AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“You’re going to be fine. Don’t be so gloomy,” he replies. As if he isn’t the one who started it. We stay on the call for the rest of the ride, but we’re both silent. The closer we get to the city, the harder my heart pounds.
“Stay here,” I command when we’re two houses away from Massimo’s. “This is the only way in and out, so they’re going to drive past this spot when they’re taking my body out. Plus you can see the house from here.”
“Be careful, Ezra,” he warns. I glance in the rearview mirror. He flashes his lights at me once then turns them off as he puts his car into park.
“I will.” I end the call, slowing down in front of the gates; they are even more massive than Alex’s, and thick. I roll down my window and poke my head out. The camera hones in on my face, then blinks green.
The gates open silently. It’s a testament to how rich he is that a gate this heavy would open this quietly. I do a two finger salute at whoever is watching through the camera, then wind my window up as I drive in.
Massimo isn’t waiting outside the door like Alex had. Of course, he isn’t. Massimo Moratti waits for no one. I pull up in front of the massive house. It can’t even be classified as a mansion. More of a castle: it has turrets and everything. The house isn’t just a home for him, it’s to make a statement. He’s the king living in his castle.
One of Massimo’s men comes for my keys. I drop them in his hand as I climb up the stairs to the intimidating front doors. The doors swing open as soon as my feet touch the top step, and my lips quirk up. The place might be huge, but it runs like a well-oiled machine.
The butler bows his head when I walk in. “Mr. Moratti is in his study.”
I thank him and walk through the living room to reach the study. Security isn’t as tight in Massimo’s house because only a trusted few can even get past those gates, so no one’s going to pat me down tonight. I don’t bother to knock. I just swing the door open. He glances up at me with a raised brow. Crew is with him, no surprise, since he also lives here.
“To what do I owe this pleasure, E,” Massimo asks, leaning back in his chair, his arms crossed over the other. Crew nods at me in greeting, but I’m not here for him. I look Massimo straight in the eye.
“I thought about what you said. That’s why I’m here.”
The corner of his lips turn up, but the smile doesn’t reach his eyes. They rarely do, the coldblooded bastard. “Oh? Do enlighten me, La Fiamma. I’ve said a lot of things over the years.”
“The only way out of the Moratti family is in a body bag. Ring any bells?” I don’t wait for his response before taking out the gun from the small of my back.
Crew shoots up to his feet and has his own gun pointed at me in a matter of seconds. Massimo remains relaxed as he stares at me with mild amusement. “Took you long enough to figure it out.”
He stretches his hand out at Crew, who hesitates before giving him his gun. “Listen carefully, you better be fully prepared to shoot me with that gun because if I raise thistoward you…” Massimo waves the beretta at me. “I’m pulling the trigger.”
I inhale deeply as our gazes hold. He’s a bastard, but fuck, I don’t want to shoot him. That’s not why I’m here. And he’s a bastard who was there for me at my worst. So I turn the gun in my hand toward myself. I put it on my temple, heart thumping wildly.
I’m surprised when Massimo jumps up, eyes dilating and darkening with shock. The only honest emotion that’s crossed his face since I walked into his study. “What the fuck?”
“I’m getting out, Hudson. I don’t care how.” His legal name slips out.
“Suicide is a coward’s way out. I’ll do you the favor. After all, La Fiamma has served this family well.” He presses on the trigger, and I barely register the loud noise as my body jerks backward.
I glance down numbly at the side of my chest, then up at him. My knees buckle, and I fall to the ground with a thump. I blink up at the ceiling blankly. I’m in shock. That’s why the pain hasn’t registered yet.
He actually shot me. I mean that was my plan but the bastard actuallyshotme? That coldhearted…
“Throw him out to the dogs, Crew,” I hear him say, his voice faded like he’s talking from a long distance.
“To the dogs?”
“Not literally. At the end of the street. There’s a field. Put his body there. I’ll send someone to take care of his body.”
I blink. I’m not going to be taken to the ranch house for cremation?
“That’s way out of our protocol, Massimo. What do you–”
“Are you questioning a direct order, Crew?”
“Of course not, sir.”
Muffled footsteps. Then the study door opens. I’m so tired and cold. Fuck, so cold. And my eyes ache and hurt. I let my lids slide closed. Someone grabs my legs, another my arms. White-hot pain blasts through my entire being; it’s all I can do not to scream. I must have passed out because the next thing I know I’m being tossed on a hard floor. I’m numb again, and I embrace it.
“I can’t believe this is how the legendary La Fiamma goes,” someone says.
