The Devil Who Claimed Me

Smoke filled the entire dungeon.

"What the hell is going on?" Matteo yelled.

"We are under attack," the assistant exclaimed. "We need to leave right now."

"Attacked?" Matteo coughed violently. He could barely see through the thick haze.

"This is Bellini property. It’s heavily secured. How could anyone get inside and attack us?"

"I don’t know." The assistant grabbed Matteo’s arm. "But we need to get out before they reach us. Otherwise, we’ll be killed."

He dragged Matteo toward the exit. The two men disappeared into the smoke.

Dominic remained alone inside the cell. He coughed, his injured hand throbbing violently. The pain had spread up his arm, making his entire limb feel numb.

Every part of his body ached from the beating he had endured. He squinted through the smoke, trying to see the dungeon door.

Bang. Bang. Bang.

Gunfire exploded through the dungeon.

Dominic’s entire body tensed. Despite the pain shooting through his hand, he tightened his grip around the remaining shackles.

"Lucas..." His voice was hoarse. "Are you there?"

There was no response. More gunshots echoed through the dungeon. The sharp smell of gunpowder mixed with the heavy smoke, making it almost impossible to breathe.

Dominic coughed violently. His chest burned. He bent forward, struggling to draw air into his lungs.

Then he heard heavy footsteps coming closer.

Dominic lifted his head. Through the haze, several armed figures emerged.

They were dressed in black, their faces covered.

For a moment, Dominic couldn’t see them clearly. Then one of them rushed toward him.

"Dominic." The familiar voice reached him.

Relief washed over him.

"Lucas..."

Lucas hurriedly came in closer, wearing a black protective mask that covered his nose and mouth. The mask allowed him to breathe despite the thick smoke.

"Are you okay?"

Dominic tried to answer, but his throat was raw from coughing. "Take me... out of here."

"Hold on." Lucas immediately examined him. "They’ve hurt you."

Dominic said nothing.

Lucas stepped back and raised his gun. He aimed at the chain securing Dominic’s wrists and shot twice.

The bullet struck the metal and shattered the lock. The chains fell to the floor with a loud rattle.

Dominic’s hands dropped instantly. The sudden release nearly made him collapse. His knees buckled.

Lucas caught him before he hit the ground. "Easy."

Dominic gritted his teeth and forced himself upright.

Lucas quickly pulled out another protective mask. "Put this on." He secured it over Dominic’s face. "Breathe slowly."

Dominic inhaled. Cooler, filtered air filled his lungs. The burning sensation in his chest gradually eased. For the first time in several minutes, he could breathe properly.

"Let’s get out." Lucas slipped Dominic’s arm over his shoulder. "Stay close to me."

They moved toward the exit.

Gunfire continued to erupt around them. Lucas’s men spread out in front and behind them, creating a protective formation.

"Move," one of the men shouted.

A burst of gunfire tore through the corridor.

Lucas immediately pulled Dominic behind a stone pillar.

Bullets struck the wall, sending fragments of stone flying through the smoke.

"Wait." Lucas glanced around the corridor. "Go."

His men rushed forward, firing toward the guards and forcing them back.

Lucas kept one arm around Dominic’s waist, supporting most of his weight.

Dominic stumbled once. His injured hand throbbed with every movement.

Lucas tightened his grip and guided Dominic forward. They moved through the smoke-filled corridor while the men in black covered every angle. Whenever gunfire erupted ahead, the men moved first, clearing the path.

Whenever shots came from behind, the rear guards immediately returned fire. Smoke obscured everything. Men shouted commands. Gunshots echoed against the stone walls.

Yet Lucas never let Dominic fall behind.

"Almost there," he said.

They finally reached the outer passage. Fresh air rushed toward Dominic. He took a deep breath. The smoke slowly disappeared behind them as they emerged from the dungeon.

Outside, several armed men were already securing the area.

Lucas led Dominic toward a black car waiting beside the road. "Get in."

Dominic lowered himself into the back seat.

Lucas climbed in beside him and immediately looked at his injured hand.

Blood was still trickling down Dominic’s wrist.

"You are bleeding badly." Lucas frowned. "I’m taking you to the hospital."

"No." Dominic’s answer was immediate. "Not the hospital."

Lucas looked at him. "Dominic, you need medical attention."

"Take me home." Dominic leaned back against the seat and clenched his teeth against the pain. "Mila can take care of me."

Lucas hesitated. "Are you sure?"

"Yes." Dominic’s eyes hardened. "I don’t want the police to get involved in this yet."

"Why?" Lucas sounded confused. "I can’t let Luke find out about the breakthrough yet."

Lucas’s frown deepened. "Dominic, we’ve already taken down most of the guards at the dungeon. Matteo won’t be able to escape. He’ll be captured and executed."

He paused. "What is the point of hiding anymore?"

Something cold flashed through Dominic’s eyes. "The game isn’t over yet. Luke Bellini hasn’t surrendered his shares."

His voice became colder. "I want to see him lose everything. I want him to have nothing left."

A dark hatred filled his eyes. "And when he finally realizes that everything he built is gone, I want to see that helplessness. I want him to beg for mercy."

He meant every word.

Dominic had never forgotten what Luke had done. He had not forgotten how Luke had made Mila helpless and forced her into marrying Max. He had never forgotten how Luke had chained him in the dungeon for days. And he certainly had not forgotten being forced to work for the man who had destroyed everything he had.

Luke had been the mastermind behind Alejandro’s assassination. He had destroyed his gang. He had taken everything from him.

That memory remained stuck in his heart as a thorn. Dominic wanted to take everything away from him. He wanted Luke to experience that same helplessness.

"Don’t kill Matteo yet. Keep him alive until Luke surrenders everything to me. His shares. His properties. His businesses. Everything he owns."

Lucas nodded. "Understood."

He raised his radio. "Listen up." Static crackled through the device. "Don’t kill Matteo yet. Chain him up. Let him experience the pain our boss endured."

"Understood," came the reply.

Lucas tucked the radio away. Then he turned back toward Dominic. "You still need immediate medical attention. I advise you to go to the hospital."

Dominic shook his head. "I’ll be fine."

"You were stabbed." Lucas looked at the injury in his hand. "Your hand looks bad."

"It’s nothing. Mila can take care of it."

Lucas sighed helplessly. "You are impossible."

A faint smile touched Dominic’s lips. "Drive."

Lucas let out another sigh as he started the engine.

The car pulled away and disappeared into the night.

Visit and read more novel to help us update chapter quickly. Thank you so much!