AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Come on, Gigi.” Benny points toward the foyer. “Time to go.”
I cross my arms. “I’m not leaving if you plan to kill him.”
“Jesus Christ.” Benny scrubs a hand over his face. “Just shoot him so we can be done with this shit. She’ll get over it.”
I plant myself between my father and Antonio. If he wants to shoot him, the bullet will go through me first. I’m facing my father, my back to Antonio, because I want my father to truly see me.
To see the pain he’ll cause if he harms Antonio.
How it’ll rip me apart.
I know if he wants to kill Antonio, he eventually will.
But not right now.
God, not right now.
He stares at me in distrust.
Then sensitivity.
Not for Antonio.For me.
It’s killing him to hold back from hurting Antonio, but he’s doing it for me.
The skin around his eyes bunch while he studies me like I’m a stranger he’s trying to read. I’ve never tested him like this, and I don’t know how he’ll take my insubordination.
I wish I could see Antonio right now, but I won’t turn my back on my father.
“Gigi,” my father finally says, “I’m only offering you this one time. If you leave, right now, with no fucking back talk, I’ll walk out of here without killing Antonio. But this offer only stands for two seconds before I have your brother blow his brains out behind your back. I hope, after today, you’ve learned no one will protect you like I do.”
Nausea swirls in my stomach like a hurricane, and I’m sure I look as defeated as I feel, staring at him.
“Now, Gigi,” he yells when I don’t answer after two seconds.
I briefly glance at Antonio with tears in my eyes.
His gaze is tortured when it meets mine.
“Okay,” I tell my father weakly, “I’ll go.”
45
My pulse throbs against my neck as I watch Gigi leave with Cristian. As badly as I hate to admit it, right now, she is safer with him. Until Sonny is dead, no one is safe around me.
I failed her.
Failed Amara.
Failed fucking everyone.
I never wanted the don role. Countless times, I gloated, happy I had been born the second son. I should’ve considered that eventually, there was a chance I’d be the only alive one.
What happened today further proves why I never wanted that responsibility.
A dullness thuds in my chest.
It could’ve gone worse, though.
