The Devil Who Claimed Me

Late at night...

Dominic just lay there, watching her.

Mila slept in his arms, her face relaxed. One of her hands still rested lightly against his chest.

His fingers brushed gently through her hair, careful not to wake her.

His phone vibrated, breaking the silence of the room. Dominic’s gaze shifted to the bedside table. The screen lit up, a message flashing across it.

He reached out and took the phone.

’Marco’s location is tracked.’

His eyes sharpened instantly. This was the moment he had been waiting for.

’Marco. You are dead.’

He tried to move out of bed.

She stirred slightly in her sleep, her arm curling faintly against him, as if sensing the shift.

Dominic stilled, his attention returning to her. He remembered her fear and worry for him.

’You could be the one on that table...’ Her words echoed in his mind.

And for the first time in a long time, Dominic was scared.

Before, he had never cared. Death didn’t scare him.

He had walked straight into it, again and again, without hesitation. He pulled triggers without a second thought and watched enemies fall beneath his hands without feeling anything.

His hands had never shaken. His heart had never wavered. But now, as he looked at her, an unfamiliar weight settled in his chest.

What would happen to her if something happened to him?

The thought was heavy and unsettling.

’No.’ Resolve settled in his eyes. ’I won’t allow that. I’ll end every enemy lurking in the shadows. No loose ends. No threats left behind.’

He silently vowed to keep her safe, even if it meant putting himself in the line of fire.

His hand moved to her face, brushing gently along her cheek. "I’ll end this war. You will have a peaceful life. I promise..."

He leaned down and pressed a soft kiss to her forehead. Slowly, gently, he eased himself out from under her, making sure not to disturb her sleep. He adjusted the blanket around her.

She stirred faintly but didn’t wake.

Dominic stood there for a moment longer, just looking at her. Then the softness in his expression faded, replaced by something cold.

The devil returned. 𝕗𝕣𝐞𝐞𝘄𝐞𝚋𝚗𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹.𝚌𝕠𝚖

He got dressed, picked up his weapons, and left the room silently. He pressed the phone against his ear as he walked down the hallway.

"Get ready. We are leaving now."

~~~~~~~~~~

The helicopter landed on the outskirts of the city. Dawn crept in slowly by the time Dominic and his men came to Marco’s hidden base.

It was a luxurious villa tucked away behind towering walls and dense greenery.

Dominic hid behind the shadows and inspected the whole area. He could see the armed men guarding the entrance.

"He partied the whole night," said a man in a hushed tone. "The sound of music just faded a couple of hours ago. The guests had already departed. Marco is alone inside."

Dominic’s lips curved faintly. "He must be exhausted. This is the perfect time. Move."

His men spread out instantly.

The two security guards outside the gate were eliminated, bullets piercing their bodies silently.

One man slipped toward the control box, bypassing the system. Within seconds, the cameras froze on looped footage.

The others slipped onto the premises sneakily.

Inside, the patrols were thinner. At dawn, most were distracted. Some leaned lazily against walls, others fighting sleep.

Dominic’s men sneaked closer. Throats were slit. Necks were broken. Bullets left their marks on their bodies silently. One after another, the bodies dropped.

By the time Dominic entered the premises, the place had already been stripped of its defense. No one knew. No one had time to know.

Inside, Marco slept peacefully, completely unaware that death had already closed in.

Dominic entered the villa. Empty crushed beer cans, take-out boxes with leftovers, and expensive alcohol bottles scattered across the floor. The crystal ashtray was filled with cigarette butts. The smell of tobacco and alcohol still hung in the air.

Dominic could almost imagine how wild the party might have been. He moved further inside the villa, checking every room quietly. Finally, he came to Marco’s room.

The room was dim, curtains drawn, the faint glow of dawn seeping through the edges.

Marco lay sprawled across the bed, breathing slowly and deeply.

Dominic stood by the bed and pointed a gun at him. Images flashed in his mind—Marco’s betrayal, Alejandro’s lifeless body, Lucas struggling for his life, and Mila.

His jaw clenched. For a moment, Dominic wanted nothing but to fire all the bullets into his body. One pull of the trigger, and it would all be over.

His finger tightened slightly. But he held back and lowered the gun.

Death would be too easy for him.

In one swift motion, he stepped forward and slammed the gun hard against Marco’s head.

A dull crack echoed. Marco’s body jerked violently before going limp again, dragged back into unconsciousness before he even understood what had happened.

When Marco regained consciousness, pain exploded through his skull. His vision blurred before slowly clearing. Then panic hit him when he couldn’t move.

His limbs were bound tightly to the bed, spread apart. His clothes were gone, leaving him completely exposed.

"What the hell?" His breath quickened.

His head snapped up, and then he saw Dominic sitting across the room, leaning back on the sofa, one leg crossed over the other, a cigar between his fingers.

Disbelief crossed his face.

He had sent someone to the hospital, and the informant said Dominic was in the ICU, critical, fighting for his life.

But he was very much alive, unharmed.

"That’s... not possible," he muttered.

Dominic exhaled slowly, smoke curling into the air. "Surprised?"

Marco went silent. The shock slowly faded, replaced by something darker.

"So you got me." His voice turned firm. "Kill me."

Dominic didn’t move. He simply stared at him.

"If you are going to kill me, do it now," Marco added. "I won’t beg. I won’t scream."

He let out a cold breath. "I won’t live like a prisoner. I won’t be tortured like an animal."

Dominic smirked faintly. "Scared?"

Marco sneered. "You are making a mistake. If you imprison me, I’ll find a way out. And when I do, you won’t survive."

His eyes locked onto Dominic’s, filled with challenge.

Silence filled the room for a moment.

Dominic’s expression shifted. The amusement vanished from his eyes, replaced by a dangerous glint.

"Tell me something first. Why did you betray us?"

Marco didn’t answer.

"Why did you kill Alejandro? We were friends. We fought together."

Dominic’s gaze sharpened. "I trusted you. And you chose the enemy."

His voice rose. "Why?"

Marco stared at him. Then he laughed mockingly.

"You still don’t get it, do you?"

Marco’s eyes gleamed with contempt. "You are still as ignorant as ever. Alejandro made a mistake. He shouldn’t have chosen you as his successor."

Dominic didn’t react. But the air shifted.

"The gang needs a leader who can think, strategize, and rule," Marco continued, his voice dripping with disdain. "Not a killing machine. You have strength. But you have no brain."

He let out a bitter scoff. "You couldn’t even protect your king. And you think you can lead the gang?"

The air of the room seemed to tighten.

Marco’s lips curled. "You won’t be able to save your people. All of them will be killed one by one – just like your king. And that little pet of yours?"

A dark glint flashed in his eyes. "She’ll suffer because of you, too."

That was it.

Dominic’s patience snapped. In a flash, he crossed the distance between them.

Marco didn’t even have time to react.

Dominic grabbed the burning cigar and pressed it hard against his chest.

"Ahh..." a scream tore through the room.

Marco’s body jerked violently against the restraints, his muscles straining as the burning heat seared into his skin.

"Say another word about her." Dominic’s eyes burned with fury. "And I won’t stop at this."