“Where’s Charlene?” Anthony asked.
“Gone.” He tilted his head to the side. When he’d imagined this moment in his mind, he thought he’d stand and talk it out. Instead, he brought his gun out and pointed it at his father. “This is for Mom and Henry.” Without batting an eye he fired his gun. One round bullet hole entered Anthony’s head before anyone could react.
Luiz and Tonio hadn’t been prepared and so were scrambling for their guns when their fathers went to draw.
Donnie shot them both in the hand, then stepped forward, looking them in the eye. This was not his kill.
“The Family is going to kill you,” Luiz’s father said, groaning and holding his hand.
Smiling, Donnie leaned down. “Who do you think requested this? I’ve been planning this for three years, and The Family in all quarters want you gone. We’re throwing out the trash, and bringing in the fresh product.”
He stepped back as Luiz and Tonio stepped forward.
“This is for Maria.” Luiz fired his weapon.
Tonio didn’t say anything. He just shot the man. The coldness in Tonio at times scared Donnie. He rarely talked, but there was always a murderous, evil glint in his eye.
“That business is done,” Jake said. “Damn, Donnie, you’re a wicked awesome shot.”
He smiled, calling in the cleanup crew. There was a small team who’d come, break down the bodies, and clean up the whole apartment as if there was nothing there.
“How do you feel?” Donnie asked, looking toward Luiz and Tonio.
“Relieved. We’ve got to get rid of Rafael now. I’m not waiting around.”
“Go,” Jake said. “I’ll make sure this is handled and get Charlene back here when it’s done.”
Donnie nodded, following his two friends out. Tonio didn’t say a word, and none of them talked while they rode toward Maria’s house.
Out of the corner of his eye, Donnie watched Luiz and Tonio put their guns away, taking out knives.
“We’ve got a special treat in store for Rafael,” Luiz said. “You don’t have to stay. It’s going to get real fucking bloody.”
“I don’t give a shit about a little blood.” Donnie parked the car, turning off the lights, and climbing out of the car. Tonio and Luiz were already at the door.
Maria had opened it looking terrified. One of her eyes was badly swollen, and she was holding her side protectively.
“What are you doing here?” she asked, whispering while glancing behind her. If fear had a taste, it was what Donnie was tasting. “He’ll kill you, Luiz.”
“Go to the car, Maria. You don’t need to see this.” Luiz didn’t back down.
“If you kill him you’ll be dead. I can’t live with that.” Tears were silently pouring down her cheeks. “Please, Luiz, don’t.”
“Dad’s dead. Our three fathers are all dead, Maria. We’re the new leadership now. A vote was cast, and the rot is being purged from The Family. I promised you I’d find a way. I did, we did.” He pointed toward them all. “Go to the car.”
Donnie handed her the keys, which she took, looking pale. He was shocked when Tonio stopped her with his hand to her cheek. They all stilled as Tonio caressed underneath the bruise on her eye.
“Go,” Tonio said, urging her toward the car.
Donnie didn’t question the action. Together they made their way into the house, hunting for the man who’d given Maria nothing but pain. They found him in the sitting room dressed in a robe. He was masturbating and looking toward the doorway, clearly relishing his wife’s return. Donnie was sickened by the bastard.
Rafael froze when he saw them. “What the fuck are you doing in my house?”
“Does it turn you on, hitting women? Hitting my sister?” Luiz asked.
“Maria’s my wife. What I do with her is my business.”
“It isn’t anymore,” Tonio said, lunging toward the man. Donnie leaned against the doorframe watching as his two friends began to beat the man who’d caused nothing but hurt. Blood sprayed around the room, hitting his shirt.
Donnie felt nothing about the masculine screams and the begging that came from Rafael.
“The Family is going to kill you. No one interferes with a man disciplining his wif—”
Tonio slammed the blade inside Rafael’s stomach. “Didn’t we tell you? We’re the new leadership now, and we fucking kill men who hurt women.” He drew his blade up inch by inch with each word he spoke. “You should have never laid a finger on her.”
It was going to be a long night.
****
Paige paced the long hallway near the door. Jake had already taken Charlene back to her apartment. They’d been gone six hours, but Charlene hadn’t been able to rest. Her heavy pregnancy made it hard for her to calm down. She’d been so worried about what would happen.