ran through her entire body.
Who would do this?
Damian picked up the photograph.
The man I've been trying to keep you from.
And who is that?
He hesitated.
Then he finally answered.
Matteo De Luca.
The name meant nothing to Serena.
But judging by Luca's reaction, it meant everything to them.
He was supposed to be dead, Luca whispered.
Damian's face hardened.
So was I.
Serena looked between them.
What aren't you telling me?
Damian took a slow breath.
Years ago, Matteo was part of my father's organization.
What happened?
He betrayed us.
Why?
He wanted power.
And?
He murdered my father.
The room fell silent.
Serena stared at him.
For the first time since meeting Damian, she understood where his darkness came from.
He hadn't been born ruthless.
Pain had shaped him.
Loss had changed him.
Before she could speak, Damian continued.
He disappeared after that night.
So you've been looking for him ever since.
Yes.
And now he's looking for me.
Damian nodded once.
I believe he thinks your father hid something before he died.
The journal.
Yes.
Serena lowered her head.
My father never told me anything.
I believe you.
She looked up in surprise.
You do?
If you knew the truth, you wouldn't ask so many questions.
She almost smiled.
That's the nicest thing you've said to me.
I'm trying.
The words escaped before he could stop them.
Both of them froze.
Damian cleared his throat.
I mean.
I know what you meant.
For the first time, the tension between them wasn't filled with suspicion.
It was something softer.
Something neither of them wanted to name.
That evening, Serena wandered into the estate library.
Floor-to-ceiling bookshelves surrounded the room.
She ran her fingers along the old spines until one photograph caught her attention.
It was tucked inside a history book.
She pulled it out.
A younger Damian stood beside an older man.
His father.
Both of them were smiling.
It was the first time she had ever seen Damian smile.
The photograph felt completely different from the man she knew now.
You found it.
She turned.
Damian stood in the doorway.
You looked happy.
I was.
What changed?
He walked toward her.
My father died.
She looked at the picture again.
You miss him.
Every day.
His voice was so quiet she almost didn't hear it.
She handed the photograph back.
I'm sorry.
He looked at her for several seconds.
Most people apologize because they think they're expected to."l
I mean it.
I know.
Another silence settled between them.
This one felt different.
Comfortable.
Neither of them noticed how close they had become until Serena looked up.
Their faces were only inches apart.
She could hear his breathing.
He could see the uncertainty in her eyes.
Neither moved.
The world around them seemed to disappear.
Then Damian slowly reached out and brushed a loose strand of hair away from her face.
His fingers barely touched her skin.
Yet it sent a shiver through her.
He looked into her eyes.
You should stay away from me.
Her heart beat faster.
Why?
Because people close to me don't live long.
She swallowed.
Is that a warning?
It's the only one you'll ever get.
Before Serena could answer, an explosion shook the entire estate.
The windows shattered.
Books crashed from the shelves.
The lights went out.
Someone screamed downstairs.
Damian immediately pulled Serena behind him.
Gunfire echoed through the mansion.
Voices shouted outside.
Luca burst into the library holding a rifle.
They're inside.
Damian's expression turned ice cold.
How many?
"LAt least twenty.
Damian looked at Serena.
Stay here.
She grabbed his arm.
I'm not hiding.
You don't have a choice.
I do.
Their eyes locked.
Then another explosion tore through the building.
Smoke filled the hallway.
One of Damian's guards stumbled into the room.
They've reached the east wing.
Damian looked at Serena one last time.
If anything happens to you.
He stopped.
She waited.
His voice became barely a whisper.
I won't forgive myself.
Before she could respond, he turned and disappeared into the smoke with Luca.
Serena stood frozen.
Her heart pounded inside her chest.
Outside, the sounds of gunfire grew louder.
Then, through the broken window, she saw a masked man standing in the garden.
He wasn't looking at the mansion.
He was looking directly at her.
Slowly, he smiled.
Then he lifted a silver necklace into the air.
Serena's blood ran cold.
It belonged to her mother.
- Writer
