Chapter 9 - The fallen queen
Damian moved instantly. He kicked the gun across the room, grabbed Vivienne by the lapels of her expensive winter coat, and threw her forcefully away from Holly. She crashed onto the hard concrete, surrounded by the boots of his armed guards.
Without wasting a second, Damian knelt and pulled a tactical knife from his belt, cutting the thick ropes binding his daughter. Holly threw her arms around his neck, burying her face in his shoulder, sobbing uncontrollably.
I've got you, princess, Damian whispered, wrapping his strong arms around her. I've got you. Nobody is ever going to hurt you again.
He stood up, holding Holly tightly against his chest. He turned his attention back to Vivienne, who was scrambling backward on the floor, surrounded by men who wanted to end her life on the spot. Her perfectly styled blonde hair was wild, her fair, rosy skin pale with absolute terror.
Damian handed Holly to Marcus. Put her in the armored SUV. Turn the heat on. Don't let her look back.
Marcus nodded, gently carrying the little girl out of the freezing warehouse.
Damian slowly walked toward Vivienne. She pressed her back against a cold metal shipping container, her arrogant, calculating eyes wide with fear.
Please, Damian, she begged, her voice cracking. We were going to be a family. We were going to get married.
You murdered my wife, Damian stated, his voice hollow, devoid of any mercy. You terrorized my daughter. You tried to steal everything I built.
The Chicago men had already surrendered, kneeling on the floor with their hands behind their heads. They knew better than to fight Damian Romano when he had the upper hand.
Damian looked down at Vivienne. The glamorous, sophisticated woman from the Christmas party was completely broken, a pathetic shadow of her former self.
I should kill you right here, Damian said, pulling his tactical knife from his belt again. The blade caught the harsh industrial light.
Vivienne screamed, covering her face with her trembling hands.
But Damian didn't strike. He cleanly sliced the expensive diamond bracelet off her wrist, letting it fall onto the dirty concrete.
Killing you is too easy, Damian sneered, slipping the knife back into its sheath. You love wealth, Vivienne. You love power. You love those beautiful silver gowns and your offshore accounts.
He looked at his men. Strip her accounts. Take the safe houses, the cars, the investments. Erase her identity.
Vivienne lowered her hands, looking at him in horrific disbelief. You can't do that. I'll have nothing.
You have your life, Damian said coldly. Which is more than you gave Elena.
May you like
He turned his back on her, walking toward the exit. Put her on a cargo ship leaving for Eastern Europe tonight. No money, no passport, no name. If she ever sets foot in America again, bury her.
As Damian walked out of the warehouse, Vivienne's desperate, agonizing screams echoed through the cold night, drowning out the sound of the howling winter wind. She was entirely destroyed, left with absolutely nothing.
