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Chapter 5 (Ricardo)
I take a confident step forward as I enter the large room, making sure I don't show the twinge of apprehension I'm feeling due to being called here.
Twelve pairs of eyes size me up and down, revealing nothing about their true intentions for this meeting.
I've done everything the council has required of me.
Hell, I've done plenty of shit they didn't require of me, too.
The oldest man, Ernesto—otherwise known as the leader of the DeLuca elders and the official consigliere of the council, narrows his eyes at me.
I narrow mine right back at him and take another step forward.
Family or not, I know this is a test.
One that I can't fail.
I also know that I'd have no qualms about blowing these fuckers' heads off.
Well, except one.
It would result in the death of those I care about.
Deal or no deal...they know my weak spot. They know they have the ultimate leverage to make me bend to their will.
But that's not nearly half as u
What happens when it consumes me entirely?
My chest squeezes as visions of Lou-Lou and our baby, the baby that could have been—should have been—puncture me.
Anger rises and bubbles and that beautiful sweet release calls out to me once again.
I don't want out of this hellhole...I want it to swallow me whole and take this unbearable misery away for good.
I want what was mine.
I want her.
I want our baby.
I want...
To fucking a
I want to take lives, destroy souls, and leave nothing but devastation behind.
Because in this world? It's either kill or be killed.
And when I'm the killer?
It's the only time I'm free from these chains of suffering that bind me. It's the only time I find any peace.
It's the only time I don't think about her—them.
I reach for the gun in my waistband and give the old man a smirk. Approval flashes across his face and he gives the other men a small nod.
“You're doing well,” he says, his words laced in a thick Italian accent. “You're exceeding our expectations...ben fatto.”
I want to ask him how the hell he had any expectations about me when I was always dead set on never taking my place before four months ago, but then he says, “However, I feel it's only fair to tell you there will be some changes happening within the DeLuca council soon. Changes that have already taken place.”
I stuff down the ball of dread forming in my stomach with that statement. “What kinds of changes?”
He folds his hands and sits up in his seat. “The DeLuca's are a dying breed.”
“No shit,” I scoff. “The mob life isn't really known for it's stellar retirement plan and longevity.”
His eyes flash and his nostrils flare as the men around him begin to speak in hushed tones. “No, it's not. Which is why we needed to expand. Make deals with people who aren't of DeLuca blood. It's the only way to ensure our legacy will still remain intact after we're gone. Our empire is crumbling—we are losing control...and if we're not careful—we will lose our power.” He shoots me a look that can cut glass. “You were supposed to produce the next in line. You were supposed to fix everything and breed new blood...but clearly that didn't happen.” His eyes grow dark and cold. “Because of her.”
A low growl erupts from my throat and I move the short distance until I'm standing directly in front of him. “Say it again and watch what happens.”
The room goes silent right before he barks, “And watch what the fall out from that will be.” He bolts up from the chair so forcefully it falls behind him. “Don't test me, boy. I know your real fears...and I'll make each and every one of them a reality. You think your father was brutal, try crossing me.”
He sucks his teeth and jabs a finger into my chest. “We made an agreement in exchange for you taking your place. That's the reason you were called here today...because there's been a change.”
Panic shoots through every part of my body and anger rises and erupts like a goddamn volcano.
My hands ball at my sides and I take another step until we're almost nose to nose. “Touch one fucking hair on her head and I will peel off your wrinkly ass skin and gut you from nose to navel before I force you to watch me eat your heart, motherfucker.”
“Careful, Ricardo,” he warns. “That weakness of yours is showing—and mark my words, it will be the death of you.”
His eyes dilate and gleam with his next statement, “However, a deal is a deal. Therefore, we won't hurt her or those people you insist on calling friends.”
He smiles darkly. “But that doesn't mean our new business associate won't. So consider this our good deed, your warning...and your head start.”
He smirks right before he delivers the final words that are the equivalent to a knock out punch. “Because that's the only help from us you will receive when it comes to her or them.”
“Not guilty.”
Thank fucking God.
The breath Tyrone and I were both holding leaves our lungs and relief flows through me.
They have no idea, but I listened in while the jury was deliberating. I had every intention of putting my own brand of fear into them one by one, but luckily for them; they decided all on their own that Jackson wasn't guilty. That newbie lawyer Jackson chose to go with did one hell of a job after all.
Beside me, Momma starts screaming and crying...and that's when I notice the look on Jackson's face.
He looks like he's giving himself a pep-talk and getting ready to console us.
Shit. He really didn't think he was getting out.
I cast a glance at Tyrone and we both nod. Of course Jackson didn't think things were going to go his way, because they never have.
“It's okay, guys,” he tells us. “I'll be okay. Just promise me that you'll take care of Alyssa and the baby for me. Please.”
I look him right in the eyes. “Why?” For the first time in months, I actually smile. “You'll be able to do that yourself.”
“What—” he starts to say, but Momma plows into him.
“I knew it would all work out in the end,” she says through sobs.
Jackson's jaw drops and he looks at Tyrone who's gri
And just like that...we all walk out of the courtroom like one big happy family.
Because there's no way I can tell them their lives are all on the line again.
The sounds of glass shattering all around me doesn't stop me.
The sounds of Marlene's frantic screaming in the background doesn't phase me.
But the sounds of him gurgling and choking on his own blood right
before his eyes fix and dilate?
Yeah, that calms me.
For a few moments at least.
I pull my knife out of the man's jugular, then I lift my head and glare at them.
Well, what's left of them.
“18 hours,” I inform them as I toss the now fresh new corpse on the floor and dispose of my crimson soaked black gloves. “Or you can kiss another member of your team goodbye.”
“How the hell can we find her if you keep killing us off?” one of them, who I understand to be the hacker of the group yells.