Arturo looked angry. “What do you want?”
“We want peace.”
“What are your terms?”
“Only one term. You stop your human trafficking business, and the war ends.”
Arturo laughed loudly, practically shaking. There was some soft murmuring and worried comments as Arturo slowly got himself under control. When he was finished laughing, he stepped toward the three Spiders.
“Listen to me, you delusional bitches. The Barone family doesn’t make deals with murderous sluts.”
“No, it doesn’t.”
There was a shocked silence as the woman in the middle stepped forward. Her voice was muffled by the gas mask.
“Ah, now she speaks,” Arturo said, smiling. “It doesn’t matter, though. I already decided to kill you all.”
“Like Rosita said, you don’t want to do that.”
“I do. I really do. You fucking cunts have been bleeding my people dry, and for what? A bunch of drug-addicted whores from another country. Well, fuck you and fuck that. I won’t bow down to some disgusting sluts like you.”
“That’s a shame.”
I held my breath.
The woman took off her mask.
Louisa Barone smiled at the shocked crowd.
“You wouldn’t want to hurt your own daughter, would you, Daddy?”
Arturo looked like he was about to have a stroke. He was shocked, physically shocked, and he took a couple steps back. His face was purple from surprise or anger, I couldn’t tell, and his hands clenched into fists.
“Is this a fucking joke?” he asked. “Louisa, what the fuck are you doing?”
“Sorry, Arturo.” She smiled at him. “I’ve been running the Spiders this whole time. Surprise.”
He couldn’t speak. He tried to, but it came out a strangled gurgle. He took a deep breath and released his fists.
“Louisa, I know that you have your fantasies, that you have your ideas. But this, this has gone too far. Do you understand what you’ve done here?”
She continued to smile. “No. Tell me.”
“You made me mobilize the whole fucking mob!” he practically screamed. “All for—what? For some joke?”
She just smiled at him.
He continued his rant. “You ungrateful girl. I gave you everything. Everything! And you gave me nothing but attitude, anger, and disgust. You refused to do anything normal, refused to go to college, refused to become a respectable woman. And now look at you, playing dress up and pranking my organization. You can lock yourself in your room and throw a tantrum; I can deal with that. But this, Louisa, this is too far. You’re finished.”
“No, Arturo,” she said softly. “You’re finished. Do you accept my terms?”
“Terms? Stop this fucking joke and come over here.” He looked around. “Stand down,” he called out.
“Do you accept my terms?” she said, louder.
“I don’t accept your fucking terms.” He looked at a man on his right, one of the guard. “Get her,” he said. “All of them. Bring them back.” He turned and began to leave.
The bosses walked with him. The guard walked toward Louisa, frowning.
“Come with me,” he said.
Calmly, Louisa reached behind her and pulled out a black gun. She held it out and fired three shots. The explosions rang out in the empty space, and the guard collapsed onto the ground, bleeding.
“What the fuck?” Arturo screamed. “What are you doing?”
“Do you accept my terms? This is your last chance.”
“You insane bitch! Get her!”
Louisa put her mask back on, and all hell broke loose.
Explosions started all around the perimeter of the room. Thick, heavy clouds of smoke blanketed over the space, instantly surrounding everyone. There were confused shouts, yells, people trying to understand what was happening.
That was when the shooting started.
I couldn’t tell where it was coming from. I grabbed Cassidy by the wrist. “Come on,” I yelled. “We have to go.”
“Louisa!” she said.
“Fuck her,” I answered, a plan suddenly jumping into my mind. “Fuck her and fuck the mob. Come on!” I dragged her off. I didn’t care if she wanted to run and try to save the girl; I only cared about keeping her alive through this.
I could barely see her, and she was inches away. Vince was all but gone in the thick smoke. I began to cough as I pulled the smoky air into my lungs. It felt heavy, like I was breathing in lead. I dragged her along as the gunshots rang out all around us. Confusion and pained screams lit up the air, and I moved faster. I could see figures in the smoke all around us, but I didn’t stop to fight. My only priority was getting out while we could still get out.