Chapter 33
Accioly hauls me out by the arm, dragging me through the muddy streets. My screams echo into the night as he pulls me out of that damned favela.
The cold rain soaks my body. But what really frightens me is his silence—he doesn’t say a word, yet the force of his grip tells me everything I need to know. He’s furious.
“Let me go, Accioly,” I scream, trying to wrench free of his grip. “Why are you doing this to me?”
He just laughs as he shoves me into the black car parked near Lola’s hideout.
“Shut up, Veronica,” he finally says, his voice low and dangerous. “You’ve talked enough for a lifetime.”
The car door slams hard. I shrink into the back seat as he climbs in on the driver’s side.
Silence falls between us again, but I can feel his rage in the air.
The car pulls out and seems to drive forever without reaching a destination.
The whole time, I keep trying to find a way to turn things in my favor.
“You’re making a mistake, Accioly,” I try reasoning with him.
“You’re the one who made a mistake—using my name to move against the Carusos.”
“It wasn’t like that...”
“Yes, it was. You used my soldiers. You even dragged Maike into this. I had to send him out of state to protect him.”
“That kid is a piece of shit...”
The car brakes hard, throwing me forward. Before I can react, he turns in his seat and stares at me.
“You’re wrong. That kid is the future Don of our organization.”
“What do you mean?”
He laughs, dripping with sarcasm.
“Surprised? He’s my son. I had him when I was very young.”
“Does he know?”
“No, he’ll find out when the time is right. As for you, using my name like that was beneath contempt. You made Lorenzo believe I was behind everything.”
“And it worked, didn’t it?” I reply with a nervous smile. “He was so busy suspecting you that he didn’t even notice what was really going on.”
Accioly’s hand closes around my throat before I can say another word.
“You think this is funny?” he whispers. “Think you’re so smart, don’t you? You think you can play games with my name and walk away unscathed?”
I can’t breathe. My lungs burn for air. Maybe these are my last moments alive. He’s going to finish me off right here.
He releases me with a shove and turns back to face the road. He starts the car and drives off, but now the silence is even more disturbing. I’m completely screwed, but I still need to fight for my life.
“Accioly, listen,” I begin. “You’re not Lorenzo’s friend, and he’s not yours. You and I could work together from now on. I can help you.”
He bursts out laughing.
“Work together with you,” he repeats. “Only if I were a complete idiot. You really don’t understand, do you?
This isn’t about advantages, Veronica. This is about the fact that you dishonored me, made a fool of me, dragged my name through the mud, made me look like an idiot—and I didn’t know a damn thing.
You were creating serious problems for me with people I need to get close to, not start trouble with. ”
My fear spikes. I’m panicking, trembling with nerves.
“What are you going to do to me? You know Lorenzo will find out if you do something to me...”
He meets my eyes in the rearview mirror, his gaze cold.
“You really think Lorenzo gives a damn about you? He couldn’t care less. His only concern is Lola, safe in his arms.”
He stops the car in an isolated spot—empty, no houses, no people, just trees and darkness all around. My heart races. My legs tremble. I don’t even have the strength to grip the door handle.
“Accioly, please...” I start to say, but he’s already out of the car. He yanks open my door and drags me out, throwing me into the mud. Fear consumes me completely. My minutes are definitely numbered.
“You should have chosen another name to tarnish, Veronica. Not mine.” He draws his gun.
“Think about everything we’ve been through, all our good times together—are you really going to kill me?” I plead.
“You know me. You knew you couldn’t play with my name like that.”
“Don’t do this,” I scream desperately. “We can negotiate! I can disappear! I can...”
The gunshot echoes before I can finish. Pain explodes in my chest, instant and searing, and my vision begins to darken. The last thing I see is Accioly’s merciless gaze as he holsters his gun, turns away, and disappears into the darkness.