He laughs, gruffly… “The one you fucking killed.” Releasing him with a shove, I walk away. I am angry—no, I am livid. I need him. I need to know who the pig is if there even is one. Now I have no connections because I acted too soon. Fuck. It’s her fault… My mind is playing games with me. I know it isn’t her fault, but I still wanted to take my rage out on her.
“You killed another person?” She acted as if she was in shock, but at the same time wanted to scold me for my ill-mannered behavior. Like I am anything aside from this fucking monster.
“Yes. I did…” I hiss. “And I’ll fucking kill many more, sweetheart, don’t get your panties in a bunch.” I am crude, and I am slightly annoyed with her behavior.
“You’re digging yourself deeper and deeper,” she murmurs under her breath. She isn’t afraid of me, or at least not at that moment. Moving from my position, I go to sit on the stool near the window. The FBI could be on our asses, and I need to figure out who it is that squealed. My mind is racing, I could kill them both. Time stands still as I stare deeply into Bree’s eyes. Can I really bring myself to put a bullet in her head? Never to see her body flush with desire? Never to see her beautiful brown eyes full of anger and hate?
Running a hand through my hair, I pick up the gun and point it at her. Her eyes don’t close, nor does she cry out or scream. It is as if she isn’t afraid at all.
“Who are you with?” I demand.
Her eyes narrow as she leans into my face, her arms leaning on the side of the chair. “If I were with someone, I already would’ve had them get me out of this fucking place.” I blow out a breath. I need to clear my head. For once in my life I can’t just start killing people, I need to get answers.
“Let’s go…” I growl, grabbing her arm. She stands abruptly, and I reach out with both hands steadying her. Her body collides with mine, and as I am evening her out, I hear the cocking of a gun behind me. I turn just in time to see Luccio pointing the gun straight at us.
Fear courses through me for the first time as I look into Bree’s eyes. She could die, I could die. I know it will happen someday. But she… She can’t die.
“You aren’t fucking going anywhere. You come into my house, talking all this shit, thinking that you know all there is to know. I sent that man to you for a reason.”
I turn on him, placing my body directly in front of Bree’s. Not a word passes her lips, thankfully. There will be no talking ourselves out of what we are about to get into.
“You sent him to lure me out, didn’t you?” It isn’t really a question. I now know the answer.
“Lure you wasn’t really what I wanted to do… I do know who killed your mom.” His voice is full of hate as if he had a reason to hate me. I haven’t hurt the man up to this very day.
“Who was it then?” I ask, pushing Bree closer to the door. Her steps are small and uncertain. I can feel the fear rolling off her. She thinks we are going to die. Which we will unless I get a grip on this shit. My gun is still in my hand, but it’s all about who can get the first shot in.
“The FBI is onto you, Alzerro. Every move you make puts you closer to getting caught. They came for you that day, they killed your mother, and they were fully intent on taking you. I got my hands on you first, though…“ My mind is reeling as I place everything together in a timeline in my mind.
“What are you saying?” I ask between clenched teeth. My hands are shaking with anger as I raise the gun and point it at him. He doesn’t cower in fear. I don’t expect him to. He will die with dignity.
“I’m saying the FBI killed your mother, and we took you as our own before you could be taken by them. You have made us millions of dollars. My family is very grateful for all that you have done… But now, now you’re becoming more of an inconvenience for our family. You’re powerful—too powerful. In this case, you must die.”
The words slip from his mouth as everything registers within me. It’s as if everything is playing in slow motion. I pull the trigger the same time he does. My bullet aimed directly at his chest; his bullet aimed directly at mine.
My shot lands exactly as I hoped it would. Directly in his heart as I watch him slip to the ground. My body is full of adrenaline, it takes a moment to realize that his bullet hit me in the shoulder. My skin burns, my muscles ache, and my body feels heavy. This isn’t the first time I’ve been shot, and won’t be the last, I’m sure.
I can hear Bree’s screams as her arms lock onto me. She turns me to face her as a coldness sweeps over me.