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“And you’re no father, either.” I shoot back. “What father plots his own son’s murder?”
Roman’s eyes flash with surprise—and guilt.
“Yeah, I know about your plans with Vance,” I continue, blood roaring in my ears at the confirmation of my darkest suspicions. “What did you figure, you’d have him rat on me, set me up with the Feds to get me out of the way? And then when that didn’t work, you figured a car bomb would do the job instead.”
“Do you blame me?” Roman sneers, “You’re a fucking embarrassment. I’ll do whatever it takes to protect the organization.”
“And I’ll do whatever it takes to protect my family,” I reply. My anger gives way to ice-cold certainty.
There’s only one path forward for me now. One last way to sever my ties with the past, the ties that hold me back.
I turn to the door.
“That’s right, coward, run the fuck away!” Roman calls. “But I’ll find you. I got people everywhere!”
“No.” I turn back. “I have people. Barretti people. My men. And everything you have here in prison—your comfort, your protection—that all comes from my pocket. You signed it all over to me, remember?” I say. “Total control over all the assets, everything. The guards who bring you food, the cushy perks from the warden, those men keeping watch outside your cell, standing between you and all your enemies? They take their paychecks from me. But it’s over now,” I tell him. “As of today, you’re on your own.”
Roman pauses, and I can see the wheels turning in his brain. Putting the pieces together… And realizing just how many of the violent prisoners in the building have a vendetta against him.
“Now, wait a minute,” he blurts. “Son, you can’t—”
“You just said, I’m not your son,” I remind him, walking to the door.
“Wait! They’ll fucking tear me apart!” he cries after me.
I look over into my father’s face for what I know is the last time. “So be it.”
With those final words, I walk away, knowing that I’m leaving my toxic legacy behind for good.
Now, there’s nothing standing in the way of my future with Lily.
I’m free.
