𝐷𝑒𝑓𝑖𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒 ✔️

#45

Don't be a silent reader <3

Damon.

My hand gripped the cold silver. I thought that having the beautiful necklace with me would soothe the emptiness I held now that she wasn't here. But nothing did justice. Nothing could replicate her presence that I longed for.

"Lorenzo" I greeted Killian. I didn't make any move to do business for the past couple of days but I figured if anything could get my mind off of her it would be this. Plus I needed a few things if I was going to find Aesira and her sister.

"Perez, I have to say I was shocked to hear from you. Word around is you've been in quite a situation" I clenched my jaw tightly and wrapped my hand around his strong one. I couldn't ruin this peace I held with the Italian mafia. But I was on the edge and one wrong thing could make me go ballistics.

"Still alive and thriving Lorenzo. I see that you are as well, and with a girl, I've heard" I said trying to psych him out slightly. Once I saw his jaw clench and his grip tighten I knew that it was a touchy topic. He had a weakness.

"I heard similar things on my end Perez. A blonde girl at that" he started to become smug. I regretted saying the previous words to him but still, I knew our peace stood.

"No girl," I said keeping the words very simple. I didn't need more than one person after the person I loved the most. There seemed to already be a big enough target on her back. And whenever I got her back I would keep her safe.

"Ahh, so just another one of your... Women? Did she see how crazy you were and vanish?" he joked around. I was usually fond of his jokes. But I couldn't bring myself to laugh at her disappearance. Instead, I mustered up a fake smile and turned around.

"Right this way," I said to him. Five of his men followed along behind him. I didn't feel the least bit threatened as my mind was still consumed by the owner of the necklace I held.

We entered the elevator quietly and as I went to scan my thumb the silver slipped through my fingers. I cursed myself silently and bent to pick it up but one of Lorenzo's men snatched the necklace before I could grab it again. "Little too girly for your taste don't you think?" I rolled my eyes and rudely took back the necklace.

"Seeing on how it's not mine no" I mumbled and scanned my thumb quickly. The sound of a thump echoed through the elevator and a mumble of an 'ouch' came from the man who spoke.

"Did you have time to look over the equipment I sent" Lorenzo spoke when the elevator came to a stop? I nodded and started to walk forward into the penthouse that I couldn't look at the same.

"yes, I'm taking all of it," I said heading towards the meeting room. I didn't doubt that they were surprised by my words. It was a large amount to trade. We entered the room in silence. I sat down on the opposite side of Lorenzo with his man in the middle. My hands lay against the cold table and I released the necklace.

"May I have some water?" one of his men said. I sighed and stood up.

"You could not have waited?" another mumbled as I walked out of the room. I made sure to leave the door open and quickly walked to retrieve some water. There had been no men or women in the penthouse for what felt like ages. I had let no one else but Carter enters the dark bland place.

I grabbed a glass of water and walked slowly back to the meeting room dreading the conversation that was bound to happen.

"And what would I get in return Perez?" Lorenzo asked as I entered the room. I did not move to sit down as I passed the water to the talkative man. I told at the end of the table with my arms crossed.

"You need more merchandise for your auctions..."

"Pleasure doing business with you, I will be in touch with you about your shipments" he offered me his hand for the second time and I grabbed it casually.

"I also was wondering if you have heard anything from the Hail twins...they've completely gone off the radar" his face filled with confusion as I asked him what seemed to be a random question.

"No can't say that I have... Why?" he raised a brow suspiciously. His man had run out of the hotel the moment we stepped into the lobby. I ignored any thought of them that may have passed my mind. It was just me and Lorenzo now.

I grew annoyed at the fact that I couldn't find not one trace of Aaron or Allen, no one has heard or seen them since that night. I had no traces to who took Aesira's but my suspicions were growing at the fact that they were not to be found.

"Never mind, have a safe trip home" I spoke up and watched him as he walked out of my hotel and into the dark sky. Another day went by and not nearly any closer.

I ran my hand through my hair frustrated. "Hello hello!" my eyes shot at the door to the yell that shattered the stillness of the lobby. Seraphina and Aaliyah entered happily. Their faces dropped as their eyes met mine. Great.

"Damon hi!" Seraphina clapped and started walking towards me with open arms. I wanted to walk away and not give a single fuck about what she was about to say but I knew that I would feel bad for doing so. Since when did I feel bad for things like that?

Her arms wrapped around me tightly. "How are you?" she whispered against me. I lightly wrapped my arms around her back. It's just a greeting.

"Good," I said and started to pull away. She soon got the hint and took a step back. My face stayed still and my arms wrapped around my chest. Aaliyah stood at a far length away from us almost as if she was scared. I couldn't blame her. I was not the most friendly.

"Just on time" Carter's voice ran throughout the lobby as he entered from the casino. The girl's faces lit up and smiles made their way onto their coloured lips.

"Come on we don't want to be late" Seraphina nudged Carter's body and sent me one last wave. I gave her a little nod before she stalked off.

"Want to join big brother" Carter's hard hand slapped my shoulder roughly. I grew more annoyed. Why was I so frustrated? I shook my head and denied his offer almost immediately. "Ok..." his arms wrapped around my body.

"I'm fine, go ahead" I patted his back so he would move away. Luckily he took a step back and nodded his head.

"Call me if you need anything" he raised a brow before leaving. His hand went up as he waved to the person entering the hotel. "Good evening."

Jace smiled and waved back. "Mr. Perez" he nodded his head to Carter than to me. His smile was wide and he was already wearing his work clothes. I did not move to give him a greeting gesture or a 'hello.'  As he got closer I saw his reddened cheek which was inviting a purple shade to layer on top. I narrowed my eyes and turned my body when he walked past me.

"What happened to your cheek Jace?" I asked him furrowing my brows. He laughed shyly and took a step back.

"Girl troubles, you know how they are?" He laughed loudly and placed his hand on his painted cheek. I nodded my head slowly. Girl troubles.

"I see. Make sure to cover that, don't want my guests to think my staff are being abused" I mumbled and took a threading step towards him. He laughed again and started walking away.

"Got it boss, have a good day!" He called out and practically made a run for it. I sighed as he left and looked around the vacant lobby. I was alone again.

Happy New Years to you all!!!!!
Hope you get all of the things you wish for, for the new year. Inshallah 2022 is amazing for you all <3