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That part of my life is buried along with any compassion I ever had for the two people who brought me into their sick world. Now it’s up to me to be better than they ever were, which won’t be difficult because I already am.
EPILOGUE
KILLIAN
ONE WEEK LATER
Iwatch Purity laughing with Serena and nonna, and I can’t tear my eyes from the scene. I don’t know how it happened, but my life changed forever when she walked into my building one Summer’s day and stayed forever. That I so nearly lost her makes me appreciate every hour we spend together, and I will never take that for granted.
I wasn’t kidding when I told her parents I would make her happy. Give her the best life possible and treat her well. I’m a man of my word, as they have discovered.
There is nothing left of their business, and they are just lucky they still have a home because the fire burned long into the night, destroying their livelihood in one cruel twist of fate.
Their connections have been severed with all their business associates and the cops are due to pay them a visit any day now. They are just lucky Purity spared their lives, but I’m not so generous. They will live in hell for the rest of their days because I have no mercy. My own father was a casualty of that and with a sigh, I turn away from the happy scene and head to my grandfather’s den.
They arrived last night from Serenita. My grandparents have a mansion in Chicago they rarely visit. Preferring instead to live out the rest of their days together in paradise. However, business always brings them back and when I head inside, I find my grandfather and brother already waiting for me.
The air inside his den is tense, toxic and dark and not just because of the many years of cigar smoke that cling to the walls, despite the yearly refurbishment. There are many memories in this office. Secrets that seal our enemies’ fates and ensure the Vieris live another day.
They look up when I arrive and my grandfather points to the chair beside my brother, opposite his own carved wooden chair upholstered in black leather.
Their faces are grim, and I’m not surprised because despite everything, one important Vieri is missing.
He slides a glass of whiskey across the desk and in silence, we all raise our glasses as he says with a deep sigh.
“Today we mourn the passing of Benito Vieri. A son, husband and father who made the wrong choices in life. He turned his back on family, which was his ticket to hell, but despite his betrayal, he was one of us. May he rest in peace.”
We drain our glasses and set them down on the table and my grandfather stares at me with his usual penetrating gaze.
“Are you good?”
“I am.”
The faint nod of approval tells me despite the fact I murdered his son in cold blood, it was on Don Vieri’s order and then he turns to Shade and asks the same question.
“Yes. I’m good.”
The dark undertone in my brother’s voice tells us we’re all on the same page and my grandfather nods, apparently satisfied.
He leans back and an expression of distaste crosses his face.
“To be betrayed by my own son. I feel as if I failed.”
I sense his disappointment from here. It’s like a black cloud that has settled over this family that we are struggling to navigate our way through.
“My enemies I expected, but not family. Never family, which is why he had to die.”
I couldn’t agree more because when your own family starts plotting to kill you, all hope is lost. We learned that my father had ordered a hit on every one of us. Intending to clear the way for his own position as the head of the Dark Lords. We just got in first and now it’s important we turn our attention to the next in line.
My grandfather smiles suddenly and says, “Congratulations on your news, Killian. It makes me happy knowing you are continuing the family line. May it be the first of many.”
“It will.” I say with a smile because if I keep Purity pregnant for the rest of her life, I will be happy. Just knowing a part of me is growing inside her is a power trip that will never get old.
I am looking forward to seeing her swell with our child, knowing that she is mine for life. I will never let her go and that means I can’t give her a reason to want to. I must be the perfect husband to keep that smile on her face, and as it turns out, it’s an easy assignment.
I love her and I never really expected that.
Shade reaches out and slaps me on the back and says warmly, “Yes, congratulations, Kill. You will make a good father. Be better than our own.”
