Damien's POV
I buttoned the sleeves of my shirt when a call came in from Antonio. Antonio is my tech guy and is helping me get information on Jessica's assassin.
I had given her a day before I expected the information I wanted by all means possible. Two days have passed now, and I was yet to get anything; it was really frustrating me.
It got under my skin; she got under my skin. I just couldn't explain it. It excited me (in a non-sexual way, of course).
Don't get me wrong; nothing I did was for Jessica. I didn't need Jessica, what l need is Francis Backlay's daughter.
"Damien, are you there?" Antonio asked from the other end of the line, reminding me that I had already picked up the phone.
"Have you gathered any info yet?" I asked.
"Yes... I found the blade used for the assassination. It was found in a garbage site miles away from the Conswinks' mansion," he said.
"Any fingerprints?" I asked, knowing fully well that it was a stupid question in the first place.
"No, there aren't. Not surprising, though; that's rule 101 of assassination, murder of any sort, really," Antonio said, chuckling.
"You can take a class on that after you lose your job, Antonio, so just keep laughing," I said, my voice firm but not angry.
"Sorry..." he said, clearing his throat. "Anyway, the knife seems similar to the one you saw at the crime scene, but that's where the similarity ends. The blood on the knife doesn't even belong to Jessica—just a lamb... or is it a goat?"
"You are a goat," I insulted, beginning to get frustrated that we hadn't made headway in this yet.
"What does that even mean?" Antonio asked.
"It means your job is on the line," I said, picking up my tie from the dresser.
"Okay, okay, I will stop cranky... Oh, before I forget, the knife belonged to a blade manufacturing company owned by the Conswinks in the 18th century and was eventually burned down," Antonio said, making me pinch the bridge of my nose in frustration.
"Don't you think perhaps that would have been a good thing to start with?" I asked, and I heard shuffling in the background as he muttered, "Sorry."
"Gather more evidence against them, enough to take Julian down," I said.
"You got it, Boss," Antonio said, and I hung up.
I didn't just want to take Julian down; I wanted his family too, and anything that he had ever worked hard for. I wanted to see them burn.
I closed my eyes, flashbacks of the moment my dad was being stabbed continuously while I hid in the corner, helpless—my dad's pleading eyes begging me to stay put.
I opened my eyes, looking into the mirror as I adjusted my tie. Enough of the past; today is about the future, a future I have meticulously planned. Even the devil wouldn't be able to ruin that.
****
Jessica's POV
I came alone to the art exhibition, giving my gold-plated pass to a security man who carefully scrutinized it, running a metal detector over me as well.
This art gallery is one of the most impossible events to get into; it's even more difficult than getting into the Met Gala.
The art exhibitions were only displayed once a year, and rumor has it some of the works there were worth billions and other zeros you wouldn't even know existed. It held the most extraordinary pieces made by mankind, and exclusive pieces by renowned authors were displayed here as well.
Rich men, powerful men and women pulled all the strings in the book to be able to get in here. (If you haven't noticed by now, I am a huge art nerd.)
Fuck, even I have tried to pull all the strings in the book to get in here for years now. So when Mia had sent us the address of this place, I doubted it. Then when she sent over the gold-plated passes, I almost fainted.
Stepping into the place, the feeling was ethereal. The old-money architecture plus the fresh modern contrasts was breathtaking, and don't get me started on the artworks.
I was already halfway through the first floor, and I could feel my legs wobble with sweet excitement, the air alive with anticipation. Everyone was staring at pieces, and there were a lot of people.
The painting of a woman with her lips parted, her eyes blindfolded, one hand on her bare breasts, and the other reaching out in search of her children who were close yet so far away. It caught my gaze and almost took my breath away.
"Fodé Camara, 1872—it's an exquisite piece, isn't it?" I heard a raspy voice say beside me, making me tear my eyes away from the art rather painfully.
"Do you mind? I am trying to enjoy the art here," I said, looking back at the painting.
"And so am I, Jessica. The world doesn't revolve around you," Damien said, the same bored expression on his face as he lifted the champagne to his lips.
"The last time I checked, Damien..."
"Oh, so it's Damien now, no longer Mr. Castillo?" Damien teased, his expression unwavering, but I rolled my eyes regardless.
Damien stepped closer, our arms brushing. He moved his arm gently but made sure it brushed the part of my stomach where he stitched me the last time, making me flinch.
"How are those stitches healing?" Damien asked, his eyes still glued to the painting.
"They are doing as well as that murder mystery information you're going around looking for—something that doesn't concern you, just to stroke your ego," I said. His lips thinned, and I smirked. "How many days did you say it would take you to find out? Was it two, three? Ah no, it was twenty-four hours, and the last time I checked, you came up short on that little promise," I said, motioning for a waiter to bring over a drink.
"You know, sometimes I really regret saving your life," he said, pushing his elbow more into me, making me wince and attempt to move away from him, but he grabbed my waist, keeping me planted where I stood.
"Are you a sadist or something" I said still trying to pull away.
"No, but you know what I am good at, solving almost murder mysteries" he said throwing shots at my earlier statement. I opened my mouth to retort something but he spoke first.
"I found the assassin's knife," he whispered, and I turned sharply to look at him, shock marking my face.
"You are lying," I said.
"I do many things, Jessica, and the one thing I don't do is lie... mindlessly," he said, his eyes catching something in the distance as he dropped his hands from my body.
I lifted my eyes too, and Mia looked absolutely stunning in her red dress that hugged her figure immaculately. The diamond necklace on her neck made a statement, and her red hair bounced as she made her way toward us.
"I will text you the address, I am sure you are curious" Damien whispered quietly, whisking his head back up.
"My God, you look stunning," Damien breathed, pulling Mia to himself and kissing her on the lips.
"Careful, you might ruin my makeup," Mia whined, pushing him away playfully.
"Hi Jess," Mia waved at me, and I waved back. Mia looked between me and Damien at our proximity. I wasn't just imagining it; she had a look in her eyes.
"Come on, Bella, I want to take you somewhere," Damien said, pulling her by the hand into the crowd.