You’re Staying

The rain poured heavily outside as the black car sped through the empty streets of the city.

Elena sat silently beside Damien Moretti, her hands resting nervously on her lap while the tension inside the car felt almost unbearable.

Nobody spoke.

The guards in the front stayed completely focused on the road while Damien calmly checked messages on his phone like nothing had happened.

Like gunshots and chaos were normal for him.

Elena slowly turned toward the window, watching the city lights blur through the rain.

Her entire night felt unreal.

Just hours ago, she was living a completely normal life.

Now she was inside a luxury car beside the most feared mafia heir in the city.

“You’re thinking too much.”

Damien’s deep voice suddenly broke the silence.

Elena looked at him immediately. “How would you know?”

A faint smirk appeared on his lips.

“Your face gives everything away.”

Elena rolled her eyes softly. “And what exactly am I thinking?”

“That you should’ve run away earlier.”

She looked away quickly because he was right.

Damien watched her quietly for a moment before speaking again.

“You’re not used to this world.”

“No kidding.”

The corner of his mouth lifted slightly again.

For a dangerous man, he smiled way too calmly.

The car finally slowed down in front of a massive mansion surrounded by tall gates and armed guards.

Elena’s eyes widened slightly.

“This is your house?”

Damien stepped out of the car first. “Problem?”

“It looks like a palace.”

“It’s secure.”

That wasn’t a normal answer.

Elena hesitated before slowly stepping out of the car. The cold night air hit her instantly while she stared up at the enormous mansion glowing under the rain.

Everything about Damien’s life screamed power.

Inside, the mansion was even more intimidating.

Black marble floors.

Golden lights.

Expensive paintings.

Armed guards standing silently near every entrance.

Elena suddenly felt completely out of place.

A woman wearing a black dress approached Damien carefully.

“You’re late,” she said calmly before noticing Elena.

Her expression instantly changed.

“And who is she?”

“Elena,” Damien replied simply.

The woman crossed her arms. “You brought a girl here?”

Damien removed his wet suit jacket slowly. “Is that a problem, Sofia?”

Sofia.

Beautiful. Elegant. Cold.

The way she looked at Elena immediately made her uncomfortable.

“No,” Sofia replied quietly. “Just surprising.”

Elena cleared her throat awkwardly. “I can leave if this is weird.”

Damien looked at her instantly.

“You’re staying.”

Again with that controlling tone.

Elena frowned slightly. “You do realize you can’t order me around, right?”

One of the guards nearby looked nervous hearing her talk back again.

But Damien only stared at her with amusement.

“You argue a lot.”

“And you’re bossy.”

For a second, silence filled the room.

Then unexpectedly—

Damien laughed quietly.

Everyone froze.

Even Sofia looked shocked.

Elena blinked in confusion.

Did the terrifying Damien Moretti just laugh?

Damien stepped closer toward her slowly.

“You’re different,” he murmured.

Elena’s heartbeat quickened immediately.

Before she could answer, Sofia interrupted coldly.

“Your room is upstairs.”

Elena looked away quickly, grateful for the interruption.

A maid guided Elena upstairs through a long hallway filled with expensive artwork and giant windows overlooking the city.

Everything felt unreal.

The bedroom she entered looked bigger than her entire apartment.

There was a king-sized bed, soft golden lights, and glass walls showing the rainy skyline outside.

Elena slowly sat down on the edge of the bed, finally breathing properly for the first time tonight.

But her mind kept replaying Damien’s voice.

“You’re staying.”

“You’re different.”

It made her chest feel strangely warm.

And that terrified her.

Suddenly—

a knock sounded at the door.

Elena stood nervously before opening it slightly.

Damien stood outside.

His black shirt sleeves were rolled up now, exposing tattoos along his arm.

He looked even more dangerous somehow.

“What?” Elena asked softly.

Damien’s dark eyes stayed on hers for a moment before he handed her a small box.

“What’s this?”

“Something for your injury.”

Elena frowned in confusion. “What injury?”

Damien gently took her hand before turning it over carefully.

A small cut from the shattered glass earlier still rested against her skin.

Elena hadn’t even noticed it.

“You were bleeding,” he said quietly.

For a moment, neither of them moved.

His hand still held hers gently.

And suddenly—

the dangerous mafia heir didn’t feel terrifying anymore.

That was the problem.

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