Page 18 of Damon

That's what it would be if I touched her, if I gave in to this shit that's been building since the moment I saw her on that dance floor. Betraying my family, my business, everything I've built my life on.

"Would it be worth it?" she asks quietly.

My phone rings. I glance at the caller ID and curse. My father.

"I have to take this," I tell her, stepping away from the island.

"Lombardi."

"Damon. We got a problem."

"What kind?"

"The kind that involves Roberto Bonacci showing up at our front door with half his crew, demanding to know where his daughter is."

Fuck.

"What did you tell him?"

"That we don't have her. But he's not buying it."

I glance back at Viviana, who's pretending not to listen while obviously hanging on every fucking word.

"He's threatening war if anything happens to her," Dad continues. "Says he knows we took her, knows we're behind the attack on his family."

"We weren't though."

"I know that, you know that, but Roberto's not thinking clearly. His little girl is missing, and he's looking for someone to blame. We need to fix this fast."

"How long can you hold him off?"

"Not long. He wants proof of life by tonight, or he's coming for us with everything he's got."

I close my eyes, feeling the weight of this clusterfuck pressing down on me. If Roberto declares war, people die. A lot of people. And it won't just be our families - when the Bonaccis and Lombardis go to war, the whole fucking city bleeds.

"I'll figure it out," I tell him.

"Do it fast. And Damon? Every time you look at that girl, remember she's the enemy's daughter. Don't let her pretty face make you forget that."

The line goes dead, and I'm left with my father's warning echoing in my ears.

Don't let her pretty face make you forget that.

Too fucking late.

I turn back to find Viviana watching me with worried eyes.

"That was about me, wasn't it?" she asks.

"Yeah."

"My father wants me back."

"He's demanding proof you're alive."

"And you're going to give it to him?"

I think about my options. A phone call would be the smart play, but phone calls can be traced. A video could be faked. If I want to convince Roberto that his daughter is safe, I need something more convincing.