Chapter 4 The Floating Debris
Damien’s POV
The next morning, I wake to see Nicholas already dressed, moving around the room. I must have overslept… it’s already quarter past eight. I yawn and drag myself upright.
“Where are you going?”
He turns, startled. “Oh, you’re awake. My dad called. I told him we finalized the deal. He’s sending a jet to get us.”
“F*ck!” I rip the covers off, anger surging. “Goddammit!”
Nicholas blinks, confused. “Is everything okay?”
“You shouldn’t have told anyone about the deal. That’s not your role, Nicholas. You know that.”
His face falls. “I’m sorry. I didn’t realize… I won’t do it again.”
If only he knew the damage already done. Some things can’t be fixed.
“We’re not leaving,” I snap, pulling on my trousers.
He frowns. “Why?”
“Because I said so.” I grab my phone and dial Javier’s number. He picks up almost instantly, like he’s been waiting.
“Mr. Harrington,” he greets warmly. “The morning sunlight isn’t harsh anymore, eh? Or are you already on a plane?”
I ignore his small talk. “I need Seraphina’s address. Now.”
Nicholas freezes, staring at me like I’ve lost my mind. He wouldn’t understand.
Javier bursts out laughing. “Edward’s daughter? I thought you were wise, but maybe I miscalculated. You don’t go near that girl. Otherwise…”
“Just give me her address,” I grind out through clenched teeth.
Nicholas leaves the room, disappointed… or maybe just sick of my obsession already. I don’t care.
Javier sighs. “Fine. I’ll text it. But don’t say I didn’t warn you. And if you need my men, we can… revise the deal. On my terms. In return, you’ll get my full protection.”
I press my phone hard against my palm. My mother was clear, the deal stays on our terms. Changing it for Javier’s benefit would be betrayal.
“That deal is sealed,” I mutter. “If it’s money you want, I’ll pay. But I won’t change the contract.”
He chuckles. “Tough man, just like his father. Fine. I’ll send men to you. Forget the payment. Maybe someday we’ll make a better deal. Much love, rolo.”
The line cuts.
I shower quickly, skip breakfast, and head out. Javier’s men pull up in a black SUV right as I leave the hotel.
Nicholas surprisingly offers to come, but I wave him off. “Buy us some time. Stop your dad from sending the jet. That’s your job.”
He mutters under his breath but lets me go.
La Terra is quiet when we arrive. It is too quiet. My chest tightens as the SUV slows.
Her house is a ruin. Charred walls, shattered windows, smoke still rising like ghosts from the wreckage. The stench of burning fills my lungs.
I stare in disbelief. “Are you sure this is the address?”
One of Javier’s men steps up, holding a phone. “Boss wants to talk to you.”
I snatch it. “Is this some kind of joke? You told me you’d take me to her!” I blare.
Javier chuckles softly. He never seems to lose his patience, no matter what I throw at him. “Calm down, Mr. Harrington. My grandmother used to say sometimes you have to see things for yourself. Last night I got word from my men… Ricardo killed Seraphina’s parents.”
My blood runs cold. “What?!”
“My men don’t lie. Look around you. Ask anyone nearby if you don’t believe me.”
I swallow hard, staring at the ruins. “Where is Seraphina? Did Ricardo take her? What do your men know?”
“We don’t know much. But my advice? Leave. Ricardo is too strong, even for me.”
“I’m not leaving until I know where she is!”
He sighs heavily. “You’re stubborn, Mr. Harrington. The more you dig, the more danger you invite. Aren’t there enough women in New York? She’s beautiful, yes, but not worth…”
“Javier!”
“Fine,” he says at last. “I heard she and her driver went to the boatyard last night. Where they sailed, I don’t know. But I believe… America. They could already be halfway there.”
America. My chest tightens.
His men return me to the hotel. Nicholas is waiting, worried.
“We have a change of plans, we are flying” I tell him.
He wrinkle his brows. “What? Damien, I already told my dad to halt the jet. He’s suspicious. I can’t keep covering for you.”
“You don’t need to. Javier will arrange a seaplane. If not, I’ll call Agent Perez.”
Nicholas squints. “Seaplane? Don’t tell me this has to do with that girl…”
“It has everything to do with her!”
We pack quickly. Javier, predictably, backs out with flimsy excuses. So I call Agent Perez. He connects me with one of his transporters at Laguna Blanca Airfield.
The place is nearly deserted when we arrive. A few small planes, one twin-engine turbofan waiting. The transporter, Nigel, helps load our bags.
Within minutes, we’re airborne. Nicholas sulks in the back while I sit in the cockpit beside the pilot.
We fly low over open water, tracing the route Javier hinted. The sea stretches endless and silver beneath us. Then… wreckage.
A boat splintered into pieces. Bodies floating lifelessly, scattered like broken dolls across the waves.
My stomach knots. My fingers grip the edge of my seat.
Somewhere in that wreckage could be the answer I don’t want. Or the girl I can’t stop chasing.
