The Devil Who Claimed Me

Chapter 14: An arch nemesis

Dominic felt a surge of fire blaze through him, his fist clenching at his sides.

"Come on, beauties," one of them slurred, blocking their path. "Why leave so early?"

Another stepped close to Mila, grinning. "You are a real beauty." He reached out and caressed her cheek.

Mila slapped his hand away.

"Feisty," he smirked. "I like that."

Lara tried to move past. "Move."

The third one laughed. "Don’t be like this. Come with us. We can keep you company."

The second man suddenly grabbed Mila’s wrist. "Let’s go somewhere more private. We’ll make sure you have fun."

Mila swayed, but she jerked his hand away. "Don’t touch me."

When Dominic saw the scene, his blood exploded. ’I’ll kill them all.’

He took a step forward. A hand clamped firmly around his arm and pulled him back.

Dominic turned his head sharply and saw Lucas. A dark scowl appeared on his brow.

"You? What are you doing here? I told you take that guy away."

"Trust me, he has been handled. I’ve got someone take him away," Lucas assured him. "I couldn’t leave you alone. It’s too dangerous."

Dominic jerked his arm free. "Don’t stop me. I’ll kill them."

"No." Lucas stepped in front of him, blocking his path. "You can’t engage like this. Too many people are here. It’s risky. If anyone recognizes you, Marco will know you are alive."

Dominic watched the men still harassing Mila. "Those bastards...I won’t stay here and do nothing."

"Let me handle this," Lucas intercepted. "Trust me."

Before Dominic could argue, Lucas disappeared.

Moments later, two tall, sturdy bouncers approached the group and grabbed the drunkards.

"Hey, what are you doing?" one shouted, struggling.

"What the hell?" another one yelled. "You can’t treat us like this. We paid."

The bouncers said nothing. Within seconds, the three of them were shoved out through the exit.

Dominic’s posture was still stiff. He was angry with Mila. ’Why come to a place like this? Shouldn’t she return home straight after work?’

He curled his fingers into fists as he watched her leave with her friend. He also stepped out.

Lucas approached. "I told you. I’d handle this." He grinned with pride.

Dominic glanced at him. He appreciated it, but didn’t show it. "Go check that guy. He shouldn’t die yet."

"Take care." With that, Lucas disappeared down the street.

Dominic glanced ahead and saw Mila waving goodbye to her friend before slipping into a cab. Seeing this, he moved forward in a hurry. Just as Mila settled in the back seat, he hopped in.

The driver glanced behind, suspicious.

"Hey, it’s you," Mila grinned. "I thought you left."

Realizing the woman recognized the man, the driver’s doubt dispelled. He pulled the car away from the curb.

Dominic studied her, his eyes soft. "I told you to stay there. Why didn’t you listen to me?"

Mila pouted. "You left. So I went to find my friend." She leaned onto him, linking her arm with his.

Her warmth seeped through him. The smell of alcohol and perfume wrapped around his senses.

Dominic stiffened, something fluttering in his chest. The familiar ache of need stirred low in his body.

"I didn’t expect to see you there," she mumbled. "It’s good that you came out. You should have fun more often."

She glanced up at him, her eyelashes fluttering frequently as she struggled to focus her gaze on his face. "But what were you doing with that guy in the restroom. Did you beat him?"

Dominic didn’t reply instantly. He kept staring at her, enjoying her closeness, her attention. "You are drunk. You should rest now."

"Mm..." She stretched her lips widely. "Then I’ll listen."

She dropped her head on his shoulder, her eyes closing.

He didn’t move. He simply adjusted his arm around her, careful that she didn’t slip.

By the time they reached her apartment, she was fast asleep.

Dominic paid the driver and carried Mila upstairs. Inside her apartment, he put her gently onto her bed. He didn’t leave instantly. Instead, he stood by the bed and watched her.

’She is prettier when she sleeps,’ he murmured to himself. He couldn’t resist the urge to kiss her. Leaning down, he softly pressed his lips on hers.

"You are safe. That’s a relief," he whispered.

When he recalled those men hovering over her, his eyes darkened. The softness in his expression vanished.

"You shouldn’t be there," he grunted out coldly. "When you said you’d be late, I thought you were working overtime. I didn’t expect to find you in a bar. I thought you were a responsible doctor. But you got drunk and put yourself at risk."

A strange mixture of anger and worry unsettled him. He was upset with her for being careless. He was mad with her friend for taking her to such a place. And when he thought about those guys, his face turned a shade darker.

"I’ll have to deal with those guys."

Just as he was about to move away, she stirred, throwing her arm around him.

Dominic stilled instantly, his eyes widening.

Mila was still asleep. "Ethan, you bastard," she muttered in her dream. "I hate you."

Dominic froze, his shoulders stiffening. He didn’t like the idea that she was thinking about Ethan even in her sleep. He felt this uneasy jealousy tightening around his throat.

"That man is a past. The sooner you forget him, the better." He freed himself from her hold and pulled the blanket over her. "Sleep."

He went out, closing the door softly behind him. Once he came into his room, he called Lucas.

The call was connected in two rings. "Any update?" he asked.

"Yes. He spoke," came Lucas’s reply. "Marco is planning to collaborate with Victor."

Dominic’s eyes narrowed with disbelief.

Victor, their long-time enemy - the reason for Alejandro’s death.

"Marco thinks this is a good idea?" Even though Dominic posed that question, he doubted that Marco might have already joined hands with Victor a long time ago.

"He wants to end the animosity between the two gangs," Lucas said, "believes this will strengthen both gangs, and they can rule the world together."

Dominic sneered, things getting clearer to him. "Marco thinks he is smart, but he is not. He acts without thinking. Victor is playing with him. That crooked man will destroy him and take over everything."

"We are waiting for your order," Lucas said seriously. "The men are ready."

There was a moment of pause before Dominic spoke again. "We have a chance to take Victor down. Follow Marco. I’m sure he is having a meeting with Victor soon. At the time, we will attack."

"It’ll be risky," Lucas warned.

"I am aware of it," Dominic said, clenching his jaw. Determination was bright in his eyes. "But we need to take this chance to eliminate both in one attack."

"Got it."

Before Lucas could end the call, Dominic said urgently, "Those guys dared to touch Mila. They shouldn’t be able to use their hands again."