CHAPTER 05 "A Kiss in the Darkness"

When I woke up to her panicked voice calling my name, a shiver ran down my spine. They had discovered our whereabouts, we were in trouble. I had no security or my trusted men here with me. After being shot, I chose to hide here in this clinic and only return victorious with the documents demanded by my gang boss, also known as my uncle.

I had countless enemies out there. My head was a prize, everyone knew me as the cold and ruthless killer who didn't think twice before taking a life. Indeed, that's who I was, and perhaps I took pride in it. I practiced martial arts and honed my aim every day, trained to be who I am, a Corleone never backs down. I was a bit tired, most of my life I had been alone, didn't like it, but got used to it.

Elena was trembling, her fear visible in her eyes. I didn't want to involve her in all of this, but we don't do what we want or desire, we do what needs to be done, that's the rule. I tried to reassure her in my rough way, but it didn't work, of course.

"It's going to be alright, Elena. I promise you, and my promises are debts. Keep the door locked, don't open it under any circumstances, understood? Only open the door when you hear my voice."

"I don't understand why you dragged me into this. I only helped you," she said, crying.

"I ask you not to cry. I don't like seeing women cry."

Especially one as beautiful as her.

She looked at me and nodded. I felt the need to protect her at all costs.

I didn't know who was after me. My uncle had warned me to be careful. I wanted to decimate them all, one by one, see them fall before me, it wasn't going to end like this.

Despite falling in love with Elena at first sight, I couldn't trust her from the start. She could pass any information about me to the police or any other gang, who knows how she crossed my path. But I had plans for her, and she would find out soon enough.

I left the clinic and stealthily checked their numbers. From what I could see, they seemed to be ten armed guys against one. But I have never been a coward. I aimed through the window and hit one of them right in the heart. I jumped out of the window despite being injured. I didn't feel fear, I've faced much worse, cruel monsters. This was a piece of cake for me. No one was a match for me.

I didn't feel the slightest remorse for being ruthless. When I killed someone, I simply laid down and slept peacefully. If I did it, there was a reason, I just followed orders, and I would do anything for my family.

"I grabbed one of the guy's guns and incapacitated him." I liked to make sure they died. Well, two down, eight more to go. I kept shooting until my finger got tired. I got shot. Fuck! The situation was already bad, and now it got worse, but I kept going.

I kept firing without stopping. I managed to hit a few more, and others I shot from behind before executing them. By my count, only one is left.

My heart raced when I saw him heading towards the clinic. I heard Elena screaming as she ran in desperation. Dammit, I told her to stay inside the damn room, but she didn't listen to me. I ran towards that motherfucker.

He was about to kill Elena when

when I threw myself in front of her, and he grazed my arm. I was fucked, but I

would save her. After the bullet hit me, I shoved the gun in his mouth and mercilessly killed him. Bastards. I would find out who was behind this.

I locked everything. We needed to get out of here as quickly as possible. But we would wait until morning.

"Are you okay?" she asked, tending to my wounds.

"It hurts like hell," I said. The spot where I was shot was burning.

Elena helped me sit on the bed. She opened the cabinet where there were some medications and medical supplies.

"Thank you," she said.

"Why are you thanking me?"

"You jumped in front of me and took a bullet for me."

"I said I would protect you, but I also said you should stay in the damn room, and you didn't listen to me."

She rolled her eyes as she tended to my wound.

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**

Elena pov´s**

Damon ordered me to stay in the room and wait for him. I saw an opportunity to escape, but it didn't work. A guy had me in his sights, ready to shoot. When Damon realized, he blocked the bullet by throwing himself in front of me. I didn't understand why he did that. I really don't understand anything about this man. His actions were strange.

I have never been brave, but I have always been self-sufficient.

Despite being injured, he managed to beat him. He locked everything and took me to the private room.

"I'll pay for everything," he said. "All the damage they caused to your clinic."

"I hope so." Why don't you trust me? I don't even know you. I just want to leave and never mention your name or speak of this to anyone again."

He laughed.

"Elena... it's not that simple. Where I come from, I was taught not to trust anyone. I don't know you either, I don't know your intentions.

"I don't have intentions. I only helped you, but if I had known it would end like this, I wouldn't have done it."

His blue eyes were always watching me, and I was confused. The way he looked at me was mesmerizing.

We ended up lying down, and I couldn't sleep. We stayed in the same spot for hours in silence; it was comforting despite everything. I rested my face on his shoulder, being careful not to hurt him. He looked angelic while he slept.

I remembered some of the things I experienced when I worked at the most important hospital here, and I had incredible opportunities. It was almost all thrown away by a bullet.

I had always been calm, introverted, and kind. It was part of my nature. I studied hard to become a doctor, countless sleepless nights. While my friends were at bars and parties, I was at home studying and fighting for my biggest goal.

I couldn't help but cry; this situation was completely unexpected. I was going to deal with work matters, and out of nowhere, I ended up in the hands of a criminal, a gangster, or whatever you want to call him. I found myself in the middle of a shootout, surrounded by completely dangerous people. I just wanted to go home.

While I tended to his wounds, he remained silent, lost in his thoughts.

"Why are you so quiet?" I asked him. "When are you going to set me free? Never?"

"Well, that could actually be a good idea. But I can't just leave you like this. They now know who you are," he replied.

"They who? Seriously, you're not making any sense," I said, feeling indignant.

"I'm eager to know what the hell is going on," he muttered.

Internally, I laughed once again. He deserved to be itching, considering everything he had put me through. I closed my eyes and wondered when this hell would finally come to an end. I hoped it would be soon.

Damon stopped in front of me, and I couldn't understand what was happening. He simply placed his hand at the base of my hair and brought his face closer to mine. I was in shock. My hand trembled uncontrollably; I had never felt like this, not even when I performed my first surgery alone, under the supervision of my mentor.

He caught me off guard, and in the same second he kissed me, I lost control of my actions.

That sudden kiss made me forget everything—the shootings, the boys, absolutely everything.

It was the best kiss of my life. He kissed me with cunning and tenderness, and I wished that moment would never end. His tongue skillfully intertwined with mine, creating a sensation of affection and desire. Ever since I found him injured in that car, I knew my life would never be the same, and it couldn't be.