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We all meet at the Vettore warehouse on the docks in Brooklyn. Being back here and remembering what happened to my father makes me shiver. But I push those feelings down, locking them in a box. Tonight isn’t a night for regret, but for vengeance.
They didn’t kill my father, but they’ll sure as fuck pay for trying. They’ll pay for their sins against me and my family with everything they’ve built for themselves.
“Okay, let’s go over the plan one more time,” Franco projects into the filled storage room. Nuova Notte, The Brigade, the Rogue Stallions, and soldiers from allied crime families crowd the space.
Garrix addresses The Brigade. “Half of you will go with Maddalena and I to the Popov mansion. We’re to secure any goods and burn the house down. The other half is going to join Franco and his team as he visits their leadership’s homes.”
Luca adds in, “My team will handle their warehouses and establishments in the northern side of their territories.”
“We’re hitting their southern territories,” Grandpa tells his men. They whoop and cheer, ready to cause some serious damage.
“We have two hours before the police get involved, so by two, I want everyone to check-in that they’re safe,” Franco tells the crowd. “If anyone runs into trouble, Maximo is your point of contact. He’ll handle it.”
Max is at home, manning his all-seeing cameras across the city. He’s usually my partner in crime, but tonight it feels right that I seek my vengeance with Garrix. My husband. The man I’m going to spend the rest of my life with.
We take my cherry red Camaro to the mansion and the rest of our team follows in a convoy of cars. Despite barely fitting into the driver’s seat, Garrix handles it well. He holds my hand the whole ride there, rubbing his thumb over the back of it like a metronome. I can feel the anticipation and chaotic energy rising inside us like a tidal wave, ready to crash into whatever is in its path. If marriage means having someone to experience this kind of connection with, then I can already see myself getting addicted to it.
When we get there, the three acre property is bathed in darkness. There are no lights on in the main house, no security patrolling the perimeter. With Max’s remote assistance, we’re able to get through the front gates without an issue.
“They’ve already abandoned it,” I flatly observe. “They ran like cowards.”
The team sweeps the entire property and checks the main house thoroughly for anyone, confirming my initial assessment. The remaining Yedinstvo packed up shop and beat it with their tails between their legs. Dmitri’s surviving brothers and some of the Russian’s leadership are out in the wind somewhere.
“They may be gone, but we can still hunt them down together one by one if you want,” Garrix offers me. “It can be our version of a date night. We can eat steak and then stake our enemy.”
I snort with laughter as his arms wrap around me, pulling me to him. “Mio Dio, you’d think we’re hunting vampires with that kind of plan.”
French types something into his phone quickly, then pockets it and hands us a jug of lighter fluid and a zippo. “One of you should do the honors. This is symbolic, you know? The end of an era.”
“And the beginning of a new one, with you,” Garrix says as he takes my hand and pulls me toward the house.
After dousing the first floor in lighter fluid, I toss the lit zippo right into the center. We stand outside on the lawn for a while and watch the symbol of all the Russian’s power burn to the ground. The place where I was held captive is turning into a pile of ashes right before my eyes.
“I’d burn the whole world down if it made you happy, little killer,” Garrix tells me in a dark, serious tone as he wraps his arms around me from behind, resting his head on top of mine.
“I’m always happy when I’m with you, G.” I place my arms over his and bask in the warmth from the giant bonfire before us.
I know that no matter what happens or where I find myself, Garrix Cameron will always be there for me, ready to bring the universe to its knees.
Epilogue: Garrix
Two Weeks Later
Maddalena Vettore is a reasonable woman. She decided that we’d get legally married on our honeymoon in Lake Como and after we returned, we’d start planning an intimate ceremony and reception. The minute we came home, we received a summons to meet Don Vettore at his home for Sunday dinner. When we visited him before we left, he was luke warm toward me. Iron was right—he didn’t like that I bypassed his permission. He doesn’t hate me, but he’s not fond of me, yet. With time, Fox and I can wear him down.
As soon as we arrive, we realize this isn’t an ordinary Sunday meal. Her brothers are already there, waiting for her father in his study.
“Any idea what’s going on?” she asks Maximo. He shakes his head, and they go off to the bookshelf in the corner to talk.
“What’s up?” I ask Franco.
“It’s better if he tells you all at once,” he says in a firm tone.
Before I can interrogate him more, Don Vettore and Fox walk in. They both look a little exasperated, but immediately school their features when they see Maddalena. My pseudo father smiles at me, then hugs my wife and politely asks her about our honeymoon. She shows them a few pictures before we take seats around the large conference table.
Don Vettore hands out papers to each of us. They’re a copy of a handwritten note.
The Russians aren’t responsible for your failed assassination. We are. And next time, we’ll shoot to kill. Watch yourself, and enjoy your crown while you still have it.
