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Anissa
I clutch the gun in my hands, the metal warm against my palm as I aim at Luther over Cole’s right shoulder.
My pulse pounds in my ears. My chest beats an agitated rhythm. It doesn’t help when all eyes turn to me. Even Luca and Pe
But there’s relief. The sight of Cole fills me with hope after torturous minutes spent thinking the worst.
I’d been trapped outside, weaponless, hopeless, and forced to hide behind the house yard shrubs while an unseen battle took place inside.
I hadn’t known who instigated the gunfire. I wasn’t sure if Cole was safe or if Luther had been taken down.
Then Pe
“Lower your weapon, Luther.” I fall back on my training and force the panic out of my system. “Hand it over and this may not have to end badly.”
“Don’t shoot, Niss,” Cole demands. “He won’t kill me.”
I take stock of the room, knowing full well he’s not my only concern.
There’s blood on the far wall. Spots on the floor. A mass all over one side of Luca’s face along with smears on Pe
Luther clucks his tongue. “I knew she wasn’t a toy. You’ll never understand the disgrace you’ve brought me, son. It’s a fucking shame.”
I continue my visual search of the room, but I don’t see the boy. “Where’s Tobias?”
I keep my aim on Luther’s shoulder and remain thankful Cole isn’t covering his father completely. I can take a clear shot from here. The only thing stopping me is the uncertainty of stealing Cole’s closure from him.
“Don’t concern yourself with my son.” Luther takes a backward step, moving toward the kitchen. “If you were smart, you’d worry about your own life.”
“He’s safe, Anissa,” Luca offers. “Give Cole your gun and let him finish this.”
For a second, I contemplate compliance.
I could simply hand it over and remove myself from a position of power. But what if Cole can’t follow through?
“He’s right.” Luther grins. “Give Cole the gun. Entrust my son to do what’s right.”
“Lower your weapon,” I snap. “Put it down or I’ll shoot.”
“Your hesitation already speaks volumes, bitch.”
He’s wrong. I haven’t pulled the trigger because this isn’t my situation to finish. I’m risking my own life, and so many others because of my weakness for a man I never should’ve fallen for. I need to stop. “Cole, where’s your gun?”
Luther chuckles and raises the weapon in his hand. “You’re looking at it, Agent Fox. He got bested by his papa. And if you don’t lower yours, I’ll take pleasure in making you regret it.”
“He’s not going to kill me.” Cole stumbles the tiniest step and exposes more of his father. “He won’t fucking do it, Niss.”
“You’re hurt.” It’s not a question. Clearly, he’s swaying on his feet.
“He’s about to have a nap.” Delight spreads across Luther’s face. “And as soon as he falls, you’re going to have nothing to shield you.” He takes another retreating step and Cole follows, always keeping himself in front of the barrel. “But I think I might start the fun with the scared little piece of shit who would prefer to hide instead of helping his boss.”
“I’m not hiding, asshole,” Luca grates. “I’m giving Cole space to finish this his way. And if he can’t, I’m on standby with a knife in my hand, ready and willing to slit your throat.”
I glance at him to confirm.
He’s not lying. A hunting knife is on the tile beside his thigh, lying in wait.
“A knife isn’t going to help you. Not when I have a gun.”
“Says the man who shot at me multiple times and still couldn’t take me down.” Luca scoffs out a laugh. “All Cole has to do is say the word and I’ll happily fuck you up.”
“It’s over, Dad.” Cole reaches out, his hand gliding toward the gun. “We’re done here.”
“Do you seriously think you’ve got the balls to kill me?” Luther brings voice to my fears. “You couldn’t even kill your uncle when he messed around with your sister.”
All the air leaves my lungs on a heave.
I’d questioned myself on who Cole’s loved one could’ve been. I’d wondered and contemplated. Not once did I think his regret surrounded someone so close.
I hurt for him.
I’m pained by the betrayal.
“Don’t worry. I’m still the monster you created. I always will be.” Cole slaps his hand down to his side. “But your hold on me is over. I no longer believe family is everything. Not when it comes to you.”
Luca waves at me from his hiding spot. “Give him your gun. Let him finish this.” His tone is urgent. Demanding.
I ignore the instruction.
I still don’t believe Cole is capable of killing his father. Not after he spoke of his hesitation last night. He may be brutal and malicious, but he also has a heart. One far bigger than I think anyone can imagine. And I won’t risk all our lives on an uncertainty.
Luther retreats again, getting closer to the kitchen, encroaching on Luca and Pe
“Cole, I’m going to shoot.” I grip the gun tighter. “I can’t let him take another step.”
Cole stumbles again, his head swaying as he exposes Luther’s chest. God, he’s struggling to remain upright. He’s giving me no choice.
“Cole?”
Luther takes another step, taunting me with a smile.
“Stop.” I pin my aim to his body mass. “Luther. Stop.”
Cole rushes him, hauling him around the waist to slam him down to the floor.
They fight for the gun, chest to chest on the tile.
I have a clear shot. It’s right there. Open. “Release the gun or I’ll shoot.”
They grapple. They grunt and heave and yell.
The direction of the barrel slowly pivots, pointing toward Cole. He’s weakening. Luther’s aim is so close.
“Cole?” I can’t wait. I can’t risk—
A burst of gunfire slams through the room, the shock making me stumble.
My ears ring. My pulse pounds.
Luther bucks, his mouth open, his eyes wide and rapidly blinking.
I got him. I shot him right through the side, the bullet hopefully piercing a mass of vital organs.
Cole scrambles backward, staring as his father gurgles and splutters while Luca and Pe
They all stare at Luther as blood seeps from his mouth.
And still, he doesn’t release the gun. He clings tight, inching his sights toward his son.
Pop.
Pop.
Pop.
I don’t stop shooting until the clip is empty. Even then I keep pulling the trigger, over and over as he falls limp, never to move again.
But relief doesn’t come.
The satisfaction I hoped would overwhelm me isn’t there.
There’s nothing. Only panic over Cole who rises to his feet to stare down at his father’s lifeless body, unblinking, barely breathing.
I wait for him to break the silence. To react. To grieve. All he does is keep his focus on the pool of blood seeping its way across the tile.
“Cole?” I creep forward, my hand shaking with the need to reach for him.
He drags out the torture, the silence getting thicker.
“Baba?” Tobias’s sweet voice wails from the hall entry. “Baba?”
“Tobias, no.” Pe
The boy’s screams follow, the unending torture of a child losing a parent sinking into my ears and down to my heart.