AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Your son?” I scoffed, my voice dripping with disdain. “Frankie was nothing more than a pawn in your twisted game of power and revenge. You never cared for him, only the control he could give you over others.”
“Stop it! Please,” Bianchi wept, his face contorted in anguish.
“Murder, extortion, human trafficking,” I listed, enumerating only a few of the heinous crimes committed by this pitiful man before me. “You’ve caused so much pain and suffering, Bianchi. It’s time to answer for your actions.”
“Please, Nicholas, have mercy. I’ll do anything,” he begged one last time, desperation clouding his grey eyes.
“Mercy? The only mercy I will grant you is a swift end,” I said coldly, raising my gun. “I’m sending you to be with Frankie – and trust me when I say that’s more mercy than you deserve.”
As the tension reached its peak, I steeled myself, my finger tightening on the trigger. Bianchi’s eyes widened in terror, but there would be no reprieve for him this night.
The gunshot echoed through the room, and Antonio Bianchi’s body crumpled to the floor, lifeless. I stood over him, my chest heaving with the weight of what I’d done. But it was necessary – for my family, for Liliana, and for the empire I’d been entrusted to protect.
With Bianchi’s lifeless body at my feet, I turned to survey the carnage around me. The scent of gunpowder and blood hung heavy in the air, a grim testament to the violence that had unfolded within these walls. My men moved swiftly and efficiently through the house, erasing any trace of our presence and leaving only the aftermath of our brutal assault.
“Make sure every inch of this place is cleaned up,” I ordered, my voice cold and authoritative. “No one can know we were here.”
“Of course, boss,” Enzo replied, nodding curtly as he relayed my orders to the others. I could see the respect and loyalty reflected in their eyes - they would follow me to hell and back if need be, and tonight was no exception.
“Once you’re finished here, I want teams sent to each of Bianchi’s businesses,” I instructed, my mind racing with strategic calculations. “We move in first thing in the morning. Take control of his empire before anyone else has a chance to fill the void.”
“Right away, Nicholas,” Riccardo acknowledged, his face a mask of steely resolve. Deep down, I knew he shared my desire to ensure that no one would ever threaten our family again.
“Remember, we must act swiftly and decisively,” I continued, asserting my dominance over the situation. “We don’t want any of the other families thinking they can get a piece of the Bianchi empire.”
“Of course, boss,” Riccardo agreed, his gaze never wavering from mine. “You have our complete loyalty.”
“Good,” I said, my tone final as I turned to leave the room. The weight of my actions, the lives taken in the name of power and control, pressed heavily on my conscience. It was a burden I would carry with me for the rest of my days.
Chapter 15
Nicholas
Ireturned home, my face still bearing the marks of the brutal battle. The door clicked shut behind me as I took in the quiet foyer. It was finally over, but the weight of what had transpired weighed heavily on my shoulders.
I knew I couldn’t let Sophia and Jocelyn see me like this, so I made my way to my room and began to clean myself up. As I splashed cold water onto my face, washing away the grime and blood, I stared at my reflection in the mirror – a man who’d just eliminated his greatest enemy. I barely recognized myself.
The war with the Bianchi family was over, but sooner or later, another war would start. What family would challenge me next? There would be time for contemplation later. Right now, I needed to reassure the people I cared about most.
Gathering myself, I stepped out of the room, my footsteps echoing through the silent halls as I made my way to find Liliana, Sophia, and Jocelyn. I found them together in the Liliana’s office, their faces etched with worry and fear. I wouldn’t have to see that fear in their eyes again, not for a long time.
“Come with me,” I said, my voice firm yet gentle as I led them to my office. They followed, their eyes fixed on me with a mixture of curiosity and trepidation. As I closed the door behind us, I noticed how their bodies tensed, bracing themselves for what I was about to say.
“Sit down,” I instructed, gesturing toward the plush chairs in front of my imposing, dark wood desk. Once they were seated, I took a deep breath, steeling myself for the conversation ahead. It was never easy to tell a woman her husband was dead, even when she hated him.
“The last two members of the Bianchi family are dead. Antonio Bianchi and Luca Carbone died earlier tonight,” I began, watching as their faces registered a mix of shock and relief. “The Bianchi family has been utterly destroyed, their power shattered along with the deaths of those two men.”
“Are you sure?” Liliana asked, her deep brown eyes searching mine for any hint of deceit.
“Absolutely,” I confirmed, the conviction in my voice unwavering. “I made certain of it myself.”
I searched their faces, looking for any lingering doubts or fears. They had been through so much – far more than anyone should have to endure. I needed them to know that they could finally breathe easy, that the nightmare was over. At least, for now.
As I stared into the eyes of these three women – each one strong and resilient in their own way – I was reminded of the cost of the life we led. The danger, the violence, the constant struggle for power.
It was then that Sophia, her eyes filled with hope, spoke up. “Nicholas, does this mean I can finally go home? That I’m free from the clutches of the mafia and no longer used as a pawn for information?”
My heart ached for her – for the life she’d been thrown into without any choice in the matter. But even with the Bianchi family gone, there were still dangers she needed to be aware of. My voice tinged with caution, I told her the truth. “Sophia, there are no guarantees that other men won’t use you. You’re going to need to be careful of who you date for a long time. If you want, my men can run background checks on anyone you’re interested in, just to make sure.
