Dangerous Rules

Elena couldn’t stop thinking about Damien’s words.

> “You became part of it the second I touched you in that ballroom.”

The sentence replayed in her mind over and over again while she stood alone near the giant window upstairs.

Outside, the rain had finally stopped, leaving the city dark and quiet beneath the cloudy sky.

Everything felt unreal.

Just days ago, her biggest problem was college assignments and annoying customers at the café where she worked part-time.

Now she was trapped inside a mafia mansion with armed guards watching every hallway.

A soft knock interrupted her thoughts.

Before Elena could answer, Sofia entered the room carrying a tray of food.

“You barely ate downstairs,” Sofia said calmly.

Elena looked surprised. “You brought this for me?”

Sofia placed the tray down carefully.

“You’re Damien’s guest. That means nobody here will disrespect you.”

Something about the way she said it felt strange.

Elena hesitated before asking quietly, “How long have you known him?”

“Almost ten years.”

Ten years.

Elena suddenly felt weirdly uncomfortable hearing that.

Sofia noticed immediately.

A faint smile touched her lips.

“You’re curious about him already.”

“I’m not.”

“Liar.”

Elena crossed her arms defensively while Sofia laughed softly for the first time.

“He’s different with you.”

Elena frowned slightly. “Different how?”

Sofia became quiet for a second.

“I’ve never seen Damien bring anyone here before.”

That answer made Elena’s heartbeat quicken slightly.

Before she could respond, loud voices echoed downstairs.

Sofia’s expression immediately changed.

“That’s not good.”

Elena followed her downstairs carefully.

The moment they reached the main hall, tension filled the entire mansion.

Several guards stood alert while Damien argued with another man near the entrance.

The stranger looked older than Damien.

Sharp eyes.

Expensive suit.

Dangerous energy.

And unlike everyone else—

he didn’t seem afraid of Damien at all.

“You’re getting careless,” the man snapped coldly.

Damien’s jaw tightened. “Watch your tone.”

The older man noticed Elena instantly.

His eyes narrowed.

“So this is the girl.”

Elena felt uncomfortable immediately.

Damien stepped slightly in front of her protectively.

“She has nothing to do with this.”

The man laughed darkly. “That’s exactly the problem.”

Elena looked between them nervously.

“What’s happening?”

Nobody answered.

The older man suddenly walked toward her slowly.

“Elena, right?”

She nodded carefully.

“You should leave before Damien ruins your life.”

Damien’s voice turned deadly calm.

“Enough.”

Even the guards looked nervous hearing that tone.

The man smirked slightly. “Still pretending you can protect people?”

For the first time since meeting him—

Damien looked angry.

Not cold.

Not calm.

Actually angry.

The tension in the room became suffocating.

Elena stepped backward instinctively.

Suddenly, Damien grabbed her wrist gently and pulled her behind him.

“Go upstairs,” he ordered quietly.

“But—”

“Now.”

His voice left no room for argument.

Elena hesitated before finally turning away.

But before she reached the stairs—

a loud gunshot exploded outside the mansion.

Everyone froze.

Another gunshot followed.

Then screaming.

The guards instantly pulled out weapons while alarms echoed through the house.

“They’re here!” someone shouted.

Chaos erupted immediately.

Elena’s heart pounded wildly as guards rushed toward the entrance.

Damien cursed under his breath before turning toward her instantly.

“Stay with Sofia.”

“What’s happening?!”

“We’re under attack.”

Fear crashed through Elena completely.

This wasn’t just dangerous anymore.

This was war.

Before she could react, Damien suddenly grabbed her face gently, forcing her to look at him.

His dark eyes locked intensely onto hers.

“No matter what happens,” he said quietly, “do not leave this house.”

Elena’s breathing became uneven.

The sound of gunshots echoed louder outside.

And for the first time—

she realized Damien Moretti wasn’t just dangerous.

He was the center of a war that could destroy everyone around him.

Including her.

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