CHAPTER TEN: THE DEVIL'S COMFORT

I couldn't believe it. I had actually killed Ella and Bella. The thought kept echoing in my mind, refusing to feel real no matter how many times I repeated it. How could I have done something so terrible? How had everything spiraled so far out of control that I had become responsible for two deaths?

My hands were stained with blood, and no matter how hard I tried to wipe them against my clothes, I could still feel it. It was as though the blood had seeped into my skin, leaving a mark that no amount of washing could ever erase. Tears streamed down my cheeks as I stared at my trembling fingers, desperately wishing I could turn back time.

"What have I done?" I whispered, my voice breaking beneath the weight of my guilt. "I'm a monster!"

The memories kept replaying in my mind, making it difficult to breathe. Every passing second brought another wave of horror, and I felt as though I was drowning in my own thoughts. I had never imagined myself capable of doing something so terrible. I was Carla Mayday, an ordinary girl who had dreamed of a peaceful life, not someone who would end up with blood on her hands. Yet, there I was, struggling to recognize the person I had become, wondering whether I could ever forgive myself for what I had done.

"No, you are not, Doll."

Darius's deep voice interrupted my thoughts.

"They deserved what happened to them. Now, look at me, Doll."

I slowly raised my head and stared into his beautiful green eyes. For a moment, I forgot about my worries. There was something comforting about the way he looked at me, as though I were the most precious person in his world.

"Don't cry, Doll. They don't deserve your tears."

He brushed my cheeks with his thumbs before pulling me closer. I buried my face against his broad chest, allowing myself to cry while he gently stroked my hair.

Despite everything, his embrace made me feel safe.

How could someone as dangerous as Darius De Luca be so caring? This was the same man whose name terrified people across New York, yet he was holding me as though I might break into a thousand pieces.

He kissed the top of my head before placing soft kisses near my temple and along my neck. When he finally lifted my face, his green eyes met mine.

"Darius," I whispered.

He cupped my cheeks and leaned closer, giving me enough time to pull away.

But I didn't.

Instead, I closed the distance between us, and our lips met in a passionate kiss. I kissed him back, my fingers clutching his shirt as though I needed something to hold on to.

For those few seconds, I forgot about the blood, the basement, and the terrible thing I had done.

There was only him.

His kiss was gentle at first, but it soon became intense enough to leave me breathless. I had never imagined that my first kiss would happen like this, especially with a man like Darius.

When he finally pulled away, he rested his forehead against mine and smiled. I stared at him, struggling to understand why my heart was beating so fast.

Then reality came rushing back.

"What if someone finds out I murdered them?" I asked, sniffing. "What if the police come for me? Darius, I'm scared."

His expression became serious as he held my face.

"Listen to me, Doll. No one will ever find out. I run this city, and nothing will happen to you."

I wanted to believe him, but the guilt inside me refused to disappear.

"Why didn't you stop me?" I asked, my voice breaking.

He sighed, his expression softening.

"I thought you needed something to distract yourself from everything you've been going through. I'm sorry, Doll. I didn't expect you to feel this way afterward."

I stared at him in surprise. Darius De Luca had actually apologised to me.

Instead of answering, I hugged him tightly, holding on to him as though my life depended on it. I didn't understand my feelings anymore. Part of me was terrified of what I had done, while another part found comfort in the arms of the man everyone else feared.

Before I knew what was happening, he lifted me into his arms.

"Darius!" I gasped. "Put me down!"

"Why?" he asked with an amused smile.

"Because you can't just carry me around like this!"

"Really? You don't seem to mind."

My cheeks burned.

"You're impossible!"

"And you're adorable when you're embarrassed."

I wanted to argue, but the truth was that I enjoyed being carried by him. I rested my head against his broad chest and inhaled his intoxicating perfume.

Who would have imagined that the dangerous and ruthless mafia boss could be this caring? More importantly, why was I beginning to feel something for him?

I knew better than to trust a man like Darius blindly. His world was filled with secrets, violence, and danger. Yet, whenever he held me, I found myself wanting to believe that he could protect me from anything.

And that frightened me almost as much as the memories in my mind.

He carried me into his master bedroom and then into the adjoining bathroom, where he carefully settled me onto a comfortable seat.

"Stop crying, Doll. It breaks my heart to see you in tears."

I looked away, trying to control my emotions.

"I need to go home. My nanny will be worried about me."

"You should rest first. Don't worry; I'll inform your dad."

"Are you sure?"

"Of course, Doll."

He kissed my forehead before brushing his lips against mine again.

"Ohhh, I..."

Before I could finish speaking, he kissed me, lingering for a moment before pulling away with a mischievous smirk.

"Sleep well, Doll."

He turned and walked out of the room as though he hadn't just left me completely confused.

I stared at the door in disbelief.

"How does he expect me to sleep after that?"

I pressed my fingers against my lips, remembering our kiss.

No! I couldn't fall for the devil. Darius was dangerous, ruthless, and involved in a world I knew nothing about. Yet, somehow, he had stolen my first kiss and was already making my heart behave foolishly.

"Carla, you need to rest," I muttered to myself.

I pulled the blanket over me and closed my eyes, but his smile kept appearing in my thoughts. I groaned and turned to the other side, annoyed with myself for thinking about him when I had so much to worry about.

Eventually, exhaustion overcame me. My thoughts became distant, and I drifted into a deep sleep.

(DOWNSTAIRS)

"Boss, shouldn't we visit John Mayday?"

I turned towards Ace, who stood beside the sofa.

"No. I don't want my Doll to wake up and find me missing. We'll have a video call instead. And make sure what happened in the basement remains a secret."

"Yes, boss."

I leaned back, thinking about the situation. Carla needed rest, and I wasn't about to leave her alone while she was still so shaken. However, John Mayday had a promise to keep, and I intended to remind him of it.

Ace reached for his phone, but it began ringing before he could make the call.

He glanced at the screen and smirked.

"Speak of the devil, boss. John Mayday is calling already."

I took the phone from him and answered.

"Hello, Mr De Luca," John said anxiously.

"Oh, John! It's so nice to hear your horrible voice."

"Please, Mr De Luca, I need my daughter."

I leaned back against the sofa, smiling.

"Have you forgotten your promise, John?"

"No, sir. I haven't."

"Good. You promised to give me anything I wanted, apart from your daughter. Do you remember?"

"Yes, Mr De Luca. I remember everything."

I chuckled coldly.

"I'm sorry to burst your bubbles, John, but what I really want is your daughter."

"Please, Mr De Luca! I'm begging you. She's my only child. She means everything to me, and I can't lose her."

His desperate voice amused me. Men like John Mayday could appear powerful in public, but the moment their children were involved, their confidence disappeared.

"I'll give you any amount you want," he continued. "Just tell me your price. I'll transfer the money immediately. Please, let Carla come home."

"Money?" I repeated mockingly.

"John, do you honestly believe money is what I need from you? I practically own New York, and money flows through my hands every day. You could offer me everything you possess, and it would still mean nothing if I wanted something you couldn't buy."

"I'm sorry, Mr De Luca. I didn't mean to insult you."

"Then stop making ridiculous offers."

"Please, sir. I'll do anything you ask, as long as my daughter returns home safely."

I sat forward, interested.

"You would do anything for your daughter?"

"Anything at all!"

"Think carefully, John. I don't tolerate broken promises."

"I mean it, sir. Carla is my life. I'll do whatever you want."

A slow smile spread across my face.

"Where are you right now?"

"I'm at the office, but I'm about to get into my car."

"Excellent."

I rose and walked towards the floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the city. The streets below were busy, and the city lights shone brightly, hiding the secrets of those who controlled its darkest corners.

"Listen carefully, John. A vehicle is approaching you, and its brakes have failed. It's heading towards your car."

"What?" he exclaimed. "Mr De Luca, what are you talking about?"

"I'm giving you a choice."

"A choice?"

"Yes. If you truly love your precious daughter, I want you to drive your car straight into that vehicle. Don't try to escape. Prove that Carla means more to you than your own life."

Silence followed.

Then John spoke, his voice trembling.

"Mr De Luca... are you asking me to kill myself?"

I smiled coldly.

"I'm asking you to prove how much you love your daughter."

"But, sir—"

"However, if you love your car more than Carla, you can always try to save yourself instead."

I paused, allowing my words to sink in.

"Choose carefully, John. Your daughter's future depends on your answer."

"Please, Mr De Luca!"

His desperate plea echoed through the phone.

I glanced at Ace, who stood quietly beside me, waiting for my next instruction.

"Time is running out, John," I said coldly.

Then I waited, eager to discover just how far a father would go for the daughter he claimed to love more than life itself.