Chapter 2 The Strange Woman

Damiano's POV

"Let go of me! Let me go!" She yelled, trying to break free from my men's grip.

I smirked as I listened to her. Her screams were like music to my ears.

She was beautiful. She had black long hair with waves like the ocean's. And those green eyes, they had a way of pulling me in-like a force I couldn't resist.

I took a few steps towards her, crouching down just enough to meet her eye level.

Reaching out to touch her pearl-like skin, she spat on me.

"Get away from me you monster!"

"How dare you!" Valentino, my second in command growled, smacking her across the face. "Do you know how many women want to be with the Boss?"

I wanted to scold him for laying a hand on her, but his words seemed to quench the fire in me.

She didn't look at him. She kept her eyes on me-shooting fireballs into my skull.

"To me, he is a nobody," She muttered, a grin curving her lips.

I smiled, finally ready to speak.

"You know," I said, gently grabbing a few strands of her hair in my hand, before letting them slide. "All this wouldn't have happened if you had accepted my proposal."

"What proposal?" She snickered. "To marry a murderer like you?"

I shook my head. "No, no, beautiful. To marry the richest man alive."

She scoffed. "I don't want anything to do with you or your money."

I smiled as I stood up, taking a few steps away from her.

"I guess burning down your family's ranch wasn't enough. Then-" I raised my hand. "-I'll be who you say I am."

"No!" She yelled as I brought my hand down.

But it didn't matter, because my men slit the heads of her family members who were tied up.

Her screams filled the night sky as she watched each head roll on the floor. Her father, mother, sisters and brothers. I didn't spare anyone, except for her.

A few minutes later, silence enveloped the field we stood on. I turned to her. She was faced down, her hair disheveled.

Suddenly, she started laughing. It wasn't just a laugh, it was a cackle-like the ones we encounter in the neighboring villages.

A witch's cackle.

Valentino unsheathed his sword, but it was too late. He and the rest of my men reached for their necks, clawing at it.

"Help!"

"Stop it!"

"I don't want to die!"

"Arghhh!"

They screamed. But I couldn't do anything. I just watched in horror as they carved through into their skin, taking their own lives.

She straightened up, and for the first time in my life, a chill ran down my spine.

The person I saw wasn't the pretty damsel I had admired for days. She was different.

Her eyes were red. A dark, bold circle encircled each crimson ball. And their gaze was fixed on me.

"Thank you, Damiano," She muttered as rubbed her wrists-the place my men once held her. "The moment I saw you staring at me at the marketplace, unable to look away, I knew you were the one."

I was confused. "What do you mean?" I asked.

Her lips arched into a menacing smile. "Do you know why the words 'Porta Inferni' are carved into the gate of the ranch of my family?"

I kept moving back, not knowing what to say. Then I missed a step and fell to the ground, my back hitting the hard earth. Before I could blink, she was right in front of me, our faces a few inches away from each other.

She reached out for my collar and tore my shirt away, revealing my bare chest.

She paused, her fingers trailing the path that led from my chest to my abs.

"Wow, you really are the kind of guy every woman would want in her life," She purred.

I reached for her hand, about to push it away, but then I yelped. It was as hot as fire.

"Oops, sorry," She teased, giggling like a little girl.

I couldn't take it anymore. "What do you want from me?"

She reached for my lips, running her fingers across them as her smile faded. "I only want to thank you, Damiano."

I arched a brow. "For what?"

Then she grinned again; this time, it was a lot scarier.

"For freeing me."

That was it. I had had enough.

With every strength in me, I pushed her away from me, straightening immediately.

"What... What do you mean I freed you?" I asked, curiosity lacing my words.

She sighed, smacking her forehead. "Must I explain every little thing?"

I still couldn't understand her. Before I could say anything else, we moved, without actually moving.

We now stood at the entrance of the Gallo family's ranch, instead of in front of their cottage.

Then I was pushed to my knees, my eyes forced to stare at the signboard by the entrance.

"Read it!"

"What?" I mumbled.

She pulled my hair back, aching my neck. "Read! It!" She instructed, her voice taking on a dangerous edge. "Read! It! Out! Loud!"

I swallowed hard as I focused on the words.

"Porta Inferni," I finally muttered.

She chuckled. "That's right, Damiano! The Gate of Hell." Then she locked eyes with me. "This ranch is the gate of hell, the Gallos are the gatekeepers, and I... Well, I am hell itself."

Then she locked eyes with me. "But... what happens when the gatekeepers are gone and the gate is left without a guard?"

I was too terrified to speak or say anything. Then her hands found my chest.

"But don't worry, Damiano. I'll give you a gift. A gift to you for letting hell free." She leaned in, whispering into my ear. "For letting me free!"

Suddenly, heat spilled out of her hands, burning through my skin.

I screamed as I jerked up from bed, sweat spilling out of my pores.

"Sh*t!" I swore as I got down. It was that stupid nightmare again.

I headed for the toilet and switched on the light.

I couldn't help but stare at the tattoo on my chest-the one of a woman's palm-right above my heart.