Damon is at Enzo's opulent penthouse. The air is thick with the scent of expensive cigars and the low hum of classical music. Enzo, seated behind his massive mahogany desk, is deep in conversation with his most trusted lieutenant. Damon lingers near the floor-to-ceiling window, staring outside while listening intently.

"We need to send a message," Enzo says coldly. "Julian thinks he can encroach on our territory without consequences. We'll kidnap his daughter, make him understand the price of betrayal."

Damon's blood runs cold at the words. Kidnapping and murdering a young girl is a line he can't cross. He forces himself to remain calm, masking his horror casually. "Sounds like a plan," he says, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "Just let me know what you need from me. Maybe a gift basket for the kidnappee?"

Enzo nods, satisfied. "Good. I knew I could count on you, Damon."

As the meeting concludes, Damon heads to a quieter room within the penthouse, hoping to collect his thoughts. He pours himself a glass of bourbon. The amber liquid is a temporary solace for his troubled mind.

A few moments later, the door opens, and Enzo's wife, Isabella, enters the room. Her eyes lock onto Damon, a predatory smile playing on her lips. "Damon," she purrs, closing the door behind her. "It's just us now. Why don't we have a little fun?"

Damon's stomach churns. Isabella's advances have always made him uncomfortable, but he always deflects them. "Sorry, Isabella," he replies firmly. "I've got other plans tonight. Like, oh, I don't know, not getting killed by your husband."

Her smile falters, replaced by a flash of anger. "Suit yourself," she snaps, turning on her heel and stalking out of the room.

Damon sighs and decides it's time to leave the penthouse. "Well, that was fun," he mutters to himself, grabbing his coat.

Once home, Damon pours himself another generous glass of bourbon and slouches into his worn-out armchair. As he sips the bourbon, his mind drifts to the young girl Enzo plans to target. The thought of her innocent life being destroyed because of a power struggle is too much to bear. He can't continue down this path. He has to do something to stop Enzo, even if it means risking his own life.

With a heavy heart, Damon makes a decision. He'll testify against Enzo and provide the feds with the information to bring him down. It's a dangerous move but the only way to make things right.

As the bourbon takes its toll, Damon drifts into a fitful, drunken sleep, his mind filled with the weight of his decision and the uncertain future that lies ahead. "Happy New Year to me," he mutters before sleep claims him.

Elena Gilbert stands in the doorway of a modest suburban home. Her current protectee, an elderly man who had agreed to testify against a corrupt corporation, is now safely settled in his new identity. They share a warm handshake.

"Thank you, Elena," he says, his voice filled with gratitude. "I couldn't have done this without you."

Elena smiles, her professional demeanor softening for a moment. "Just doing my job, Mr. Thompson. Stay safe, and remember, follow the protocols we've discussed."

He nods, giving her a final wave as she heads to her car. Elena watches him for a moment, making sure he's settled before turning to leave. She feels relief and accomplishment after completing another successful assignment.

Elena climbs into her black SUV. As she drives back to the federal building, her thoughts drift. This job is demanding, but it's also incredibly rewarding. The satisfaction of knowing she's helping people and protecting them from harm makes every tough day worth it.

The drive is peaceful as Elena reflects on her career, countless hours of training, and the sacrifices she's made. Her dedication to her work has often come at the expense of her personal life, but she's accepted that. The job comes first.

Arriving at the federal building, Elena parks her car and heads inside. The familiar hustle and bustle of the office greet her, agents rushing around, phones ringing, and conversations filling the air. She goes to her desk, ready to tackle whatever comes next.

Damon wakes up with a sense of dread hanging over him. He knows what he has to do, but the reality of turning against Enzo is daunting. With a heavy sigh, he picks up his phone and dials Enzo's number.

Enzo answers on the second ring. "Damon, what's going on?"

"Hey, Enzo," Damon starts, trying to sound casual. "I'm not feeling too great. Think I caught something nasty. Gonna lay low for a bit."

Enzo's voice is concerned, but there's an underlying suspicion. "You sure you're alright? Do you need me to send some chicken soup over?"

Damon forces a chuckle. "Nah, I'll be fine. I need some rest. I'll check in later."

"Alright," Enzo replies, though Damon can tell he's not entirely convinced. "Get better soon."

Hanging up, Damon feels a rush of adrenaline. This is it. Grabbing his keys, he heads to his car and drives to the federal building with his mind in a whirlwind. Upon arrival, he strides into the building, his confidence masking the turmoil within. The security guards eye him warily, but he walks purposefully toward the front desk.

"I need to speak with the Director," Damon demands.

The receptionist looks up, startled by his sudden appearance. "Do you have an appointment?"

"No, but trust me, he'll want to see me," Damon replies, his tone brooking no argument. "I'm like a surprise Christmas present. He won't want to miss this."

After a moment's hesitation, the receptionist makes a call. Two agents soon arrive, escorting Damon to Elijah's office. The director looks up as they enter, his expression a mix of curiosity and skepticism.

"Damon Salvatore," Elijah says, his voice laced with disdain. "Why shouldn't I arrest you right now?"

Damon takes a deep breath, meeting Elijah's piercing gaze. "Because I can give you Enzo. All of him. His operations, his connections, everything. You take me in, and you might get a small victory. But if we work together, you get the whole empire."

Elijah's eyes narrow. "And why the sudden change of heart?"

Damon's jaw tightens. "Last night, I overheard Enzo plotting to kidnap and murder the young daughter of a rival. That's a line I can't cross. I've done some bad things, but I'm not a monster. I may be a lot of things—a charmer, a scoundrel—but a child killer isn't one of them."

Elijah leans back in his chair, weighing Damon's words.

Damon can almost see the wheels turning in his head.

"So, what's the catch, Salvatore? You've never been the altruistic type."

Damon smirks, despite the gravity of the situation. "No catch. Just doing the right thing for once. And maybe, just maybe, I want to see the look on Enzo's face when he realizes his empire is crumbling."

Elijah's expression remains stern, but there's a hint of intrigue. "Alright, Damon. You've got my attention. Let's talk."

Elijah Mikaelson's office is a hive of activity. The gravity of Damon's revelations has prompted immediate action, and the District Attorney, Katherine Pierce, has been called in for an urgent meeting. She arrives with an air of authority, her sharp eyes taking in the scene as she is introduced to Damon.

"Ms. Pierce, this is Damon Salvatore," Elijah begins. "He has crucial information on Enzo's criminal activities. Damon, please provide details about what you know."

Damon takes a deep breath, steadying himself before speaking. "Alright, here's what I've got."

"Enzo has been running a massive drug trafficking operation for years. He has connections with South American cartels, importing vast quantities of cocaine and heroin. The drugs are smuggled into the country using hidden compartments in shipping containers. I've seen the manifests and the bribes paid to port officials to ensure smooth passage."

"Enzo's network includes several high-end casinos and luxury hotels, which he uses to launder money. The dirty cash is funneled through these establishments, masked as gambling profits and legitimate business earnings. I've handled transactions that involved millions of dollars, ensuring the funds appeared clean. He's also deeply involved in arms smuggling. Enzo deals with international arms dealers to bring in illegal firearms and explosives. These weapons are stored in warehouses disguised as legitimate businesses. I've coordinated several shipments, ensuring they passed through customs without detection."

Katherine crosses her arms, her expression impassive but intrigued. "We knew Enzo had his fingers dirty," she remarks as she listens to Damon.

Elijah nods for Damon to continue. "Go on."

"Enzo has politicians and law enforcement officials on his payroll. He uses bribes and blackmail to keep them compliant. I've witnessed meetings where large sums of cash were exchanged for political favors, ensuring his operations could continue unchecked. One of the darkest aspects of Enzo's empire is human trafficking. He's involved in the abduction and sale of individuals, often young women, into forced labor and prostitution. I've seen the auctions where these poor souls are sold to the highest bidder. It's sickening."

Katherine's eyes narrow with disgust. "I ought to throw him into a supermax for that alone!"

Damon nods, his expression somber. "And there's the murders. Enzo has ordered numerous contract killings to eliminate threats and rivals. I've arranged meetings between Enzo and professional hitmen, providing them with targets and ensuring their payments were made. Each hit was meticulously planned to avoid suspicion. I'm not proud of myself. I have done some horrible things, but I haven't killed anyone. Enzo plans to kidnap and murder the young daughter of a rival. It's a line I can't cross. I overheard the entire plot and knew I had to act. That's why I'm here."

Katherine listens intently, her expression hardening with each revelation. When Damon finishes, she takes a moment to process the information before speaking. "This is invaluable, Damon. With your testimony and the evidence you can provide, we can finally take Enzo down."

She pauses, then continues with a sense of urgency. "However, this also puts a significant target on your back. Enzo won't let this go unpunished. You'll need to go into witness protection to ensure you're alive to testify at trial."

Damon nods, his bravado momentarily slipping. "I understand. I'll do whatever it takes to see this through. Just make sure the safe house has cable. I have standards, you know."

Elijah stands, his expression resolute. "We'll make the arrangements immediately. Your safety is our top priority."

Damon looks between Elijah and Katherine, feeling the weight of his decision. "This is the point of no return, isn't it? Well, better make it worth it. Just one more thing—can I at least get a last meal that isn't rubber chicken?"

Katherine allows herself a small smile. "We'll see what we can do. Welcome to the team, Damon."

As the reality of his decision sinks in, Damon braces himself for the challenges ahead, knowing that turning against Enzo is only the beginning. His trademark wit and sarcasm serve as a shield, masking the uncertainty and fear that lurks beneath the surface.

Elena Gilbert strides through the bustling corridors of the federal building, her mind racing with thoughts of her recent assignment. She arrives at Elijah Mikaelson's office. Her curiosity has been piqued by the urgent summons. As she enters, she notices Elijah and DA Katherine Pierce already seated.

"Agent Gilbert, thank you for coming on such short notice," Elijah begins, gesturing for her to sit. "We have a critical new assignment for you."

Elena nods, her professional demeanor unwavering. "What's the assignment, Director?"

Elijah motions to the man standing by the window, his back turned to them. "Meet Damon Salvatore. He's decided to turn state's evidence against Lorenzo 'Enzo' St. John."

Damon turns. His roguish charm is evident in his posture and there's a hint of a smirk on his lips. Elena's eyes narrow as she considers him with skepticism and recognition flickering across her face.

"Damon, this is Agent Elena Gilbert," Elijah continues. "She'll be ensuring your protection in the witness protection program."

Damon steps forward, extending a hand with a smirk. "Nice to meet you, Agent Gilbert. Looks like we're going to be spending a lot of time together."

Elena ignores his outstretched hand, her focus shifting to Katherine. "What's the plan?"

Katherine leans forward, her expression serious. "Enzo's men will stop at nothing to silence Damon. We need him alive to testify. Your job is to ensure his safety at all costs."

"I know Enzo," Elena reveals. "My best friend used to date him. She left when he threatened to kill someone who flirted with her. She's been hiding ever since."

Elijah nods, understanding the gravity of the situation. "Then you know how dangerous he is. We can't afford any mistakes."

Damon raises an eyebrow, intrigued. "Seems like you've got some personal experience with our mutual friend. Makes you the perfect babysitter."

Elena shoots him a sharp look. "This isn't a game, Mr. Salvatore. Follow my rules, and we'll both get through this."

Damon chuckles, unfazed. "Whatever you say, boss."

Katherine stands, signaling the end of the meeting. "We'll have you two transported to the safe house immediately. Stay vigilant."

Elena rises, ready to face the challenge head-on. Protecting Damon Salvatore might be the most demanding assignment of her career, but she's determined to see it through. As they leave Elijah's office, she can't shake the feeling that this assignment will test her in ways she's never imagined.

Thank you for reading.

I have been sick as a dog for the last few days. I didn't get out of bed for two days.

Thank you to Eva and to wattskerrylou for the cover image. Read her stories. Not a Trope in Hell is hysterically funny.

ATT will update next.

Have a great weekend.