Chapter Thirty-Four
The gun went off and I felt something swiftly pass me. I blinked once, then twice, then a third time. Am I dead? Looking straight, I saw Luca standing there lowering the gun in his hands. He never missed.
“You could have run,” Luca said coldly, “But you came here instead so that I can put a bullet in your head.”
“You make it sound like it’s a crazy thing,” I replied with a light smirk.
Luca took a deep breath as he placed the gun back inside his chest holster. Neither one of us moved.
“You served me and this family even knowing that your life would end over it. You don’t deserve to die in my eyes,” Luca replied.
“You know loyalty is non-negotiable. If betrayal was forgivable, then the devil himself would still be sitting next to God.”
“You forget the devil is a fallen angel. In rebellion, he tried to become God’s equal. That’s why he was cast out of heaven.”
Surprised at his knowledge of that detail, I understood what he was saying. In no point in time did I ever rebel or try to take Luca’s place when he’d given me power to be able to. He trusted me and knew where my loyalty lay without questioning it.
“So, I’m giving you an option. You continue your role in this family, or,” I watched as he pulled out a set of keys from his pocket, “You start a new life.”
“That’s not how it goes Luca. Not ending me will make you look weak.”
“To who? No one knows what happened aside from us, my mother, and my siblings. As far as anyone knows, you were away on business and faced a tragic ending. People know we always have something up our sleeves. It wouldn’t be a shock if you resurfaced.”
“If I chose to stay. What’s the catch?”
“There’s to be no ties with Bethany. Her and her husband will move out of Chicago permanently.”
I knew I couldn’t have it all but was it worth losing Bethany? Was the bullet still an option?
“Or you pick a new life with Bethany.” Luca continued as he nodded behind him to his Bentley Continental. “The car has everything you need. New identity, money, and an account set up to live comfortably for both you and Bethany.”
“She may not want to come.”
“She’s waiting down by the river for you.”
There was pressure on my chest as though someone was sitting on it. Shouldn’t I be relieved that I get to live and run off with the woman I love? Why am I feeling overwhelmed and unsure?
“You have my blessing. I know with you she’s in good hands,” Luca encouraged.
He didn’t need to tell me that the offer was for a limited time, so I nodded my head.
“There’s something you should know,” I voiced as my potential last act of service, “If you just told me about Alfie, this would have never happened.”
Luca nodded in agreement, “I know. I couldn’t risk it, Emilio. He’s the last of Marco we have. I vowed to protect his identity in Marco’s honor.”
“Even if it meant preventing this very moment?”
“Even if it meant preventing this moment. I owe at least that to Marco.” Luca stood there waiting for my decision. “So, what’s it going to be?”