The Devil Who Claimed Me

Mila’s hands fell to her sides the moment he pulled away.

For a heartbeat, she just stood there, staring at him—as if she hadn’t heard him right. As if her mind refused to accept what he had just said.

"Not possible?" she repeated softly. "Why?" Her voice rose.

She stepped closer, her fingers curling into his shirt. "Why is it not possible? You are already wealthy. You have a successful business empire. With your influence, you could hire the best security to protect you and your family. You could let the police handle your enemies. So why can’t you walk away from this life?"

Instead of answering her, Dominic looked away.

Her chest tightened. "Dominic... look at me."

Slowly, he turned back to her.

"You said you’d deal with Marco," she continued. "Once it’s over, we can leave, right?"

Still no answer.

"Say something," she demanded desperately.

"This isn’t just about Marco," he said finally.

His voice was low and steady. But Mila felt something dangerous beneath it, and it terrified her.

"What is it?" she asked.

A long pause followed.

Dominic turned away from her, walking toward the window.

"This world I’m in... it’s built on betrayal, power, and blood. You don’t walk away from it."

Mila felt a chill crawl up her spine.

"Even if I try, it won’t let me go."

Mila shook her head immediately. "That’s not true. You can leave. You are strong enough. You’ve built everything—you can destroy it too if you want."

He turned to look at her again. "You still don’t understand. There are people who want me dead. Not just Marco. Not just Lee. This goes deeper than that. There are old debts. Enemies I haven’t even faced yet. And a war that hasn’t ended."

Mila’s heart pounded. "What war?"

Dominic held her gaze. "The one my godfather, Alejandro, started... and I have to finish."

Silence fell between them.

Mila’s eyes slowly filled with tears. "So this is it? Are you going to keep fighting forever? Keep risking your life until one day you don’t come back?"

Her words hit him hard. Her fear was raw, her worry deep.

He could see everything. But his expression didn’t change.

"If I stop now," he said quietly, "everything I’ve built, everything I’ve protected will collapse."

He stepped toward her and lifted his hand, brushing his thumb gently against her cheek, wiping away a tear that had slipped free.

"And you won’t be safe either."

Mila’s breath trembled. "I don’t care about any of that," she whispered. "I just want you alive."

For the first time, pain flickered in Dominic’s eyes.

"I know." His voice softened. "That’s why I have to finish this."

Her fingers tightened around his wrist. "How long?" she asked desperately. "How long will this take?"

Dominic didn’t answer immediately. Because the truth was, he didn’t know.

But he still said, "Soon." He cupped her face. "As long as I am alive, I’ll protect you."

Mila searched his face, trying to find certainty. But all she saw was resolve. It terrified her even more.

"But I want you to be safe—with me. I want to build a future with you."

Dominic’s throat tightened. He had already fallen in love with her. He also wanted to have a family with her and live peacefully. But this world was too dangerous for love and family. He couldn’t promise. But he couldn’t say no either.

"This time with you is precious to me," he whispered. "I want to cherish every second."

He leaned down and captured her lips in a deep kiss.

Mila responded instantly. All the fear, the anxiety, the suffocating dread she had been carrying—it all poured out in that single moment.

Dominic felt the desperation in her response. His grip tightened.

The kiss deepened. He tilted his head, his lips moving against hers hungrily.

Mila melted into him. The fear of losing him was still there. But now, it was tangled with need. She slid her arms around his neck, pulling him closer, refusing to let even a breath of distance remain between them.

Dominic responded instantly. His hands moved from her neck to her waist, gripping her firmly as he backed her toward the bed without breaking the kiss.

Every movement was urgent, uncontrolled, like neither of them wanted to waste another second.

Mila stumbled slightly as the back of her knees hit the edge of the bed, but Dominic steadied her effortlessly, lowering her down while still holding her close.

Their lips parted for a moment.

"Don’t leave again like that," she whispered.

He didn’t answer. Instead, he leaned down again, capturing her lips, this time deeper. His hand came up, brushing gently along her cheek before sliding into her hair.

Mila closed her eyes, surrendering to the warmth, to the intensity of him.

"Look at me," he murmured.

Her eyes fluttered open. She saw raw hunger in his dark eyes.

"Feel me," he whispered. "Take me completely."

He entered.

Mila’s breath hitched, her nails digging into his arms.

He stilled for half a second, watching her, gauging her.

She leaned into him.

That was all he needed. He moved, slowly at first, and then picked up his pace.

Mila’s head tipped back, her breath uneven as the sensation settled in. Her fingers curled against him, holding tighter.

"Dominic..." his name fell from her lips like a surrender.

His answer was immediate. He kissed her again intensely.

’I’m here,’ he whispered to himself. ’I’m not leaving you right now.’

Mila melted beneath him, her earlier fear dissolving at that moment. She wasn’t thinking anymore. She wasn’t overanalyzing what tomorrow might bring.

All she felt was this moment, his closeness.

The pace shifted deeper, more urgent now. Mila also moved, meeting him there.

The pressure reached its peak. Her whole body trembled beneath him, overwhelmed by the intensity building inside her.

He felt the way she tensed, the way she clung to him, and the way she was right on the edge. His own control was slipping just as quickly.

He pulled her closer, his hand sliding up to cradle her face, forcing her to look at him.

Their eyes met, and everything crashed.

Mila gasped sharply, her body arching into him as a strong, overwhelming wave finally hit, stealing the breath right out of her lungs.

"Dominic," she cried out his name, shuddering.

Her reaction pushed him to the edge. His jaw tightened, his breath breaking as he buried his face against her shoulder, holding her fiercely as his own release followed.

For a moment, everything stopped.

Mila stayed wrapped around him, her body still trembling slightly.

He didn’t let go either. Slowly, he lifted his head, his hand brushing gently through her hair.

Mila held his gaze. "I thought I’d hate you. I wanted to leave you so desperately. I really don’t want this life. But I think I have hopelessly fallen for you."

She put a hand on his face. "Don’t disappear..." she whispered. "I can’t live without you."

"I’m here," he murmured, kissing her softly.