Brutal King (The Seven Deadly Sinacores #7)

Chapter 28

28

GIDEON

October 14, 2009

Father’s body was recovered near the bank of Lake Michigan. He’d been stabbed fifteen times and shot twenty-five. Several of the wounds had been to his face. Already dead, he was chained and tossed into the water.

His body had been too severely mangled by the time he was found to be identified. It was his teeth that confirmed he was indeed my father.

I wasn’t allowed to see him, however, because when I went to arrange for his burial, he’d already been cremated. An order from someone with power.

But I’d already seen the photos. Seen the brutality in which he’d been murdered.

That was the day I swore revenge.

“ W e’ve been over this already. I’m not giving her up, Rowan.” I’m back at Kingsbrook, but have kept in constant contact with my brother.

His frustrated sigh comes through the phone clearly. “I don’t understand. She’s Luca’s sister. Send her back before he attacks my fucking house.”

“Luca doesn’t have the manpower we do.” Over the last two days, I’ve sent several of my men to reinforce security in Boston. That, coupled with Rowan’s already robust army, will keep Luca at bay if and when he goes to collect.

“It will cost lives. My men and yours will be at risk. All for a woman you’re keeping against her will?”

“You forget how willing you were to go to war for Louisa. As I recall, she wasn’t exactly in agreement to marry you.” I pinch the bridge of my nose. “And there’s something else I haven’t told you.” I pause, afraid of his reaction. “Sofia is pregnant.”

The line goes quiet so long I wonder if he’s hung up. Before I can ask, he says, “Luca is going to kill you.”

“Isn’t that what he’s been planning all along?”

“Yes. But he’ll add torture and dismemberment to it. It’s going to be a slow death, Dionne. He’ll probably chop off your dick and feed it to you as your last fucking meal.”

“Perhaps,” I say with a grimace, picturing Luca doing just that. “He’ll have to catch me first.”

“Well, now I understand why you’re so adamant about keeping Sofia.”

I don’t correct him. Yes, the baby adds to my desire to keep her. But I wouldn’t be able to let her go regardless. “Thank you for understanding. And for getting my ass out of Briar House.”

“What are brother’s for?”

That makes me smile. “I won’t let Luca take your territory, Rowan. I’ll do whatever it takes to make sure of that.”

“I’m used to war, Dionne. Just wish it wasn’t with someone I considered a friend. But my gut tells me you’d do the same for me.”

“I would.”

I hang up, feeling relief now that I’ve told him about the baby. His support matters to me more than he’ll ever know. Somehow, I must make it right for him.

Turning to Father’s portrait, I take out the penny I’m still carrying around with me. I lift it for him to see. “They’re all dead.”

Francesco Gianni, Giuseppe Tadesco, Bryan McKenzie, Sean Murphy, Clive Maxton and Sergio Ramos. The original six are gone, but there is still work to be done. Legacies I’ve sworn to end in the name of revenge.

Unless…

I must choose something I love, for something I love even more.

My focus shifts between the penny and my father. I vowed to avenge his death no matter the cost.

That was then. Now, there are more important things at stake than revenge. The cost of what I can lose is too high.

My brother. Scarlet. A child. And my Little Bird. For them, I must make a choice.

An idea begins to form in my mind. A bargaining chip that might get what remains of the alliance to disband. Perhaps, even get Luca to back down.

Placing the penny on the desk, I say, “It’s time for this to end.”

I search the house for Sofia and find her in the grotto. She’s floating on her back, a contended smile spread over her lips. “The water is finally warm enough. You should come in.”

Crouching near the edge, I call her over. “Another time. I’m writing up a proposal for your brother. The alliance, actually.”

She swims over and hangs onto the side of the pool. “What kind of proposal?”

“An end to my revenge in exchange for Rowan’s release from the deal he made for me. And Gunner and Scarlet’s freedom too, of course.”

“You’d be willing to do that?”

“They’re my family.” It’s the only explanation she needs. “Itsuki is on his way. He’s going to go with me to New York and set up the meeting. The fun had to end someday.”

“The fun doesn’t have to end.” Her smile widens. “How about a little game?”

My interest perks up. “What sort of game?”

“A high stakes game. If I get to that wall,” she points to the one across the pool, “before you can catch me, I’ll let you fuck me right here.” Glancing around to make sure none of the staff is around, she tugs down her top so that I can see her beautiful tits. My mouth goes instantly dry and I reach for her, but she swims away and covers herself.

“And if I don’t?” I ask. “What do I lose?”

“If you don’t, we both lose.” Her laughter is full of mischief as she splashes water at me.

I chuckle along with her. “Dirty, Little Bird. You’re willing to make us both lose for a bit of fun.”

“Don’t let us down, Ferryman.” Her voice is husky, seductive.

“Fine. I’ll play your game. Give me five minutes to change.”

“Nope. It’s gotta be now, or you forfeit. We go in three?—”

“The fuck!” I take my shoes off.

“Two…”

“Shit!” My Rolex goes flying, as does my wallet.

“One!” She pushes off the side and is already several feet ahead.

With no time to spare, I jump into the water. She’s a fast swimmer, already halfway across the pool by the time I come close. I grab her leg, but she kicks at me and gets away.

Engaging every one of my muscles, I power through the water until I reach her again. Her hand is already extending, ready to slap it against the wall, when I wrap my arms around her waist and tug her to me.

She’s laughing when her head emerges from the water. “You won fair and square.”

“I demand my reward.”

Her legs come around my hips and she presses her core to my hard cock. “ Our reward.”

I reach between us, searching for my zipper. Then, I slide over the small scrap of fabric covering her sweet pussy, and slide into her.

“You’re wet.” I bite her lip. “So wet for me.”

“Which is why it would have been so disappointing if you hadn’t won.” She shuts her eyes and throws her head back as I begin to pump. “Yes.”

I push her against the farthest wall and lift her legs over my shoulders, so that when I enter her again, I’m in deeper. She cries out, her fingers digging into my skin.

“I like your games, Little Bird. But I would have fucked you even if I lost.” I pump into her until her eyes roll to the back of her head and she screams my name.

“Yes. Gideon, don’t stop!”

I let go, filling her with everything I have. When I’m done, I pull out of her, but keep her tight in my embrace. I kiss her neck and breathe her in.

“What about me?” she asks.

“I thought you came.” I look at her, confused.

“Not that. I mean, what we were talking about earlier. What’s the deal for me?”

“There’s no deal when it comes to you. Either Luca will accept that you’re mine, or he won’t.” I glance down as I consider my next question carefully. “Did you mean it when you said you want to stay with me?”

“I said may?—”

“No maybes, Sofia. I don’t want to guess. I want a definite answer.”

“I’ve known the code to the garage for weeks, Gideon. I’m pretty sure I have all the gaps in your security figured out. And, I’ve memorized the secret halls. If I wanted to, I could have already left.”

“Did Scarlet show you?” Damn her!

Sofia smiles. “All of that is to say that I want to stay, but on my terms. Otherwise, I’m just your… I’d say pawn, except you haven’t used me for anything. I’m not even sure why you took me in the first place. What did you have to gain?”

“You.”

“Me?” She seems taken aback. “What does that mean?”

“I took you because I wanted you. That was it.”

Frowning, she lets out a small laugh. “That’s it?” Then, her eyes widen as she seems to recall something. “When we met, you told me you take over things just because you want them. You were serious.”

“Yes.”

“You never intended to use me against Luca? As an exchange for something?”

“Never.”

She stares at me as a myriad of emotions cross her face— confusion, rage, disbelief. In the end, she cups my cheek and says, “I’m not sure if I want to kiss you or kill you.”

“Kiss me,” I say, and she does. It’s a languid kiss, deep and breathy. One that could easily lead to more, but she pulls away.

“I want to talk to Luca. It can be a phone call if you’re worried. Let me talk to my brother. If you’re calling off the revenge and have no reason to war with him, I want to speak with him. I can tell him how much I love you and that I’m staying of my own choice. The baby deserves a family, an uncle and aunt, and—” She stops and finally looks at me. “Gideon. Are you okay?”

“What did you say?”

“That I want the baby to have family,” she repeats.

“Before that.”

“I’m choosing to stay.”

“Before that.”

“That I…” Her cheeks flush. “Shit. I wasn’t supposed to say it first.”

“That’s all right, dearie. Gideon knows better than to say it at all.”

Both Sofia and I turn to the sound of the male voice echoing through the basement. There, across the pool, is Henry. But it wasn’t him that spoke. It’s the man standing menacingly in the shadowed hallway behind him.

I push Sofia behind me, instantly taking note of the weapons I’m carrying, glad that I hadn’t had a chance to fully undress. There’s the knife holstered at my ankle, and the gun at my waist. Slowly, I move us to the far end, where there’s another exit, but two men appear with rifles pointed right at us.

Sofia clutches at my shoulders. “Gideon.”

“Shh.” I turn back to the shadowed man. “Who the fuck are you?”

He steps out, the light revealing his face little by little. When he’s fully exposed, the sight of him has me frozen in place. It’s as if the water has turned to ice and it’s seeped into every part of my body. I cannot believe what I’m seeing, yet I’m not the only one that does.

“It’s your father,” Sofia gasps. “How?”

“I… I don’t know.” I trail my gaze over him, searching for anything that would indicate this is a lie. That this isn’t my father, but someone with an uncanny resemblance. This man is much older, the lines on his face more pronounced than what I recall, and his hair mostly gray. But his eyes are the same steel blue. Just as intense and hard.

“How is this possible?” I ask.

“Come out, son, and I’ll tell you.”

I glance back at Sofia. “Stay behind me.”

We move as one to the edge, where three men I hadn’t seen before assist us up. Sofia remains glued to my back, peering over my shoulder at my father.

He tilts his head as he watches her too, curious and interested. “Come out, little one. I won’t bite.”

I stiffen and instinctively stand taller in front of her. “Father. You’re alive. How? I saw the crime photos.”

Grinning at me, he says, “You wouldn’t believe how easy it is to arrange your own death when you have the means. All I had to do was offer Sean Murphy money to bring in the wrong person. No one even bothered to look at his face when they started stabbing him. By the time they threw the body into the lake, it was unrecognizable. Then, I paid to have it cremated before you could come in to identify it. Couldn’t take the chance. Out of anyone, I knew you’d be able to tell it wasn’t me.” He pulls out a cigarette and lights it. “The dying was easy. The hard part was letting go of my life.”

“But you did it? Why?”

“It was getting too dangerous. I needed to take the heat off me for a while, or they could have killed me for real. And quite frankly, I needed a break. Doing what I do is tiring.” Shrugging, he comes nearer. I take a step away and he smiles. “Afraid of me, son?”

“Confused,” I reply, hoping he can’t hear the thunderous pounding of my heart. None of this is right. “Why would you keep this from me? I thought you were dead. I thought those men killed you.”

“That was the plan. You needed the motivation to finish my job for me. Nothing gets someone more motivated than revenge, wouldn’t you say?”

A guard I’ve never met before comes into the grotto. “The house is secure.”

“There was no one else?” Father asks him.

“The housekeeper and the cook. They’ve been dealt with.”

“Oh, God,” Sofia cries, but cups her mouth instantly.

Father glances at her. “It was just two, dearie.”

I look at Henry. He’s staring at his feet. Father notices and goes to stand beside him. “Henry here has been an absolute help. We should give him a promotion, I think.”

“He’s working for you?”

“Since before you brought him to Kingsbrook. I had to make sure to have eyes and ears in this place. Someone to keep me appraised of your progress. Henry had a hand in most of the staff you hired after him. He made sure they’d be loyal to me.”

So that’s how he got in without my knowledge. Everyone here works for him. Or most of them, anyway. I give Henry a look I hope will haunt him for the rest of his life. Traitor .

“I must say, son,” Father continues. “You’ve far exceeded my expectations. And that pet of yours, she has served her purpose, hasn’t she? You two have deposed of my enemies and grown my empire beyond my wildest dreams.”

It takes me a moment to understand what he’s saying, but only because my heart refuses to believe it. There’s a battle inside of me, where one side is elated to learn that he’s alive, but the other is aware that it was all at my expense.

“You used me,” I say, my tone low.

“I did what I had to. Now,” he comes closer once more, his hand extended. “Do you have my coin, son?” He watches me with that same expectancy he did when I was younger.

I glance from his hand to his eyes. “No.”

His lips pull down, his brows pinched. “That is a shame.”

He motions to someone behind us. The man grabs Sofia and hauls her away from me, while two others hold me in place.

“Let me go!” Sofia screams, trying ineffectively to free herself.

I turn to my father. “Tell them to release her. She’s no one of consequence.”

“Oh. My mistake. If she’s just another staff member we must take care of…” He tugs out his gun from his waist and aims it at her.

“No!” I drag the two goons holding me several feet before they’re able to shove me down to the wet floor.

“No?” Father smiles.

“Please. Let her go.”

“Hmm. This reminds me of another time. Remember, son? When you hid the girl from me?” He taps the barrel of the firearm against his lip, and for a second, I pray that it will accidentally shoot him in the head. But God doesn’t listen to men like me, and Father remains alive. “Yes. This is just like that. I hope you learned your lesson well.”

I’m hauled up onto my feet. Father circles me, then Sofia. Her jaw clenches as she watches him go round, but manages to keep her fear at bay.

“Father,” I say.

He whirls on me. “Are you loyal to me?!”

“Have I not proven my loyalty? I fought for you even when I believed you were dead!”

“And you were willing to give it all up for her!” He points to Sofia.

How could he have known that, unless he was standing there longer than I realized. My skin crawls at the thought.

My mind is racing, searching for a way out of this. I can think of only one. “I will swear anything you want, do anything you want, but don’t hurt her.” I look at Sofia. “She’s carrying my child. Your grandchild.”

Father laughs and for the first time in my life, I understand what true evil sounds like. I see him in a completely different light that has me struggling to breathe.

“Let’s do this,” he says. “I’ll let you choose. Your life and your loyalty. Or her life and my grandchild’s loyalty. Either way, I win.”

“Hers. Her life! Take me. Kill me.”

Something strange crosses Father’s face, a mixture of anger and disappointment. He raises his gun to me.

“No!” Sofia screams. “Please. Please, don’t.”

“I’ve made my choice. Swear to me you will not hurt them,” I demand. “That you will treat them well.” For as long as it takes Sofia to escape now that she knows how.

Father narrows his gaze. “I had a feeling someday you’d betray me. Just like your mother.”

I snap my attention back to him. “My mother never betrayed you.”

He laughs a laugh so vile and full of disgust, that it’s easy to decipher its meaning. “She had no vision. She couldn’t see the big picture. What you could be when you grew up. What I could make you.”

I’m hit the realization of what he’s saying. “ You killed her.”

“She tried to take you from me. That night, she packed everything thinking I’d be gone. If I hadn’t come home early, she would have gotten away with it.”

“You killed her,” I repeat. “You killed her.”

“I saved you from a life of mediocracy. From the fucking poverty I lived with. I gave you power. And how do you repay me? By choosing her!” Father’s face is a mask of fury. “I won’t allow that.” He moves his aim toward Sofia’s head. “Don’t worry, son. I’ll ensure her passage to the other side. Or did you forget? I’m The Ferryman.”

Everything suddenly seems to have been slowed down so that I can process every thought, every feeling. The adrenaline pumping through my system gives me the strength to pull myself from the men’s grasps, and throw my body in front of Sofia. I hear the sound of the shot as it cracks through the air and echoes angrily against the walls.

Blood sprays across Sofia’s face as a bullet passes through my shoulder. I shove her aside as another hits me on my side.

“Gideon!” she cries and tries to grab hold of me.

“Sof—” Another shot has me losing my balance. I fall into the water with a loud splash. Within seconds, everything around me has turned a deep crimson.

As I sink, my vision darkens. Above me, the image of my father peering into the pool begins to blur.

Until it all goes black.