Chapter 41 Luca
Istare at my former best friend. He’s shattered. Finally. Yet, I can’t take any joy in it. Despite being broken, he’s so damn beautiful that it hurts. He was my first love…my tormenter…and now it’s come full circle to where I’m the one holding his life in my hands.
Taking a deep breath, I head toward Cristian. It’s time for the climax of this event. There’s a pit in my stomach, as I’m not sure whether it’ll end how I want…or if I’ve condemned us all. Hell, I’m not sure what the right decision even is anymore.
I grab Cristian, half lifting and half dragging him over to where Il Padrone is. Cristian is so restrained that it’s impossible for him to offer any resistance. Hell, his damn hood has to be almost choking him at this point.
I toss him in front of Il Padrone, but my former Master doesn’t react.
Coming closer to him, I run my fingers through his sweat-soaked hair.
My nose wrinkles at it, but I continue to pet him, needing him to come back, at least for a little bit.
My soul aches at this, even as I remind myself that it’s necessary.
“Il Padrone, I need you to listen to me.” He shakes his head, moaning, still not responding. I tighten my grip on his hair and yank his head up, snapping out, “Allesandro! Focus!”
His eyes stare at me, but I’m not sure he’s actually seeing me. Pulling harder, he finally gasps. Those icy blue eyes of his are so dull now, I worry I’ve broken him too much, but I push that guilt to the side, digging my nails into his scalp. Weakly, he asks, “What now?”
“Oh good, you are listening.” I deliberately make my words harsh as I step to the side, forcing him to stare at Cristian, who still can’t do anything except wiggle in his restraints. He has no idea how much his life hangs in the balance. “You have to answer a question for me. Do you understand?”
Allesandro says nothing. Fuck, I’m not sure he even sees Cristian.
His expression is so utterly blank. Gritting my teeth, I lift up my hand and quickly slap him.
He blinks rapidly, some life coming back to him.
I bite back my relief as I squeeze his chin, making sure he truly sees what is in front of him. His lover. At my mercy.
“You have a choice. I can kill Cristian, or I can kill Lio.” Hatred flickers in his eyes and I struggle not to weep at the sight of him actually feeling something. “Come on. I don’t have all day. Cristian. Lio. One lives…one dies. Who are you choosing?”
“Kill…” I lean down, trying to hear his whisper, and my eyes widen when he says, “Me.”
Swallowing, I force myself to remain calm. “No. That’s not an option. Cristian or Lio? Who deserves to live?”
“Not. Me.”
Growling, I drop my head, the weight of the pressure bearing down on me. My own voice quietens and I choke out, “Don’t make me choose.”
“Me. Not Lio… Never Lio.” His eyes close and he slumps completely, until my hand is the only thing keeping his face upright. I pull it away, watching as his entire body gives out and words stop. I know I won’t get anything else out of him.
Turning to Cristian, I take a moment and stare at him. Fuck. This man… Who was he to come in between my Family? And to try to kill Ignacio…to turn his back on the people he was supposed to love… Fuck.
I drag him further away, outside of Allesandro’s eyesight. It’s the only compassion I can offer my friend. Cristian can’t hear me, but as I lift the knife, I give him a benediction. “May he have Mercy, because I don’t.”
Swiping the knife downward, I cut out the cancer that infected our Family.
I hang my head for a moment before turning back around to face my former friend.
So many memories run through my head as I study him.
The good times. The bad times. The fucking worst times.
And now this. Being forced to make a decision that I shouldn't have to.
I walk toward Allesandro and face him directly. Part of me wants to force him to meet my eyes, but I don’t. Maybe it’s better this way. Once again, I raise my knife, shuddering as I do it. Hoarsely, I give him the only words I can, “Be free, my friend. Be free.”
As the knife goes down, my knees damn near give out. It’s done. My work here is finished. I wish the Council the best of luck. Thank fuck I get to head home. I need my men to drown this out—to bring me back to where I can live with the decisions I’ve made.
Shakily, I drop the knife to the floor, and when I close the door to the playroom, I know it’s for the last time.
My chapter here is done. The Family I had is gone, destroyed.
I wait for the guilt to come, but there’s a trickle of relief as well…
Wrongs were righted, and now the three who broke away can finally create the life they need.
If that cliffhanger has you desperate to find out what happens next, you can find Bound Together here: