The Devil Who Claimed Me

Chapter 86: I owe you.

Dominic clenched and then unclenched his jaw. He wasn’t angry because she lied to him or hid things from him. He was furious because Marco dared to threaten her.

"He knew about your meeting with Mr. Lee," Mila added. "That means someone is feeding him information constantly."

A dangerous glint flashed in Dominic’s eyes. ’Another mole?’

He thought the island was secured and that he had eliminated all the moles, but the traitors were everywhere. Or maybe it was someone who was forced to betray him.

’Who could it be?’

"I know who it is," Mila said, snapping him out of his thoughts. "I met her once."

He raised an eyebrow, curiosity piquing. But he remained silent, waiting, listening to her.

Mila explained her encounter with the female janitor at the restaurant in detail.

"She looked harmless," she said. "I never imagined she would be asking about your meeting with Mr. Lee. She even tried to get information about the syndicate."

"And what did you tell her?" he asked, his voice thickening.

"I didn’t reveal anything important," Mila said quickly. "I only mentioned that you signed an arms deal with Mr. Lee. She didn’t seem convinced, though."

Dominic fell silent. His expression became unreadable, but the tension around him was unmistakable.

Mila twisted her fingers nervously. She could tell he was disturbed. Maybe he was furious.

"I’m sorry," she whispered. "I was scared. Lara was in danger because of me. I couldn’t let anything happen to her."

She pursed her lips into a thin line. "So I agreed to do whatever he said."

Dominic looked at her steadily. Even though she had told him the truth now, a dull ache settled in his chest.

’Why didn’t she trust me enough to tell me earlier?’

He felt betrayed.

"Why are you telling me now?" he asked, a dull ache spreading across his chest. "You could have given him everything and saved your friend."

"I thought about it," Mila admitted honestly. "I thought it was the only way. But it was killing me from within, little by little."

Her eyes shimmered with unshed tears.

"There were so many times I wanted to tell you. But I was afraid you wouldn’t believe me... or worse, you’d punish me."

"And what changed now?" he asked.

Mila’s eyes burned with tears. "Yes, I was furious with you for kidnapping me and keeping me locked here against my will. I wanted to run far away from you. And I tried."

She exhaled shakily. "But that was my biggest mistake. Because of me, Lara is in danger."

Her lips trembled as tears welled up in her eyes.

Dominic’s expression softened. He wanted to pull her into his arms and comfort her. But he didn’t move. He had not gotten his answer yet.

"I owe you," she went on. "You saved me again and again. I couldn’t betray you."

She squared her shoulders. "I told you everything. You can punish me for keeping things from you. I’ll accept it without hesitation."

That was enough.

He didn’t need to hear anything. He moved in closer and pulled her into his arms.

"I won’t punish you," he murmured against her hair. "You didn’t betray me. You didn’t pass any crucial information to him."

Mila couldn’t believe what she was hearing. She pulled back. "You are not angry with me?"

He shook his head, cupping her face. "He could have hurt you. But I found you and brought you back. You are still here with me. That’s what matters."

Mila’s chest swelled with emotions. She thought no one truly loved her except her mother. But Dominic made her believe that she wasn’t alone. There was still someone else who cared about her, who she could rely on.

Life wasn’t fully unfair to her.

"Don’t worry. She will be fine," he assured her. "No one will hurt you."

Hope lit up her eyes. "Really? You’ll protect her?"

"Yes."

Relief flooded her.

"But..." His tone shifted slightly. "You have to play a game with me."

Mila’s smile disappeared. "What game?"

"You will meet that woman again and tell her a secret."

"What?" Mila was shocked. "You want me to leak your information?"

He quirked his lips. "Marco wants to play games, and I’ll make him believe that he is winning. When the right time comes, I’ll defeat him on his own game."

His eyes sparkled, and determination set in his expression. "You will pretend to be playing on his side, but in reality, you are my main player. And through you, I’ll defeat him. So, Miss Mila, are you joining this dangerous game?"

He held out a hand toward her.

Mila looked at his hand for a moment, then placed hers in it. "I’m in."

"Good." A satisfied look crossed his face. "It’s a secret between you and me. No one should know about it."

"No one will know," she promised.

"And don’t try to betray me," he hissed, his tone laced with warning. "If you do, I will fuck you so hard that you will remember it every time you sit."

Mila’s breath caught sharply. She instinctively clenched her thighs.

He noticed her reaction. A teasing smile appeared. "You are not even fully recovered, and you still react to me."

Her face flushed instantly. "That’s not true."

"Liar."

He pulled her closer, his voice brushing against her ear. "I can read you."

Mila shuddered at his closeness, her mind racing to the intimate moments they had shared. His kiss, his touch, and the way he made her lose control to him again and again—everything flashed in her mind.

Her pulse raced, and her breathing changed.

"Tell me honestly, are you thinking about those moments?" he asked teasingly, his voice sexy.

Mila froze. She looked into his eyes, wondering how he knew what she was thinking.

He smirked. "I knew it." His lips hovered close to hers. "You want me, don’t you?"

Mila wanted to deny it. But his closeness, his hoarse voice, and her own feelings stopped her from saying anything. She didn’t push him away. Instead, she waited for him to claim her lips.

Dominic’s breathing grew uneven. He leaned even closer, ready to kiss her.

The door knocked twice before it was pulled open.

Mila immediately pulled back, her cheeks burning.

Dominic’s expression turned cold as he looked toward the interruption.

"Mr. Russo," the nurse said politely. "We need to take Miss Mila for her tests."

He stepped back reluctantly.

Mila glanced at him, catching the faint trace of frustration in his eyes. She hid her smile and left the room with the nurse.