SWNOVELS The Devil’s Fire by Mariam El-Hafi Chapter 27
Althaia
“So, why exactly can’t Michael come and get me?” I asked again. I was in Damiano’s office, trying to knock some sense into that thick head of his.
“I don’t like him.” He replied curtly and he continued to look through some papers that were s*atered around on his desk.
“Well, I do!” His eyes snapped to mine, giving me a firm look. I rolled my eyes at him.
“Antonio will drive you.” He said as a final order.
“Why do you want to trouble the poor man by going back and forth? I’m just going to my dad’s and spending time with him. before I leave for home in a few days.” I had made myself comfortable on his desk, watching him go over a list of numbers. The list was so long with an endless number, it made my eyes hurt.
“He will be staying with you. For protection.”
“That’s dumb… Protect me from what? My own father?” He sighed and put down the papers to look at me.
“I won’t be able to be there with you as I have to take care of something. Antonio with you will give me one less thing to worry about.” Damiano explained. Now, I kind of felt bad when he said that. I liked that he was worried about me but he was still being ridiculous. I was pretty sure Michael was more than capable to give me a ride safely.
“Fine … Where is he then? I want to go now.” I gave in.
“Outside, waiting. I’ll walk you out.”
We walked out to the huge driveway, and sure enough, Antonio was there next to the car, waiting for me. He looked like the type of man you would see on a fashion runway with his dark, dirty blonde hair, blue eyes, and short beard. He wore a white dress shirt with the sleeves rolled up and a pair of casual jeans.
Antonio gave a firm nod when we approached him, and he opened the backseat door for me. Before I could even get in, Damiano wrapped his arm around my waist and pressed his lips to mine. It was a long, sweet kiss that had me melting completely in his arms.
“Behave.” He told me when he pulled away.
“I always do.” I grinned. I suddenly realized he had kissed me in front of Antonio, having me feel a little shy about it. But Antonio didn’t seem to mind as he walked around the SUV and got in the driver’s seat. I stole another kiss from Damiano before saying bye.
We had been driving for a while now and neither of us was talking. The radio was playing softly in the background and now I just felt kind of awkward just sitting in silence.
“So, Antonio…” I started. I didn’t really know what to say to him but maybe I could get to know him a little better. They were all so dark and mysterious and always wore blank expressions.
He looked at me through the rearview mirror, and my mind went blank. All of a sudden I didn’t know how to make a small
conversation.
“Uh, I’m sorry for troubling you like this. I’m sure you had other things to take care of.” I gave him a small apologetic smile.
“It’s fine.” One cold, curt answer. I sighed quietly to myself. I guess none of these men were really a fan of any type of conversation.
“How long have you been working for Damiano?” I tried again. I knew it was a long shot with this question, but I guessed I preferred awkward conversation instead of silence. Then he went silent, and I thought he wouldn’t answer me.
“Since day one. We grew up together.” I nodded. It made sense. then why he was one of Damiano’s most trusted men. Well, I just assumed he was because wherever Damiano went, he was right there with him.
“I see… Do you have any family?”
“Why the sudden interest?” I got taken aback by his tone.
“I’m just making conversation. They are fairly normal questions to ask when you want to get to know someone.”
“Look, I’m just doing my part of the job. I would rather not have you ask me questions.” Da*n, what crawled up in his butt today? I didn’t say anything back and just stayed silent. I would rather not pi*s him off some more. What if something did happen and he just let me die because I annoyed him? I didn’t want to take that chance…
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I had never been happier in my life when we drove into the familiar driveway of my father’s mansion. It was one really long ride and it felt like decades after my failed attempt to make conversation. I caught sight of Michael, who was standing near his car, talking to
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one of my father’s men. I got excited and jumped out of the car the minute Antonio came to a stop.
“Michael!” I squealed as I ran up to him.
“Thaia!” His face brightened up when he saw me. I jumped up to him, wrapping my arms around his neck and he held onto me, spinning us around and making me laugh in the process.
“S*it, did you get shorter?” He put me down to my feet and put a hand on top of my head to measure.
“F*ck off. I’m wearing sneakers today, you bully.” I playfully smacked his hand away from me.
“You’ve been missed. It’s boring without you guys here.” He pulled me into a tight hug again.
“I’ve missed you too! At least we can spend some time together now. I’m leaving back to mom’s in a few days and thought I would hang out with you guys for a bit.”
“Sure thing.” Michael looked behind me and saw Antonio leaning against the car, watching us.
“What is he doing here?”
“Just making sure I get back and forth safe.” I shrugged.
“Where’s dad?”
“In his office. I’ll come with you.” He wrapped his arm around my waist and led me upstairs. I took a quick glance at Antonio to see if he would be okay. He was already looking our way, glaring at Michael’s arm around me.
“My beautiful figlia!” My father said excitedly as we entered his
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office.
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“Hi, papá.” I gave him a kiss on his cheek and hugged him. My smile disappeared when I looked at the dark circles under his eyes.
“Are you not getting sleep?” I frowned in worry.
“Don’t you worry about me. I have just been working a lot lately.” He gave me a dismissive wave and sat back behind his desk.
“You have to be careful, papá. Don’t work too hard. You can have Michael do the hard work.”
“Hey!” Michael protested and I stuck my tongue out at him.
“How’s the wedding preparations?” My father asked.
“Good! It’s going to be so beautiful. Cara has been killing me with all of her demands, so it’s nice to be away a little.” I chuckled.
“Good, good.” He nodded and shared a quick Michael. Before I could ask if there was something wrong, the phone rang. My father picked up the phone and I turned to Michael.
“I thought we could all go out somewhere. The weather’s nice so why not enjoy it.”
“As long as there is food, I’m down with whatever.” I seconded it. If there is one thing we both shared, it was our love for food. I turned to look at my father when he hung up the phone and got up from his office chair.
“Sorry, figlia. Something came up that needs my presence.”
“Oh….” I tried not to look too disappointed but failed as he embraced me.
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“I promise I will make it up to you when you come back, okay?” | gave him a small nod and he kissed the top of my head and left.
“Looks like it’s just the two of us, Michael. What do you want to do?” Michael had an exaggerated thinking face with his index. finger and thumb on his chin. Then he snapped his fingers as an idea popped into his head.
“I know exactly where to go! You will love it there.”
“Uh, where?” I asked excitedly.
“It’s a surprise.” He snickered.
“I hate you.” I groaned. I loved surprises if I didn’t know about them, but to tell me it was a surprise was something my curiosity couldn’t handle. And he knew that.
“So, can I drive your car?” I tried asking him again when I spotted his Aston Martin.
“No.” He let out a scoff.
“Come on, Michael! Let me just try it this once, and I promise I won’t ever ask you again!” I put my hands together and gave him my best puppy eyes. He looked at me for a while, a small crease appearing between his brows before he sighed.
“… Fine. But only this time!” He looked at me firmly to make it clear. My eyes widened as I couldn’t believe he actually said yes.
“Oh my G*d, I love you!” I gave him one big, tight hug before I ran to the driver’s seat. I stopped when Antonio made his way to me.
“Oh, Antonio, we are just going for a ride, and maybe grab something to eat.” I smiled. He looked at us as if trying to figure out something.
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“No. You’re driving with me.”
“You don’t get it. I’m finally allowed to drive his car.” I tried to tell him how big of a deal it was.
“I don’t care. You’re driving with me.”
“Don’t tell her what to do.” Michael got up in his face. My heart started to beat faster at the sight of Antonio’s darkened expression.
“And what are you going to do about it?” He stepped closer to Michael, daring him to challenge him.
“Michael, don’t…” I grabbed his arm and tried to pull him back. I was afraid they were going to try and kill each other. And how exactly do you stop a fight like that?
“Please Antonio, you can just follow us in your car.” I suggested. I had to separate these two quickly. He stared at Michael for a little longer before he turned around to his car. I breathed out a sigh of relief.
“Come on, let’s go and have fun!” I tried to lighten the mood.
The minute I sat in the car, Michael had an extreme laughing fit. He was laughing so much and kept pointing at my short legs that couldn’t reach the pedals and had to move the seat all the way up.
“Don’t crash, the airbag will kill you.” Michael continued with his lame jokes.
“Shut up before I kick your a*s!”
“Okay… watch out… Easy over there.” I rolled my eyes at him being overly dramatic. It hasn’t even been five minutes, and he was acting as if I was going to crash.
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“I know how to drive.”
“Tsk, you’re a woman.”
“What the hell do you mean by that?” I snapped.
“I just mean that women are not good drivers.” He shrugged.
Oh, no, he f*cking didn’t.
We were at a stoplight, and I got ready to give him a ride he will never forget. I pressed down on the gas a few times, making the car roar beautifully.
“Thaia, what are you doing?” He asked nervously. I gave a slight smirk, waiting for it to turn green as I continued to make the car
roar.
“Thaia – ” He screamed as I slammed my foot down, going insanely fast. I weaved in and out of cars while laughing like a crazy person, and loving the thrill it was giving me.
“Slo- slow down!” Michael finally managed to yell. I slowed down and laughed as I looked at him. He was all the way back in his seat, his foot on the dashboard and arms to the side, trying to hold onto something while the color in his face got drained completely-
“That will teach your sexist a*s!”
“You’re crazy!” I just laughed and looked in the rearview mirror.
“S*it, I lost Antonio.”