AllFreeNovel
Share Us
CHAPTER1
“Death comes black and hard, rushing down on me from the future, with no possible chance of escape.”—David Gerrold
Cassie
Revenge is mine, sayeth…
I often thought of the words my mother used to say during times of strife, more so lately. They were meant as a reminder that forgiveness was the Godly thing to do. Good people forgave others, believing their sins could be redeemed. I knew better. Then again, I was a bad girl. I hungered for revenge.
Not the kind that would simply tarnish a man’s soul or his business. Not the kind that would expose him for atrocities committed without conscience. And not the kind that would allow him salvation in the end. What I craved and what I would take from him was something else entirely.
Everything, including his life.
Only there wasn’t just a single evil man I planned on destroying. There were three.
All three would face my wrath.
I’d thought about death over the last few months, what it would feel like when your mind began to understand you were facing your demise. I could imagine the swirling blackness as your vision started to fade, your ability to focus slipping through your fingers. Hearing the thudding of your heart as it took its last breaths of Earth’s crisp air. And the silence that would follow, thorny claws wrapping around you, dragging you straight into the pits of hell.
Death was the ultimate cleanser.
That’s exactly what they deserved.
There would be no salvation.
I’d made a vow, spending months to plan how and when I’d exact my revenge. Now it was time, and the anguish I had in mind was… perfect.
I would enjoy every single moment of stripping their lives away, adding misery to their wealthy, powerful existence.
I would be there as they took their last breath.
Then I would walk away.
The revenge was all mine.
* * *
Alexander
New York City
Club Divine.
I’d built it, resurrecting not only the building but another method of keeping a powerful hold on a solid portion of the city. I’d made a fortune since the day the doors were opened, parlaying the money earned into other profitable businesses.
Although the majority were of the unsavory kind.
Inhaling, the crisp evening air was invigorating. I did so love New York this time of year.
I handed the valet my keys. There was no need for explanations or preemptive admonishment if anything happened to my beloved Ferrari. I hired the best people in the industry and none of them would ever dare fuck with the prince of the Durante mafia family. I was primed to take over from my father, his impending retirement based on a desire to leave the ugly world behind instead of injury or age.
I enjoyed being called the Brutal Lord. It suited me as well as the business my family had been successful in for generations. I’d learned how to be a merciless leader, more so because of the education my family’s wealth had afforded my father’s only son. I enjoyed the perks associated with my level of power, indulgences that most men would shy away from.
While I hadn’t been to the location in almost two weeks, I managed to keep a firm hold on every business operation. I kept to my regimen, overseeing the various facilities on a regular basis.
I took a few seconds, studying the environment as well as the influential crowd. There were several high-ranking officials in the house tonight. Judges. Lawyers. Corporate moguls. There was a waiting list of at least five hundred men, all determined to gain an invitation to the most sought-after club in the city. I was selective on purpose, only catering to those who could be of service at a later time.
As I headed for my regular table, the manager noticed my entrance immediately, pushing aside the man he’d been engaged in a conversation with, walking in my direction. The moment I sat down, two of my enforcers shifted toward the table, taking the other two seats. The routine was always the same, the behavior preventing me from taking a hit more than once. Only the most loyal were allowed to guard my presence during outside functions. There was nothing I valued more than respect, and most gave it to me in spades.
