AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Dante,” she choked out. “What have you done?”
I pushed my shoulders back, my gaze landing on her surprise. “I got them for you.”
“I… Oh my God.”
Sofia took a shaky step forward, her attention on the man in the middle, a chain wrapped around his wrist that was connected to one of the metal beams. His face was bloody and bruised, just like the other four. I was real damn proud that I’d gotten a few hits in. It was a necessity to get them here, but it also felt damn good for my fist to connect with the bastards’ faces.
“Damien,” Sofia whispered, so low that I was sure only I heard it. Damien’s eyes opened—the brain behind the organization that had hurt Sofia—but only one of them made contact with her because the other one was swollen fully shut.
“She shouldn’t be doing this,” Christian warned, but he didn’t make a move to come any closer. He knew just as well as I did that Sofia needed this.
The men in front of us had tried to take everything from her. They’d used her to get to Lorenzo. They’d harmed her in ways a man should never harm a woman. They’d touched her, they’d hit her, they’d humiliated her, they’d…raped her.
She needed to take back all of her control, and this was the only way to do it.
I pulled a gun off my waistband and handed it to Sofia without a second thought. “Here. It’s fully loaded, and I have more—”
I didn’t get the rest of my words out because Sofia was already raising her arm and shooting several shots in a row—all aimed directly at Damien. Blood bloomed on his chest, the dark red dripping down his body and meeting the floor where his feet couldn’t touch.
“—bullets if you need them,” I finished.
“I’m gonna need them,” she told me, placing her finger on the trigger and firing off one last shot into the man beside Damien.
She handed the gun back to me, and I got to work, reloading the clip. I placed it back in her waiting palm, not saying another word. Within seconds she’d emptied the clip again, but this time into the four other men. Killing each one of them, but leaving Damien breathing in the middle, bleeding out slowly.
She passed the gun back to me, not making eye contact with anyone but Damien as she stepped toward him. “You wanted my brother’s attention, that was what you said, right?” She tutted, taunting him and showing her Beretta side. “I’m guessing your plan didn’t work?” She tilted her head to the side. “Sucks to be you, huh?”
“Fuck. You.” He spat blood at her, but she dodged it just in time.
All four of us took a step forward, ready to intervene if we needed, but it was Christian’s words that echoed in the empty room. “Watch it, motherfucker, or I’ll torture you for months, drawing your death out in the worst way possible.”
“You tried to take everything from me,” Sofia said. I knew this was it, this was the moment where she regained her control back, so I stepped forward, ready to pass her back the gun. She must have heard me because she held her hand out, and I didn’t waste a single second placing it back in her palm. “But you made the worst mistake you ever could have.” She lifted her arm, aiming for his head. “You left me breathing.” Her lips slowly lifted into a grin as horror set into his expression, and I couldn’t have been prouder in that moment. “So really, this is your fault, you piece of shit.”
She squeezed the trigger, firing off the fatal bullet that landed right between his eyes, killing him instantly.
The second he took his final breath, Sofia’s shoulders sagged, her hands started to shake, her adrenaline starting to wane.
“It’s over now,” she whispered, repeating it over and over.
“It’s over,” I confirmed, taking the gun from her as Christian rushed toward her.
“It’s over, Sof,” he told her, banding his arms around her from behind, just in time for her legs to give way.
Silence echoed around us, the tension from only seconds ago dissipating, so I chanced a look at Lorenzo, not sure what expression I’d get, but I hadn’t expected the one echoed back at me.
“You did good,” he murmured, not moving from his spot as he widened his stance. His gaze penetrated me, trying to read me, but he wouldn’t have any luck. I’d changed since I’d been gone. I learned how to put a steel wall between me and my emotions. “You back for good now?” he asked.
“I’m back,” I told him, stowing away the gun. “And ready to take my rightful place…” I trailed off, my gaze veering to Christian. He’d been the underboss while I was gone, but both Lorenzo and I knew that it was my job to take. I was meant to be the second-in-command. I wasn’t ready for it a year ago, but I was now.
“We’ll see,” Lorenzo grunted.
“No.” I shook my head and took a step forward. “I’m not the same man I was when Dad died.” I inhaled a breath. “It’s my rightful place, big brother.”
His nostrils flared, warning me not to push it, but I was done with being told what to do. I’d effectively set up a brand-new faction of the business all on my own. I’d proved myself over and over, and now it was time.
His gaze tracked my face, his neck cracking to the side. I wasn’t sure what he was going to say or do. It could have gone several different ways, but thankfully his small nod made way.
“You have proved yourself.” He took a step forward. “But are you ready?” I opened my mouth, about to tell him that I was, but he beat me to it. “There’s only one way to find out.” He held his hand out to me and I placed mine in his to shake it. “Welcome home, little brother.”
