The Truth Hurts: Part Two: The Twisted Betrayal Duet

Chapter 27

“What are we going to do with him?” I ask, gesturing vaguely behind me with my thumb. I’m referring to the asshole tied up in the trunk, something I wasn’t expecting—then again, I’ve come to expect nothing from my cousin because he seems intent on doing his own thing. Ever since he returned from the dead, it’s like he’s a different person. Sure, the betrayal cut the deepest wound because I never thought he’d do something like that to me or Sera, but it’s not just that. His entire personality has flipped. He’s angrier, more vengeful, relentless in his pursuit to make people hurt. Enzo was always able to detach himself from inflicting pain on others, but right now, his secrets are taking him to a whole new level.

At least he had the decency to apologize to me. It’s definitely a step in the right direction. While I’m not completely ready to forgive him, I’m prepared to accept that his place in La Famiglia is by Sera’s side.

“Doing what I should have done months ago,” he mutters back, but I feel like those words aren’t really directed at me, but more himself.

We take the main road that leads out of the casino. I glance in the side mirror, seeing that Sera is stepping into the driver’s seat of the second car. I shake my head to myself because that can only spell trouble. I trust her driving, but I know her well enough to know she won’t leave us behind, even if she’s keeping up the pretense of doing as Enzo asked.

“It’s time we stood our fucking ground. I’m done playing nice with the Verdis.”

“Oh…kay,” I murmur with a smile. “But what exactly are you going to do with him?”

Enzo casts a quick glance my way before returning his attention to the road. And in that one look, I know what he isn’t telling me. Ever since we were kids, Enzo has had this infinite need to protect Sera. It’s no secret that despite Sera being more than capable of taking care of herself, he’s prepared to go to extreme lengths to exact revenge. That’s the detachment I’ve been worried about.

“You know she’s not going to go home,” I chuckle. I think we both know without me saying as much that Sera isn’t going to do as she’s told, least of all by Enzo. She’s defiant to a fault, and while I don’t think she’ll join in, I know she’ll be waiting for us somewhere.

Enzo grumbles something inaudible, cutting our conversation off as he swings the car down the graveled track that leads to the compound. Thankfully, the distance between the compound and the casino is only a short drive. We probably could’ve run here, but that’s beside the point.

“I hope you know what you’re doing, cuz,” I mumble, glancing behind us. The cries for help have stopped, but I can still hear the banging of feet attempting to break through the trunk. Verdi will be there for a while if he thinks that’s his escape route.

“You think I didn’t have a back up plan?” Enzo smirks just as the gates to the compound come into view. The sun is barely setting, the vibrant pinks and oranges decorating the sky like a watercolor painting. In a way, it would be somewhat romantic, especially when I take in the sight of the mansion ahead of us. Why we called it a compound when it’s pretty much a house made for a king, I don’t know. But what I do know is that the guards pacing back and forth in front of the gates aren’t going to take too kindly to our sudden entrance.

The engine revs harder as Enzo picks up speed, and in this moment, I can practically hear his plan—if I can even call it that. He hasn’t voiced it to me, but I’m hyper aware that this was something he expected to happen. I just wish I could revel in it as much as he is.

A sadistic smile curls his lips as we collide with the gates. The wrought iron cripples and caves with a loud crash and groan, flying off the hood of the car as we slam to a halt in the courtyard. Gravel kicks up behind us as the sound of gunfire ricocheting off the car grows louder and more frequent. Luckily, the SUV is reinforced—unless you plan to stick a bomb inside—so we’re pretty safe.

“Ready?” Enzo grins, pulling his gun out and sliding the clip back to check.

With a sigh, I let the sound of bullets echo in the small confines of the vehicle, contemplating my answer. I should be more excited about this than I am, but I’m not sure what Enzo has planned other than storming the castle. I’m used to working with Luca; storming the castle isn’t exactly a well-formulated plan. And I’m not going to pretend that a small part of me isn’t worried this plan is going to go to shit.

Before I can decide to object, another SUV comes barreling through the gap we created, swinging around and kicking up gravel and turf. Tires screech as the large blacked-out vehicle parks behind us, effectively shielding us from the bullets hammering down on us. But their presence only makes my heart slam harder against my chest.

I whip my head back to my cousin, lifting a brow. “Are they with us?”

He doesn’t have time to answer, because the doors to the vehicle swing open and black, armor-clad men jump out of it, rifles pointing in the opposite direction. I guess that answers my question.

I don’t recognize anything about the men protecting us. I’m certain they weren’t enlisted by Bianchi, which can only mean Enzo has gone behind her back, again.

Shoving my frustration aside, I pull my gun out and cock it. I guess I don’t have a choice in the matter. We’re already here, after all, and I’m not prepared to leave without Luca or Luisa.

Rapid fire surrounds us as the new team takes the heat, picking off our enemies one by one. It doesn’t take a genius to work out what Enzo’s plan is now.

I follow him out of the car, the armored team shielding us as we move to the steps of the mansion. The gunshots end as quickly as they started, forcing me to glance over my shoulder. The courtyard is littered with bodies, the masked men stepping toward us like they’re on our side. I think they are, but nobody has confirmed that much.

“Let’s do this,” I murmur when we’re all in position.

Enzo wastes no time pushing through the oversized doors to the mansion, the sound of them crashing against the walls echoing through the large foyer. We’re immediately hit with more gunfire, the room sucking us in as we dive for cover. He finds a pillar situated in the middle of the room, while I squeeze myself behind a random marble statue.

The masked men are the ones to lunge forward, throwing gas canisters into the open space while releasing bullets in rapid succession.

I duck my head, ears ringing through the deafening sound of gunfire. It only lasts for a minute before the room is cleared. But as we push further into the mansion, more men come at us. We’re surrounded—by more men than we originally planned for. All the exits are blocked, and aside from the door we’ve just come through, we don’t have a chance of escape, let alone of rescuing Luca.

My pulse pounds in my ears, my grip firmly on my weapon as I watch the masked team take out more men, their bullets slicing through our enemies like butter. I dart my gaze to Enzo. I don’t even want to ask who these guys are or how he knows them, but I’m inclined to appreciate the fact he does.

The pressure builds as more bullets bounce, more chaos erupts, and the shouts and bellows of orders are drowned out. The entire house rattles with the sound of gunshots, bullets ricocheting from all angles, blanketing us in wood chips and dust. The team is making great headway leading the charge, but it’s my own doubt telling me the longer we leave it, the worse things will get.

As if he can read my thoughts, Enzo tugs me sideways to line the wall of the open room. The masked men take the brunt of the contact, working in sync to remove the enemy. More gas is released, and we have to move back to avoid getting lost in it. I gape in awe as the tactical team works quickly, seamlessly. The whole place is littered with bodies and debris, making work for us to push further into the house.

Sweat beads down my temple as we press forward, the gunfire settling until it’s replaced by piercing silence. It’s quiet; too quiet. Worry sets in and my palms grow sweaty.

But then I hear a voice, a voice so familiar it almost cripples me with relief.

“That way!” Luca barks out, his footsteps growing close. But I can’t see him, I can only hear the collective sound of feet as they make their way through the foggy mess we’ve created.

Gradually, the smoke starts to clear. My breaths stutter for a second as hope races through me. But it isn’t Luca that emerges from the fog first, it’s Marco—and he’s not alone.

In his arms is someone unrecognizable, a goddamn figment of my imagination. She has to be, because the last time I laid eyes on my sister, she’d seen better days. Right now, her skin is pale, her features sunken, and she’s gripping Marco’s neck so fiercely that I can practically feel the fear radiating from her.

One of The Vultures heads up the group, gun pointed straight at us until he realizes who we are. He drops his stance, wiping sweat from his forehead as he shouts, “Clear!”

“About time,” Marco huffs, stopping in front of me and placing my sister back on the floor so I can get a look at her.

“Luisa?” Her name falls out of my mouth like a whisper, filled with shock and disbelief. Guilt rides the same wave as my relief, confusing me with which emotion to feel the most. The last time we saw one another was less than pleasant. I was protecting Sera, not even taking the time to observe the fear she was harboring. She wasn’t scared of Sera, she was scared of what would happen to her from talking to Sera. That thought alone has me drowning in my own shame for not seeing the signs sooner.

“Levi,” Luisa sobs, lunging at me and burying her head in my neck. Relief weighs me down as I wrap my arms around her, gripping her so tightly. We’ve got her. She’s safe. She’s…

Her bony structure is a stark contrast to the plump bulge resting between us. I pull away from her, confusion rippling through me as I glance down at her stomach. “You’re pregnant?”

Luisa chews her lips, eyes rounding with sadness. They glaze over like she’s holding back more tears, and I know why. She doesn’t want me to know, she didn’t want me to know.

I silently curse myself. It’s only been four months, and I’m no expert, but I’d say she’s farther along than that. “I—”

“I hate to break up the reunion,” Marco says, smiling softly at Luisa. “But we really need to get out of here.” He turns around, just as Matteo and Luca amble through the doorway.

More waves of relief hit me, and the sudden urge to rush towards him overwhelms me. My breaths choke me though, stopping me in my tracks when I finally take in the scene. Marco has Luca’s arm wrapped over his shoulder while he grips his waist. Every step is met with a wince or grimace, one leg hanging limp as Luca tries to walk. Crimson splotches decorate the floor and as my eyes follow the trail up, I see the bullet wound.

My blood runs cold, but it doesn’t stop me lunging for him.

“What the fuck!” I wrap his other arm over my shoulder.

“I’m fine!” Luca snaps, but his protest is weak at best. With the way he bears his weight on both of us, I’d say he’s less than fine, but he’ll never admit that.

Once we’re all outside, Enzo splits the groups off. Raf confirms the compound is secure, while we wait for more transport for the rest of the team. Verdi is slumped on the grass, wrists and ankles bound so he has no chance of escape, especially with two of the tactical team guarding him.

“Who are they?” Luca asks, nodding to the two men pointing their rifles at Don Verdi.

“Enzo’s back up plan,” I shrug, because that’s all I know about it and I’ve not had the chance to question further.

“Of course,” Luca grimaces, rolling his eyes as I help him sit back in the bed of the trunk. “Because we couldn’t have used their help before now?”

“Cut the shit,” Enzo barks over his shoulder. “They fucking saved your ass!”

I can’t really argue with my cousin there, though I do understand Luca’s anger towards the situation. Plus the fact that he put his life—or leg— on the line to save my sister means I kind of have to side with him. I make a mental note to thank him properly when we get back.

“Here,” Enzo grunts, handing me a tourniquet for Luca.

“I said I’m fine!” Luca snarls when I move his leg. He swats my hand away like my touch alone burns him, and I can’t help but feel a pang of hurt from his rejection. Not one for taking his shit most of the time, I shove his hand away and grab his leg, ignoring the hiss of pain he releases.

“You’re bleeding,” I growl back, wrapping the band tightly around his thigh to staunch the blood flow. “You’re not fine.”

“Whatever,” he mumbles back.

“Stop being a stubborn ass.” My words are framed with a smile, because I can’t resist baiting the beast. I clip the band and start twisting the lever, letting it tighten around Luca’s thigh until he yelps. I wish he wasn’t so goddamn stubborn about this shit. It’s like he sees injuries as weakness, when they’re anything but. He’s just proven the lengths he’d go to for me, and I’m not taking that shit lightly.

When I’m done, he mutters some inaudible thanks, his hand resting on mine.

Cupping the back of his neck, I force Luca to look at me. “It’s me who should be thanking you,” I whisper.

The anger in his eyes should steer me away, put me off. But his storm is always something I’ve been attracted to. The mystery behind it will always be that, so I try not to think about it too much. Instead, I close my lips around his. He grips my shirt, pulling me close to him, and for a moment I forget about all the shit we’ve been through today. We have Luisa, everyone is back in more or less one piece—aside from a few injuries— and all we have to do is get back to…

“Sera,” I whisper against his lips. “She’ll be worried,” I rush out before pulling out my earpiece. I tap it twice, making sure the receiver is working, then I hand it to Luca who tucks it into his ear. I can’t help but revel in the way his shoulder’s relax as his lips kick up in a smile.

“Dolcezza?” he purrs.