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“I’m an only child,” Theo says. “The support your family exhibits is … astounding.” He looks at Antonio. “Know you’re lucky.”
“I do,” he says. “We’ll fight. But it will be to the death.”
My entire family gasps.
“What?” Emilia snaps. “Why?”
“Because I’m not weak,” Antonio spits out. “I agreed to the fight. But it’s either Theo or me. One of us will live and the other will die. That’s final.” He walks around to the driver’s side of thedoor. “I know all of you will want to be there. So, I suggest you follow.”
“I can’t take the twins to see that,” Mom says. “I can’t see my son die.”
Francesca places her hand on Mom’s arm. “I understand. You take the twins and go. I’ll drive you home. Emilia and Gemma will follow Antonio and be there for Cecilia.”
“I want to go,” Luca says, but Mom shushes him. She grabs the twins’ hands and, with a final look at her son, walks over to her car.
Francesca gives my hand a squeeze. “Good luck.”
“I’m not lucky,” I say. “I either lose the man I love or my brother.”
Francesca’s eyes mist over. “I know.” She follows Mom and the twins to the other car.
Mia remains standing there.
“What are you going to do, Mia?” Gemma asks her. “Come with us or go with Mom?”
Mia meets my gaze and gives a firm nod. “I’ll go with.”
So, with Emilia, Gemma, and Mia, I get into Antonio’s car. We all crowd into the back seat with Theo. No one sits up front with Antonio.
He makes a phone call. “Killian? Have my men meet me at the club. Theo and I’ll be fighting.” He pauses. “To the death.”
I can’t hear Killian’s response on the other end, but judging by the hardening of Antonio’s mouth, Killian doesn’t agree with Antonio’s plan.
“Just get everyone there,” Antonio snaps, before putting his phone away.
We’re silent as Antonio drives to wherever the fight will be held. I sit next to Theo and hold his hand, feeling conflicted thoughts the entire way there.
The club Antoniotakes us to is a nondescript building, but the inside is another matter. A large fight ring rests in the middle of the room. The place is empty except for twenty or so of Antonio’s men.
Killian, Antonio’s second-in-command walks over. “Are you sure about this? A fight to the death?”
Antonio remains standing tall. “I’m sure.”
Killian turns to the rest of us. “How are you all feeling?”
“Not great,” Mia mutters. “I don’t want my brother to die, but he’s making this stupid decision.”
“Nice seeing you again, Mia,” Killian says to her. She eyes him warily before scooting closer to Emilia. Killian just smiles and shakes his head.
“Antonio,” Emilia says. “Don’t do this.”
“I have to.” He turns to the rest of his men. “All right, men. As Killian probably informed you, this will be a fight to the death between Theo and me.”
“Who will take over if you die?” one man asks.
“I don’t plan on dying,” Antonio replies. “Theo? Let’s go.” He walks into the ring.
Theo squeezes my hand. “I have to do this.”
