The Devil Who Claimed Me

Mila’s brow drew together even further. The woman’s words struck her like a direct insult.

"I didn’t realize he had such questionable taste," the woman said with contempt.

Though Mila didn’t like the way she talked to her. But she didn’t lose her composure. "Who are you?" she asked coldly.

"Valentina," the woman replied, pride shining in her eyes. "Dominic’s most trusted field operative. I lead the tactical enforcement team. When things get messy, I clean them up."

Mila didn’t need further explanations. She understood the woman was as lethal as Dominic.

"And you," Valentina curled her lips into a faint smile, "you are nothing but a lousy, drama queen."

Mila’s gaze sharpened, those words humiliating her further.

"I heard the scene you created early this morning," Valentina continued. "Throwing food, screaming, acting like a petulant child who didn’t get what she wanted. So dramatic."

She snorted scornfully, her tone turning colder. "Do you have any idea how many people out there don’t get to eat even once a day? You wasted it – just to vent your frustration."

Mila stiffened. Each word struck her like a slap. "I didn’t ask to be brought here," she shot back. "I was kidnapped and then locked here against my will. What did you expect? Anyone would react like that in such a situation."

Valentina ignored her. "If you ever pull something like that again," she warned, "I’ll punish you myself."

That was it. Mila’s anger flared instantly. "Punish me?"

She closed the distance between them. "I am not someone you can threaten. Dominic brought me here. So don’t dare act like you have authority over me."

Valentina’s expression didn’t change. She silently stared at her. Then an arrogant, cold smile tugged at the corners of her lips.

"You really don’t understand where you are, do you? I am the one Dominic trusts when it comes to matters that require precision and loyalty. He values my judgment. He respects me."

She lifted her chin slightly, confidence brimming in her eyes. "I’m far more important to him than you will ever be. He won’t say a word even if I punish you."

Mila did not doubt that. But something about that woman caught her attention. Beneath that confidence lied jealously, insecurity.

Mila realized Valentina had feelings for Dominic. It unsettled her, but she also saw a chance for her.

"Oh, now I see."

Valentina’s mouth twisted instantly. There was a crack in her composed look. "See what?" she demanded sharply.

A small, deliberate smile touched Mila’s lips. "You don’t hate me because I am a problem. You hate me because he chose me."

Valentina’s eyes narrowed dangerously.

’He chose me.’ Those words echoed in her ears, unsettling her.

For years, she had stood beside Dominic. He had never allowed any woman close. That had made her believe she was the only one who mattered to him. 𝕗𝗿𝕖𝐞𝐰𝗲𝕓𝐧𝕠𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝐨𝚖

But everything had changed since Mila had entered his life. Dominic had risked himself for her. He had even brought her here.

A dangerous emotion flickered in her eyes.

She wanted to claim that he was hers, but she couldn’t say that out loud. She had never expressed her feelings for him, afraid that he would distance himself from her. But facing Mila, she felt challenged – threatened even.

Valentina wanted nothing but to kick her out of this place, of Dominic’s life. But deep down, she knew one thing for sure: Dominic Russo wouldn’t bring people into his world without a reason.

Mila might mean something to him, and that made her far more dangerous than she wanted to admit.

"You don’t deserve him," she hissed. "Don’t think you can walk all over here just because he brought you here."

Mila chuckled. "You think I don’t deserve him. Then why don’t you do something about that?"

Valentina frowned, caught off guard.

Mila leaned over and said quietly so the guards wouldn’t hear her, "If you are really that important to him, convince him to let me go. Wouldn’t that solve your problem?"

Valentina tilted her head, her eyebrows drawing even closer.

"You get me out of here, and I get my freedom."

"You want to leave Dominic?" Valentina asked in surprise.

Mila nodded. "I don’t belong in this world," she said in a hushed tone. "If you really matter to him as much as you claim, prove it."

With that, she stepped past her and into the bedroom, the door slamming shut behind her.

Valentina stood still, her mind reeling. ’This woman is not as simple as I thought. She is cunning, dangerous.’

Worry clouded her face. "I need to talk to Dominic. He has to cut ties with her before she becomes a problem."

With that resolve, she strode away.

The mansion was quieter downstairs. She approached the guard stationed outside the study.

"Is Dominic back?" she asked.

The man in a black suit replied, "He is on a mission."

Valentina already knew. Dominic had started his move against Marco. Things were escalating fast. Marco had grown even deadlier ever since he had joined hands with the enemy gang. Defeating him wouldn’t be easy.

And now – there was Mila, who would soon become a headache for everyone. Right now, his focus should be on the war. But Mila could be a great problem.

’She is a distraction he can’t afford. This woman will only bring trouble. He needs to let her go.’

She was determined to make him send Mila away.

"Inform me when he returns," she ordered.

Just as she was about to turn and leave, she heard footsteps. She paused, her gaze snapping toward the entrance.

Dominic entered, followed by Lucas and others.

Valentina’s heart thumped when she saw him. She rushed over to him instinctively. "Dominic."

She stretched her arms, intending to hold him. But she froze when she saw blood stains on his shirt. Instead of enveloping him in his arms, her hands landed on his shoulders, her eyes scanning him.

"Are you injured?" she asked, worry thickening her voice.

Dominic looked down briefly. "It’s not my blood."

Valentina let out a sigh of relief. "Thank goodness. I knew you’d be fine. How did it go?"

Dominic curled his lips slightly, triumph glinting in his eyes. "We destroyed their weapons warehouse."

"Yes," joined Lucas. "We seized everything. Marco is going to lose his mind. It’s a big setback for him."

Dominic’s expression turned cold. "This is just the beginning. He’ll pay for betraying us."

"I know he will," Valentina cut in, her voice soft. "You’ve just recovered from an accident. Your injuries aren’t fully healed yet. You need rest. Let us handle things. Come, let me take you to your room."

She held his hand.

It was nothing unusual. Valentina had done that many times before. But this time, Dominic felt awkward when she touched him. He felt wrong.

Maybe it was because he had fallen in love with Mila. Maybe because Mila was right upstairs.

He drew his hand back.

"I’m fine. I’ll go freshen up." He strode away.

Valentina spun around, watching his retreating form. She had not expected him to ignore her. They had met after some time, and he had not even asked her how she had been doing these days. He had not looked at her the way he used to.

A dull ache spread across her chest.

"Ahem," Lucas cleared his throat, drawing her attention. "You should keep some distance from him. He is not the same Dominic anymore. He has a girlfriend now."

Lucas walked away.

Valentina’s mind reeled, the word ’girlfriend’ hitting her hard.

"I don’t accept that," she muttered possessively. "There is only one woman in his life, and that’s me."

Her fingers curled into fists. "Mila has no place beside him."