AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Then… I remember shooting my father. Did he die? I don’t know. I remember the sound of the gunshots and seeing him fall to the ground, but after that, it was like a haze overcame me, a black haze, and I couldn’t hear or really see anything.
Slowly, I get up, moving to the door where a robe hangs. Pulling it on, I tie the belt around my waist and open the door. Nico stands, ending the call with whoever he was speaking to.
“Emelia, you should be resting. Come sit.” He rushes to me and takes my hand, then walks me to the couch. I sit gingerly and look around.
“Where is everyone?”
“The guards are outside the door, and Giulio is at the hospital.”
Panic sets in. Did I shoot him?
“Did I—?”
“No, you didn’t. Your father did.”
“Is Giulio alive?”
Nico nods.“Yes, he will need physical therapy, but he was only hit in the shoulder. He will be fine.”
“And…” I pause, swallowing past the lump in my throat. “My father?”
“He's gone. My men took care of him, and he is no longer an issue.”
“Did I kill him?”
“No, you got him good, but I stopped you, and he was taken away and handled.”
I start crying then, overwhelming emotions overtaking me.
“I'm sorry, baby. It had to be done. He was never going to stop, and he was a danger to us and his own outfit. Okay?”
I look up and I shake my head.“No. I'm free. He's gone. The pain is gone.” I release a deep breath, like it's my first time on earth and I’ve never breathed before. I inhale and exhale so rapidly I almost hyperventilate.
Nico holds me close, rubbing my back and kissing my head all over.“Yes, you're free. Forever.”
“But what about Natalia? And my mother? They surely won't be okay with all this. What if they do something or go to another outfit and turn them against you?”
He shakes his head. “My men caught Natalia as she took off. That’s why it took them so long to get to us. And your mother…” He hesitates, looking out the window.
“My mother what, Nico?” I lean to get back in line with his vision.
“She killed herself, Emelia. My men showed up with your father’s body to show her, and she grabbed a gun and shot herself. She’s dead.” I look around the room. I should feel pain and remorse, but I don’t, and that scares me.
“Nico, why isn’t this hurting me?” I ask him, because I fear for myself.
“Because they were evil, Emelia. They would have killed you. They tortured you all your life. You are free from that hell.” He rubs my thighs.
“I’m sorry.” My lip trembles, and I drop my head to his shoulder.
“Why are you sorry? You’re safe. I’m safe. Everything is okay.”
I look up and cradle his face, rubbing my thumbs along the stubble on his chin.
“No, I’m sorry you lost your parents because of my father. I’m sorry they aren’t here. I’m sorry for everything.”
“I’m not. That revenge brought me you. It gave me you, baby.” He drops his head to mine and wipes at my tears. “You fucking avenged my parents last night. You get that?” I shake my head, unable to see through much right now.
“You don’t need to see it now. All you need to see is we are both free, and we did it together.” He grabs my hands and kisses my knuckles and bruised wrist from the ropes I was tied up with.
