BETWEEN TWO MAFIA KINGS

Zyra POV -

I jolted awake, chest rising and falling like I had been running for my life. My heart pounded so loudly it drowned out the silence of the room.

What was that?

This nightmare again. Ever since I received that message, the same terrifying dream kept returning, chasing sleep away every night. I pressed a hand to my forehead and sighed.

"What did I even sign myself up for..." I muttered into the empty room.

For the first time, the thought slipped out clearly: Maybe it's time to quit the job before these nightmares consume me.

Dragging myself upright, I shuffled into the bathroom. When I caught my reflection, I groaned I was still in my work clothes. I didn't even remember lying down. My stomach growled loudly, reminding me how exhausted I must have been.

"Where's Damien?" I mumbled, stepping out of the room.

The smell of food led me to the kitchen, and there he was.....quickly hiding his phone the second he saw me, like he didn't want me to hear whatever he was saying.

"Hey babe, you're up," he said, but the panic in his voice was so obvious. "Is everything okay?" I asked, studying him.

He laughed nervously. "Yeah-yeah, everything is fine. Come sit, I made breakfast."

I sat slowly. He brought out two plates... bacon with melted cheese and placed one in front of me. "Here, this is yours. And this is mine."

"Hmm, yummy," I said after the first bite. He smiled, relief washing over his face. "I'm glad you like it."

"What do you mean? I always love your food," I teased, taking another bite.

"So, babe... today's the day," he giggled. "You're ready for the fan club?"

I chuckled. "Of course I am. And since it falls on my off day, I will be staying till the end this time."

He nodded. "Yeah, you will."

After breakfast, he went upstairs while I washed the plates. Then I got dressed, a simple floral gown, my hair neatly packed. By the time he returned, I was already by the door.

"You look beautiful," he said softly.

I blushed. "Let's go."

We arrived at the venue in no time. Music pumped through the hall, colors and lights mixing in a dreamy chaos.

"Gosh, I love this place," I giggled.

Damien laughed and took my hand. We walked around, taking pictures and laughing. After a while, we bought ice cream and sat in the middle row, waiting for the show to begin.

But something felt wrong.

A chill crawled down my spine. I kept feeling eyes on me watching and studying me but every time I turned, I saw nothing.

Get it together, Zyra... just have fun. But the feeling didn't leave.

When the lights went off for the show, I leaned closer to Damien, gripping his hand tightly. My head rested on his shoulder, but my eyes kept drifting to the far corner of the hall.

That was when I saw a man in a black suit and dark glasses. He was making a call, but something about him felt... wrong and Creepy, Like he wasn't there for the show.

"Babe?" Damien whispered. "You're not listening." I forced a smile. "I'm fine."

But I wasn't. And the man wasn't hiding it anymore, he was staring straight at me. My palms got sweaty and my heartbeat hammered painfully against my ribs.

"You scared?" Damien whispered.

I shook my head, even though fear was squeezing my lungs. Minutes later, Damien leaned close. "Give me a minute, I need to use the restroom."

I nodded quietly, letting go of his hand and He disappeared, and I tried to focus on the performance, but my mind kept returning to the man. His dark glasses, His stillness and His eyes on me.

An hour passed and Damien hadn't returned. My worry finally won as I slipped out of the room, scanning the hallway and the man followed.

My instincts screamed RUN.

I quickened my pace toward the restroom. I tried to step inside and hide but a hand grabbed me from behind, hard. Another hand clamped over my mouth.

I struggled, kicking and twisting, but he was strong. Desperate, I slammed my elbow backward, hitting something soft. He grunted, his grip loosening just enough for me to break free.

I didn't look back.

I ran straight into the crowd, searching for Damien ...and that was the mistake.

Because running into the crowd was exactly what he wanted me to do.