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“Alright, Hook. Please pop the trunk. We’ll get the blocks and be on our way,” Tony says meekly. “Don’t worry, we’ll tell Donny a job well done. Joey just got the jump on this big oaf, hm?” He nods toward Lenny – who’s as silent as a lamb now.
I grunt my approval and watch carefully as they flee the scene.
They whip out of the driveway in the victim’s car, scattering gravel everywhere, leaving me free with my echo of Marissa.
I turn and crouch to be face-to-face with her.
“Don’t kill me,” her voice shivers.
I wrinkle my nose. “Let me ask you a question.”
Her hand twitches as she grasps for one of the cabinet handles to pull herself away from me.
“Are you relieved?”
“I—” is all she says.
“I freed you from your prison. Joseph Tammer Lucrazi has been holding you hostage since you were a teenager. You were just too naïve to know back then.”
Her expression turns angry. “Is that what you think murdering me will do? Set me free?” her voice is hoarse. “Spare me the poetry, you sick bastard. If you’re going to take everyone out, at least be honest with yourself. You’re not a savior. You’re the devil, just like Joey. I’m trapped in this world I stepped foot into. Here and in death.”
Her words cut deep, because I see my late wife speaking to me from the grave. Is that what Marissa would think of me?
I recoil and stand, putting my hands flat on the island. Alessia is confused by my actions, it’s all written on that frozen expression of hers. A deep breath resets me. “Get up.”
“What?” She shrinks deeper against the cabinets.
“We’re leaving.”
She shakes her head. “Please, I don’t want to go.”
“We’re all on borrowed time, Alessia. Me included. Indulge me.”
She crawls away from me. “No more games, please. You already made me watch Joey die. I can’t take anymore. I’m sorry for mouthing off. I’m sorry. Ah—”
I pick her up lightly, getting her back on her feet and flexing to block against her wild elbows. “Relax.” I back away. “Think. Why would I defend you against that thug?”
She cowers, clinging to her countertop like she’s balancing on a rope between two mountains. “I—I don’t know. Probably for some game you like to play alone with women.”
“Listen, I don’t want to have to tie you up, but I will. Understand? Not a peep when we get outside.” I leave no room for questions.
Her mouth stops moving, and a very fearful nod affirms she’ll cooperate. There’s a glimmer of hope in her eyes. Deep down she knows I got what I came for. No more blood needs to be spilled.
I make her walk in front of me as I carefully peek out the window – the old lady across the way is upstairs with the light on, and the family next door is still gone. I’m clear. One look behind me shows no signs of struggle. Tony and Lenny vacuumed all the stray gravel and even cleaned the scuff marks from our boots.
A clean job.
Tonight marks the last of the crew who ruined you, my love.
Marissa… I’ve finally avenged you.
Chapter 4
Alessia
Am I relieved?
I’m in the backseat of Leandro’s car, that question plaguing me. His leather jacket fails to cover the tattoos along his hands and wrists, and his chiseled, bearded jaw keeps clenching as if he’s in some terrible nightmare.
